JP4092202B2 - Floorboard and locking system - Google Patents

Abstract

A floorboard and an openable locking system therefor comprise an undercut groove on one long side of the floorboard and a projecting tongue on the opposite long side of the floorboard. The undercut groove has a corresponding upwardly directed inner locking surface at a distance from its tip. The tongue and the undercut groove are formed to be brought together and pulled apart by a pivoting motion which has its centre (C) close to the intersection between the surface planes (HP) and the common joint plane (VP) of two adjoining floorboards. The undercut in the groove of such a locking system is produced by means of at least two disk-shaped cutting tools whose rotary shafts are inclined relative to each other to form first an inner part of the undercut portion of the groove and then a locking surface positioned closer to the opening of the groove. An installation method for a floor of such boards comprises the steps of laying a new board adjacent to a previously laid board, moving the tongue of the new board into the mouth of the undercut groove of the laid board, angling the new board upward during continued insertion of the tongue into the undercut groove and simultaneously angling down the new board to the final position. A manufacturing method for manufacturing the undercut groove uses machining by means of at least two different rotary cutting tools whose rotary shaft is set at different angles. A wedge-shaped tool for laying of the floorboards is wedge-shaped with an upwardly directed engaging surface at its thicker end.

Description

[Floor board and locking system]
The present invention relates to a locking system for mechanically joining floorboards and to a floorboard having such a locking system.

  The present invention is particularly suitable for mechanically joined floorboards based on wood, usually with a wooden core. Accordingly, the following description of the prior art, and the objects and features of the present invention, relates to this field of application, and in particular to a rectangular parquet floor joined with a long side and a short side. The invention is particularly suitable for floating floors, i.e. floors that can move relative to the base. However, the present invention is not limited to a uniform wooden floor, a wooden floor having a plate core or a plywood core, a floor having a surface made of veneer and a core made of wood fiber, a thin laminated floor, a floor having a plastic core, etc. It must be emphasized that it can be used on all existing types of hard floors. The present invention can of course be used with other types of floorboards such as plywood that can be machined with a cutting tool or an underfloor made of particleboard. Although not preferred, the floorboard can be secured to the base after installation.

[Technical background of the present invention]
Mechanical joints have largely occupied the market within a short time, mainly due to their excellent layability, joint strength and joint quality. Floors sold under the trademark WO 9426999 and AROCK (Alloc is a registered trademark), described in more detail below, have significant advantages over conventional adhesive floors, but further improvements Is desirable.

  The mechanical joining system is very convenient not only for joining bonded floors but also for joining wood floors and composite floors. Such floorboards include a number of different materials on the surface, core, and rear side. As discussed below, these materials are also included in various parts of the joining system such as strips, locking elements, and tongues. However, a solution comprising an integrated strip that provides a horizontal joint, for example formed according to WO 9426999 or WO 9747834, and further includes a tongue that provides a vertical joint, the mechanical joint by machining the board material Expensive in the form of material waste associated with formation.

For optimal function, for example, a 15 mm thick parquet floor must contain strips that are approximately the same width as the floor thickness, ie about 15 mm. For a tongue of about 3 mm, the amount of waste is 18 mm. The width of the floorboard is usually about 200 mm. Therefore, the waste of material is about 9%. In general, the cost of wasted materials, when the floorboards are made of expensive materials, if thicker or format is small, if the order is laid number of meters junction of 1 m ² per floor increases Become bigger.

  In particular, if a strip in the form of a separate aluminum strip is used and pre-fixed to the floorboard at the factory, material waste can be reduced. Moreover, aluminum strips provide a bonding system that is better and less expensive than strips machined from the core in many applications. However, aluminum strips are very expensive to invest, and a thorough reconfiguration of the factory is required to change existing conventional production lines to be able to produce floorboards with such mechanical joining systems. This is disadvantageous. However, an advantage of the prior art aluminum strip is that there is no need to change the starting format of the floorboard.

  The opposite is true when manufacturing strips by machining floorboard material. Thus, the floorboard format must be adjusted so that there is enough material to form the strips and tongues. In many cases, it is necessary to change the width of the decorative paper used for the laminated floor. Furthermore, all these adjustments and changes require costly changes in manufacturing equipment and great product suitability.

  In addition to the above-mentioned problems with unwanted material waste and manufacturing costs and product suitability, strips have the disadvantage of being greatly affected by damage during transport and installation.

  In summary, there is a great need to provide mechanical joints at low manufacturing costs, while at the same time the objective is to maintain the current superior properties regarding laying, removal, joint quality and strength. Prior art solutions cannot reduce the price without lowering the standard of strength and / or laying function.

  The object of the present invention is therefore to present a solution aimed at reducing the price and at the same time retaining strength and function.

  The present invention starts with a floorboard having a core, a front side, a rear side, and both joint edge portions. One of these joint edge portions is formed as a tongue groove having a bottom end defined by upper and lower lips, and the other is formed as a tongue having a portion directed upward at a free outer end. Yes. The tongue groove has the shape of an undercut groove having an opening, an inner portion, and an inner locking surface. At least a portion of the lower lip is integrally formed with the floorboard core, and the tongue cooperates with the inner locking surface of the tongue groove on the adjacent floorboard when two such floorboards are mechanically joined. A locking surface designed to work, so that the front side of these floorboards is located in the same surface plane (HP) and is oriented perpendicularly thereto Unite at This technique is disclosed, inter alia, in German Patent DE-A-3041781. This is discussed in more detail below.

  However, before that, general techniques relating to floorboards and locking systems for mechanically locking these floorboards to each other are described as background to the present invention.

[Description of prior art]
In order to promote and explain the present invention and the problems to be solved by the present invention, both the basic structure and function of the floorboard according to WO9426999 and WO99666151 will be described below with reference to FIGS. Where applicable, the following description of the prior art also applies to embodiments of the invention described later.

  3a and 3b show the floorboard 1 according to WO 9426999 from above and from below, respectively. The board 1 is rectangular and has an upper side 2, a lower side 3, two opposite long sides with joint edge portions 4a and 4b, and two opposite short sides with joint edge portions 5a and 5b. .

  The long side joining edge portions 4a and 4b and the short side joining edge portions 5a and 5b meet at the joining plane VP (see c in FIG. 2), and in the laid state, their upper side is the common surface plane HP. (See c in FIG. 2) It can be mechanically joined without using an adhesive in the direction D <b> 2 of c in FIG. 1.

  In the illustrated embodiment, which is an example of a floorboard according to WO 9426999 (see FIGS. 1 to 3), the board 1 has a flat strip 6 mounted at the factory. This strip extends along the entire long side 4a and is made of a flexible elastic aluminum sheet. The strip 6 extends outwardly beyond the joining plane VP at the joining edge portion 4a. The strip 6 can be attached mechanically or with an adhesive or in some other manner according to the illustrated embodiment. As described in the document, other strip materials such as any other metal sheet or aluminum or plastic profile can also be used as material for strips that are factory installed on the floorboard. . The strip 6 can be integrally formed with the board 1, for example by suitable machining of the core of the board 1, as described in WO 9426999 and as described and illustrated in WO 9966151.

  The present invention can be used with floorboards in which the strip or part of it is integrally formed with the core and solves the special problems existing in joining, removing and manufacturing such floorboards. The core of the floorboard does not have to be formed of a uniform material, but is preferably formed of a uniform material. However, the strip is always integrated with the board 1. That is, the strip 6 must be formed on a board or installed at the factory.

  In the known example according to WO 9426999 and WO 9966151 mentioned above, the width of the strip 6 may be about 30 mm and the thickness may be about 0.5 mm.

  A similar but short strip 6 ′ is arranged along one short side 5 a of the board 1. In the part of the strip protruding beyond the joining plane VP, a locking element 8 extending along the entire strip 6 is formed. This locking element 8 is provided with an action locking surface 10 facing the joining plane VP at its lower part. The height of the action locking surface 10 is, for example, 0.5 mm. The locking surface 10 cooperates with a locking groove 14 formed on the lower side 3 of the joint edge portion 4b of the long side portion of the adjacent board 1 'facing each other when laying. A corresponding locking element 8 'is provided on the strip 6' provided along the short side, and a corresponding locking groove 14 'is provided on the joint edge portion 5b of the short side facing each other. The edges of the locking grooves 14, 14 ′ facing away from the joining plane VP form a working locking surface 10 ′ for cooperating with the working locking surface 10 of the locking element.

  Since the long side portion and the short side portion are mechanically joined also in the vertical direction (direction D1 in FIG. 1c), the board 1 has one long side portion (joining edge portion 4a) and one short side thereof. Along the section (joint edge portion 5a), the opposed lateral open recesses defined on the upper side by upper lips of the joint edge portions 4a, 5a and on the lower side by respective strips 6, 6 ' That is, a tongue groove 16 is further formed. The edge portions 4b, 5b are provided with an upper recess 18 defining a locking tongue 20 which cooperates with a recess or tongue groove 16 (see FIG. 2a).

  FIGS. 1a to 1c show the surface plane while holding the two long sides 4a, 4b of two such boards 1, 1 ′ on the base U in essentially contact with each other. A method of joining together by pivoting about a center C near the intersection between the HP and the joining plane VP and tilting downward is shown.

  FIGS. 2a to 2c show how the short sides 5a, 5b of the boards 1, 1 'are joined together by a snap action. While the long side portions 4a and 4b can be joined by both methods, the joining of the short side portions 5a and 5b performed after first laying the first floorboard row is usually the long side portions 4a and 4b. It is performed only by snap action after the first joining.

  When a new board 1 ′ and a previously laid board 1 are to be joined along their long edge portions 4a, 4b according to FIGS. 1a to 1c, the long edge portion 4b of the new board 1 ′ is Pressing against the long side edge portion 4 a of the board 1 laid before according to FIG. 1 a, results in the locking tongue 20 being inserted into the recess or tongue groove 16. Next, the board 1 ′ is tilted downward toward the underfloor floor U according to FIG. The locking element 20 of the strip 6 snaps into the locking groove 14 at the same time as the locking tongue 20 completely enters the recess or tongue groove 16. When tilted downward in this way, the upper part 9 of the locking element 8 can act to guide a new board 1 ′ towards the board 1 laid before.

  In the joining position according to FIG. 1c, the boards 1, 1 ′ are locked to some extent along their long edge portions 4a, 4b in the D1 direction as well as in the D2 direction. They can be displaced relative to each other in the longitudinal joining direction along the long side (i.e. direction D3).

  2a to 2c show that the short side edges 5a and 5b of the board 1, 1 ′ are displaced in the direction D1 by displacing the new board 1 ′ essentially horizontally towards the previously laid board 1. FIG. A method of mechanically joining in the direction D2 is also shown. In detail, this can be done after joining the long side of the board 1 'in a row adjacent to the board 1 previously laid by tilting inwardly according to a to c in FIG. . In the first step of FIG. 2a, the chamfered surface of the recess 16 and the locking tongue 20 cooperate so that the strip 6 'is pushed down as a direct result of bringing the short side edges 5a, 5b together. When finally mating with each other, the strip 6 'snaps in when the locking element 8' enters the locking groove 14 ', so that the working locking surfaces 10, 10' of the locking element 8 ' And the locking groove 14 'engage with each other.

  By repeating the operations shown in FIGS. 1a to 1c and FIGS. 2a to 2c, the entire floor can be laid along all joint edges without an adhesive. Thus, prior art floorboards of the type described above generally have a new board 1 'in front by first tilting the long side down and after locking the long side. It can be mechanically joined by snapping the short sides together by displacing in the horizontal direction (direction D3) along the long side of the laid board 1. These boards 1, 1 'can be removed in the reverse order of laying without damaging the joints, and then laying once or more. These laying principles can be applied in connection with the present invention.

  In order to function optimally and to facilitate laying and removal, prior art boards, after joining, act on the action locking surface 10 and the locking groove 14 of the locking elements along their long sides. It must be possible to take a position with a slight play between the locking surface 10 '. However, in an actual butt joint, no play is required between the boards at the joining plane VP near the upper side of the board (ie the surface HP). In order to take such a position, it is necessary to press one board against another board. A more detailed description of this play is described in WO9426999. Such play is preferably about 0.01 mm to 0.05 mm between the action locking surfaces 10, 10 'when the long sides of adjacent boards are pressed against each other. This play makes it easier to leave the locking element 8 in the locking grooves 14, 14 'and leave it there. However, as described above, when the surface HP and the joining plane VP intersect at the upper side of the floor board, no play is necessary at the joining portion between the boards.

The joining system allows displacement along the joining edge at the locked position after joining of the optional side. Therefore, it can be laid in many different ways, which are variations of the three basic methods.
* Tilt the long side and snap the short side.
* Snap the long side and snap the short side.
* Tilt the short side, tilt the two boards up, displace the new board along the short side edge of the previous board, and finally tilt the two boards down.

  The most common and safest laying method is to first tilt the long side down and lock it to another floorboard. Then, the displacement is performed toward the short side portion of the third floor board at the locking position, and as a result, the short side portion can be snap-fitted. Laying can also be done by snap-fitting one side, the long side or the short side, together on another board. Then, at the locking position, the displacement is performed until the other side part snaps onto the third board. These two methods require snap-fitting at least one side. However, laying can also be done without snap action. In a third variant, the short side of the first board is first tilted inward towards the short side of the second board, whose long side has already been joined to the third board. After such alignment, the first and second boards are tilted slightly upward. The first board is displaced to a position tilted upward along its short side until the upper joining edge portions of the first and third boards contact each other, and then the two boards are kept joined together. Tilt to.

  The above-described floorboard and its locking system have been very successful in the market in connection with a laminated floor having a thickness of about 7 mm with an aluminum strip 6 having a thickness of about 0.6 mm. Similarly, a commercial variation of the floorboard according to WO 9966151 shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b has also been successful. However, this technique is not particularly suitable for wood-fibre base materials for forming parquet floors, in particular for floorboards made of heavy wood or wood materials bonded with adhesive. know. One of the reasons why this known technique is not suitable for this type of product is that a large amount of material is wasted to machine the edge to form a tongue groove with the required depth. .

  One more well known design of a board mechanical locking system is shown in GB-A-1430429 and FIGS. 5a and 5b. This system is basically a tongue and groove joint where a holding hook is additionally provided on the extended lip on one side of the tongue groove, and a holding ledge corresponding to the upper side of the tongue is formed. This system requires that the lip provided with the hooks have considerable resilience and cannot be removed without breaking the joint edges of the board. Manufacture is difficult due to an interference fit, and a large amount of material is wasted due to the geometry of the joint.

  WO 9747834 discloses floorboards with various types of mechanical locking systems. These locking systems designed to lock the long sides of the board together (see FIGS. 2 to 4 and 22 to 25 of the above document) can be attached and removed by connecting-tilting movement. Most of what is designed to be done, but intended to lock the short sides of the board together (see FIGS. 5-10), face each other for connection by a snap lock. Although designed to be connected to each other by pushing in translation, these locking systems on the short side of the board cannot be broken or in any case removed without damage.

  Some of these boards disclosed in WO 9747834 and designed to be connected and disengaged by either tilting movements or snap fits (see FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 of WO 9747834 and the accompanying drawings). 14a-c) has a groove on one edge, the strip protrudes below the groove and extends beyond the joining plane where the upper sides of the two joined boards meet. ing. The strip is designed to cooperate with a portion formed essentially complementary to the opposite edge of the board so that two similar boards can be joined. A common feature of these floorboards is that the upper side of the board tongue and the corresponding upper interface of the groove are flat and parallel to the upper or upper surface of the floorboard. The board is transverse to the joining plane exclusively by means of a locking surface provided on the lower side of the tongue on the one hand and a locking surface provided on the upper side of the lower lip or strip provided on the other hand. It is connected so that it may not be pulled apart. Furthermore, these locking systems have the disadvantage of requiring strip portions that extend beyond the joining plane. This wastes material in the joint edge where the groove is formed.

  Since various types of boards, especially floor boards, are mechanically joined, the amount of wasted material is reduced, manufacturing can be performed efficiently, and wood-fibre board materials and wood-based board materials There are many teachings when using. Thus, WO9627721 (see a and b in FIG. 5 in the attached drawings) and Japanese Patent No. JP3169967 (see a and b in FIG. 7 in the attached drawings) have two types of waste of material. Although snap joints are disclosed, they have the disadvantage that the floorboard cannot be easily removed by tilting up. Furthermore, high locking angles cannot be used in these systems to reduce the risk of pulling apart. Furthermore, this joint shape is disadvantageous with respect to snap fits where the material needs to be deformed to a significant degree and with respect to manufacturing tolerances when large surface portions must be precisely adjusted with respect to one another. These large surface portions in contact with each other are also difficult to displace the floorboards relative to each other in the locked position.

  Another known system is disclosed in German Patent DE-A-1212275 and is shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b of the accompanying drawings. This known system is suitable for sports floors made of plastic material, but cannot be produced by using large disc-shaped cutting tools to form sharp undercut grooves. Furthermore, this known system cannot be removed unless the upper and lower lips surrounding the undercut groove are sufficiently elastic so that they can be greatly deformed when pulled apart. Therefore, this type of joint is not suitable for floorboards based on wood-fiber based materials where a high quality joint is desired.

  French patent FR-A-2675174 discloses a mechanical joining system for ceramic tiles with complementary edge portions. In such a case, separate spring clips attached at a predetermined distance from each other are used. These clips are formed to grip the bead at the edge of the adjacent tile. This joining system is not designed to be removed by pivoting. This is apparent from FIG. 10a of the accompanying drawings and in detail in FIG. 10b.

  Another system is disclosed in DE 20001225U1 in which the lower lip yields. However, this prior art structure is very fragile and has major drawbacks because the lower lip is weakened by the locking groove.

  Furthermore, German Patent DE 199 25 248 discloses a system with a locking element pointing upwards.

  As is apparent from the above description, the prior art system has both disadvantages and advantages. However, it has an optimal locking system in terms of manufacturing technology, material waste, laying and removal functions, and is very suitable for the rational production of floorboards that are high quality, strong and functional in the laid state There is no locking system.

  The object of the present invention is to meet this need and to provide an optimal locking system for floorboards and such an optimal floorboard. Another object of the present invention is to provide a snap joint that can be manufactured in a rational manner. Further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the above description as well as the following description.

  Thus, the floorboard and the releasable locking system have an undercut groove on one long side of the floorboard and a protruding tongue on the long side opposite the floorboard. The undercut groove has a corresponding upwardly facing inner locking surface at a predetermined distance from the tip. The tongue and the undercut groove are formed to be aligned with each other by a snap action. The preferred embodiment can also be removed by a tilting movement centered near the intersection between the surface planes of two adjacent floorboards and the common joining plane. The tongue groove undercut of such a locking system first forms the inner portion of the groove undercut portion and then the rotating shaft to form a locking surface positioned near the groove opening. It can be formed by disc-shaped cutting tools inclined with respect to each other.

  However, the features of the locking system, floorboard and laying method according to the present invention are described in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe particularly preferred embodiments according to the invention. Other advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

  Before describing certain preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, the basic concepts of the present invention and the requirements for strength and function will be described.

  The present invention can be applied to a rectangular floorboard having a parallel first side pair and a parallel second side pair. For simplicity, the first pair is referred to as the long side and the second pair is referred to as the short side in the following text. However, it should be pointed out that the present invention is also applicable to square boards.

[High bonding quality]
The term high joint quality means that the floorboards fit snugly both vertically and horizontally in the locked position. The floorboards must be joined without a very large visible gap or with a height difference between the joint edge portions, with no load applied as well as with a normal load applied. For high quality floors, the difference in joint gap and height should not be more than 0.2mm and 0.1mm respectively.

[Inclination upward with the joint edge as the center]
In general, it must be possible to tilt the long side of the floorboard up so that the floorboard can be removed. The board in the starting position is joined with a tight joining edge, so that this upward tilting cannot be done with the upper joining edges in contact with each other and by rotation about the joining edge Don't be. It is very important to be able to tilt in this way not only when changing the floorboard but also when moving the floor. Many floorboards are laid in the wrong way, such as adjacent to the door, in the corners, etc. during installation. This is a serious drawback if the floorboard cannot be easily removed without damaging the joining system. A board that can be tilted inward is not necessarily tilted up again. In connection with tilting down, the locking element is bent backwards and downwards and opens because the strip usually curves slightly downward. If the proper angle and radius are not formed in the joining system, the board is locked so that it cannot be removed after laying. The short side part is normally pulled out along the joining edge after being opened by tilting the joint part of the long side part upward, but it is advantageous that the short side part can also be opened by tilting upward. This is particularly advantageous when the board is long, for example 2.4 m, and the short side is difficult to pull out. It must be possible to tilt up very safely without the boards getting stuck or getting caught in each other. If the boards get stuck or get pinched together, there is a risk of damage to the locking system.

[Snap fit]
It must be possible to lock the short side of the floorboard with a horizontal snap fit. This requires that the parts of the joining system must be flexible and bendable. Even if tilting the long side inward is much easier and faster than snap fitting, it is advantageous that the long side can also be snapped. This is because certain laying operations, such as circular doors, require the boards to be joined horizontally. In the case of a joint that can be snapped on, there is a risk that the edge will rise at the joint if the shape of the joint is inappropriate.

[Material cost for long side and short side]
For example, if the floorboard is 1.2 × 0.2 m, each square meter of the floor surface is about 6 times larger at the long side junction than the short side junction. Thus, a large amount of material waste and expensive joint material is less important on the short side than on the long side.

[Horizontal strength]
In order to obtain a high strength, the locking element generally has to have a large locking angle so that the locking element does not snap off. The locking element must be high and wide so that it does not break when subjected to high tensile loads because the floor has shrunk in winter due to low relative humidity. This also applies to the material closest to the locking groove of the other board. The short side joint must be stronger than the long side joint. This is because the tensile load during shrinkage in winter is distributed over the length of the short side joint along the short side rather than along the long side.

[Vertical strength]
It must be possible to hold the board flat when a vertical load is applied. Furthermore, the surfaces that move with respect to each other under pressure and the flat upper joint edge cause stagnation, so that the joint must be prevented from moving.

[Possibility of displacement]
In order to be able to lock all four sides, the newly laid board must be able to be displaced along the previously laid board in the locked position. This is done by using a suitable amount of force, driving them together using a flat block and a hammer, without damaging the joint edges and freeing the visible play in the joint system in the horizontal and vertical directions. Must be done without forming. Displaceability is more important on the long side than on the short side. This is because the long side portion has a longer joint and therefore the friction is essentially high.

[Manufacturing]
It must be possible to reasonably manufacture the joining system using a large rotary cutting tool with very good accuracy and performance.

〔measurement〕
Good function, manufacturing tolerances, and quality require that the contour of the joint can be continuously measured and inspected. Critical parts of a mechanical joining system must be designed to be easy to manufacture and measure. It must be possible to manufacture with a tolerance of a few hundredths of a millimeter, and therefore must be able to be measured with great accuracy, for example with a so-called contour projector. When the joining system is manufactured by linear cutting, the joining system has the same contour across the entire edge, except for certain manufacturing tolerances. Therefore, the joining system can measure with great accuracy by cutting several samples by sawing from the floorboard and measuring these samples with a contour projector or measuring microscope. However, rational manufacturing requires that the joining system can be measured quickly and easily in a non-destructive manner, for example using a gauge. This is easily done when the critical parts of the locking system are as few as possible.

[Optimization of long side and short side]
In order to optimally manufacture the floorboard at the lowest cost, the long side and short side must be optimized with respect to the various features described above. For example, the long side must be optimal for tilting down, tilting up, placement and detachability, whereas the short side must be optimal for snap fit and high strength. Thus, an optimally designed floorboard must have various joining systems on the long and short sides.

[Possibility of moving the joint edge in the lateral direction]
Wood-based floorboards and floorboards that generally contain wood fibers swell and shrink according to changes in relative humidity. Swelling and shrinking usually starts from above, so that the surface layer can move more than the core that forms part of the bonding system. In order to prevent the upper joint edge from being lifted or crushed when the degree of swelling is large, and to prevent the joint gap from being lifted during drying, the joining system has a movement that compensates for swelling and shrinkage. It is formed to be possible.

[Invention]
The present invention uses a suitable manufacturing method, essentially by machining and using a tool whose tool diameter is much larger than the thickness of the board, so that the latest shape is reasonably highly accurate, Based on a first understanding that it can be made of wood, wood based boards, and plastic materials. This type of machining can be performed at a predetermined distance from the joining plane with tongue grooves. Thus, the shape of the joining system must be adapted to a reasonable production that must be able to be performed with very little tolerance. However, such an adaptation cannot be made without sacrificing other important features of the floorboard and locking system.

  The present invention is further based on a second understanding based on knowledge of the requirements that must be met by the mechanical joining system for optimal function. With this understanding, these requirements are met in ways not previously known: a) the design of the joining system, for example with respect to specific angles, radii, play, free surfaces, and ratios between the various parts of the system, and b) Can be met by a combination of the use of core material properties such as compression, stretching, bending, tensile strength, and compressive strength.

  The present invention can further provide a bonding system at a low cost while maintaining functionality and strength, or in some cases, function and strength can be achieved by manufacturing technology, joint design, material selection, and long side and short side. Based on a third understanding that can be improved by side optimization.

  The present invention develops joining systems, manufacturing techniques, and metrology techniques that must be adjusted so that as few critical parts as possible are required to have low tolerances, and in continuous manufacturing. Based on a fourth understanding that it must be designed to allow measurement and inspection.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, thus, all four sides of the floorboard are placed in a first vertical direction D1, a second horizontal direction D2, and a third direction D3 perpendicular to the second horizontal direction. A locking system for mechanically joining with a unique locking system to the corresponding side of another floorboard and a floorboard with such a locking system are provided.

  The floorboard may have a removable mechanical joining system on two sides. This mechanical joining system is a well-known type of system that can be displaced laterally at the locking position and can be locked by tilting inwardly about the bonding edge or by a horizontal snap fit. The floorboard is equipped with a locking system according to the invention on the other two sides. The floorboard may further comprise a locking system according to the invention on all four sides.

  Thus, a joining system designed according to the present invention is provided on at least two opposite sides of the floorboard. The joining system has a tongue groove defined by a tongue and upper and lower lips. The tongue has a portion directed upward at the outer upper portion thereof, and an undercut is provided at the inner upper portion of the tongue groove. The portion directed upward of the tongue and the undercut of the tongue groove provided in the upper lip have a locking surface which cooperates so as not to separate horizontally in the direction D2 transverse to the joining plane. The tongue and tongue groove further have a cooperating support surface that prevents vertical separation in a direction D1 parallel to the joining plane. Such a support surface is at least in the lower part of the tongue and in the upper part provided on the lower lip of the tongue groove, while the cooperating locking surface serves as the upper support surface, The tongue may advantageously further comprise another upper support surface. The tongue, tongue groove, locking element, and undercut are designed to be manufactured by machining using a tool whose diameter is larger than the thickness of the floorboard. The tongue can be inserted with its upwardly directed portion into the tongue groove and its undercut by an essentially horizontal snap fit. The lower lip bends so that the portion directed above the tongue can be inserted into the undercut. The lower lip is shorter than the upper lip, which facilitates the formation of an undercut having a locking surface that is relatively inclined with respect to the surface of the board. Thus, the horizontal locking area is increased and can be combined with a flexible lower lip.

  According to a second feature of the invention, the floorboard has two edge portions with a joining system according to the invention. In the joining system according to the invention, both the tongue and the part directed above it can be inserted into the tongue groove and its undercut by means of a snap function, with both boards facing upwards with their upper joining edges in contact with each other. It can be removed from the tongue groove by tilting to the right.

  In another aspect, or in addition, the tongue can be flexible to facilitate such a snap fit on the short side after joining the long sides of the floorboard. Thus, the invention further relates to a snap joint that can be released by tilting up with the upper joint edges in contact with each other.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, the floorboard has two edge portions with a joining system formed according to the invention. In this case, the tongue can be snapped into the tongue groove with the board held in a tilted position and then tilted down by pivoting about the upper joint edge.

  The lower lip is shorter than the upper lip so as to allow a greater degree of freedom when designing the undercut of the upper lip and in particular its locking surface.

  The features of the present invention can also be applied to known systems that do not have these features in combination with the preferred locking system described herein.

  The present invention further describes the basic principle to be met for a tongue and groove joint that snaps with minimal bending of the joint components and with the floorboard surface plane at essentially the same level.

  The present invention further illustrates how material properties can be used to obtain greater strength and lower costs associated with snap fit.

  Various features of the present invention will now be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating various embodiments of the invention. Parts of the board of the present invention equivalent to those of the prior art board of FIGS. 1 and 2 are given the same reference numerals throughout the figures.

  A first preferred embodiment of a floorboard 1, 1 'with a mechanical locking system according to the invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 21a and 21b. To facilitate understanding, the joining system is shown schematically. It should be emphasized that good functions can be obtained with the other preferred embodiments described below.

  FIGS. 11a and 11b schematically show a section through the joint between the long side edge portion 4a of the board 1 and the long side edge portion 4b of another board 1 'facing it.

  The upper side of the board is essentially positioned in a common surface plane HP and the upper parts of the joining edge portions 4a, 4b engage with each other in the vertical joining plane VP. The mechanical locking system locks the boards against each other in both a vertical direction D1 and a horizontal direction D2 extending perpendicular to the joining plane VP. However, when laying the floor in a juxtaposed board row, one board (1 ') can be displaced along the other board (1) in the direction D3 (see FIG. 19) along the joining plane VP. Such a displacement can be used, for example, to lock together floorboards positioned in the same row.

  In order to join two joining edge portions that are perpendicular to the vertical plane VP and parallel to the horizontal plane HP, the edge of the floorboard is connected to one edge of the floorboard inside the joining plane VP in a manner known per se. A tongue 38 having a tongue groove 36 in the portion 4a and protruding beyond the joining plane VP is formed in the other joining edge portion 4b.

  In this embodiment, the board 1 has a core or wooden core 30. This core has a wooden surface layer 32 on its front side and a balance layer 34 on its rear side. The board 1 is rectangular and further has a second mechanical locking system on two parallel short sides. In some embodiments, this second locking system may have the same design as the long side locking system, but the locking system provided on the short side is another design according to the present invention. Or a conventionally known mechanical locking system.

  As an illustrative non-limiting example, the floorboard may be a parquet type with a thickness of 15 mm, a length of 2.4 m, and a width of 0.2 m. However, the present invention can also be used with square parquet boards of different sizes.

  The core 30 may be a plate type made of a narrow wooden block made of inexpensive wood. The thickness of the surface layer 32 should be between 3 mm and 4 mm, is made of decorative hardwood material and is coated with varnish. The rear balance layer 34 is preferably made of a 2 mm veneer layer. In some cases, it is advantageous to use different types of wood in different parts of the floorboard in order to achieve optimum properties within the individual parts of the floorboard.

  As described above, the mechanical locking system according to the present invention has the tongue groove 36 provided in one joint edge portion 4a of the floorboard and the tongue 38 provided in the joint edge portion 4b facing each other of the floorboard. .

  The tongue groove 36 is defined by upper and lower lips 39, 40 and has the form of an undercut groove with an opening between the two lips 39, 40.

  The various parts of the tongue groove 36 are best seen in FIG. The tongue groove is formed in the core or core 30 and extends from the edge of the floorboard. An upper edge portion extending upward to the surface plane HP, that is, a joint edge surface 41 is provided above the tongue groove. In this embodiment, an upper engagement surface or upper support surface 43 parallel to the surface plane HP is provided in the opening of the tongue groove. This engagement surface, that is, the upper support surface, continues to the inclined locking surface 45 that forms a locking angle A with respect to the horizontal plane HP. A surface portion 46 that forms the upper boundary surface of the undercut portion 35 of the tongue groove is provided inside the locking surface. The tongue groove has a bottom end 48 that extends downward to the lower lip 40. On the upper side of the lower lip, an engagement surface, that is, a support surface 50 is provided. The outer edge of the lower lip is provided with a joining edge surface 52 positioned at a predetermined distance from the joining plane VP.

  The shape of the tongue is also best seen in FIG. The tongue is formed of the material of the core, that is, the core 30, and extends beyond the joining plane VP when the joining edge portion 4b is mechanically joined to the joining edge portion 4a of the adjacent floorboard. The joint edge portion 4b further has an upper edge or upper joint edge surface 61 that extends downward to the root of the tongue 38 along the joint plane VP. An upper engagement surface or upper support surface 64 is provided on the upper side of the tongue base, which in this case extends to the inclined locking surface 65 of the part 8 directed upwards near the tip of the tongue. . The locking surface 65 passes through the guide surface portion 66 and terminates at the upper surface 67 of the portion 8 directed above the tongue. After the surface 67, a chamfer serving as a guide surface 68 is provided. This extends to the tip 69 of the tongue. The lower end of the tip 69 is provided with another guide surface 70 that extends obliquely downward to the lower edge of the tongue, that is, to the engagement surface, that is, the support surface 71. The support surface 71, when mechanically joining two such floorboards, the upper side of these floorboards is positioned in the same surface plane HP and meets at a joining plane VP perpendicular to this surface plane, It cooperates with the support surface 50 of the lower lip so that the upper joint edge surfaces 41 and 61 of the board engage each other. The tongue has a lower joining edge surface 72 that extends down.

  In this embodiment, separate engagement surfaces, i.e., immediate support surfaces 43 and 64, are provided in the tongue groove and on the tongue, respectively, which engage with each other in a locked state, and are provided on the lower lip and the tongue, respectively. In cooperation with the lower support surfaces 50, 71, they are locked in a direction D 1 perpendicular to the surface plane HP. In another embodiment described below, both locking surfaces 45 and 65 are used as locking surfaces for locking each other in a direction D2 parallel to the surface plane HP and in a direction perpendicular to the surface plane. It is used as a support surface that resists movement at D1. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 11a and b, the locking surfaces 45, 65 and the engaging surfaces 43, 64 cooperate as the upper support surface of the system.

  As is apparent from the accompanying drawings, the tongue 38 extends beyond the joining plane VP and has an upwardly directed portion 8 at its free outer end or tip 69. When the tongue mechanically joins two such floorboards, the front side of these floorboards is positioned on the same surface plane HP and meets at a joining plane VP oriented perpendicular to the surface plane. Further, a locking surface 65 formed to cooperate with the inner locking surface 45 of the tongue groove 36 of the adjacent floor board is further provided.

  As is apparent from FIG. 11 b, the tongue 38 has a surface portion 52 between the locking surface 51 and the joining plane VP. When joining the two floorboards, the surface portion 52 engages the surface portion 45 of the upper lip 8. To facilitate the insertion of the tongue into the undercut groove by inward tilting or snap fitting, the tongue is chamfered between the locking surface 65 and the surface portion 67 as shown in FIGS. Part 66. Further, a chamfered portion 68 is preferably disposed between the surface portion 67 and the tip 69 of the tongue. The chamfered portion 66 serves as a guide portion whose inclination angle to the surface plane is smaller than the inclination angle A of the locking surfaces 43 and 51.

  The tongue support surface 71 is essentially parallel to the surface plane HP in this embodiment. The tongue has a chamfered portion 70 between the support surface and the tongue tip 69.

  According to the present invention, the support surface 50 of the lower lip 40 cooperates with the corresponding support surface 71 of the tongue 36. In this embodiment, the support surface is positioned at a predetermined distance from the inner portion 47 of the undercut groove. When two floorboards are joined together, engagement occurs both between the support surfaces 50, 71 and between the engagement surface or support surface 43 of the upper lip 39 and the corresponding engagement surface or support surface 64 of the tongue. . In this way, the board is locked in the direction D1 perpendicular to the surface plane HP.

  Preferably, at least most of the inner portion 47 of the undercut groove, which appears parallel to the surface plane HP, is separated from the joining plane VP by a larger distance than the outer end or tip 69 of the tongue 36. This design greatly simplifies manufacturing and facilitates displacement of one floor board along the joining plane relative to the other floor board.

  Another important feature of the mechanical locking system according to the invention is that all parts of the part of the lower lip 40 connected to the core 30 are viewed from the point C where the surface plane HP and the joining plane VP intersect. It is arranged outside the plane LP2. This plane is arranged farther from the point C than the locking plane LP1 that is parallel to the plane LP2 and that is tangent to the locking surfaces 45, 65 with which the undercut groove 36 and the tongue 38 cooperate. ing. The locking surfaces 45 and 65 are most inclined with respect to the surface plane HP. With this design, the undercut groove can be formed using a large disk-shaped cutting tool for machining the edge portion of the floorboard, as will be described in more detail below.

  Another important feature is that the lower lip 40 is elastic and that it is shorter than the upper lip 39. Thereby, an undercut can be manufactured using the large rotary cutting tool which can be set to a comparatively high angle with respect to a horizontal direction plane so that the locking surface 65 with high locking angle A can be formed. This high locking angle greatly reduces the downward component that occurs in connection with the tensile load. This means that the strength of the joining system is high, although the lower lip is elastic and thus limited in its ability to resist downward components. This optimizes to obtain a high locking force and a low resistance to snap fit. The high resistance to the snap fit makes the snap fit difficult and increases the risk of damage to the floorboard interface edge. The inventor has shown that many materials used in floorboards are sufficiently elastic by forming a lip of appropriate thickness and length that can work with the preferred joining system and provide sufficient locking force. I discovered that I can do it.

  FIGS. 12a-c show a snap fit of two floorboards by bending the lower lip 40. FIG. As is apparent from FIG. 12b, the snap-fit is done with minimal bending of the lower lip and with the floor board surface planes at essentially the same surface height. This reduces the risk of itching.

  FIGS. 13a-c show that the locking system according to FIGS. 12a-c can be used for tilting up and down in connection with removal and laying. The upper and lower lips 39, 40 and the tongue 38 are formed on one floor with the two mechanically joined floorboards centered on the pivot center adjacent to the intersection C between the surface plane HP and the joining plane VP. The board is configured to be removable with respect to the other floor board by pivoting upward so that the tongue of one floor board is pivoted out of the undercut groove of the other floor board.

  The snap joint according to the invention can be used on both the long side and the short side of the floorboard.

  However, FIGS. 14 and 15 show a variation of the present invention, which is, inter alia, along the short side of a floorboard made of a relatively hard material such as hard wood or hard fiberboard. Suitable for snap-fit.

  In this embodiment, the tongue groove is essentially deeper than needed to receive the tongue. As a result, the lower lip 40 can be bent further greatly. Furthermore, the locking system has a long tongue with a thick locking element 8. The locking surfaces 45 and 65 are also greatly inclined. Dashed lines indicate snap fit movement.

  14 and 15 can be removed by tilting one board upward and bending the lower lip 40 of the other board slightly downward. However, in another more preferred embodiment of the invention, it is not necessary to bend the lower lip downward when the floorboard is removed.

  In the locking position, the floor board can be displaced in the length direction of the joint. Therefore, for example, the short side portion can be removed by pulling out the joint portion in the length direction after removing the long side portion by, for example, tilting upward.

  To facilitate manufacturing, inward tilt, upward tilt, and snap fit, to facilitate displacement at the locked position, and to prevent stagnation and have tight upper joint edges All surfaces that do not function in forming the joint and in forming the vertical and horizontal joints will not touch each other in the locked position and preferably during locking and unlocking. ing. This allows these joints to be manufactured without requiring large tolerances and reduces friction at lateral displacement along the joint edges. Examples of bonding system surfaces or portions that should not be in contact with each other in the locked position are 46-67, 48-69, 50-70, and 52-72.

  The joining system according to the preferred embodiment includes several combinations of materials. The upper lip 39 can be formed of a rigid and hard upper surface layer 32 and a soft lower portion that is part of the core 30. The lower lip 40 may be made of the same soft upper portion 30 and a soft lower portion 34 which may be another type of wood. The direction of the fibers of the three types of wood may be different. This can be used to provide a bonding system that uses these material properties. Thus, the locking element is positioned near the rigid and rigid upper portion according to the present invention. This part thus has a limited degree of flexibility and compressibility, whereas the snap function is provided by the soft lower flexible part. It should be pointed out that the joining system can also be formed on a homogeneous floorboard.

  FIGS. 16a to 16c show an example of a floorboard according to the present invention. This example specifically shows that the design of the joining system provided on the long side and the short side is different. On the short side, the locking system is optimized for snap fit with a high locking angle, a deep tongue groove, and an upper lip that is shorter than the lower lip, while the locking surface is required for downward bending In order to reduce the property, the height is low. On the long side, the joining system is adapted for joining / removing by tilting movement.

  Further, it is made of various materials and combinations of materials 30a, 30b, and 30c. Further, various materials can be selected for the long side and the short side. For example, the short-side groove portion 36 may be made of a flexible wood, for example, which is harder and more rigid than the tongue portion 38 having different properties from the long-side core. In the short side portion having the tongue groove 36, for example, the wood 30b of a flexible type can be selected rather than the wood 30c of the other short side portion in which the tongue is formed. This is particularly convenient for parquet floors with layered cores made of different types of wood on the upper and lower sides and with cores stuck together.

  This structure can significantly change the composition of the material to optimize function, strength, and manufacturing costs.

  Furthermore, the material can be varied along the length of the side. Thus, for example, a block positioned between two short sides may be made of different types of wood or material, so some of them for suitable properties to improve laying, strength etc. You can choose regarding contributions. With different fiber orientations, various properties can be obtained on the long side and the short side, and further plastic materials can be used on the short side and for example on various parts of the long side. If the floorboard or its core part is made of plywood with several layers, for example, these layers are all upper lip, tongue and lower lip on both the long and short sides. Including portions made of different material compositions, fiber orientations, etc., which can be selected to provide different properties with respect to strength, flexibility, processability, and the like.

  17 a, b, and c are tongues for facilitating a horizontal snap fit according to the present invention in a joining system with an undercut or locking groove 8 in the rigid upper lip 39 and the flexible lower lip 40. The basic principle for designing the lower part of the lower lip 40 is shown. In this embodiment, the upper lip 39 is quite rigid. This is especially because they are relatively thick or made of hard and more rigid materials. The lower lip 40 should be thin and soft, thus causing a large bend in the lower lip 40 in conjunction with the snap fit. In particular, by limiting the maximum bending of the lower lip 40 as much as possible, the snap fit can be greatly facilitated. FIG. 17a shows that the bending of the lower lip 40 increases up to the maximum bending level B1, characterized by a tongue 38 that is largely inserted into the tongue groove 36, showing that the rounded guide portions contact each other. . As the tongue 38 is inserted deeper, the lower lip 49 bends until the snap fit is complete and the return locking element 8 is fully inserted into the undercut 35 in its final position. The lower front portion 49 of the tongue 38 must be designed not to bend the lower lip 40 downward, and the lower lip must instead be pressed downward by the lower support surface 50. This portion 49 of the tongue must have a shape that is equal to or less than the maximum bending level of the lower lip 40 when the lower lip 40 is bent about the outer portion of the lower engaging surface 50 of the tongue 38. Don't be. When the tongue 38 has a shape indicated by a broken line 49b that overlaps the lower lip 40 at this position, the bend B2 shown in FIG. 17b is considerably large. This creates significant friction associated with the snap fit and increases the risk of damage to the joint. FIG. 17 c shows that the maximum bending can be limited by the tongue groove 36 and the tongue 38 designed such that there is a space S 4 between the lower outer portion 49 of the tongue and the lower lip 40. Furthermore, the upper lip formed more rigidly and the lower lip, which is more flexible, cause the floor to shrink or swell depending on the relative humidity of the room air, so there is a risk that the edge will rise above the laid floor. Decrease. By making the upper lip more rigid in combination with the structure of the locking surface, the joint can absorb the pulling force in the large lateral direction of the joint. Furthermore, the lower lip bends away and contributes to minimizing the risk of the edge lifting.

  Typically, a horizontal snap fit can be used in conjunction with a short side snap fit after the long side is locked. When snapping the long side, the joining system according to the invention can be snapped with one board in a slightly tilted position. The snap position tilted upward is shown in FIG. Only a small degree of bending B3 of the lower lip 40 is required to bring the locking element guide portion 66 into contact with the locking groove guide portion 44 and can be inserted into the undercut 35 by tilting the locking element downward. .

  19 and 20 further illustrate the problems that arise in connection with the snap-fit of the two short sides of two boards 2a and 2b whose long side has already been joined to another first board 1. FIG. When the floor board 2a is joined to the floor board 2b by snap action, the inner corners 91 and 92 closest to the long side of the first board 1 are arranged in the same plane. This is because the long sides of the two boards 2a and 2b are joined to the same floor board 1. According to FIG. 20b showing the cross section C3-C4, the tongue 38 cannot be inserted into the tongue groove 39 because the lower lip 40 starts to be bent downward. In the outer corners 93 and 94 on the other long side, the tongue 38 can be inserted into the tongue groove 36 in the cross section C1-C2 shown in FIG. 20a, and the board 2b is automatically matched with the height of the locking element 8. The lower lip 40 begins to bend downward by pushing and tilting upward.

  The inventor thus has an inner corner portion with lateral displacement in the same plane when the upwardly directed portion is formed at the tip of the tongue and is inserted into a tongue groove with an undercut. I found that there was a problem with snapping. These problems show great resistance to snap fit and risk breaking the joining system. This problem can be solved by a suitable joint design and material selection that allows deformation bending of the material at multiple joints.

  When snapping a joint system of such a specific design, the following occurs: In lateral displacement, the outer guiding portions 42, 68 and the upper lip of the tongue cooperate to press the portion or locking element 8 directed above the tongue under the outer portion of the upper lip 39. The tongue bends downward and the upper lip bends upward. This is indicated by an arrow in FIG. The corner 92 in FIG. 19 is pressed upward by the lower lip 40 of the long side of the board 2b to be bent, and the corner 91 is downward by the upper lip provided on the long side of the board 2a to be bent upward. Pressed. The joining system is so great that the sum of these four deformations is so great that the locking element can slide along the upper lip and snap into the undercut 35. It has been found that the tongue groove 36 must be able to be widened in connection with the snap fit. However, it has been found to be advantageous if the tongue, which must normally be rigid, is designed so that it can bend in conjunction with a snap fit.

  Such an embodiment is shown in FIG. The grooves 63 are formed inside the vertical plane VP in the upper inner portion of the tongue. The entire length PB of the tongue from the inner part to the outer part can be extended, and this may be, for example, half or more of the floor thickness T.

  22 and 23 are related to the snap fit at the inner corners 91 and 92 (see FIG. 19) and the snap fit at the outer corners 93 and 94 (see FIG. 19) of the two floor boards 2a and 2b. It shows how the parts of the joining system bend. For ease of manufacture, all that is required is a thin lip and tongue to bend. In practice, of course, all parts subjected to pressure are compressed and bent to varying degrees depending on the thickness, bendability, composition, etc. of the material.

  22 a shows the outer corners 93 and 94, and FIG. 23 a shows the inner corners 91 and 92. These two drawings show the position when the edges of the board touch each other. The joining system is designed so that the outermost tip of the tongue 38 is located inside the outer part of the lower lip 40 even in this position. When the boards are pushed further toward each other, the tongue 38 pushes the board 2b upward at the inner corners 91, 92 according to b of FIG. 22 and b of FIG. The tongue bends downward and the board 2b is tilted upward at the outer corners 93,94. FIG. 23 c shows that the tongue 38 is tilted downward at the inner corners 91, 92. According to FIG. 22c, at the outer corners 93 and 94, the tongue 38 is tilted upward and the lower lip 40 is tilted downward. According to FIG. 22d and FIG. 23d, as the boards are pushed further toward each other, they continue to bend and then the lower lip 40 bends at the inner corners 91, 92 as shown in FIG. E in FIG. 22 and e in FIG. 23 indicate snap-fit positions. Thus, when the tongue 38 is flexible, and when the board is placed in the same plane in conjunction with a snap fit that occurs after the floorboard is already locked along its two other sides. When the tongue and groove are in contact with each other, if the outer portion of the tongue 38 is positioned inside the outer portion of the lower lip 40, the snap fit can be made fairly easily.

  There are several variations within the scope of the present invention. The inventor found that various parts of the joining system were manufactured with many different board materials and with homogeneous plastic and wooden panels in various widths, lengths, thicknesses, angles and radii. A number of variations were manufactured and evaluated. All joint system tests were conducted in the inverted position, with respect to the snap fit and tilt of the groove board and tongue board relative to each other, and the systems described herein for the long and short sides and the prior art systems. Made for various combinations. A locking system in which the upper engagement surface is a locking surface, a locking system in which the tongue and groove have a plurality of locking elements and locking grooves, and a horizontal locking means in the form of a locking element and a locking groove Locking systems formed on the lower lip and the lower part of the tongue have been manufactured.

a, b and c are views showing in three steps how to tilt down the long side of the floorboard according to WO 9426999 to mechanically join. a, b, and c are views showing a snap-fit method for mechanically joining the short sides of a floorboard according to WO 9426999 in three steps. a and b are views of the upper side and the lower side of the floorboard according to WO 9426999, respectively. a and b show two different embodiments of a floorboard according to WO 9966151. a and b are views showing a floor board according to British Patent GB1430423. a and b are diagrams showing a mechanical locking system for the long side or the short side of a floorboard according to WO 9627721. a and b are views showing a mechanical locking system according to Japanese Patent No. JP3169967. a and b show a board according to DE-A-1212275. a and b are views showing a snap joint according to WO9747834. a and b are views showing a snap joint according to French Patent No. 2675174; a and b schematically show two parallel joint edge portions of a first preferred embodiment of a floorboard according to the invention. FIGS. 7A to 7C are diagrams showing snap-fittings according to modifications of the present invention. FIGS. 4a to 4c are diagrams showing a downward and upward tilting method using the present invention. It is a figure which shows the snap fitting of the modification of this invention adapted to manufacture. FIG. 6 is a variation of the present invention showing removal by tilting upward using bending and compression of the joint material. a to c are diagrams showing examples of a floor board according to the present invention. FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate a method for designing a joining system to facilitate snap-fit. It is a figure which shows the snap fitting in the inclined position. It is a figure which shows the latching of the short side part by snap fitting. a and b are views showing snap-fitting of the outer corner and inner corner of the short side portion. 1 shows a joining system according to the invention with a flexible tongue. FIG. FIGS. 4a to 4e are diagrams showing in detail the snap-fit of the outer corner of the short side by using one embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. FIGS. 4a and 4b schematically show a snap fit of an inner corner of a short side by using an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1 'floor board 4a, 4b long side edge part HP surface plane VP joint plane 36 tongue groove 38 tongue 30 core 32 surface layer

Claims (119)

A locking system for mechanically joining floorboards at a joining plane (VP), the floorboard comprising a core (30), a front side (2), a rear side (34), and opposite joining edges Including a portion (4a, 4b), one of the joint edge portions being defined by an upper lip (39) and a lower lip (40) and having a bottom end (48) The other joint edge part is formed as a tongue (38) with a part (8) directed upwards at the free outer end (69),
The tongue groove (36) has the shape of an undercut groove (36) having an opening, an inner portion (35), and an inner locking surface (45) when viewed from the joining plane (VP),
At least some portions of the lower lip (40) are integrally formed with the core (30) of the floorboard;
The tongue (38) has two such floorboards, a joining plane (VP) whose front side (2) is positioned in the same surface plane (HP) and oriented perpendicular to this plane. A locking surface (65) formed to cooperate with the inner locking surface (45) of the tongue groove (36) of an adjacent floor board when mechanically joined to meet at In the locking system,
The inner locking surface (45) of the tongue groove cooperates with the corresponding locking surface (65) of the tongue groove so that the upper lip (39) within the undercut portion (35) of the tongue groove. The locking surface (65) is configured to resist the pulling of the two mechanically bonded boards in the direction (D2) perpendicular to the bonding plane (VP). Formed in the portion (8) directed upward of the
The lower lip (40) has a support surface (50) for cooperating with a corresponding support surface (71) of the tongue, the support surface being the surface of two mechanically joined boards Cooperate to resist relative displacement in the direction (D1) perpendicular to the plane (HP),
All portions of the lower lip (40) connected to the core (30) as viewed from the intersection (C) of the surface plane (HP) and the bonding plane (VP) are arranged outside the plane (LP2). The flat surface (LP2) is parallel to the flat surface, and the engaging groove is inclined most with respect to the surface plane (HP) and the engaging surface (45) of the tongue. , 65) is arranged farther from the point than the locking surface (LP1) in contact with it,
All parts of the lower lip (40) connected to the core (30) are shorter than the upper lip (39) and terminate at a predetermined distance from the joining plane (VP);
The lower lip (40) is flexible;
The upper lip (39) is more rigid than the lower lip (40);
The support surface (50) of the lower lip is positioned closer to the joining plane (VP) than the inner portion (47) of the undercut groove as viewed in parallel with the surface plane (HP). And
The upper and lower lips of the joint edge portions (4a, 4b) can be used to lay the floorboard into a new floorboard, and the part of the locking system during bending of the tongue groove below the lower lip (40). A locking system, characterized in that it is formed so that it can be joined together by a movement that pushes each other essentially parallel to the surface plane (HP) of the laid floorboard to snap together.   A locking system according to claim 1, characterized in that the tongue (38) is flexible.   3. Locking system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the joint edge portions (4a, 4b) are arranged such that the surface planes of the floorboard are mutually essential during bending of the tongue (38) and the lower lip (40). The locking system is characterized in that it is formed so that the laid floorboard can be joined to the new floorboard by pressing each other in a state of being aligned with each other.   4. The locking system according to claim 1, wherein the upper and lower lips of the joint edge portion (4 a, 4 b) have the tongue (38) of the one floor board on the other side. To remove the floor board from the tongue groove (36), the other floor board is centered on the pivot center (C) near the intersection between the surface plane (HP) and the joining plane (VP). A locking system, characterized in that it is designed to allow two mechanically joined floorboards to be removed by pivoting upward relative to the board.   5. The locking system according to claim 4, wherein said upper and lower lips of said joint edge portion (4a, 4b) are adapted to cause said tongue (38) of said one floorboard to be bent during the downward bending of said lower lip. To remove the floor board from the tongue groove (36), the other floor board is centered on the pivot center (C) near the intersection between the surface plane (HP) and the joining plane (VP). A locking system, characterized in that it is designed to allow two mechanically joined floorboards to be removed by pivoting upwards relative to the floorboard.   The locking system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a majority of the bottom end (48) of the tongue groove is seen parallel to the surface plane (HP), Locking system, characterized in that it is positioned farther from the joining plane (VP) than the outer end (69).   7. A locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting surface (50, 71) of the tongue (38) and the lower lip (40) designed to cooperate. Is set at an angle smaller than the cooperating locking surfaces (45, 65) of the upper lip (39) and the tongue (38) with respect to the surface plane (HP). Locking system.   8. The locking system according to claim 1, wherein the locking surface (45, 65) is at the bottom end (48) of the undercut groove with respect to the surface plane (HP). 9. Tangent to an arc having a center at a point (C) that is in contact with the engaging surfaces (45, 65) that are engaged with each other at a point closest to) and that intersects the surface plane (HP) and the joining plane (VP) A locking system, characterized by being set at essentially the same angle.   8. The locking system according to claim 1, wherein the locking surface (45, 65) is at the bottom end (48) of the undercut groove with respect to the surface plane (HP). 9. Tangent to an arc having a center at the point where the surface plane (HP) and the joining plane (VP) intersect with each other at a point closest to each other) A locking system, characterized in that it is set at a larger angle.   10. Locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper lip (39) and the tongue (38) have contact surfaces (43, 64) that cooperate with each other in the locked state. These contact surfaces are positioned in a region between the joining plane (VP) and the locking surfaces (45, 65) of the tongue and the upper lip, and the locking surfaces are engaged. A locking system characterized by cooperating with each other in a stationary state.   11. The locking system according to claim 10, wherein the contact surface (43, 64) is in the joining plane (VP) when viewed from the cooperating locking surface (45, 65) of the tongue and the upper lip. A locking system, characterized in that it is inclined upwards and outwards.   11. Locking system according to claim 10, characterized in that the contact surface (43, 64) is essentially flat with respect to the surface plane (HP).   13. Locking system according to claim 10, 11, or 12, characterized in that the contact surface (43, 64) is essentially flat.   14. The locking system according to claim 1, wherein the undercut groove (36) and the tongue (38) are such that the outer end (69) of the tongue is the upper lip (14). 39) and the engaging surfaces (45, 65) of the tongue (38) engaged with each other to the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the lower lip (40) and the tongue (38). In particular, the locking system is arranged along the entire length at a predetermined distance from the undercut groove (36).   15. The locking system according to claim 14, wherein the dimension of the surface portion of the outer end (69) of the tongue in contact with the surface portion of the undercut groove (36) is such that two such boards are mechanically A locking system, characterized in that when joined, it is smaller than the locking surface (45, 65) in a vertical plane.   16. Locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the edges (4a, 4b) having a tongue (38) and a tongue groove (36) respectively join two floorboards. When measuring between these edges (4a, 4b) from the upper side (2) to the lower side (34) of the floorboard, the maximum edge surface of the edge that supports the tongue (38) is 30. A locking system characterized in that the surface is designed to contact along the%.   17. The locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue (30) and the lower lip (40) are the surface plane (HP). A locking system, characterized in that it is set at an angle of at least 10 °.   18. The locking system according to claim 17, wherein the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip are set at an angle of up to 30 ° with respect to the surface plane (HP). A locking system characterized by that.   The locking system according to claim 18, wherein the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip are set at an angle of up to 20 ° with respect to the surface plane (HP). A locking system characterized by that.   20. The locking system according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein at least a portion of the lower lip and the support surface (50, 71) of the tongue is from the joining plane (VP) to the upper surface. Locking system, characterized in that it is arranged at a distance greater than the inclined locking surfaces (45, 65) of the lip and the tongue.   21. Locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the undercut groove (36) and the tongue (38) join floorboards mechanically joined to similar floorboards. A locking system, characterized in that it is designed to be displaced in the direction (D3) along the plane (VP).   The locking system according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the tongue (38) and the undercut groove (36) are formed between the surface plane (HP) and the joining plane (VP). The surface plane (HP) by pivoting one board with respect to the other board with contact between the boards at point (C) on the board edge near the intersection between Characterized in that the board can be connected and removed essentially without contact between the side of the tongue (38) facing away from the bottom lip and the lower lip. Locking system.   23. The locking system according to claim 22, wherein the tongue (38) and the undercut groove (36) are joined to the board near the intersection between the surface plane (HP) and the joining plane (VP). At a point on the edge portion (4a, 4b), one board is held in essentially no contact between the tongue side facing away from the surface plane (HP) and the lower lip (40). A locking system, characterized in that the board is designed to be removable by pivoting with respect to the other board.   24. The locking system according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the locking system is connected to the core outside the distance between the locking plane (LP2) and the plane (LP1) parallel thereto. A locking system, characterized in that all parts of said lower lip part arranged are arranged and said distance is at least 10% of the thickness (T) of said floorboard.   25. Locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper lip and the locking surface (45, 65) of the tongue are more than 90 [deg.] Relative to the surface plane (HP). A locking system, characterized in that it forms a small but at least 20 ° angle.   26. The locking system according to claim 25, characterized in that the upper lip and the locking surface (45, 65) of the tongue form an angle of at least 30 [deg.] With respect to the surface plane (HP). Locking system to do.   27. Locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip are the bottom end (48) of the undercut groove. And is centered on a point (C) where the surface plane (HP) and the bonding plane (VP) intersect each other when viewed in a cross section passing through the board and tangent to the supporting surfaces engaging each other at the closest point A locking system characterized in that it is directed against said joining plane at an angle equal to or less than a tangent to an arc having   28. The locking system according to claim 27, wherein the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip are in relation to the surface plane (HP) the bottom end (48) of the undercut groove. Than a tangent to an arc that is in contact with the support surfaces (50, 71) that are engaged with each other at a point closest to the center and that has a center at a point where the surface plane (HP) and the joining plane (VP) intersect. A locking system characterized in that it is set at a large angle.   29. A locking system according to any one of claims 1 to 28, wherein the supporting surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip designed to cooperate are said surface plane ( HP) is set at an angle smaller than the cooperating locking surfaces (45, 65) of the upper lip and the tongue.   30. The locking system according to claim 29, wherein the supporting surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip designed to cooperate with the upper lip and the surface plane (HP). A locking system, characterized in that it is inclined in the same direction as the cooperating locking surfaces (45, 65) of the tongue, but at an angle smaller than this.   31. Locking system according to any one of claims 27 to 30, wherein the support surface (50, 71) is relative to the surface plane (HP) than the locking surface (45, 65). A locking system, characterized in that it forms an angle that is at least 20 ° larger.   32. The locking system according to claim 31, wherein the support surface (50, 71) forms an angle with respect to the surface plane (HP) that is at least 20 ° greater than the locking surface (45, 65). A locking system characterized by that.   33. Locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper lip and the locking surface (45, 65) of the tongue have at least two such boards joined together. A locking system, characterized in that it is essentially planar within the surface portion that has become cooperating.   34. The locking system according to claim 33, wherein the tongue (38) has a guide surface (68) arranged outside the locking surface (65) of the tongue as seen from the joining plane (VP). A locking system comprising: an angle of the guide surface with respect to the surface plane (HP) being smaller than the locking surface (65).   35. Locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper lip (39) is closer to the opening of the tongue groove than the locking surface (45) of the upper lip. A locking system having a guide surface (42) disposed on the upper lip, wherein the angle of the guide surface is smaller than the locking surface of the upper lip with respect to the surface plane (HP).   36. The locking system according to any one of claims 1 to 35, wherein at least portions of the lower lip and the support surface (50, 71) of the tongue are arranged from the joining plane (VP) to the upper surface. Locking system, characterized in that it is arranged at a distance greater than the inclined locking surfaces (45, 65) of the lip and the tongue.   37. A locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking surface (65) of the tongue extends from the tip (69) of the tongue to the thickness ( A locking system, characterized in that it is arranged at a distance of at least 0.1 times T).   38. A locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vertical length of the locking surfaces (45, 65) cooperating with each other is from the joining plane (VP) to the surface plane. A locking system, characterized in that it is smaller than half the vertical length of the undercut (35) when viewed parallel to (HP).   39. Locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking surface (45, 65) is the thickness of the floorboard as viewed in a vertical section through the floorboard. A locking system characterized in that it has a dimension of up to 10% of T).   40. The locking system according to any one of claims 1 to 39, wherein the length of the tongue (38) is as viewed in a direction away from the joining plane (VP) in a vertical direction of the board. A locking system, characterized in that it is at least 0.3 times the thickness (T).   41. The locking system according to any one of claims 1 to 40, wherein the joint edge portion (4b) supporting the tongue and / or the joint edge portion (4a) supporting the tongue groove is: A locking system characterized by having a recess (63) positioned above the tongue and terminating at a predetermined distance from the surface plane (HP).   A locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the undercut groove (36) has an outer opening that tapers inward in the form of a funnel when viewed in cross section. A locking system characterized by that.   43. Locking system according to claim 42, characterized in that the upper lip (39) has a chamfer (42) positioned at its outer edge away from the surface plane (HP). system.   44. A locking system according to any one of claims 1 to 43, wherein the tongue has a tapered tip when viewed in cross section.   45. A locking system according to any one of claims 1 to 44, wherein the tongue comprises a split tip having an upper tongue portion and a lower tongue portion when viewed in cross section. system.   46. A locking system according to claim 45, wherein the upper and lower tongue portions of the tongue are formed of different materials having various material properties.   47. Locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongue groove (36) and the tongue (38) are integrally formed with the floorboard. system.   48. Locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper lip (39) is thicker than the lower lip (40).   49. A locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a minimum thickness of the upper lip (39) adjacent to the undercut (35) is adjacent to the support surface (50). A locking system, characterized in that it is larger than the maximum thickness of the lower lip (40).   50. The locking system according to any one of claims 1 to 49, wherein the dimension of the support surface is at most 15% of the thickness (T) of the floorboard. Locking system to do.   51. The locking system according to any one of claims 1 to 50, wherein the upper lip (39) measured parallel to the joining plane (VP) at the outer end of the support surface (50), Locking system characterized in that the dimension of the tongue groove between the lower lip (40) is at least 30% of the thickness (T) of the floorboard.   52. A locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the depth of the tongue groove (36) measured from the joining plane (VP) is the corresponding dimension of the tongue (38). A locking system characterized in that it is at least 2% larger than.   53. Locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongue (38) has different material properties than the upper lip (39) or the lower lip (40). And locking system.   54. Locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper lip (39) and the lower lip (40) are made of materials having different material properties. Locking system to do. 55. A locking system according to any one of claims 1 to 54, wherein the locking system further comprises a second mechanical locking body, the second mechanical locking body comprising:
A locking groove formed under the joint edge portion (4b) supporting the tongue (38) and extending in parallel with the joint plane (VP), and the tongue on the joint edge portion (4a) of the board A locking strip (6) mounted integrally below the groove (36) and extending along essentially the entire length of said joining edge portion when mechanically joining two such boards A locking system comprising a locking strip, wherein a locking component (8) received in a locking groove (14) of an adjacent board (2) projects from said strip.   56. A locking system according to claim 55, characterized in that the locking strip (6) projects beyond the joining plane.   57. The locking system according to any one of claims 1 to 56, wherein the locking system is formed on a board having a core made of wood fiber based material.   58. The locking system according to claim 57, wherein the locking system is formed on a board having a wooden core. A floorboard having a core (30), a front side (2), a rear side (34), and two opposite parallel joint edge portions (4a, 4b), one of the joint edge portions being an upper lip (39), the lower lip (40), and the bottom end (48) defined as a tongue groove (36) and the other (8) directed upwardly at the free outer end (69) Formed as part of a mechanical locking system formed as a tongue (38) in preparation for)
The tongue groove (36) has a shape of an undercut groove (36) including an opening, an inner portion (35), and an inner locking surface (4) when viewed from the joining plane (VP).
At least a portion of the lower lip (40) is integrally formed with the core (30) of the floorboard;
Said tongue (38) meets two such floorboards at the joining plane (VP), whose front sides are arranged in the same surface plane (HP) and oriented perpendicular to this surface plane. In a floorboard having a locking surface (65) designed to cooperate with an inner locking surface (45) of a tongue groove (36) of an adjacent floorboard when mechanically joined together
The inner locking surface (45) of the tongue groove cooperates with the corresponding locking surface (65) of the tongue groove so that the upper lip (39) is within the undercut portion (35) of the tongue groove. And the locking surface is configured to resist pulling of the tongue in the direction (D2) perpendicular to the bonding plane (VP) of the two boards mechanically bonded to each other. Formed in the part (8) pointed upwards,
The lower lip has a support surface (50), which cooperates with the corresponding support surface (71) of the tongue, said support surface being the surface of two mechanically joined boards. Cooperate to resist relative displacement in the direction (D1) perpendicular to the plane (HP),
All the portions of the lower lip (40) connected to the core (30) have a plane (LP2) as viewed from a point (C) where the surface plane (HP) and the bonding plane (VP) intersect. This plane is positioned farther from the point than a locking plane (LP1) parallel to the plane, and the locking plane is such that the locking surface is the surface plane ( HP) is in contact with the tongue groove (36) inclined most with respect to HP and the engaging surface (45, 65) of the tongue,
All parts of the lower lip (40) connected to the core (30) are shorter than the upper lip (39) and terminate at a predetermined distance from the joining plane (VP);
The lower lip (40) is flexible;
The upper lip (39) is more rigid than the lower lip (40);
The support surface (50) of the lower lip is positioned closer to the joining plane (VP) than the inner portion (47) of the undercut groove as viewed in parallel with the surface plane (HP). And
The upper lip (39) and the lower lip (40) of the joint edge portion are engaged with each other while bending a new floor board on the laid floor board and bending the lower lip (40) of the tongue groove downward. A floorboard, characterized in that it is designed to be connected by pushing each other essentially parallel to the surface plane (HP) of the laid floorboard to snap parts of the system together.   60. A floor board according to claim 59, characterized in that the tongue (38) is flexible.   61. A floorboard according to claim 59 or 60, wherein the joint edge portions (4a, 4b) are adapted to deform the surface plane (HP) of the floorboard during bending of the tongue (38) and the lower lip (40). A floorboard, characterized in that the floorboard is formed so that the laid floorboard can be joined to a new floorboard by pushing each other in an essentially aligned state.   62. A floor board according to any one of claims 59 to 61, wherein the upper and lower lips of the joining edge portion (4a, 4b) connect the tongue (38) of the one floor board to the other floor. One floor board is removed from the tongue groove (36) of the board, and the other floor board is centered on the pivot center (C) near the intersection between the surface plane (HP) and the joining plane (VP). A floorboard, characterized in that it is designed to be able to remove two mechanically joined floorboards by pivoting upward relative to.   63. The floorboard according to claim 62, wherein the upper and lower lips of the joint edge portion (4a, 4b) are formed on the tongue (38) of the one floorboard during bending downward of the lower lip (40). Is removed from the tongue groove (36) of the other floorboard, so that one floorboard is centered on the pivot center (C) near the intersection between the surface plane (HP) and the joining plane (VP). A floorboard, characterized in that it is designed to allow two mechanically joined floorboards to be removed by pivoting upward relative to the other floorboard.   64. A floor board according to any one of claims 59 to 63, wherein a majority of the bottom end (48) of the tongue groove is parallel to the surface plane (HP) and the tongue of the tongue. A floorboard characterized in that it is positioned farther from the joining plane (VP) than the outer end (69).   65. A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 64, wherein the support surface (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip designed to cooperate is said surface plane (HP). ) With respect to the upper lip and the cooperating locking surface (45, 65) of the tongue.   66. A floor board according to any one of claims 59 to 65, wherein said locking surface (45, 65) is said bottom end (48) of said undercut groove with respect to said surface plane (HP). Tangential to an arc that touches the locking surfaces (45, 65) that are engaged with each other at a point closest to the center and that is centered at a point where the surface plane (HP) and the joining plane (VP) intersect. The floor board is characterized by being set at the same angle.   66. A floor board according to any one of claims 59 to 65, wherein said locking surface (45, 65) is said bottom end (48) of said undercut groove with respect to said surface plane (HP). Than the tangent to an arc centered at the point where the surface plane (HP) and the joining plane (VP) intersect each other at a point closest to A floorboard that is set at a large angle.   A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 67, wherein the upper lip (39) and the tongue (38) have contact surfaces (43, 64) that cooperate with each other in a locked state. These contact surfaces are positioned in a region between the joining plane (VP) and the locking surfaces (45, 65) of the tongue and the upper lip, and these contact surfaces are in a locked state. Floorboard characterized by collaboration.   69. The floorboard according to claim 68, wherein the contact surface (43, 64) is in relation to the joining plane (VP) as seen from the cooperating locking surface (45, 65) of the tongue and the upper lip. The floor board is inclined upward and outward.   69. A floorboard according to claim 68, characterized in that the contact surface (43, 64) is essentially flat with respect to the surface plane (HP).   A floorboard according to claim 68, 69 or 70, characterized in that the contact surface (43, 64) is essentially planar.   A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 71, wherein the undercut groove (36) and the tongue (38) are such that the outer end (69) of the tongue is the upper lip and the tongue. The undercut groove (36) extends essentially along the entire length from the engaging surfaces (45, 65) of the tongues engaged with each other to the supporting surfaces (50, 71) of the lower lip and the tongue. ), Which is arranged at a predetermined distance from the floor board.   A floorboard according to claim 72, wherein the dimension of the surface portion of the outer end (69) of the tongue in contact with the surface portion of the undercut groove (36) is such that two such boards are mechanically joined. If done, the floorboard is smaller in vertical plane than the locking surface (45, 65).   A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 73, wherein the edges (4a, 4b) including the tongue (38) and the tongue groove (36) are formed when the two floorboards are joined together. Between the edges of the floorboard, measured from the upper side to the lower side of the floorboard, and the surface is designed to contact along a maximum of 30% of the edge surface of the edge (4b) supporting the tongue. , Characterized by that floorboard.   75. A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 74, wherein the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip are at least 10 ° relative to the surface plane (HP). The floor board is characterized by being set at an angle of.   The floorboard according to claim 75, wherein the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip are set at an angle of up to 30 ° with respect to the surface plane (HP). A floorboard characterized by   77. A floorboard according to claim 76, wherein the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip are set at an angle of up to 20 ° with respect to the surface plane (HP). A floorboard characterized by   78. A floor board according to any one of claims 59 to 77, wherein at least a portion of the lower lip and the support surface (50, 71) of the tongue is from the joining plane (VP) to the upper lip. The floor board is disposed at a distance larger than the inclined locking surface (45, 65) of the tongue.   A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 78, wherein the undercut groove (36) and the tongue (38) are a floorboard mechanically joined to a similar floorboard, A floor board characterized by being designed to be displaced in a direction (D3) along a bonding plane (VP).   80. A floor board according to any one of claims 59 to 79, wherein the tongue (38) and the undercut groove (36) are between the surface plane (HP) and the joining plane (VP). By pivoting one board relative to the other while maintaining contact between the boards at point (C) on the joint edge of the board close to the intersection (4a, 4b). A floorboard designed to be removable.   81. A floor board according to claim 80, wherein the tongue (38) and the undercut groove (36) are joint edges of the board close to the intersection between the surface plane (HP) and the joint plane (VP). At a point on the part (4a, 4b), one side of the board is brought into contact with the other side without essentially contacting the tongue side facing the direction away from the surface plane (HP) and the lower lip (40). A floorboard, characterized in that it is designed so that it can be removed by pivoting with respect to the board.   The floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 81, wherein the core (30) is outside a distance between the locking plane (LP2) and the plane (LP1) parallel thereto. The floorboard is characterized in that all parts of the lower lip part connected to the floorboard are arranged and the distance is at least 10% of the thickness (T) of the floorboard.   83. A floor board according to any one of claims 59 to 82, wherein the upper lip and the locking surface (45, 65) of the tongue are smaller than 90 [deg.] With respect to the surface plane (HP). Forming a angle of at least 20 °.   84. The floorboard according to claim 83, characterized in that the upper lip and the locking surface (45, 65) of the tongue form an angle of at least 30 ° with respect to the surface plane (HP). Floor board.   85. A floor board according to any one of claims 59 to 84, wherein the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip are closest to the bottom end of the undercut groove. At a point (C) where the surface plane (HP) and the bonding plane (VP) intersect with each other when viewed in a cross section passing through the board and tangent to the support surfaces (50, 71) that engage with each other. A floorboard, wherein the floorboard is directed at an angle equal to or less than a tangent to a circular arc having a center.   86. The floorboard according to claim 85, wherein the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip are closest to the bottom end of the undercut groove with respect to the surface plane (HP). Set at an angle larger than the tangent to the arc that is in contact with the supporting surfaces (50, 71) that are engaged with each other at the point where the surface plane (HP) and the joining plane (VP) intersect. A floorboard characterized by that.   87. A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 86, wherein the supporting surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip designed to cooperate are said surface plane (HP). ) With respect to the upper lip and the cooperating locking surface (45, 65) of the tongue.   88. A floorboard according to claim 87, wherein the support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue and the lower lip designed to cooperate with respect to the surface plane (HP). A floorboard characterized in that it is inclined in the same direction as the cooperating locking surfaces (45, 65) of the tongue, but at a smaller angle.   89. A floorboard according to any one of claims 85 to 88, wherein the support surface (50, 71) is at least relative to the surface plane (HP) than the locking surface (45, 65). A floor board characterized by forming an angle 20 ° larger.   80. The floorboard according to claim 79, wherein the support surface (50, 71) forms an angle with respect to the surface plane (HP) that is at least 20 ° greater than the locking surface (45, 65). A floorboard characterized by   91. A floor board according to any one of claims 59 to 90, wherein the cooperating locking surfaces (45, 65) of the upper lip and the tongue are at least two such boards joined together. A floorboard characterized in that it is essentially planar within a surface portion that has become cooperating when applied.   92. The floor board according to claim 91, wherein the tongue (38) has a guide surface (68) disposed outside the locking surface (65) of the tongue as seen from the joining plane (VP). And the angle with respect to the said surface plane (HP) of this guide surface is smaller than this latching surface (65), The floor board characterized by the above-mentioned.   93. A floor board according to any one of claims 59 to 92, wherein the upper lip (39) is closer to the opening of the tongue groove than the locking surface (45) of the upper lip. A floor board having a guide surface (42) arranged, wherein an angle of the guide surface is smaller than the locking surface of the upper lip with respect to the surface plane (HP).   94. A floor board according to any one of claims 59 to 93, wherein at least a part of the lower lip and the support surface (50, 71) of the tongue is from the joining plane (VP) to the upper lip. The floor board is disposed at a distance larger than the inclined locking surface (45, 65) of the tongue.   95. A floor board according to any one of claims 59 to 94, wherein the locking surface (65) of the tongue extends from the tip (69) of the tongue to the thickness (T) of the floor board. The floor board is disposed at a distance of at least 0.1 times of the above.   The floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 95, wherein the vertical length of the locking surfaces (45, 65) cooperating with each other is from the joining plane (VP) to the surface plane ( HP) is less than half the vertical length of the undercut when viewed in parallel with HP).   97. A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 96, wherein the locking surface (45, 65) is the thickness (T) of the floorboard as viewed in a vertical section through the floorboard. A floor board characterized by having a dimension of up to 10%.   The floor board according to any one of claims 59 to 97, wherein the length of the tongue is the thickness of the board when viewed in a direction away from the joining plane (VP) in a vertical direction. A floorboard characterized in that it is at least 0.3 times T).   99. The floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 98, wherein the joint edge portion (4b) supporting the tongue (38) and / or the joint edge portion (4a) supporting the tongue groove. Comprises a recess (63) positioned above the tongue and terminating at a predetermined distance from the surface plane (HP).   99. A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 99, wherein the undercut groove (36) has an outer opening tapered in the form of a funnel when viewed in cross section. A floorboard characterized by   101. The floorboard according to claim 100, wherein the upper lip (39) has a chamfered portion (42) positioned away from the surface plane (HP) at an outer edge thereof.   A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 101, characterized in that the tongue (38) has a tapered tip (69) when viewed in cross section.   103. A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 102, characterized in that the tongue (38) comprises a split tip having an upper tongue portion and a lower tongue portion when viewed in cross section. Floor board.   104. A floor board according to claim 103, wherein the upper tongue portion and the lower tongue portion of the tongue are formed of different materials having various material characteristics.   The floor board according to any one of claims 59 to 104, wherein the tongue groove (36) and the tongue (38) are formed integrally with the floor board.   106. A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 105, characterized in that the upper lip (39) is thicker than the lower lip (40).   107. The floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 106, wherein a minimum thickness of the upper lip (39) adjacent to the undercut (35) is adjacent to the support surface (50). Floorboard characterized in that it is larger than the maximum thickness of the lower lip (40).   A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 107, wherein the dimension of the support surface (50, 71) is at most 15% of the thickness (T) of the floorboard. A floorboard characterized by that.   109. A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 108, wherein the upper lip (39) and the lower lip measured in parallel with the joining plane (VP) at the outer end of the support surface (50). The floorboard characterized in that the vertical dimension of the tongue groove between the lip (40) is at least 30% of the thickness (T) of the floorboard.   110. The floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 109, wherein the depth of the tongue groove (36) measured from the joining plane (VP) is from the corresponding dimension of the tongue (38). Floorboard, characterized in that is at least 2% larger.   A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 110, characterized in that the tongue (38) has different material properties than the upper lip (39) or the lower lip (40). Floor board.   112. A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 111, characterized in that the upper lip (39) and the lower lip (40) are formed of materials having different material properties. Floor board. 113. A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 112, wherein the locking system further comprises a second mechanical locking body, the second mechanical locking body comprising:
A locking groove formed under the joint edge portion supporting the tongue (38) and extending in parallel with the joint plane (VP), and integrally formed under the tongue groove on the joint edge portion of the board A locking strip attached and extending along essentially the entire length of said joining edge portion, when two such boards are mechanically joined, the locking grooves (2) of adjacent boards (2) 14) A floorboard characterized in that the locking component (8) received in 14) comprises a locking strip protruding from said strip.   114. The floorboard according to claim 113, characterized in that the locking strip (6) protrudes beyond the joining plane.   115. The floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 114, wherein the floorboard is formed into a board having a core made of a wood fiber-based material.   116. The floorboard according to claim 115, wherein the floorboard is formed into a board having a wooden core (30).   117. A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 116, wherein the floorboard is a quadrilateral having a pair of parallel sides (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b). .   118. A floorboard according to claim 117, wherein all four side edge portions are provided with mechanical locking systems.   119. The floorboard according to any one of claims 117 or 118, wherein the joining edge portion (4b) comprising the tongues of a pair of parallel joining edge portions and / or the joining comprising the tongue grooves. The edge portion (4a) is made of a material different from the joint edge portion (4b) having the tongue of the parallel joint edge portion of another pair and / or the joint edge portion (4a) having the tongue groove. A floor board characterized by being formed with characteristics.

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