RU2560032C1 - Flooring consisting of panels mechanically attached to each other, and manufacturing method of such panels, as well as method for their laying - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: construction.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to construction, namely to flooring. Flooring consists of panels having a possibility of being mechanically locked to each other on their end faces by means of locking members. On the end face of the first panel there is an undercut retaining slot passing in longitudinal direction for arrangement in it of a locking member. The locking member projects with several tongues located at some distance from each other out of the end face, thus entering pockets of the undercut locking slot in the opposite end face of the adjacent panel. Pockets are open to the lower side and the end face of the adjacent panel. The locking member is made so that when one of its ends is being moved inside the retaining slot, it can be at least partially offset from the pockets in the direction of the locking slot, thus preventing the panels against tension force acting in the direction of panel laying plane (V).

EFFECT: improvement of the design.

24 cl, 9 dwg

Description

The invention relates to a deck made of mechanically interconnected panels according to claims 1 and 10, as well as to a method for manufacturing such panels in accordance with the features of paragraph 23.

The prior art relates to a flooring described in WO 2008/017301 A2, consisting of a plurality of panels stacked in interconnection, the panels having interlocking strips on their head and longitudinal sides which are in engagement between the adjacent panels in the deck. Grooves are made on the head sides, and the grooves of the two interlocking head sides coincide and form a fixing channel for accommodating the head ridge. The latter is pre-installed in one of the grooves. The head ridge protrudes from the end of the groove facing the longitudinal side of the panel and, by sliding its protruding end into the groove, partially moves from one groove into the corresponding groove of the adjacent panel. These so-called “side push” systems have proven themselves extremely well in practice. In this case, the head ridge performs the function of aligning the panels in height with respect to each other. The tensile forces acting in the laying plane are transmitted by the locking bars. The locking plate of one panel protrudes so far opposite the decorative end edge that it can be covered at the rear by the locking plate of the other panel. Because of this, the proportion of waste is relatively high when profiling the ends of the panels.

From WO 2009/116926 A1, a flooring is known from mechanically interconnected panels that are mechanically interlocked on their end faces by means of interlocking elements. An undercut retaining groove is located on the front side of the first panel to accommodate a blocking element extending in its longitudinal direction. The latter, with several tongues spaced apart, protrudes from the front side, entering the pockets of the undercut lock groove in the opposite end side of the adjacent panel. Pockets open to the bottom and end sides of the adjacent panel. When one end of the locking element is pushed into the retaining groove, the locking element is at least partially displaced from the pockets in the direction of the locking groove, protecting the panels from tensile force acting in the direction of their laying plane. From a technological point of view, such a device is relatively complex, since there is a large number of undercuts.

The basis of the invention is the task of creating the ability to minimize the proportion of waste when profiling the end sides in the zone of blocking "side push", while maintaining the system "side push".

This problem is solved by means of a flooring with the features of claim 1 and, alternatively, by means of a flooring with the features of claim 10 of the formula. A method of manufacturing such a flooring is the subject of item 23.

The proposed flooring consists of mechanically interconnected panels that are mechanically interlocked on their end sides (longitudinal or head sides) by means of locking elements. The flooring has the following features:

a) on one end side of the first panel there is an undercut retaining groove for accommodating a blocking element extending in its longitudinal direction;

b) the locking element protrudes from the front side with several tongues spaced apart from each other, entering the pockets of the undercut locking groove in the opposite end side of the adjacent panel;

c) pockets open to the bottom and end sides of an adjacent panel;

d) when one end of the locking element is inserted into the retaining groove, the locking element is at least partially displaced from the pockets in the direction of the locking groove, protecting the panels from tensile force acting in the direction of their laying plane;

e) the locking groove has on its facing the lower side of the panel a side formed by a retainer held on the panel in which recesses corresponding to the pockets are made.

Therefore, in the proposed flooring, a locking element is provided, which, in accordance with the “side push” system, by pushing one end of the locking element protruding from the retaining groove into the retaining groove when engaged with an adjacent panel, locks both panels. According to the invention, this side push system is combined with a bayonet system. This has the advantage that, due to the locking elements, not only mutual alignment of the panels with respect to their height position is achieved, but also that tensile force can be transmitted using the locking elements. This, in turn, eliminates the so-called interlocking bars described in WO 2008/017301 A2. Thanks to this, the proportion of waste can be significantly minimized. In contrast to the prior art, the panel element that protrudes farthest in the laying plane is a blocking element, not a blocking bar. Since, however, the locking element is inserted into the retaining groove as a separate part, the portion protruding beyond the decorative edge on the front side is minimal. Therefore, significantly reduced waste.

The end side in the sense of the invention means the edge sides of the panel lying between the upper and lower sides of the panel. In the framework of the invention, the end side means the head and longitudinal sides of the rectangular panels. However, the invention is not limited to a particular form of panels. In principle, the panels may have, for example, a square shape. Also, with regard to its size, the flooring is not limited to the specific dimensions of the individual panels. Using the proposed locking system, large plates can also be connected to each other, covering respectively an area of at least 1 m ² , for example, having a side length of 1000 × 1000 mm.

In one alternative embodiment of claim 2, the flooring has the following features:

a) on one end side (longitudinal or head side) of the first panel there is a blocking element having several spaced apart reeds pointing in the direction of the adjacent second panel;

b) the locking element protrudes from the end side, entering the locking groove in the opposite end side of the adjacent panel;

c) the locking groove is partially limited by a separate stopper which is held on the second panel and has recesses open to the bottom and end sides of the adjacent panel;

d) the area between the recesses serves as a fixing portion, which, due to the displacement of the stopper in the direction of the locking groove, surrounds the tongues at the rear, protecting the panels from tensile forces acting in the direction of their laying plane;

e) the locking groove has on its facing the lower side of the panel a side formed by a retainer held on the panel in which recesses corresponding to the pockets are made.

In this embodiment, it is provided that the locking element, although it also serves to block, however, it does not move in the direction of the holding groove. It is located or mounted motionless. Locking is achieved by a separate stopper, which is held on the second panel. This stopper has a comb-like contour and, therefore, has recesses open to the lower and end sides of the second panel. During installation, the second panel with individual stops is placed or lowered from above directly next to the end side of the first panel, so that the spaced apart tabs of the locking element can enter the recesses. The tongues enter the locking groove above the recesses of the stopper. Then the stopper is shifted in the direction of the locking groove, covering the rear of the tongues. Due to this, they are held so that they can no longer be removed from the panels in the direction of the laying plane. The tensile force acting in the direction of the laying plane is transferred. The tongues perform a dual function: on the one hand, the transmission of tensile forces, and, on the other hand, horizontal alignment in the laying plane.

In addition, in the proposed flooring, the stackable panel can be laid or lowered not only from above directly next to the first panel. On the contrary, you can also connect the second panel to the first due to the fact that the second panel already lies in the laying plane, and then only moves horizontally, i.e. in the laying plane in the direction of the end side of the already laid panel. If we are talking about the head sides of two panels, while the longitudinal sides of the respective panels are already meshed with a row of panels, so that the second panel can no longer be lifted vertically due to engagement with the first row of panels, then press the protruding tabs slightly down, before they enter the locking groove. For this, the tongues have predominantly sufficient elasticity. Additionally, on the lower side of the panels facing the lower side of the reeds can be made crimp seam. Due to this, it is possible that the tabs, without breaking off and not being subjected to excessive loads, can easily spring down and, therefore, deviate down from the undercut lock groove.

If necessary, in the case of such connections of the head sides, it is necessary to hammer the second stackable panel with light hammer blows into the first panel until the tongue is in the desired position in the locking groove. Then, locking is carried out according to the principle of bayonet due to the displacement of the locking element.

Another advantage of the proposed flooring is that, due to the absence of protrusions referred to as locking bars in WO 2008/017301 A2, end sections of the panels are available which can be used either as additional connecting functions or also as transfer functions. An additional connecting function can be, for example, an adhesive joint, which can absorb additional tensile forces in the laying plane. As a transmission function, for example, transmission of electricity can be considered. The panels can be interconnected via electrical contacts. These contacts can represent, to a certain extent, grounding jumpers, which are located at the end faces of adjacent panels and come into contact with each other there.

Also, when shifting the stoppers, we are talking about the combination of the “side push” system with the bayonet system, however, with the difference from the first option, that the displaced element, i.e. stopper, does not enter the adjacent panel.

In the embodiment in which the stop is displaced, the locking element consists mainly of a separate part, which is not made integrally with the first panel of the same material, but is inserted into the undercut retaining groove of the first panel.

With the corresponding strength of the material of the core of the panel, it is possible to perform a locking element in one piece with the first panel of the same material. This leads, however, to the fact that the proportion of waste is not reduced so much, since the interlocking element is the most protruding part of the panel, however, due to this, the protrusions referred to as interlocking bars in WO 2008/017301 A2 disappear. In addition, a separate locking groove for the locking ridge is not required. Therefore, it is required to perform only the locking element with its spaced apart tongues.

In the embodiment with a movable stopper, it is provided that a guide groove is located parallel to the locking groove, in which the stopper is arranged to move only in its longitudinal direction in the mounting position. Moving across the guide groove should not be possible, since the stopper is designed to prevent the tongue of the locking element from being removed. Therefore, the stopper itself must be secured against removal. In practical implementation, this means that the guide groove itself has an undercut. It can be a retaining plate located on the side of the mouth of the guide groove. It allows the stopper to be inserted into the guide groove from the front side, so that the stopper does not have to be inserted into the guide groove from the longitudinal side of the panel. This facilitates the pre-installation of the panel. In the installation position, i.e. in the position in which the panels engage each other, the stopper, of course, can no longer be removed from the guide groove in the direction of the front side.

With regard to the design of the stopper, there is the possibility of its implementation so that it extends to the bottom of the panel. It forms in some way a support, which transfers directly to the base the forces introduced by the locking element into the stopper. This option is preferable if the panel material does not have sufficient strength, which allows the stopper to rest first on the panel, while the panel itself rests on the base. This alternative solution, in which the stopper is located at a distance from the underside of the panel, is therefore used in the case of materials of higher strength, for example, in HDF boards (high-density fiberboard).

Another important aspect is that the stopper must have a certain elasticity. The stopper preferably consists of plastic. In this case, elasticity can be achieved not only through the selection of suitable materials, but also due to structural changes in the geometry of the stopper.

In one possible embodiment, the stopper has at least one cavity, which is designed to improve its elastic deformability. The elastic cavity is, in particular, in the area in which the stopper is engaged with the tongues of the locking element.

In all cases in which the locking element is inserted as a separate part into the locking groove, the latter requires undercutting so that the forces acting in the laying plane can be perceived. However, there are various options for performing such an undercut.

In the framework of the invention, an undercut in the locking and / or retaining groove is formed, for example, by expanding the cross section of the retaining and / or locking groove at a distance from its mouth. This sectional expansion may be provided on one or both sides of the groove. This may be about dovetail extensions, but round, elliptical or polygonal extensions are also possible. It is crucial that a part of the blocking element located in the corresponding grooves enters into the section extensions, thereby being held with a geometric closure in the corresponding groove.

In the framework of the invention, undercutting should also be understood that the retaining and / or locking groove in the mounting position is located at an angle different from 90 ° to the plane of the end sides, respectively. The plane of the end faces is the plane that passes through the end sides and is perpendicular to the stacking plane.

This means that for undercutting, an expansion of the cross section does not have to be provided. It is also sufficient if the grooves are located to the end side at an angle not equal to 90 °, so that the elements placed in the grooves cannot be removed from the corresponding groove due to movement exclusively parallel to the laying plane. This condition is satisfied when the angle measured from the laying plane is less than 90 ° and more than 0 °. In practice, angles of 5-85 °, mainly 10-60 °, in particular 20-45 °, have proven themselves.

Of course, within the scope of the invention, it is possible for the holding and locking grooves to have different cross-sections and angular positions.

In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the surface of the first panel is bounded on the end side by a decorative edge, with a support bar protruding beyond the decorative edge on the end side. It serves as a support in cooperation with the supporting shoulder of the adjacent panel.

The support bar may be between the locking groove and the underside of the panel. Advantageously, it is, however, between the upper side and the locking groove.

The function of the support bar is the perception of compressive forces acting on the panel within the plane of the end sides from above, for example, due to the load from the steps. It does not fulfill the function of transmitting tensile forces. Therefore, the support bar and the support shoulder can extend parallel to the upper side of the panels.

However, the invention does not exclude that the support bar and the support shoulder are slightly inclined to the laying plane, so that they form correspondingly undercuts. This causes the effect that upon contact of the support bar with the support shoulder, both panels are attracted to each other by their end faces. A tight fit of the panels in the suture zone is ensured even before the blocking occurs due to the locking elements or stoppers. The support bar is made shorter than the locking elements protruding from the end faces.

Advantageously, adjacent panels are supported against each other in a vertical direction due to direct mutual contact exclusively through the support bar and the support shoulder. Indirectly, the support is carried out through the locking element, since it is engaged with both panels. However, the invention renders redundant classic locking strips as described in WO 2008/017301 A2.

In a preferred embodiment, the locking element exerts a locking force in the locked position on an adjacent panel. It is divided into horizontal components acting in the laying plane and vertical components acting perpendicular to the laying plane. Preferably, the vertical component is oriented so that it attracts the support shoulder to the support bar. The separation of force into horizontal and vertical components occurs, in particular, when the retaining or locking grooves are located at an angle to the plane of the end sides other than 90 °. The angular position of the grooves determines the magnitude of the vertical component. The greater the angle to the laying plane, the greater is also the vertical component. If the locking groove is oriented, for example, so that its deepest place is closer to the lower side of the panel than the mouth of the groove, i.e. from the mouth side is directed upwards, the blocking element pulls the adjacent panel down and, thus, attracts it to its own support bar.

If, on the contrary, the mouth of the groove is directed downward, since its deepest place lies closer to the upper side of the panel than the mouth, then vertical compressive forces acting on the adjacent panel can be more strongly perceived. In this case, the locking element does not attract, however, the supporting shoulder of the adjacent panel to the supporting bar, however, higher compressive forces can be transmitted, since the tongues, due to the direction of tension, are adjacent to the upper wall of the holding groove and, therefore, can directly perceive the forces introduced into the locking element through this upper wall of the groove.

The locking element may be inserted into the retaining groove from the end side, the locking element comprising a locking means which, when the locking element is in a fixed position in the holding groove, enters into an extension of its cross section, preventing the locking element from being removed. Just as the stopper for quick mounting is inserted predominantly from the end side into the guide groove, the locking element can also be inserted from the end side into the corresponding locking groove. This simplifies and speeds up pre-installation. For this, the locking element, similarly to the anchor with folding legs, can contain locking means, which, like a dowel, spontaneously open outward, straightening when it reaches a fixed position and engaging in a holding groove.

The section extensions extend predominantly throughout the retaining groove, so that it is possible to displace the locking element in the longitudinal direction of the retaining groove.

In another embodiment, the head portion of the tongue of the locking element lying in the second panel may have at least one cavity, which is designed to improve the elastic deformability of the head portion. Thus, the end blocking can occur with a certain tightness, and it is ensured by the elastic deformability of the head section.

The bayonet principle used in the invention in combination with the “side push” principle provides for interlocking of the panels or the locking elements provided on the respective panels. In the manufacture of locking elements, if we are talking about individual parts, you can use parts made by injection molding, on which, before installing them in the panels, the corresponding tongues and recesses are made.

In an alternative embodiment, it is also possible for the locking elements to be in the form of continuous, not yet serrated profiles. This is possible, for example, by extrusion. After inserting the locking elements into the retaining groove, then, at the panel processing step, it is possible to produce the necessary profiling, in which tongues are also executed or the sections between them are removed. The same applies, on the contrary, to the stopper, which only after its installation is supplied in the mounting position with corresponding recesses. Of course, the stopper may also be provided with corresponding recesses in the form of a pre-cast part. In principle, the stopper may also consist of other materials, for example, a preformed part or a profile part. If the stopper itself does not extend to the bottom of the panel, then, of course, pockets must be made in the panel. The execution of pockets in the panel can be carried out simultaneously with the recesses in the stopper, i.e. in the mounted state of the stopper inside the panel.

If the stopper extends from the locking groove to the floor, then all the notches are made exclusively in the stopper. This can also be carried out in its mounted state.

Preliminary fixation of the stopper and the locking element can be carried out by clamping pins, whereby the stopper or locking element is held with a clip in the corresponding groove. The clamping pins serve as an additional safety lock during transportation and have a very small cross section. They are intended only to give the locking element or stopper solid support before shearing or fixing. To reduce friction, the locking element and / or stopper can be made in the contact zones with the respective panels corrugated or corrugated.

The proposed flooring can be blocked from the head sides, in principle, manually. This means that after laying one row of panels manually and using hand tools, for example with a screed, you can press the end of the stopper or blocking element to completely push it into the groove and block the butt joint in accordance with the “side push” system in combination with bayonet system.

Preferably, the locking is carried out, however, not by manually pushing in each individual locking element or stopper, but by attaching another row of panels that overlap the joint area on the back of the previously laid row of panels. The proposed method provides that the head sides of the panels are fixed with the locking elements described above only when the other panel engages with the longitudinal sides of the previous row of panels and at the same time pushes the end of the locking element or stopper protruding from the corresponding groove into the corresponding groove, so that it is locked according to the bayonet system with the head side of the opposite panel.

The material of the locking elements or stoppers may be wood material, i.e. it may be wood or wood fiber material. Metals and metal alloys, as well as combined materials, are also considered. The use of bimetals or mixed plastics is as possible as the use of materials based on thermoplastics or thermosets. The head crest may consist, in particular, of fiberglass with a fiber fraction of 20-60%.

The invention is applicable to any flooring in which the base is coated, such as natural wood flooring, laminate flooring, bases with varnished surfaces as a coating, linoleum, cork on load-bearing boards, PVC boards, etc. The protective layer may consist, in particular, of coated decorative paper, which determines the appearance of the panel. The flooring may thus be piece parquet, panel parquet, natural wood flooring or laminate. Also, large format plates can be connected together without special color processing of the surface.

The invention is explained in more detail below with examples of its implementation with reference to the schematic drawings, which depict:

- figure 1: section of the head butt zone of two adjacent panels along the line I-I of figure 2;

- figure 2: top view of a fragment of the flooring, consisting of several panels;

- figa: top view of a fragment of the flooring with the inserted locking element;

- figure 3-9: other sections of the head butt zone of two adjacent panels similarly to figure 1.

Figure 2, when viewed from above, shows a flooring consisting of a plurality of rectangular panels 1a, 2a laid in interconnection. They are interlocked by a combination of the “side push” system and the bayonet system. For this, an undercut retaining groove 3a is made in the panel 1a, and a locking groove 4a is made in the adjacent panel 2a. The latter has, in this example, a substantially circular section, as shown in FIG. The cross section can also be elliptical or polygonal. It is important that it has an undercut facing the end of the panel 2a, for example, in the form of an expansion of the cross section.

3, a locking element 5a is inserted into the holding groove 3a. It protrudes from the retaining groove 3a, and with the tongues 7a spaced apart from each other, behind the end face 6 of the panel 1a left in the drawing plane. The panel 1a does not contain any component protruding beyond the end side 6 further than the locking element 5a (FIG. 2a). To lock, the protruding end 28 is shifted into the retaining groove 3a (arrow P).

The locking element 5a is included in the locking groove 4a. For this, the locking element 5a has so-called tongues 7a. Several such tongues 7a are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the locking element 5a. In accordance with the distance of the reeds 7a with each other in the right in the plane of the drawing of the panel 2a, pockets 8 are made, indicated by dashed lines in FIGS. 1, 3. Pockets 8 are open to the end side 9 of the panel 2a. They are also open to the bottom side 11, so that the panel 2a can be laid or lowered from above next to the panel 1a. The panel 2a can also be horizontally displaced within the laying plane, and inserted or hammered with a deviation of the reeds 7a. In this case, the tabs 7a enter from below into the panel 2a. In this position, the tongue 7a enters into the locking groove 4a made above the pocket 8. The latter has a rounded undercut on its lateral side facing the upper side, behind which the tongue 7a extends. Due to this, there is a certain fuse against extraction in the direction of the laying plane V. The latter runs parallel to the upper 10 and lower 11 sides of the panels 1a, 2a. Therefore, the laying plane V is perpendicular to the plane S passing through the end faces 6, 9 of the panels 1a, 2a.

Locking occurs due to the fact that the locking element 5A in figure 3 is shifted to the plane of the drawing. In figure 2, the arrow P indicates the direction of movement of the lock. The locking element 5a with its tongues 7a is displaced from the pockets 8, so that the tongues 7a are located above the ribs 12, forming the lower side of the locking groove 4a. Since the tongue 7a has a thickened head 13, which is connected to a part of the locking element 5a located in the retaining groove 3a by a narrower rod 14, the tongue 7a can no longer be removed from the adjacent panel 2a in the direction of the stacking plane V. The panels 1a, 2a are mutually fixed in the direction of the stacking plane V. If the panels 1a, 2a should be brought into contact with each other in the horizontal direction, i.e. within the plane V of laying, due to horizontal displacement, i.e. without laying or lowering the panel 2a vertically from above, it is required that the head 13 of the tongue 7a deviates slightly downward. For this, the head 13 has sufficient elasticity. In addition, a crimp seam 27 is located next to the head 13 on the side of the blocking element 5a facing the lower side 11 of the panels 1a, 2a. This provides an easier tilt of the head 13 downward. If the head 13 is located in the locking groove 4a, then it automatically bounces up again and even helps to attract the panel 2a from the front side to the panel 1a.

At the same time, the panels 1a, 2a are oriented in height with respect to each other. To this end, FIGS. 1-3 show a support bar 15a on a panel 1a and a support shoulder 16a on a panel 2a. The support bar 15a and the support shoulder 16a are located between the upper side 10 of the panels 1a, 2a and the locking 4a and the grooves holding 3a.

Alternatively, a support bar 15b and a support shoulder 16b located between the lower side 11 and the locking 4b and the grooves holding 3b can be provided (FIG. 4). In this case, the locking member 5b is located above the support bar 15b and the support shoulder 16b.

The positioning of the support strips and support shoulders is also possible in the following examples above and below the grooves.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the holding groove 3b is oriented at an angle W different from 90 ° to the plane S of the end sides, as a result of which the holding groove 3b acts as an undercut groove in the sense of the invention. This means that the locking element 5b cannot be removed from the holding groove 3b in the direction of the stacking plane V, but only obliquely upward. Due to this, the blocking force K also passes not exclusively parallel to the laying plane V, but is oriented in accordance with the angle W to the end sides plane S. The blocking force vector K is divided into horizontal KN and vertical KV components in accordance with the orientation of the stacking plane V and the end face plane S. In this case, the vertical component KV pulls the panel 2b right down in the drawing plane. As a result, the supporting shoulder 16b is pressed against the supporting strip 15b left in the drawing plane of the panel 1b. Panels 1b, 2b are firmly adjacent to each other.

The locking force K can be increased due to the fact that as the shear path increases, the head 13 of the tongue 7a is drawn deeper into the locking groove 4b. For this, on the side of the mouth of the ribs 12 can be provided on the surface of the run, having, in particular, a wedge-shaped shape. Important is the tension function of the individual heads 13, so that the panels 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b firmly abut against each other with their end faces 6, 9.

In order to increase the elasticity of the head 13, a cavity 17, shown in FIG. 3, can be additionally provided in it. The head 13 of the tongue 7a has a longitudinal channel.

The embodiment in FIG. 5 differs from the embodiment in FIGS. 1-4 in that the retaining groove 3c is provided with diametrically opposite section extensions 18. They are wedge-shaped, with the blocking element 5c having corresponding wedge-shaped locking means 19, which enter the section extensions 18, preventing the blocking element 5c from being removed parallel to the stacking plane V.

The embodiment of FIG. 6 differs from the previous embodiments in that the section extensions 18 are located at different distances from the mouth of the holding groove 3d.

While in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, the displacement of the locking element 5a-d, i.e. in the left in the plane of the drawing plane, the principle of “side push” is used, and the bayonet principle operates in the right in the plane of the drawing of the panel, in the embodiment of Figs. 7-9, the “side push” system and the bayonet system are used exclusively in the right in the plane of the drawing of the panel. This is described in more detail below.

7 shows two panels 1e, 2e with a locking element 5e in mesh with the stopper 20a. In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 3, the stopper 20a forms the lower side of the locking groove 4e. Therefore, there are no pockets in the panel 2e, but only the stopper 20a has recesses 21 corresponding to the pockets. They are indicated by dashed lines.

The stop 20a is held in the guide groove 22a adjacent to the locking groove 4e. To lock the panels 1e, 2e, the locking element 5e is displaced in the same way as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6.

Conversely, with an identical configuration, the locking element 5e can also be fixed, for example by gluing it into the holding groove 3a without being able to move it in the longitudinal direction of the holding groove 3a. However, instead of the locking element 5e, inside the guide groove 22a in its longitudinal direction and, thus, the stopper 20a can move parallel to the locking groove 4e.

On Fig shows a modification of the above option, in which the locking element 5f is made in one piece with the panel 1f of the same material. Also in this case, the locking element 5f, as in all other variants, protrudes farthest from the decorative edge 23 of the upper side of the panel 1f, and therefore also beyond the support strip 15c of the latter. Since the locking element 5f is stationary, the stopper 20a explained in FIG. 7 must be moved in the longitudinal direction of the guide groove 22a so that the head 13 of the locking element 5f is also held by the lower side of the groove. In the same way as for panels 2a-d having ribs 12 between individual pockets 8, the stopper 20a has corresponding ribs between the recesses 21.

In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 8, the embodiment of FIG. 9 provides that the stopper 20b does not extend to the lower edge of the panel 2g, but abuts the rib 12a. It is also interrupted by pockets 8, which are indicated by dashed lines. The locking element 5g is stationary, i.e. cannot move in the longitudinal direction of the retaining groove 3a. The locking is carried out by a stopper 20b, which is mounted in its guide groove 22b with the possibility of longitudinal movement. The stopper 20b is L-shaped and has on its end facing the end side 9 an upwardly directed retaining plate 24 with a cavity 25 increasing its elasticity in this zone. In this case, the locking bar 24 is included in the undercut 26 of the head 13 of the locking element 5g, so that the head 13 can no longer be removed from the panel 2g in the direction of the laying plane V.

The embodiment of FIG. 9 allows, in principle, also to position the stopper 20b motionlessly, and to move the locking element 5g in the longitudinal direction of the grooves. For this purpose, the stopper 20b is always above the ribs 12a. This may be preferred for technological reasons. The stopper 20b provides the necessary elasticity of the connection. However, to lock it moves inactive. This is solely due to the locking element 5g. Therefore, this option locks both the stoppers 20b and the locking elements 5g, with one of the two parts being stationary for locking and the other part being biased.

List of Reference Items

1a - panel

1b - panel

1c - panel

1d - panel

1e - panel

1f - panel

1g - panel

2a - panel

2b - panel

2s - panel

2d - panel

2e - panel

2f - panel

2g - panel

3a - holding groove

3b - retaining groove

3c - holding groove

3d - holding groove

4a - locking groove

4b - locking groove

4c - locking groove

4d - locking groove

4e - locking groove

4f - locking groove

4g - locking groove

5a - locking element

5b - locking element

5c - locking element

5d - blocking element

5e - blocking element

5f - locking element

5g - blocking element

6 - end side

7a - tongue

8 - pocket

9 - front side

10 - top side

11 - bottom side

12 - rib

12a - rib

13 - head

14 - rod

15a - support plate

15b - support plate

15c - support plate

16a - supporting shoulder

16b - supporting shoulder

17 - cavity

18 - expansion section

19 - locking means

20a - stop

20b - stopper

21 - recess

22a - guide groove

22b - guide groove

23 - decorative edge

24 - a lock level

25 - cavity

26 - undercut

27 - crimp seam

28 - protruding end

K - blocking force

KH - component of the effort

KV - component of the effort

P - arrow

S is the plane of the end faces

V - laying plane

W - angle

Claims (24)

1. The flooring is made of mechanically interconnected panels (1a-d, 2a-d) made with the possibility of mechanical interlocking on their end faces (6, 9) by means of locking elements (5a-d), moreover:
a) an undercut retaining groove (3a-d) is located on the end face (6) of the first panel (1a-d) to accommodate the longitudinally extending retaining groove (3a-d) of the locking element (5a-d);
b) the locking element (5a-d) protrudes from the front side (6) with several tongues spaced apart from each other, entering the pockets (8) of the undercut locking groove (4a-d) in the opposite end side (9) of the adjacent panel ( 2a-d);
c) the pockets (8) are open to the lower side (11) and to the end side (9) of the adjacent panel (2a-d);
d) the locking element (5a-d) is designed so that when one end of the locking element (5a-d) is inserted into the holding groove (3a-d), it is at least partially displaced from the pockets (8) in the direction of the locking groove ( 4a-d), protecting the panels (1a-d, 2a-d) from tensile forces acting in the direction of the plane (V) of the panels (1a-d, 2a-d);
e) the locking groove (4e-g) has on its facing the bottom side (11) of the panel (2e-g) a side formed by a retainer (22a, b) held on the panel (2e-g) in which the recesses corresponding to the pockets are made (21). 2. The flooring according to claim 1, characterized in that the undercut of the retaining groove (3c, d) and / or the locking groove (4a-g) is formed so that the section of the retaining groove (3c, d) and / or the locking groove (4- g) expands at a distance from their corresponding mouth. 3. The flooring according to claim 1, wherein the undercut of the retaining groove (3a-d) and / or the locking groove (4a-g) is formed so that the holding groove (3a-d) or the locking groove (4a-g) in the mounting position is respectively, at angles (W) different from 90 ° to the plane (S) of the end sides, the plane (S) passing through the end sides (6, 9) and perpendicular to the laying plane (V). 4. The flooring according to claim 1, characterized in that the first panel (1a-g) has a surface (10) bounded by a decorative edge (23) from the end side, and a protruding beyond the decorative edge (23) is located on the end side (6) a support bar (15a, b), which serves as a support when interacting with the support shoulder (16a, b) of the adjacent panel (2a-g). 5. The flooring according to claim 4, characterized in that the adjacent panels (1a-g, 2a-g), due to direct mutual contact, are supported on each other in the vertical direction only by means of the support bar (15a, b) and the support shoulder (16a, b) 6. Flooring according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the locking element (5a-e) in the locked position exerts a blocking force (K) on the adjacent panel (2a-g), which is divided into a horizontal component (KN) acting in the laying plane (V) and the vertical component (KV) acting perpendicular to the laying plane (V), the vertical component (KV) pulling the support shoulder (16a, b) to the support bar (15a, b). 7. The flooring according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking element (5c, d) is arranged to be inserted into the retaining groove (3c, d) from the front side (9), and the locking element (5c, d) contains locking means ( 19), which, upon reaching the fixed position of the locking element (5c, d) in the holding groove (3c, d), enters the extension (18) of the cross section of the holding groove (3c, d), preventing the locking element (5c, d) from being removed. 8. Flooring according to claim 1, characterized in that the head portion (13) of the tongues (7) of the locking element (5a) located in the second panel (2a) has at least one cavity (17) to increase the elastic deformability of the head portion (13). 9. Flooring according to claim 8, characterized in that the locking groove (4e-g) has on its side toward the bottom side (11) of the panel (2e-g) the groove formed by the stopper held on the panel (2e-g) ( 20a, b) in which the recesses (21) corresponding to the pockets are made. 10. The flooring is made of mechanically interconnected panels made with the possibility of mechanical interlocking on their end faces (6, 9) by means of locking elements (5e-g), moreover:
a) on the front side (6) of the first panel (1e-g) there is a blocking element (5e-g) having several spaced apart tabs (7) pointing in the direction of the adjacent second panel (2e-g);
b) the locking element (5e-g) protrudes from the end side (6), entering the locking groove (4e-g) on the opposite end side (9) of the adjacent panel (2e-g);
c) the locking groove (4e-g) is partially limited by a separate stopper (20a-b), which is held on the second panel (2e-g) and is open to the adjacent side (11) and to the end side (9) of the adjacent panel (2- g) recesses (21);
d) the area between the recesses (21) serves as a fixing portion, which is designed so that, by displacing the stopper (20a, b) in the direction of the locking groove (4e-g), cover the rear tabs (7), protecting the panels (1e-g , 2e-g) from the tensile force acting in the direction of the plane (V) of the laying of the panels (1e-g, 2e-g);
e) the locking element (5e, g) is made in the form of a separate part located in the undercut retaining groove (3e, g) of the first panel (1e, g). 11. Flooring according to claim 10, characterized in that a guide groove (22a, b) is located parallel to the locking groove (4e-g), in which the stopper is arranged to move only in the longitudinal direction of the guide groove (22a, b) in the mounting position (20a, b). 12. Flooring according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the stop (20a) extends to the bottom side (11) of the panel (2e, f). 13. Flooring according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the stop (20b) is located at a distance from the bottom side (11) of the panel (2g). 14. Flooring according to claim 10, characterized in that the stopper (20b) has a cavity (25) provided for increasing elastic deformability. 15. Flooring according to claim 10, characterized in that the undercut of the retaining groove (3c, d) and / or the locking groove (4a-g) is formed so that the section of the retaining groove (3c, d) and / or the locking groove (4- g) expands at a distance from their corresponding mouth. 16. The flooring of claim 10, wherein the undercut of the retaining groove (3a-d) and / or the locking groove (4a-g) is formed so that the holding groove (3a-d) or the locking groove (4a-g) in the mounting position is respectively, at angles (W) different from 90 ° to the plane (S) of the end sides, the plane (S) passing through the end sides (6, 9) and perpendicular to the laying plane (V). 17. Flooring according to claim 10, characterized in that the first panel (1a-g) has a surface (10) bounded on the end side by a decorative edge (23), with a protruding beyond the decorative edge (23) located on the end side (6) a support bar (15a, b), which serves as a support when interacting with the support shoulder (16a, b) of the adjacent panel (2a-g). 18. Flooring according to claim 17, characterized in that the adjacent panels (1a-g, 2a-g) are supported by vertical contact only by means of a support bar (15a, b) and a support shoulder (16a, b) 19. Flooring according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the locking element (5a-e) in the locked position exerts a blocking force (K) on the adjacent panel (2a-g), which is divided into a horizontal component (KN) acting in the laying plane (V) and the vertical component (KV) acting perpendicular to the laying plane (V), the vertical component (KV) pulling the support shoulder (16a, b) to the support bar (15a, b). 20. The flooring of claim 10, characterized in that the locking element (5c, d) is arranged to be inserted into the retaining groove (3c, d) from the front side (9), and the locking element (5c, d) contains locking means ( 19), which, upon reaching the fixed position of the locking element (5c, d) in the holding groove (3c, d), enters the extension (18) of the cross section of the holding groove (3c, d), preventing the locking element (5c, d) from being removed. 21. Flooring according to claim 10, characterized in that the head portion (13) of the tongues (7) of the locking element (5a) located in the second panel (2a) has at least one cavity (17) to increase the elastic deformability of the head portion (13). 22. The flooring according to claim 21, characterized in that the locking groove (4e-g) has on its side toward the bottom side (11) of the panel (2e-g) the groove formed by the stopper held on the panel (2e-g) ( 20a, b) in which the recesses (21) corresponding to the pockets are made. 23. A method of manufacturing a panel for a deck according to one of claims 10 to 22, characterized in that the recesses (21) in the stopper (20a, b) are performed only after it is mounted in the mounting position on the panel (2e-g). 24. The method according to item 23, wherein in one operation, along with the recesses (21), matching pockets (8) are performed, the stoppers (20a, b) being in the mounting position on the panel (2e-g).

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