RU2458221C2 - Mechanical adhesion of floor panels by vertical stacking - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: construction.

SUBSTANCE: floor panels are equipped with a mechanical lock system on long and short faces, making it possible to assemble with the help of vertical stacking, besides, the lock system of a long face prevents disconnection of short faces in process of stacking.

EFFECT: elimination of gaps between floor panels during their assembly.

5 cl, 27 dwg

Description

The invention relates, in general, to floor panels with mechanical locking systems with flexible and movable tongue, simplifying their installation. The invention provides new improved locking systems and assembly methods.

In particular, but not limited to, the invention relates to a mechanical locking system for rectangular floor panels with long and short edges. It should be emphasized that long and short edges are used solely for reasons of simplification of the description. Panels can also be square. However, the invention is also applicable to building panels in general. More specifically, the invention relates to a type of mechanical locking system that allows you to fasten all four faces of the panel to other panels with one angular movement, preferably containing a flexible or partially flexible and / or movable tongue and / or flexible tongue, to facilitate the installation of building panels.

A floor panel of this type is presented in WO 2006/043893, where a floor panel with a locking system is disclosed, comprising a locking element cooperating with the locking groove for horizontal engagement and a flexible tongue cooperating with the tongue groove to fix the panel in the vertical direction . The flexible tongue bends in the horizontal plane during the connection of the floor panels and makes it possible to install the panels using vertical folding or only by vertical movement. By “vertical folding” is meant the connection of three panels, in which the first and second panels are connected and the only rotation of the new panel, called the “folding panel”, allows you to simultaneously attach two perpendicular faces of the new panel to the first and second panels. Such a connection occurs, for example, when the long side of the first panel in the first row is already attached to the long side of the second panel in the second row. Then, a new foldable panel is attached by angular movement to the long side of the first panel in the first row. This particular type of rotation, also connecting the short side of the new folding panel and the second panel, is called “vertical folding”. Short edges gradually fold together and adhere from one part of the face to another, like scissors when the panel is tilted, lowering to the black floor. You can also connect two panels by lowering the entire panel with only one vertical movement relative to the other. This particular type of grip is called “vertical grip”. The remaining rows are connected by vertical folding. You can also assemble the entire floor by attaching the row by vertical folding. Then the entire row is attached to the previously installed previous row using angular displacement.

Similar floor panels are described in more detail in WO 20003/016654, which discloses a locking system comprising a tongue with a flexible latch. The tongue continues and is significantly bent in the vertical direction, and the tip of the latch interacts with the tongue groove, providing vertical grip.

Vertical grip and vertical folding of this type create release pressure on short faces when the flexible tongue or flexible parts of the tongue are displaced horizontally during the angular movement of the long edges. The inventor analyzed several types of floor panels and found that short edges could be spread apart during assembly and that a gap could form between the edges of short edges. This gap may prevent the further installation process and floor panels cannot be joined. It can also lead to serious damage to the castle system in the area of short edges. Pushing the floorboards sideways, towards the short edges, during installation can prevent the formation of a gap. This installation method, however, is difficult and difficult to use, since a combination of three actions and their simultaneous use together with lowering long edges at an angle, as described below, are necessary.

a) The faces of the new floor panel should be brought into contact with the first panel lying on the floor, and the long edge of the new panel should be pressed in an inclined position to the first panel.

b) The new panel should be shifted laterally, in a pressed and tilted position, and pressed laterally to the short edge of the second panel lying on the floor, in order to counter back pressure of the tongue.

c) And finally, the new panel should be lowered to the floor, while the pressure directed forward and sideways during lowering should remain unchanged.

It has been found that disconnection problems during assembly often occur when panels are thin and small, compact lock systems with long edges or when the base of the panel contains a material with a smooth surface, such as, for example, high density fiberboard. Such problems can also occur when the panels are short or in connection with the installation of the first or last panel in each row, since it is usually made with respect to panels cut to a shorter length so that they fit in the gap left to the wall. The separation problem, of course, is extremely difficult to solve for any type of panel that uses locking systems with a strong flexible tongue that creates significant horizontal disconnecting pressure during vertical folding. Such durable tabs are very important in many applications where a high-quality connection is required, but panels with such flexible tabs are very difficult to install using known assembly methods.

The objective of the invention is to solve the problems associated with the occurrence of gaps in the flooring, installed using vertical folding or vertical adhesion.

In the following description, the visible surface of the installed floor panel is called the “front surface”, while the opposite side of the floor panel facing the black floor is called the “back surface”. The line between the front and back surfaces is called the “suture line”. By “horizontal plane” is meant a plane parallel to the outside of the surface layer. Directly adjacent to each other the upper parts of two adjacent suture faces of the joined floor panels together form a "vertical plane" perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

By “seam” or “locking system” is meant interacting means of connection connecting floor panels vertically and / or horizontally. By “mechanical locking system” is meant that the connection can be made without glue. In many cases, mechanical locking systems can be combined with glue. The term "combined with ..." should be understood as "made in one piece with the panel or attached to it in the factory."

The term “flexible tongue” means a separate tongue, the length of which is directed along the suture faces and which forms part of the vertical locking system and can be displaced, at least partially, in the horizontal direction during adhesion. The tongue may, for example, be wholly flexible or may contain flexible and elastic parts that bend in an engaged position or may bend and bounce elastically back to its original position.

By "angular displacement" is meant a connection occurring during a rotation, during which a change in the mutual angular position of two connected or disconnected parts occurs. When angular displacement refers to the joining of two floor panels, a change in angular position occurs at the upper parts of the suture faces at least partially in contact with each other during the last part of the displacement.

By “angular locking system” is meant a mechanical locking system that can be connected vertically and horizontally by angular movement, containing a tongue and a groove that engage two adjacent faces in the vertical direction, and a tongue with a locking element on one face of the panel, called a “tongue-and-groove panel ”, Which interacts with the locking groove on the face of another panel, called the“ panel with the groove ”, and interlocks the faces in the horizontal direction. The locking element and the locking groove generally have rounded guide surfaces that guide the locking element into the locking groove, and locking surfaces that provide adhesion and prevent horizontal separation of the faces.

By "installation angle" is meant the commonly used angle between two panels at the initial stage of assembly using angular displacement, when one panel is raised and angled and is pressed with its upper edge to the upper edge of the other panel lying flat on the black floor. The installation angle is usually about 25 degrees, and in this position there are only two contact points between the wedge panel and the groove panel. In special cases, if there are more than two contact points between the connectors, the installation angle is greater than 25 degrees.

By “contact angle at three points” is meant the angle between two floor panels during angular movement in the presence of at least three contact points between parts of the castle system.

By “contact angle” is meant the angle of the folding panel when the short edge of one panel comes into primary contact with the part of the flexible tongue, which must be offset in the horizontal direction and which is active when the short edges are vertically engaged.

By “guiding angle” is meant the angle between two floor panels during angular movement when the guiding surfaces of the locking element on the tongue and / or on the locking groove are in contact with each other, with the upper part of the castle element or with the lower part of the castle groove, respectively. The guide surfaces often have rounded or chamfered parts which, during angular movement, press the upper faces of the panels against each other and facilitate the insertion of the locking element into the locking groove. Most locking systems on the market have a steering angle of about 5 degrees.

By “engagement angle” is meant the angle between the two floor panels at the final stage of the angular movement, when the active locking surfaces on the locking element and on the locking groove come into primary contact with each other. In most locking systems, the angle of fixation is about 3 degrees or less.

By “friction angle” is meant the angle at which the friction force along long edges increases significantly during angular movement relative to the installation angle — because there are more than two contact points in the locking system — and counteracts displacement along long edges.

By “tongue pressure” is meant a pressing force in H when the tongue is in a predetermined position. By “maximum pressure of the tongue” is meant pressure of the tongue when it is in its internal position during vertical folding, and by “prestressing of the tongue” is meant pressure of the tongue in the engaged position when the tongue presses on a portion of the tongue groove.

The present invention relates to a set of floor panels, or a floating floor, with a mechanical locking system, which allows to improve the assembly process of floor panels installed with vertical folding, and prevents the separation of short edges during installation.

The invention is based on the first basic idea that the problems associated with separation are related mainly to the castle system of long faces. All known locking systems used to engage panels by angular movement are very easily displaced along the seam when the floor panels are in a primary inclined position relative to each other. Friction increases significantly at low angles when floor panels are almost bonded. This means that the friction between the long edges is not enough to prevent the displacement of the short edges during the initial stage of vertical folding, when the angle is large and when part of the flexible tongue must be pressed in the horizontal direction in order to enable vertical folding. The friction between the long edges in most castle systems increases at small angles, but this is a drawback, since the short edges could already be disconnected and the castle system of short edges cannot overcome the friction at a small angle to connect the short edges. Separation complicates the assembly, since the panels need to be aligned and pressed sideways and there is a significant risk of damage to the castle system of short edges.

The main objective of the invention is to solve the problem of separation of short faces using (in contrast to the known technology) an increase in friction between long faces when the long faces are in an inclined position, before they reach their final engaged position. Increased friction between long edges can counteract the displacement of long edges along the seam during vertical folding when the flexible tongue unclenches the floor panels, or even prevent this displacement and prevent the separation of short edges in the assembly process or even completely prevent it.

The invention is based on the second basic idea that the combined action of castle systems of long edges and short edges is necessary for the floor, intended for installation using vertical folding. The locking systems of the long and short edges must be adapted to each other in order to ensure simple, convenient and reliable assembly.

The invention provides a new embodiment of locking systems of long and short edges in accordance with various aspects providing corresponding advantages. The scope of the invention is the manufacture of floor panels of any shape and from any material, such as laminated parquet; and in particular, panels whose surface contains thermosetting resins, wood, high-density fiberboard, veneer or stone.

The invention according to the first principle relates to floor panels with long edges provided with a locking system, which, being located at an angle that is larger than that used in existing technologies, prevents displacement along the seam when the panels are joined by vertical folding.

According to one embodiment of the first principle, the invention provides a set of substantially identical floor panels, each of which has long and short edges, provided with first and second connectors combined with the floor panels. Connectors are designed to connect adjacent faces. The first connector comprises a tongue with an upward locking element on the edge of the floor panel and an open downward locking groove in an adjacent face of an adjacent floor panel to connect adjacent faces in a horizontal direction perpendicular to adjacent faces. The second connector comprises a tongue on the edge of one floor panel, extending essentially perpendicular to the face, and a horizontal opening for the tongue in an adjacent face of another floor panel for connecting adjacent faces in the vertical direction. Long edge connectors are designed to grip using angular movement, and short edge connectors are designed to grip using vertical folding. The long face of the new panel in the second row is connected to the long face of the first panel in the first row by angular movement. The short edge of the new panel and the short edge of the second panel in the second row should be connected in the same angular movement. Long edge connectors have at least three separate contact points or contact surfaces between adjacent portions of the connectors when the new panel is pressed with the upper edge to the upper edge of the first panel at an angle to the main plane of at least 10 degrees.

Since the floor panel according to the first principle of the invention is provided with long faces that, when tilted at an angle of 10 degrees, have three points of contact, significant friction is created between the long sides, which counteracts or prevents the displacement of the short edges caused by the pressure of the tongue during vertical folding. The advantage is that the flexible tongue can be made and located on a short face with a starting point of contact located close to the length of the face, for example at a distance of about 15 mm from the long face, and this allows vertical engagement over a significant portion of the short face.

The assembly is improved according to some embodiments if the contact angle at three points is greater than 10 degrees, preferably 15 degrees or more. According to other embodiments, more than 18 and even more than 20 degrees are required to simplify assembly.

According to the second principle of the invention, the position and shape of the preferably flexible tongue of the short edge and the locking system of the long edges are such that the friction on the long edges increases with the angular movement of the panel down from the installation angle to the contact angle, when the flexible tongue, under the action of vertical folding, comes into primary contact with the adjacent a short face, and further angular movement causes the first flexible edge of the flexible tongue to move in the horizontal direction, creating a horizontal disconnecting pressure ix acting on the short edge.

According to an embodiment of this second principle, the invention provides a set of substantially identical floor panels, each of which has long and short edges, provided with first and second connectors combined with the floor panels. Connectors are designed to connect adjacent faces. The first connector comprises a tongue with an upward locking element on the edge of one floor panel and an open downward locking groove in an adjacent face of an adjacent floor panel to connect adjacent faces in a horizontal direction perpendicular to adjacent faces. The second connector comprises a tongue on the edge of one floor panel, extending essentially perpendicular to the face, and a horizontal opening for the tongue in an adjacent face of another floor panel for connecting adjacent faces in the vertical direction. Long edge connectors are designed to grip using angular movement, and short edge connectors are designed to grip using vertical folding. The long face of the new panel in the second row is connected to the long face of the first panel in the first row by angular movement. The short edge of the new panel and the short edge of the second panel in the second row should be connected in the same angular movement. The tongue on the short edges is made of a separate material, joins the connecting groove and contains a flexible part, the edge portion of which is located near the long edge of the first panel. The edge portion is shifted in the horizontal direction during folding and interacts with the tongue groove of the adjacent short face in order to engage the floor panels in the vertical direction. The first and second connectors on long edges have such a structure that the friction force acting along the long edge is less at an installation angle than at a contact angle when the panels are pressed against each other with the same pressing force, keeping the upper suture edges in contact . The installation angle is 25 degrees, and the contact angle is smaller and corresponds to the moment of initial contact between the edge section and the adjacent short face.

An increase in friction between long faces at an angle of contact can be achieved in many alternative ways, for example, by increasing the pressure between the contact points, and / or by increasing the size of the contact surfaces at the contact points between the first and second connectors, and / or by increasing the number of contact points from 2-3 up to 3-4.

According to the third principle of the invention, there is provided a locking system on long faces, provided with friction means such that large friction occurs on long faces in an inclined position when there are only two contact points between connectors on long faces.

According to one embodiment of the third principle, the invention provides a set of substantially identical floor panels, each of which has long and short faces, provided with first and second connectors made in conjunction with the floor panels. Connectors are for adjacent faces. The first connector comprises a tongue with an upward locking element on the edge of the floor panel and an open downward locking groove in an adjacent face of an adjacent floor panel to connect adjacent faces in a horizontal direction perpendicular to adjacent faces. The second connector comprises a tongue on the edge of one of the floor panels, extending essentially perpendicular to the face, and a horizontal groove for the tongue on the adjacent face of the other floor panel for connecting adjacent faces in the vertical direction. Long edge connectors are designed to grip using angular movement, and short edge connectors are designed to grip using vertical folding. The long face of the new panel in the second row is connected to the long face of the first panel in the first row by angular movement. The short edge of the new panel and the short edge of the second panel in the second row should be connected in the same angular movement. The tongue on the short edges is made of a separate material, joins the connecting groove and has a flexible part designed for horizontal displacement during folding and for interacting with the tongue groove of the adjacent short face in order to engage the floor panels in the vertical direction. The first and second connectors on long faces contain friction means for increasing friction on long faces when the panels are angled, with only two contact points between the first and second connectors.

Friction means may or may not be active at smaller angles when there are three or more contact points in the castle system.

The third principle offers advantages in that the friction on long edges can be large even at large angles, for example at an installation angle, and this can be used with the assembly method, when the edge of the flexible tongue is compressed by displacing the long edge during the initial stage of the vertical folding (Fig.4b and 4C). The friction means counteracts the displacement along the long edges and the separation of the short edges during vertical folding or prevents it.

This friction means may contain mechanical elements, for example, small protrusions made with rotating tools on parts of the locking system, for example, on the tongue and / or tongue. It may also contain chemicals or small particles deposited on the locking system to increase friction on long faces.

According to the fourth principle of the invention, there is provided a floor covering with a locking system on long and short edges, in which the panels can be joined by vertical folding, and the position, shape and material properties of the preferably flexible tongue on a short edge are combined with a long-edge locking system containing connectors, which make it possible to attach a panel trimmed to a length of 20 cm to another panel in the same row by means of vertical folding, as well as to prevent separation of short edges.

According to one embodiment of this fourth principle, the invention provides a set of substantially identical floor panels, each of which has long and short sides, provided with first and second connectors, made integrally with the panels. Connectors are designed to connect adjacent faces. The first connector comprises a tongue with an upward locking element on the edge of the floor panel and an open downward locking groove in an adjacent face of an adjacent floor panel to connect adjacent faces in a horizontal direction perpendicular to adjacent faces. The second connector includes a tongue on one of the floor panels, located horizontally and perpendicular to the face, and a groove open in the horizontal direction for the tongue of the adjacent face of the other floor panel to connect adjacent faces in the vertical direction. Long edge connectors provide traction by angular movement, and short edge connectors provide traction by vertical folding. The long face of the new panel in the second row is connected to the long face of the first panel in the first row by angular movement. The short edge of the new panel and the short edge of the second panel in the second row should be connected in the same angular movement. The tongue on the short edges is made of a separate material, is attached to the connecting groove and has a flexible part designed for horizontal displacement during folding and for interacting with the tongue groove of the adjacent short edge to engage the floor panels in the vertical direction. The connectors on the long and short edges have such a structure that the second and new panels, if one of them is cut to a length of 20 cm, do not move away from each other, being in the contact position at an installation angle, as well as during vertical folding.

The fourth principle provides the following advantages: panels with such a locking system can be assembled with high accuracy, and the separation of short edges will not occur even if the panels are short cut and installed first or last in a row. Disconnecting the panels with a gap of the order of 0.01 mm may be enough to cause problems and undesirable gaps that may be visible on the floor surface, or moisture may penetrate into the seam.

A second object of the invention is to provide an assembly method for joining floor panels using vertical folding, the panels being provided with a locking angular movement system on long faces and a vertical folding system on short faces for adhering the panels in the vertical and horizontal directions, wherein the first and second panels lie flat on the black floor and their long edges are interconnected, characterized in that it contains the following steps:

a) introduce a long face of the angled new panel into contact with the upper part of the long face of the first panel;

b) enter the short edge of the new panel in contact with the short edge of the second panel so that the new panel is held in this position by means of a locking system on long and / or short edges,

c) they press the portion of the short edge of the new panel down to the floor, thereby connecting the first, second and third panels to each other by means of vertical folding.

This assembly method makes it possible to hold the floor panels in a raised inclined position by, for example, the upper part of the locking element and the lower part of the locking groove. This facilitates assembly, as the installer can change the position of the hands to move from the panel at an installation angle to a position suitable for pressing sections of the short edges of the panel to the subfloor. The advantage is that the combined action - simultaneous compression of the upper edges together at an angle, pressing the panels sideways to avoid separation of short edges and lowering the panel to the floor, can be replaced by three separate and independent actions.

The third objective of the invention is to create a new locking system or combination of locking systems, which can be used on long and / or short edges and is specifically designed to solve problems associated with separation. These locking systems can, of course, be used individually to connect any type of floorboards or wall panels along short and / or long edges.

According to the first aspect of this third task, a flexible tongue is proposed comprising two flexible parts: an inner part located inside the bias groove and an outer flexible part located outside the bias groove that engages with the groove for the tongue of an adjacent face of another panel. The inner part is preferably more flexible than the outer, and preferably shifts more strongly than the outer more rigid part, providing vertical adhesion of the panels. The invention makes it possible to combine strength and low resistance to displacement.

According to a second aspect of this third task, a short-edged locking system with a preferably flexible tongue is combined with a compact tongue-locking system that is engaged by angular movement. Such a castle system is most effective, its geometry is favorable and can be used in the construction of a castle system that creates significant friction along a long face during angular displacement. This reed lock can replace the locking system of a long face with a protruding tongue, in accordance with all the principles and methods described above. This embodiment of the invention comprises a first connector comprising a tongue with an upward facing locking element at the top of the tongue, at the edge of one of the floor panels, and a second connector comprising a downward facing tongue groove with an undercut at an adjacent face of another floor panel to connect adjacent faces to horizontal and vertical direction. The long edge connectors, even in this embodiment, are designed to grip by angular movement, and the short edge connectors are designed to grip by vertical folding. As an example, we can mention that, according to the first principle, long-edge connectors have at least three separate contact points or contact surfaces between adjacent parts of the connectors when the new panel is pressed with the upper edge to the upper edge of the new panel at an angle to the main plane of approximately 10 degrees.

According to a third aspect of this third task, there is provided a short-edge locking system with a preferably flexible tongue that counteracts the displacement of long edges during vertical folding or prevents this displacement. The locking system comprises, as described above, a tongue and groove with a locking element and a separate flexible tongue on a tongue-and-groove panel, a tongue groove and a locking groove on a folding panel. The locking surface of the locking groove is substantially vertical and parallel to the vertical plane VP, and its height is preferably about 0.1 of the floor thickness T. The locking system preferably has such a structure that the upper part of the locking element with the locking surface is in contact with the lower part of the locking surface of the locking groove at an engagement angle, in the absence of contacts between the folding panel and the flexible tongue. A substantially vertical locking surface prevents separation when the tongue contacts the folding panel during further angular movement. Part of the locking surfaces according to a preferred embodiment is located on the protrusion and in the recess.

Obviously, it is possible to combine two or even all of the principles described above and that all embodiments of the locking systems described in this application can be used together or independently to connect long and / or short edges. The drawings are used only to demonstrate examples of various embodiments that can be applied in various combinations on the long and short edges of panels of the same type or of different types, designed to be connected to each other. All locking systems on the long and / or short edges of the panel can be made integrally with the base of the panel, and can contain separate materials, for example, a separate tongue and / or tongue, which can be combined with the floor panel or attached during assembly. Even the locking groove and / or tongue groove can be made of separate materials. This means that the invention also includes integral locking systems on short edges, in which parts of the locking systems, such as, for example, a tongue and / or tongue and / or locking element, are flexible and preferably contain wood-fiber material, for example wood-fiber high density plate, and which can be coupled by vertical folding, provided that in these systems during the adhesion there is a disconnecting force. A single fiber-based material can also be fixedly attached to the edge of the panel by, for example, gluing and machined in accordance with the requirements of the locking system, similar to the integral locking system described above.

The invention is applicable to all types of floor coverings. However, it is especially suitable for short panels with a length of, for example, 40-120 cm, which are characterized by low friction on long faces, for wide panels with a width of more than 20 cm, since the flexible tongue of such panels is long and creates significant pressure, as well as for panels the basis of which is made, for example, of high density fiberboard, a compact laminate, plastic, etc., in which friction is low due to very smooth surfaces with a low coefficient of friction in the castle system. The invention is also useful for thin panels whose thickness is, for example, 6-9 mm, and preferably 8 mm and thinner, and in particular for thin panels with compact locking systems on long edges, for example, when tongues are shorter than 6 mm, since such floor panels and such locking systems have small contact surfaces with a low coefficient of friction.

By using a floor covering, the construction of which corresponds to one or more of the above principles of the present invention, several advantages can be achieved. The first advantage is that the assembly is carried out in a simple manner and there is no need to apply lateral pressure during assembly to prevent the coating from breaking apart over short edges. The second advantage is that the risk of separation of the faces, which can cause cracks in the castle system during folding, is significantly reduced. A third advantage is that the locking systems can be made with stiffer and stronger tongues that can grip the panels in the vertical direction with higher strength and significant prestressing of the tongue. Such tongues with significant maximum pressure and prestressing pressure in the engaged position cause a strong separation during vertical folding. A fourth advantage is that the flexible tongue can be positioned close to a long face and thus obtain reliable grip - despite the fact that the said flexible tongue creates a disconnecting pressure at a sufficiently large contact angle.

The measurement of the friction of the primary contact and the friction of the installation can be carried out according to the following principles. The contact angle of the new floor panel and the first floor panel should be measured when the first edge portion of the flexible tongue, active in the process of vertical fixation, is in first contact with a short face at the initial stage of vertical folding. Contact friction along a long face of a 200 mm long sample should be measured at a given contact angle when the panels are pressed together under normal installation pressure, i.e. with a force of 10 N. The friction of the installation should be measured in the same way, but at an installation angle of 25 degrees. Contact friction should be at least about 50% greater than the friction of the installation.

Friction means containing mechanical devices such as protrusions, scratched fibers, scuffed edges, etc. in the castle system, easy to track. The situation with chemicals is more complicated.

Another method should be used to measure enhanced friction, since the friction agent is not so clearly distinguishable and it is not obvious that mechanical devices, chemicals, impregnation, coating, individual materials, etc. used to increase friction between floor panels at an installation angle. A new locking system, having essentially the same design as the original sample, should be made from the same floor panels with the same base. Friction can be measured at the same installation angle and pressure, and then you need to compare the friction between two samples - the original and the new. This test method implies, of course, that the entire base does not contain materials that enhance friction.

Many floor panels based on high-density fibreboard on the market were tested, and the result was this: the friction on a sample with a long face 200 mm long, pressed against another long face with a force of 10 N at an angle of 25 degrees, is usually about 10 N or less. This frictional force is too small to prevent the displacement of short faces during vertical folding. Friction can significantly increase friction.

The contact angle is defined as the angle of the position of the new panel when the face comes into primary contact with the part of the flexible tongue, which must be displaced and actively involved in vertical fixation. On the edge of the tongue, for example, there may be protrusions that do not give a large horizontal pressure during vertical folding. These protrusions and similar means should not be considered as part of a flexible tongue.

All references to an element, device, component, tool, step, etc. in the singular should be interpreted broadly, as an example of the existing at least one element, device, component, means, stage, etc., unless clearly indicated otherwise.

The invention is illustrated in the drawings.

Figures 1a-d illustrate a prior art locking system.

Figures 2a-b show a prior art flexible tongue during engagement.

Figures 3a-b show prior art floor panels with a mechanical locking system on a short edge.

Figures 4a-d show how short edges of two floor panels can be joined by vertical folding according to the prior art.

FIGS. 5a-e illustrate embodiments of short face lock systems that may be used in connection with the invention.

Figures 6a-c show movable tongues according to embodiments of the invention.

Figures 7a-d show a three-dimensional illustration of the separation of panels during vertical folding.

On figa-d illustrates the disconnecting pressure of the tongue of the short edge in the assembly process.

On figa-o shows the locking system used and marketed in large volumes, and the contact point between the surfaces of such systems at different angles during installation using angular displacement.

10a-c show embodiments of long face lock systems with a friction angle of 10 degrees according to the invention.

11a-c show embodiments of long edge lock systems with a friction angle of 15 degrees according to the invention.

12a-c show locking systems of long and short sides and the position of the flexible tongue according to embodiments of the invention.

On figa-d shows options for the position of the panel at an angle of contact.

On figa-d shows the position of the flexible tongue relative to a long edge according to the variants of the invention.

On figa-c shows an embodiment with a friction means according to the invention.

On figa-d presents a method of measuring frictional forces at various angles according to the variants of implementation of the invention.

On figa-c shows alternative embodiments with three points of contact according to the invention.

FIGS. 18a-c show additional alternative embodiments with three points of contact according to the invention.

FIGS. 19a-c show additional alternative embodiments with two and three contact points creating friction according to the invention.

20a-c show alternative embodiments with four contact points at an angle of 20 degrees according to the invention.

On figa-d shows a flexible tab with two flexible parts.

On figa-c shows the installation of panels with a flexible tongue according to the invention.

On figa-b shows the reed castle system.

On figa-e shows a locking system that can be used in the implementation of the invention.

25a-c show methods for measuring contact points.

On figa-d shows embodiments of the invention with vertical locking surfaces.

On figa-c shows the locking system on the long and short edges according to the invention.

1-6 and in the corresponding description that follows, published embodiments are presented, and these drawings are used to explain the basic principles of the invention and to demonstrate examples of embodiments that may be used in the invention. The presented embodiments are merely examples. It should be emphasized that all types of flexible tongues and solid tongues that can be used in a locking system that allows vertical folding and / or vertical grip, can be used and the applicable part of this description is included in the scope of the present invention.

A floor panel 1, 1 ′ of the prior art with a mechanical locking system and a sliding tongue is described with reference to FIGS. 1a-d.

Fig. 1a is a schematic cross-sectional view of a seam between the short suture face 4a of the panel 1 and the opposite short suture face 4b of the second panel 1 '.

The front surfaces of the panels are essentially located in the common horizontal plane HP, and the upper parts 21, 41 of the suture faces 4a, 4b abut against each other in the vertical plane VP. The mechanical locking system ensures that the panels are fixed relative to each other in the vertical direction D1, as well as in the horizontal direction D2.

To ensure the connection of the two suture faces in the directions D1 and D2, one of the faces of the floor panels, henceforth referred to as the “panel with a tongue”, is provided in a known manner with a tongue 6 with a locking element 8 in one suture face, interacting with the locking groove 14 in another suture face , hereinafter referred to as “folding panel”, and provides horizontal grip.

The mechanical locking system of the prior art comprises a separate flexible tongue 30 fixed in an offset groove 40 made in one of the suture faces. The flexible tongue 30 has a hidden portion P1 located in the offset groove 40 and a protruding portion P2 protruding outward from the offset groove 40. The protruding portion P2 of the flexible tongue 30 in one of the two suture faces interacts with the tongue groove 20 made in the other suture face.

The flexible tongue 30 has a protruding part P2 with a rounded outer part 31 and a chamfered surface 32, which in this embodiment has the form of a chamfer. It also contains an upper (33) and lower (35) bias surface and an inner part 34.

The offset groove 40 has upper (42) and lower (46) holes that are rounded in this embodiment, a rear (44), upper (43) and lower (45) groove offset surfaces, which are preferably substantially parallel to the horizontal plane of the HP.

The tongue groove 20 has a tongue-fixing surface 22 that interacts with the flexible tongue 30 and secures suture faces in the vertical direction D1. The folding panel 1 'has a vertical locking surface 24, which is closer to the rear surface 62 than to the tongue groove 20. The vertical locking surface 24 interacts with the tongue 6 and interlocks the suture faces in another vertical direction. The folding panel in this embodiment has a sliding surface 23, which during engagement interacts with the sliding surface 32 of the flexible tongue 30.

The flexible tongue can be in the form of a wedge and can be fixed in the tongue groove using a preload that presses the folding panel 1 'to the tongue-and-groove panel. This embodiment provides a very durable, high quality seam.

On figa presents a view in section aa of the panel according to fig.3b, when viewed from above. The flexible tongue 30 has a length L along the suture face, a width W parallel to the horizontal plane and perpendicular to the length L, and also a thickness T in the vertical direction D1. The sum of the largest groove portion P1 and the largest protruding part P2 is the total width TW. The flexible tongue in this embodiment also has a middle portion MS and two edge portions ES adjacent to the middle portion. The size of the protruding part P2 and the groove portion P1 varies in this embodiment along the length L, and the tongue is spaced apart from the two side portions 9a and 9b. The flexible tongue 30 contains at one of the edge sections a friction joint 36, which may take the form, for example, of a small local vertical protrusion. This frictional joint holds the flexible tab in the offset groove 40 during assembly or during production, packaging and transportation, if the flexible tab is integral with the floor panel in the factory.

Figures 2a and 2b show the position of the flexible tongue 30 after the first offset to the bottom 4 of the offset groove 40. The offset is caused essentially by the bending of the flexible tongue 30 in the direction of its length L, parallel to the width W. This feature is essential for this prior art system. In marketed embodiments, the maximum tongue pressure is about 20 H.

The folding panel can be detached using a needle-shaped tool that can be inserted from the corner portion 9b into the tongue groove 20 and slide the flexible tongue back into the offset groove 40. The folding panel can then be lifted while the tongue-and-groove panel remains on the black floor . Of course, the panels can also be disconnected in the traditional way.

Figure 4a shows one embodiment of a vertical folding process. The first panel 1 "in the first row R1 is attached to the second panel 1 in the second row R2. The new panel 1 'is moved with a long edge 5a to the long edge 5b of the first panel 1" at a normal installation angle of about 25-30 degrees, pressed to an adjacent face and attach the long edge 5a to the long edge 5b of the first panel at a normal installation angle of about 25-30 degrees. This angular movement also connects the short edge 4b of the new panel 1 ′ to the short edge 4a of the second panel 1. The folding panel 1 ′ is joined to the panel 1 with a tongue and groove by combined movement — vertical movement and simultaneous rotation in the vertical plane VP. The protruding part P2 has a rounded and / or beveled folding part P2 ', which during folding interacts with the sliding surface 23 of the folding panel 1'. The combined effect of folding the panel P2 'and the impact of the tongue sliding surface 32, which during folding interacts with the sliding surface 23 of the folding panel 1', facilitates the first displacement of the flexible tongue 30. An essential feature of this invention is the position of the protruding portion P2, which is spaced apart from corner portion 9a and 9b. This distance is at least 10% of the length of the suture face — in this case, the visible short face 4a.

Fig. 4b-c shows an embodiment of a set of floor panels with a movable tongue and an alternative installation method. According to this embodiment, the length of the tongue is more than 90% of the width WS of the front surface of the panel, in other preferred embodiments, the length of the tongue is preferably from 75% and almost 100% of the width WS of the front surface. The length of the tongue is preferably approximately equal to the difference between the total width of the panel and the width of the locking system of adjacent edges of the panel. A small chamfer may be provided at the edges of the outer face, but the straight portion of the tongue in the outer edge region preferably has a length substantially equal to the length of the tongue, preferably more than 90%. The new panel 1 'is at an angle, with the upper part of the suture face in contact with the first panel 1 "in the first row. The short edges 4a and 4b are spaced apart from each other. Then the new panel 1' is laterally displaced to the second panel 1, while the short edges 4a, 4b will not substantially come into contact, and part of the flexible tongue 15 slides into the offset groove 40, as seen in Figure 4b. Then, the new panel 1 'is folded down to the second panel 1. Since the offset of the new panel 1 'leads to the indentation in the groove 40 only the edges of the flexible tongue 30, vertical folding can be carried out You can perform assembly with a movable tongue having a straight outer edge. When installing panels with a well-known onion-shaped tongue (see Figure 2-4), the entire tongue must be retracted into the offset groove. When comparing a known arcuate tongue with with a tongue according to the invention it turns out that for a tongue with the same dynamic stiffness per unit length less force is required, therefore, a tongue with a higher dynamic stiffness per unit length and a greater spring force can be used, which leads to increased reliability of the final position of the tongue. When using this assembly method, there is no need for a beveled sliding surface of the folding panel, or this surface may be smaller, which is an advantage in the case of thin panels. The disadvantage of this method is that the new panel should be tilted and pressed sideways during vertical folding. Fig. 4c shows that any options for the implementation of the tongue may be present on the folding panel - of course, given that some adjustment is required.

Typically, having a tongue on a tongue-and-groove panel is an advantage, since it is possible to use rounded or chamfered parts on a folding panel to facilitate displacement of the movable parts of the tongue. An embodiment with a tongue, which is located on a folding panel, as shown in FIG. 4d, has the disadvantage that the tongue must slide along the sharp edge of the surface of the panel.

The tongue may consist of plastic and may be made, for example, by injection molding. Using this manufacturing method, many different complex bulk shapes can be obtained at low cost, and flexible tongues can easily be attached to each other to form blanks. The tongue can also be made of extruded or machined plastic or metal profile, which can then be molded, for example, by cutting, to obtain a flexible tongue. The disadvantage associated with extrusion, in addition to additional technological operations, is that the tongue in this case is difficult to reinforce - for example, with fibers.

Any type of polymeric material can be used, for example nylon, polyoxymethylene, polychloroprene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene and other materials with the properties described above in connection with various embodiments. These plastic materials using injection molding can be reinforced, for example, with fiberglass, Kevlar, carbon fiber or chalk. A preferred material is glass fiber reinforced polypropylene or polyoxymethylene, preferably particularly long.

5a-5e show embodiments of flexible reeds 30 that can be used to grip short edges according to the invention. Fig. 5a shows a separate tongue 30 on a folding panel with a flexible latch pointing upward. Fig. 5b shows a separate tongue 30 on a dowel panel with a flexible latch directed downward. On figs presents a separate tab on the panel with a tongue, with a flexible latch inside the groove 40 offset. The latch may extend up or down and may be located on a dowel panel or on a folding panel, in accordance with the same principles (Figs. 5a and b). Fig. 5d shows a flexible tongue containing protrusions, as shown in Fig. 6a, and these protrusions may be located within the offset groove 40 or may extend from a vertical plane into the tongue groove 20. FIG. 5e shows that the tongue 30 can be integrally formed with the panel and adhesion can be achieved by compressing the fibers or parts of the panel material and / or bending the tongue 6.

Figures 6a-c show embodiments of a tongue 30 that can be used according to the invention. They all have a shape that allows them to be inserted into the groove on the floor panel. Fig. 6a shows a flexible tongue 30 with flexible protrusions 16. Fig. 6b shows a bow 30 in the shape of a bow, and Fig. 6c shows a tongue 30 with a flexible latch 17.

A flexible tongue, similar to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-4, 5d, 6a and 6b, can, for example, be made of wood fiber based material, for example high density fiberboard, solid wood or several layers of glued plywood. Extremely strong and flexible tongues can be made of high density fiberboard, especially if the design is such that flexibility is achieved essentially in parallel with the orientation of the fibers of the fiberboard.

On figa-d presents 4 stages of Assembly with vertical folding and the associated problems. In order to simplify the description, an embodiment is shown with a flexible tongue 30 on a dowel panel. As already explained above, the tongue may be on the folding panel. The new panel 1 'is moved at an angle of installation, the long edge 5a to the long edge of the first panel 1 "until the upper edges come into contact. Then the new panel is moved sideways until the short edge 4b comes into contact with the short edge of the adjacent second panel of the same row (Fig. 7a). Then, the new panel 1 'is tilted until the contact angle is reached when the edge 30' of the flexible tongue 30 comes into primary contact with the short edge of the new panel (Fig. 7b). Additional angular movement, which should optimally occur in contact between with thin edges, gradually pushes most of the flexible tongue in the horizontal direction, and the flexibility of the tongue causes increasing pressure, which can push short edges 4a and 4b apart, resulting in an undesirable gap G (Fig. 7c). Locking element 8 in many cases it may not be able to pull back the short edges of the panels, since the friction between the long edges can be significant when the panels are at a gentle angle and the gap will remain in the connected position (Fig.7d). This can lead to cracking and other damage to the castle system. Even very small clearances of 0.01-0.1 mm can cause serious problems, as moisture will easily penetrate the seam.

Figures 8a-8d illustrate in detail the disconnection problems caused by the presence of the flexible tongue 30. The panels 1, 1 'of Fig. 8a are at an angle of contact, while the sliding surfaces 23, 32 of the folding panel 1' and the flexible tongue are in contact. Figures 8b and 8c show that the flexibility of the tongue creates a release pressure SP, which can separate the panels 1, 1 'from each other and create a gap G if the installer does not press the panels against each other. On fig.8d shows the panels in the locked position, with a constantly existing gap G between them. In this case, the tongue 6 bends, and the locking element 8 only partially enters the locking groove 14. In the worst case, cracks will appear in the locking elements 8 and the panels will not be horizontally engaged along short edges.

On figa-9o presents 3 types of locking systems with angular displacement, widely used in traditional floor coverings and fixed among themselves by angular displacement. On figa-c presents floor panels located at an angle And installation of 25 degrees. In this position, there are only two contact points between the first and second connectors - CP3 and CP2 or CP3, CP4. Between the inner lower part of the tongue 10 and the locking groove 14 there always exists an upper contact point CP3, or a contact surface, on the upper suture faces and a second contact point, or contact surface, CP4, CP2 on the lower part of the tongue or in some place between the inner lower part of the tongue 10 and the locking groove 14. Friction displacement along the suture faces in this position is very small, especially in coatings based on high-density fiberboards with smooth surfaces. Fig. 9d-f shows an additional angular movement to an angle of 15 degrees, and Fig. 9g-i illustrates an angle of 10 degrees. In these positions, there are still only two points of contact, and the friction remains small. On Fig. J-l shows the position at an angle of 5 degrees, which in these embodiments is the angle of friction. Figures 9j and 9k show that the locking system is located at an engagement angle at which the locking surfaces 51, 52 are in partial contact. Fig. 9l shows the locking system at a guiding angle when the guide surfaces 11, 12 are in contact. Fig. 9j shows that this locking system has 4 contact points: two upper contact points - CP3 on the upper suture faces and CP1 on the upper parts of the tongue, and two lower contact points - CP2 on the lower part of the tongue and CP4 between the locking surfaces. 9k shows two upper contact points CP1, CP3 and one lower contact point CP4. Fig. 9l is similar to Fig. 9j except that one lower contact point is located between the guide surfaces 11, 12. The displacement friction along the suture faces in these positions is significantly increased, especially if there is a tight fit between the contact points or contact surfaces and / or if the contact surfaces are significant in size. A preload can additionally increase friction, and displacement along long faces along with vertical folding will get a reaction; in many cases it will be absolutely impossible, even with the small size of the floor panels. Such locking systems, however, are not suitable for the long side in a vertical folding system, where the contact angle is greater than 5-8 degrees, especially if they are made with a normal fit between the connectors, as they will not be able to prevent relative displacement along long edges and separation of short edges .

10 a shows an embodiment according to a first object of the invention. Such a locking system can preferably be used on the long edges of a vertically folding system with a contact angle A of about 10 degrees or less. A similar system is also suitable for locking systems with large contact angles, since it prevents displacement even at 10 degrees, when the greatest shear pressure occurs in most folding castle systems. Figure 10a shows the position of the panel 1 'at an angle of 15 degrees when only two points CP3, CP2 are in contact. Panel 1'a is at an angle of friction of 12 degrees with three contact points CP3, CP2, CP4 '. This position is characterized by the fact that on the tongue there is only one contact point CP2, as well as the fact that the guide surfaces 11, 12 are in contact. This is an advantage, since the guide surfaces press the tongue, pushing it into the groove, during further angular movement (Fig.10b). Friction is further enhanced, which is caused by vertical contacts and the interaction between the tongue 10 and the tongue groove 9 (CP1, CP2), horizontal contacts between the upper faces of the CP3 and the guide surfaces 11, 12, which form the second lower contact point of the CP4. An ideal position is preferably an embodiment with a contact angle that is less than or equal to the angle of friction and the guide angle. Such an embodiment may, for example, have a friction angle and a steering angle of about 10 degrees and a contact angle of about 8-9 degrees. Fixing can be done in an extremely simple way - all you need to do is press down on the new panel when it is located at a guide angle. Fig. 10c shows that in the construction of the locking system, the angle between the locking surfaces is large and that at the last stage of the angular movement, shown at 1'a, the fibers must be compressed in the region of the upper edges of the CP4 and the locking surfaces of the CP4 to allow adhesion. This design provides several advantages. Friction increases and becomes large when the breaking force is maximum. The floor panels are held in a raised position by means of the locking element in the locking groove (Fig. 10b) - independently or in combination with the contact between the short edge of the folding panel and the edge of the flexible tongue. Friction prevents the short edge from sliding off the flexible tongue. This facilitates installation, as the installer can change the position of the hands to move from the panel at an installation angle to vertical pressure on a short edge. Therefore, the invention provides a vertical locking system with a system of angular displacement of a long face, allowing the panel to remain in an inclined position relative to the other panel when the contact of the upper suture edges. It also provides a locking system in which the pressure between the upper suture edges and the locking element and / or between the tongue and the groove at the final stage of the angular movement, when part of the locking groove 14 is in contact with the locking element 8, increases.

On figa-c shows that the same principles can be used to form a castle system even with an even greater angle of friction A, comprising, for example, 15 degrees (figa). The locking element 8 is higher, and in this preferred embodiment, it extends vertically from the lower point of the tongue 6 to a height LH of about 0.2 of the thickness of the floor T. The tongue has a lower part 54, which is essentially parallel to the horizontal plane of the HP and extends from a vertical plane, preferably at a distance TD of about 0.1 of the floor thickness T.

The importance of the contact angle and the joint functioning of the long and short edges during vertical folding and vertical engagement will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 12a-13d.

12 a shows a locking system 1 ″, 1 ′ of a long face and a locking system 1, 1 ’of a short face intended to be engaged by vertical folding or vertical engagement. The long edges are provided with a locking system that can be fixed by angular movement. Each short face is equipped with a locking system, which is coupled by means of vertical coupling, or vertical folding.

12b shows the position of the sliding surface 23, for example, of the new panel 1 'when viewed from the side of the second panel 1 at the new panel 1' when the new panel 1 'is moved vertically downward. This type of clutch can be used, for example, to connect the first row. The sliding surface 23 is a plane located at the bottom of the panel 1 '.

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

12b and 12c show that the position of the flexible tongue in the length direction of the short edge is not very important for vertical grip when the entire panel is moved vertically downward.

On figa presents an embodiment of the same locking system as in Fig.12, in the process of vertical folding. The edge of the flexible tongue 30 in this embodiment is located at a distance FD from the long edge of the first panel 1 ". Fig. 13b shows the vertical folding of the corner section CS and the position of the new panel 1 'close to reaching the contact angle. Due to the beveled surfaces 23 32, there is no contact so far between the folding panel 1 'and the flexible tongue 30. Fig. 13c shows a contact angle, which in this embodiment is 10 degrees. The sliding surfaces 32, 23 overlap each other at the starting point CP5 of the contact. A further slope will begin to cause a gradually increasing release pressure between the short faces of the panels 1, 1 ', since most of the TPC of the flexible tongue will be pressed horizontally inward, into the displacement groove, by the sliding surface 23 of the panel 1' (Fig. 13d).

Figures 14a and 14b show the position of the flexible tongue 30 according to two embodiments of the invention. The flexible tongue 30 according to these embodiments is bent horizontally in the length direction. The edge of the flexible tongue in FIG. 14a is located at a distance FD1 from the long edge 5b, for example, of about 1-5 mm. Such a locking system in a floor with laminated parquet of normal thickness will have a contact angle of about 10 degrees. The contact angle will be smaller if the edge of the tongue is located further from the long edge 5b, at a distance FD2 (Fig.14b). In this case, you can use a locking system with a smaller contact angle. Such an embodiment may be sufficient for thick and stable floor panels or for narrow panels. For narrower floorboards, for example for laminated parquet with a width of 6-8 mm and veneered floor coverings, it is advantageous if the flexible tongue can grip short edges near a long edge and over a considerable length along a short edge. Figs 14c and 14d show a flexible tongue in a practically contact position when the first part of the flexible tongue 30 is bent horizontally and pushed horizontally inward into the offset groove. Obviously, the release pressure increases when most of the tongue is bent and pressed horizontally to the side during folding. These, as well as the previously described embodiments, demonstrate that the locking systems of the long and short sides are dependent on each other and must be adapted to each other to ensure a simple and reliable grip.

On figa-c shows the friction means 53, 53 ', which according to this variant implementation is made in the form of small local protrusions on the upper part of the tongue 6 of the wedge panel 1 and on the lower part of the tongue or on the panel 1' with a groove. Such protrusions can be made on other surfaces in the castle system, and they prevent displacement at large angles, for example, when there are only two points of contact (Figa). The friction means may also contain any types of materials or chemicals, such as small solid particles, rubber, binder and similar materials used in the castle system. Preferred materials are soft waxes, such as microcrystalline waxes or paraffin waxes, which can be applied to one or more surfaces in the castle system, for example, on a tongue or tongue groove, tongue, lock element and / or castle groove, on one or more guide surfaces, etc., which can increase the initial friction, especially between high-density fiberboards. For the manufacture of the tongue 10 and the tongue 6 can be used in various layers of glued plywood and fibrous structures, allowing you to get a lot of friction during angular movement. The above friction means can be combined with each other. Small local protrusions, rough surfaces, oriented fibrous structures, etc. can be combined, for example, with wax or chemicals.

On figa-d presents methods for measuring friction between the long faces of the floor panels. An exemplary panel 1 'with a groove whose width W2 is about 200 mm is pressed with a pressing force F1 of 10 N at an angle A against a sheet 1 "sheet pile that is fixedly fixed and has a width W1 greater than 200 mm. Force F1 presses are applied to the panel 1 'with a groove by means of a wheel that rotates with low friction. The bias friction force is defined as the maximum force F2 required to displace the panel 1' with a groove along the seam. Curve Fa in Fig. 16 shows the measurements made by example 8mm laminated panel with turn from printed paper impregnated from thermosetting resins and with a base from a high density wood board. Friction can be measured starting from the installation angle and gradually moving to smaller angles. The shear friction force of this sample at the installation angle IA is approximately 10 N, and it is almost the same with a contact angle SA of 10 degrees. The friction angle FA for this sample is approximately 5 degrees. Many locking systems based on high-density wood boards have a shear friction force of less than 10 N at an installation angle. Friction can be even less, reaching 5 N. The long edges in such a castle system have only an indirect effect on counteracting the displacement of short edges during the first stage of vertical folding, since the angle of friction is less than the contact angle. Curve Fb shows a special locking system in which friction, due to the geometry of the locking system, is larger at an installation angle than at a smaller angle. The invention is based on the principle that friction should increase with an increase in the contact angle compared to the installation angle or any other angle lying in the range between the installation angle and the contact angle at which the friction force is minimal. According to a preferred embodiment, the friction force at an angle of contact exceeds 15 N, and even more preferably 20 N. According to a preferred embodiment, the locking system with a flexible tongue also creates a tongue pressure force of more than 20 N, even more preferably more than 30 N.

There are castle systems on the market in which the friction force at large angles is quite large. Such locking systems cannot be lowered from the installation angle to the contact angle or the guide angle in the usual way, applying a pressing force F1 of 10 N, which corresponds to a pressing force of 60 N applied to a floor panel of 120 cm in size during installation; and they belong to this type of locking systems, for the assembly of which the angular movement must be combined with very strong pressure or with a snap in an inclined position. Such locking systems are not used for vertical folding. They are not excluded from the scope of the invention, but are not recommended for systems with vertical folding, since they only slightly, in some special cases of assembly, improve installation compared to the traditional method of assembly, which involves angular movement of short and long edges, snapping short and long edges or angular movement of long edges and snapping of short ones.

On figs presents a more preferred locking system according to the invention, in which the friction angle FA is about 15 degrees, and the contact angle CA is 10 degrees. The friction angle FA is greater than the contact angle CA, and the friction force between the long faces is significantly increased for the contact angle CA compared to the installation angle IA. Fig. 16d shows how two samples 1, 1 'with a width of W3 of 200 mm are assembled, and according to the fourth embodiment, this assembly process should not cause separation of short edges when the folding panel is pressed against the subfloor, exclusively vertically and without any side pressure towards the short edge, provided that the panels are equipped with locking systems according to the invention. You can also test with one full-size panel 1 and one panel 1 ', cut to a length of about 20 cm. Such a locking system with friction of a long face, which prevents the displacement of such small floor parts, makes it possible to simplify the assembly of not only ordinary floor panels, but also trimmed floor panels located against the wall.

On figa-c shows how the locking system shown in Fig.11, can be adjusted to create friction at three points of contacts CP3, CP1 and CP4. Friction is obtained mainly from the mutual pressure of the locking element 8 and the locking groove, as well as the upper part of the tongue 10 and the groove 9 for the tongue. In this embodiment, the tongue has a lower portion 54 that is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane of the HP and extends from the vertical plane, preferably a shorter distance TD than in FIG. 11, which is less than 0.1 of the floor thickness T.

On Figa-18c shows that the locking system shown in Fig.11, can also be adjusted to create friction at three other contact points CP3, CP1 and CP4. Friction is obtained mainly from the mutual pressure of the upper and lower parts of the tongue 10 and the groove 9 for the tongue. In this embodiment, the tongue has a lower portion 54 that is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane of the HP and extends from the vertical plane, preferably by the same distance TD as in FIG. 11. The height LH of the locking element, however, is less. The friction means 53 is in the form of wax applied to the lower part of the tongue 10. The wax should preferably be quite soft and able to deform during angular movement. Soft wax prevents the initial displacement along the seam. Such wax can be applied in all castle systems, and it will prevent displacement, especially with respect to surfaces of high density fiberboard.

On Fig and 18 shows that you can get many combinations of angles of friction and points of friction, if the dimensions of the tongue 10, the groove 9, the tongue 6 of the locking element 8 and the locking groove 14 are adjusted in accordance with the principles of the invention.

On figa presents an embodiment with an angle of friction of such a magnitude that friction occurs when there are only two contact points CP1 and CP2 between the upper and lower parts of the tongue 10 and the groove 9 for the tongue. In this embodiment, the tongue has a lower portion 54 that is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane of the HP and extends from the vertical plane to a distance TD of more than 0.2 of the floor thickness T. According to this embodiment, there is a space 55 between the lower part of the tongue and the tongue groove, which facilitates adhesion and allows the guide surfaces 11, 12 to overlap at an angle of a larger magnitude, for example 15 degrees (Fig. 19b).

On figa-s shows that it is possible to perform a locking system with three contact points CP3, CP1 and CP2 for an installation angle of 25 degrees (Fig.20a). The locking element is even higher (LH) than in previous embodiments, and the panel 1 'with a groove is provided with a protrusion 56 between the tongue 10 and the tongue groove 9. The upper section of the tongue is located at an angle to the horizontal, which facilitates the processing of the groove 9 for the tongue with large rotating tools.

Simple vertical fixation of the short edge does not give a significant improvement compared to existing technologies without combining it with a well-established long edge lock system with excellent direction and fixation, which allows you to connect long and short edges with simple angular movement. As can be seen from the embodiments shown, for example, in FIGS. 10b, 11a, 17a, 13c, 18b, 19b and 20b, it is possible to create a locking system with a combined angle of friction and a guiding angle and with a locking element 8 and a locking groove 14 that holds the folding panel in the raised position. The only action required to grip the panels is to press the folding panel vertically next to the short edges.

According to the invention, based on this principle, a method of installing three panels is provided when the first panel 1 ″ and the second panel 1 are flat on the black floor, and their long edges are connected, as for example shown in Fig. 7a. The method comprises the following steps .:

a) The new panel 1 'is positioned obliquely, with the long edge 5a in contact with the upper part of the long edge 5b of the first panel 1 ".

b) The short edge 4b of the new panel 1 ′ is brought into contact with the short edge 4a of the second panel 1 so that the new panel 1 ′ is held in this position by the locking system on long and / or short edges. The new panel 1 'can be held in this position using the guide surface of the locking element and the locking groove (Fig. 10a) and / or the edge of the flexible tongue.

c) A portion of the short edge of the new panel is pressed down to the floor, thereby connecting the first, second and third panels to each other by vertical folding, preferably without significant visible gaps between the short edges.

This installation method allows you to hold the floor panel in a raised position, for example, using the guide surfaces 11, 12 (Figure 10). This makes installation easier, since the installer can change the position of the hand when moving from the first position in which the panel is installed at an installation angle of 25 degrees, pressed against the edge of the already installed first panel 1 "and preferably slightly tilted down, at a friction angle and a guide angle. Then the installer can move his hands to the second position, suitable for pressing sections of the short edges of the panel, preferably both, to the subfloor.The guiding surfaces guide the locking element into the locking groove and the tongue into the groove for the ulcers A friction between long edges prevents displacement, The advantage is that the combined action of pressing the upper edges against each other, pressing the panel sideways to prevent separation of short edges and lowering the panel to the floor can be replaced by two or three separate and simple independent actions .

On figa-c presents a flexible tongue 30 with inner and outer flexible parts. Flexible tabs (Figa-5c) have the following disadvantages.

1. They are usually made of extruded plastic profiles - this is economical, but manufacturing tolerances are not tight enough to produce high-quality products.

2. Flexibility is insufficient due to the fact that only one flexible latch is used, which bends in thin floors within a very limited vertical distance. Low flexibility creates significant disconnecting forces on the edges.

3. It is difficult to combine flexibility and adhesion, especially in flexible reeds (Fig. 5a, b). An embodiment of the invention reduces or eliminates the aforementioned problems. The inner flexible portion 62 is not part of the vertical locking system and, therefore, can be made very flexible, since its main function is to move the flexible tongue 30 into the groove. The upper part 67 of the inner flexible part is pressed against the inner part of the offset groove and bends or contracts immediately after the edge of the floor panel is pressed against the outer flexible part 61. Preferably, the outer part 61 is harder and stronger than the inner part 62. The combined flexibility of the inner and outer parts can provide more firm fixation with less disconnecting force compared to known tongues. The flexible tongue 30 may, of course, have one or more internal and / or external parts, for example, having a W-shape and extending vertically up or down, and this can be used to provide greater flexibility and displacement. Such a tongue can also be made of a rigid outer part that does not have flexibility. The tongue can be attached to the folding panel. The outer flexible portion 61 in such an embodiment extends vertically upward and is fixed relative to the upper portion of the tongue groove.

FIG. 21b shows that an extruded tongue made of, for example, plastic or metal can be adjusted by machining or grinding. This will significantly improve manufacturing tolerances to a level similar to injection molding tolerances or even better. Displacement, traction and traction can be greatly improved. In the present embodiments, the implementation of the lower surface 64 and / or the locking surface 65 are adjusted before being inserted into the offset groove 40. A portion of the flexible tongue, preferably the outer flexible portion 61, may be fitted by attaching the tongue to the face. This can be done at a separate stage in the manufacturing process or together with the implementation of the castle system. The flexible tongue may have a design that allows it to bend horizontally, in the length direction, during vertical folding. This bending is facilitated and the separating forces are reduced if you remove the section 68 of the tongue at the edge (Fig.21). This means that the width W of the tongue 30 varies along the length L. Such a portion of the tongue can also be removed from the inner elastic portion 67, and the tongue will bend in the length direction with less resistance, which facilitates vertical folding. Such molding with cutting off a part of the edge portion can be performed in extruded tongues of any type, especially those with limited flexibility, for example, in the embodiment with only one external elastic or flexible part (Figs. 5a, 5b and 6c). The flexible tongue may also have a structure that conforms to the principle of a hinge with a rigid protrusion and flexible joint - such that it does not bend in the horizontal direction during engagement. This embodiment can provide strong grip. However, significant disconnecting forces may occur. They can be counteracted, for example, by means of an embodiment comprising several internal or external separate flexible parts 61a, 61b, separated by a slot 69 made, for example, by punching or machining. Such separate flexible parts can be snapped separately, which allows to reduce manufacturing tolerances, especially if the tongues are made with separate flexible parts, the lengths of which can vary, for example, by 0.1 mm, and which are designed to engage at specially set levels relative to each other. This ensures that some individual flexible parts are always perfectly locked. The individual parts can be combined with a flexible tongue fixedly attached to the edge of the panel, preferably in a horizontal groove.

The invention also comprises a separate extruded flexible tongue designed for vertical engagement of the floorboard, characterized in that it is preferably fitted along the upper (63) and / or lower (64) contact surface and / or along the locking surface 65. Such a tongue or the tongue described above with the remote edge portion may also have a shape similar to the shapes shown in FIGS. 5a-5c, where the flexible tongue comprises only an internal or external flexible latch.

Machining, grinding and other similar technological operations in the General case, allow you to create a surface that is different from that obtained by extrusion of the untreated surface. In most cases, this can be seen through a microscope. Similar machining can also be used to increase or decrease the friction between the tongue and the offset groove.

On figa-22C presents the process of vertical folding, or vertical adhesion. One panel 1 'is moved, preferably along the vertical plane VP, to another panel 1. The inner flexible portion 62 is bent vertically when the face portion of the folding panel 1' comes into contact with the outer portion of the flexible tongue 30, preferably with the outer flexible portion 61, and the flexible tongue is biased inwardly into the bias groove 40 to which it then attaches, preferably by friction. Gradually even this outer flexible portion 61 will begin to bend (Fig. 22b). And, finally, both parts 62 — inner and outer — snap back into their original position, and the flexible tongue slides within the offset groove 40 toward the tongue groove 20. The locking surface 65 of the flexible tongue 30 is fixed relative to the portion of the flexible tongue 20. The tongue and the offset groove can be connected with a small clearance, which easily allows the tongue to be biased and slightly tilted during engagement. The outer flexible portion 61 during the adhesion process is preferably displaced, mainly horizontally, with a slight rotation around the upper elbow 70. The lower contact surface 65 can be located at an angle, preferably less than 10 degrees, to a horizontal plane, which increases the adhesion strength.

On Fig presents reed castle system, which can be coupled using angular displacement. The new panel 1 'comprises a first connector comprising a tongue 10 with a locking element 8a in the upper part. The first panel 1 ″ comprises an undercut tongue groove 9 provided with upper (6b) and lower (6a) flanges, and a locking groove 14a formed in the upper flange 6b and extending to the lower flange 6a. The first and second connectors fix the panels vertically and horizontal direction The lower flange 6a preferably extends beyond the vertical plane VP and preferably comprises a horizontal contact surface that is in contact with the lower part of the tongue 10. The locking system may, for example, have a structure containing three contact points CP1, 2, 3 at an angle exceeding 15 degrees (Fig. 23a). The tongue lock is used as an alternative to the tongue-and-groove locking systems in all the embodiments described above. The tongue lock on long edges can be combined with a hook system on short edges, which preferably provide grip only in the horizontal direction (Fig.24d).

On figa shows a locking system with a double tongue 10, 10 'and two corresponding grooves 9, 9' for the tongues used to fix the faces by angular movement, snapping or even vertical engagement, if the tongues and tongue are adjusted so that they allow vertical snap. Such a system can have more than four points of contact, and friction along the seam can be significant.

On fig.24b presents the locking system with a separate tongue 6 ', which can also be used to fix the long edges similarly to the embodiment presented on figa. Such a tongue may contain a material or surface with more favorable frictional properties than the base material.

Fig. 24b shows a locking system with a separate tongue 10 ', which can be flexible or rigid and can be attached to the wedge panel 1 "or folding panel 1' on long and / or short edges to improve frictional properties or to save material.

On fig.24d presents a hook system that provides only horizontal grip. On fige presents an embodiment of a locking system with a flexible tongue 30, made as a whole with the base of the panel. An undercut groove 71 made behind the flexible tongue 30 increases the flexibility of the tongue. Such a groove can be made, preferably using a scraper, when machining short edges. These scraping or drawing technologies can be used to create shaped shapes similar to extruded plastic profiles, especially from fibrous materials such as high density fiberboards, but also from solid wood and plastics. Flexible tongue 30 can also be made using large rotating tools on a folding panel 1 ', with the outer part directed upward. The castle system can also have two flexible tabs - one on each side. Wood fibers in a flexible tongue can be impregnated and / or coated, for example, with a bundle 70 to increase strength and flexibility. Impregnation may be performed before or after the manufacture of the tongue or face. The entire face or parts of the locking system, for example, tongue groove 20, locking element 8 or locking groove 14, can also be impregnated and / or coated. An undercut groove can be filled with flexible materials to increase strength and flexibility. Vertical folding is facilitated if the tongue 6 and / or the locking element 8 bends during folding. Wax in the castle system promotes adhesion. The essentially vertical groove 73 above the tongue in the folding panel 1 ′ or the cavity 72 in the tongue 6 adjacent to the locking element 8 in the wedge panel 1 increases the flexibility of the locking system and allows the use of more flexible parts. Parts 78 of the lower part of the tongue and / or counterbalance layer can be removed — this will increase the flexibility of the tongue and make it easier to bend to the subfloor. The folding panel may have a protrusion 74, and preferably also the locking surfaces of the type described in connection with FIG. The flexible tongue may also be made of another material fixedly attached to the panel, for example by gluing, friction or snapping. Such other material may be, for example, a local edge portion 77 attached to the face prior to final processing. An undercut groove 71 can also be preformed before joining a separate material 77 to the edge of the panel. Such a connection can be made on separate faces of the panel or on the panel blank, which is then cut into separate floor panels. Separate material 75, 76 can also be attached to the edge of the tongue-and-groove panel 1 and / or folding panel 1 'so that it contains the main parts of the locking system. Such a separate material in a wooden floor can preferably be glued to the upper layer and to the lower balancing layer. The individual materials may consist, for example, of solid wood, preferably solid and flexible, such as rubber wood or birch, wood impregnated with binders, such as acrylic, plastics, a dense laminate made of wood fiber material and phenol, which may also contain fiberglass, high density fiberboard or high density fiberboard reinforced with binders, high density fiberboard, essentially wu, with the vertical orientation of the fibers, materials with several layers containing wood fibers, and / or plastics, and / or fiberglass. Such materials can be used alone or in combination with each other. The locking system can, of course, also be made according to the principles described above without undercut groove 71, for example according to the embodiment described with respect to FIG. 5e, if materials and weld configurations suitable for achieving the desired flexibility are used.

Many different chemicals, such as melamine, urea, phenol, thermoplastic materials such as polypropylene or polyurethane, can be used to impregnate or coat parts of the entire castle system. Such chemicals can be cured, for example, by heat, ultrashort waves or similar methods of exposure, with or without pressure.

The flexible tongue 70 for a standard wood-fiber material can bend by a few tenths of a millimeter, which is enough to obtain vertical grip, especially in a laminate floor. Impregnation and / or coating can significantly increase flexibility.

According to the invention, there is provided a lock system of a short face that engages by vertical folding or vertical engagement, and is characterized in that it comprises a face with a tongue 6, a locking element 8, a flexible tongue 30 extending downward and made integrally with the main part of the panel or from a separate material fixedly attached to the base. The flexible tongue 30 comprises an undercut groove 70 formed behind the tongue.

On figa-c shows how the largest contact angle at three points can be correctly set in the castle system, made mainly of wood-fiber material. Currently, there are several hundred different castle systems on the market, intended only for joining laminate floors. In most of them, it is fairly easy to measure the largest contact angle at three points. This is shown in FIG. 25a. A specimen with a width of W2 and a length of approximately 100 mm is tilted downward, starting from the installation angle, with the upper edges contacting until resistance arises due to contact between the locking groove and the locking element. In this position, i.e. at the largest contact angle at three points, the sample should be held in a raised inclined position and not fall onto the subfloor under its own weight. The design of this castle system is characterized in that the three points are the contact points of the upper edges - CP3, the upper part of the tongue and groove - CP1, as well as the locking element and the locking groove - CP4. The locking system may, however, have the structure shown in Fig.25b, in which the three contact points represent the upper and lower parts of the tongue together with the upper edges (CP1, CP2, CP3). Some of these locking systems, however, will not stand upright. In such systems, the cross-section of the seam must be examined under a microscope. If the loose fibers make it difficult to determine the contact angle at three points, friction should be measured (Fig. 16). Increased friction indicates that an additional contact point is present in the locking system.

Figures 26a-26d show an embodiment of a castle system of short edges that counteracts the displacement of long edges during vertical folding or prevents this displacement. Fig. 26a shows a sectional view BB of the short-side locking system near the edge from which folding begins, as shown in Fig. 4a. This locking system, as previously described, for example, in connection with FIGS. 3, 5 and 8, comprises a tongue 6 with a locking element and a separate flexible tongue 30 on the panel 1 with a tongue, a tongue groove 20 and a locking groove on the folding panel 1 ′ . The locking surfaces are substantially vertical and parallel to the vertical plane VP. This locking system can preferably be designed so that the element 8 with the upper part of the locking surface 8a can be in contact with the lower part of the locking surface 14a of the locking groove 14 (Fig. 26a), while there is no contact between the folding panel 1 'and the flexible tongue 30. This can be achieved due to the fact that there are no parts of the tongue near the long edge, or because the tongue has the shape of a bow and does not have protruding parts in contact with the folding panel. Fig.26b is a sectional view of CC in Fig.4a. The locking surfaces 8a, 14a prevent separation when the tongue 30 is in contact with the folding panel, provided that they are preferably preferably vertical and extend vertically for a considerable distance so that they can prevent displacement at an angle of preferably 10 degrees and more, even in an embodiment in which the flexible tongue 30 is located near a long edge. The locking surfaces should preferably have a height H of at least 0.1, and preferably 0.15, of the floor thickness T. Vertical locking surfaces can also be made with a height of H 0.2 T or more.

Within the general principle of the invention, several alternatives are possible. Fig. 26d shows that operation can be equivalent only if the locking surface 14a of the locking groove 14 meets the above requirements. The function of the castle system will also be similar if the castle groove, for example, has the shape of a bow with an arc directed towards the outer edge, provided that there are at least two parts located vertically along the vertical plane and the distance between them is about 0 , 1T.

On figa presents an embodiment in which the locking element and the locking groove 14 on the short edge are used to prevent separation. If the edge 8a of the locking element 8 is located near the long edge 5a of the first panel 1 ", this is an advantage, since this edge penetrates into the locking groove of the new panel at a rather large angle, and the flexible tongue can be positioned so that it locks near the long edge. The flexible tongue 30 in this embodiment is an extruded profile with the shape of the edge portion 68 facilitating horizontal displacement during folding. High vertical locking surfaces on the short edges of the features continuously well suited for locking systems with a flexible tongue comprising an extruded plastic profile, especially when the profile contains only one outer flexible latch which creates significant disconnecting the pressure due to the limited flexibility.

FIG. 27 shows that the flexible tongue 30 can be moved even further toward the long edge 5b, which prevents displacement along the long edge even at an even greater angle if a compact tongue locking system is used on long edges, and such a locking system does not contain a tongue 6a protruding far beyond the vertical plane of VP.

On figs shows a locking system with preferably extruded flexible tongue 30 and essentially vertical locking surfaces between the locking element 8 on the tongue 6 and the locking groove 14 of the folding panel 1 '. The folding panel 1 ′ comprises a protrusion 74 adjacent to the locking surface of the locking groove 14, which is located in the corresponding cavity 72 on the tongue 6, and preferably a horizontal lower contact surface 24, which is fixed relative to the adjacent contact surface of the tongue 6 ′ in the vertical direction. This design is very suitable for floors with a basis of high density fiberboard, as the cavity is made in the lower part of the panel, where the density is high. The cavity only to a limited extent reduces the strength of the castle system. The height H of the vertical locking surface is preferably at least 0.1T. To avoid cracks during shrinkage of the floor and to facilitate the entry of each individual tongue 30 into the offset groove 40, the design of the locking system is preferably such that the locking element 8 is located below the horizontal plane H2 containing the lower part of the offset groove 40 and the locking groove 14 is located below the horizontal plane H1 containing the inner part and the lowermost part of the tongue groove 20.

Claims (5)

1. An assembly method for joining floor panels (1, 1 ′, 1 ″) by vertical folding, the panels being provided with a locking system with angular movement on long edges (9, 10, 6, 8, 14) and a vertical system folding (20, 30, 6, 8, 14) on short edges for adhesion of panels in the vertical and horizontal directions, while the first (1 ′ ′) and second (1) panels are flat on the black floor, and their long edges are connected between itself, characterized in that it contains the following steps, in which:
a) introducing the first long edge (5a), located at an angle to the new panel, in contact with the upper part of the second long edge (5b) of the first panel (1 ′ ′),
b) bring the short edge (4b) of the new panel (1 ′) into contact with the short edge (4a) of the second panel so that the new panel is held in this position by means of a locking system on long and / or short edges,
c) press the portion of the short edge (4b) of the new panel down to the subfloor, and
d) connect the first, second and third panels to each other using vertical folding. 2. The assembly method according to claim 1, comprising the step of: installing the panels in a position in which the long edges have an upper (CP1) and a lower (CP2) vertical point of contact between the tongue (10, 30) and the groove (9, 20) for the tongue, the horizontal inner contact point (CP3) between the adjacent upper surfaces of the first and second long faces and the external contact guide surface (CP4) horizontally between the adjacent lower surfaces of the first and second long faces, when the first panel is pressed with the upper edge to the upper the edge of the new panel under glom to the main plane of about 10 degrees. 3. The assembly method according to claim 1, comprising the step of: installing the panels in a position in which the long edges have an upper (CP1) and lower (CP2) vertically contact point between the tongue (10, 30) and the groove (9, 20) for the tongue, as well as the inner horizontal contact point (CP3) between the adjacent upper surfaces of the first and second long faces and the horizontal horizontal contact surface (CP4) between the adjacent lower surfaces of the first and second long faces, when the first panel is pressed with the upper edge to the top edge of the new pan whether at an angle of contact. 4. The assembly method according to claim 2 or 3, in which the tongue (10, 30) on one of the short faces contains a separate material and is equipped with a flexible part made with the possibility of displacement in the horizontal direction during folding and interaction with the groove (9, 20 ) for the tongue in another short face to engage the floor panels in the vertical direction (DI) parallel to the vertical plane (VP). 5. The assembly method according to claim 4, in which part of the tongue (10, 30) is made with the possibility of displacement into the connecting groove (40) in the floorboard.

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