SE2150490A1 - Pipe cover comprising a mechanical locking device - Google Patents

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a pipe cover (10) comprising a first cover member (1) and a second cover member (2) configured to be assembled to each other. The pipe cover further comprises a mechanical locking device (3) comprising a tongue and a tongue groove configured to cooperate with each other for vertical locking of the first and second cover members and a locking element and a locking groove configured to cooperate with each other for horizontal locking of the first and second cover members.

Description

PIPE COVER COMPRISING A MECHANICAL LOCKING DEVICE TECHNICAL FIELD The disclosure generally relates to a pipe cover, such as a pipe collar, configured toenclose a pipe, e.g., penetrating a covering, such as a floor covering, a wall coveringor a ceiling covering. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a pipe covercomprising a first and a second cover member configured to be assembled to each other by means of a mechanical locking device.BACKGROUND A pipe collar, a pipe sleeve or a pipe shroud may be utilized for concealing an areain close proximity to a pipe provided through a floor covering. For example, it may conceal an expansion gap formed around a pipe provided through a floor covering.

However, there is a need for a smaller pipe cover that is easier to handle, preferably while providing increased design possibilities.SUMMARY lt is therefore an object of at least embodiments of the present disclosure to providea pipe cover comprising a first cover member and a second cover member that is easier to assemble and/or disassemble.

Another object of at least embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide athinner pipe cover, while maintaining a strong locking function between the cover members.

Yet another object of at least embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide a pipe cover requiring less material for its manufacturing.

These and other objects and advantages that will be apparent from the descriptionhave been achieved by the various aspects, embodiments and examples described below. ln accordance with the inventive concept, there is provided a pipe cover comprising a first cover member and a second cover member, wherein the first and secondcover members are configured to be assembled to each other. The pipe cover furthercomprises a mechanical locking device comprising a tongue and a tongue groove configured to cooperate with each other for vertical locking of the first and second cover members, wherein the tongue is provided in a second edge portion of thesecond cover member and wherein the tongue groove is provided in a first edgeportion of the first cover member, and a locking element and a locking grooveconfigured to cooperate with each other for horizontal locking of the first and secondcover members, wherein the locking element is provided on a strip extendinghorizontally beyond an upper portion or a lower portion of the first edge portion and wherein the locking groove is provided in the second edge portion.

Thereby, the first and second cover members may be assembled to each other, andhence horizontally and vertically locked to each other, in a simple manner. Forexample, they may be assembled to each other by angling, by a relative verticaldisplacement or by a relative horizontal displacement. The tongue and tonguegroove configuration and the locking element and locking groove configuration mayprovide a strong locking function. Furthermore, the first and second cover members may be easily be disassembled from each other.

The pipe cover may conceal an area in close proximity to a pipe, which, e.g., maypenetrate a covering, which may be a floor covering, a wall covering or a ceilingcovering. The pipe cover may conceal a portion of the covering. Preferably, the pipecover is freely movable with respect to a length direction of the pipe when enclosingit.

Generally herein, the wording "up, upper or upward", etc., may be a direction orposition toward a front side of the cover member(s) and "down, lower or downward",etc., may be a direction or position toward a rear side. The wording "inner, inward/y",etc., may be a, preferably horizontal, direction or position towards a centre of thecover member(s) and the wording "outer, outward/y", etc., may be a, preferably horizontal, direction or position away from the centre of the cover member(s).

Generally herein, horizontal and/or vertical locking surfaces may cooperate by directengagement or indirectly. ln any embodiment described herein, there may be asealing agent, such as a wax or an adhesive, provided between the locking surfaces, thereby providing examples cooperation by means of an indirect engagement. ln an assembled state, or equivalently a locked state, of the cover members a frontside and/or a rear side may be arranged along a horizontal plane. The front side and rear side may be planar.

The pipe cover may further comprise a cavity in an assembled state of the first andsecond cover members, wherein the first cover member comprises a first cavityportion and the second cover member comprises a second cavity portion. Thereby, apipe may be provided in the cavity and the pipe cover may at least partially,preferably entirely, enc|ose the pipe which, e.g., may penetrate a covering, such as afloor covering, a wall covering or a ceiling covering. Preferably, the pipe cover is arranged around the pipe in a tight-fit manner.

The first and second cover members may be configured to be assembled to each other by angling.

The first and second cover members may be configured to be assembled by a relative vertical displacement With respect to each other.

The first and second cover members may be configured to be assembled by a relative horizontal displacement With respect to each other.

The locking element may comprise a first locking surface and the locking groove maycomprise a second locking surface, wherein the first and second locking surfaces areconfigured to lock the first and second cover members horizontally and vertically.This embodiment may be particularly advantageous when the cover members are configured to be assembled by a relative vertical displacement.The first and second cover members may be separately formed.

A circumference of the pipe cover in an assembled state of the first and secondcover members may be circular. Other shapes are of the circumference are equallyconceivable, however, such as an undulating shape, a rectangular shape, a quadratic shape or an oval shape.

The first and second cover members, such as a respective core thereof, maycomprise a wood-based material. Optionally, a top layer may be provided on thecore. For example, the top layer may comprise a decorative layer, such as a print layer, and/or a protective layer, such as lacquer or Wax.

A thickness of the pipe cover may be smaller than 8 mm, preferably smaller than 6 mm. lndeed, the present inventive concept allows for the provision of a mechanical locking device in a thin material. A thin pipe cover may require less material for its manufacturing and may therefore be cheaper to manufacture. ln some embodiments, the first and second cover members may be manufacturedfrom waste material obtained when producing building panels, such as floor panels,wall panels or ceiling panels. Thereby, a larger portion of the building panels may be recycled and the cost for manufacturing the pipe cover may be further reduced.

Aspects of the disclosure has mainly been described above with reference to a fewembodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, otherembodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of aspects of the disclosure, as defined by the appended patent claims.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to theirordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. Allreferences to "a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc.]" are to beinterpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated othenNise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

The disclosure will in the following be described in connection to exemplary embodiments and in greater detail with reference to the appended exemplary drawings, wherein: Figs. 1a-1c illustrate in a perspective view, a side view and a top view anembodiment of an assembled pipe cover.

Figs. 1d-1e illustrate in a perspective view an embodiment of an assembly ofthe pipe cover in Figs. 1a-1c and in a side view an embodimentwhen it is disassembled.

Figs. 2a-2c illustrate in a perspective view, a side view and a top view' anembodiment of an assembled pipe cover.

Fig. 2d illustrates in a perspective view an embodiment of an assembly ofthe pipe cover in Figs. 2a-2c.

Figs. 3a-3c illustrate in a perspective view, a side view and a top view an embodiment of an assembled pipe cover.

Figs. 3d-3e illustrate in a perspective view an embodiment of an assembly ofthe pipe cover in Figs. 3a-3c and in a side view an embodiment when it is disassembled.

Figs. 4a-4c illustrate in a perspective view, a side view' and a top view an embodiment of an assembled pipe cover.

Figs. 4d-4e illustrate in a perspective view an embodiment of an assembly ofthe pipe cover in Figs. 4a-4c and in a side view an embodiment when it is disassembled.

Figs. 5a-5c illustrate in a perspective view, a side view and a top vievv an embodiment of an assembled pipe cover.

Figs. 5d-5e illustrate in a perspective view an embodiment of an assembly ofthe pipe cover in Figs. 5a-5c and in a side view an embodiment when it is disassembled.

Figs. 6a-6b illustrate in a perspective view and a zoomen-in perspective viewan embodiment of a pipe cover enclosing a pipe penetrating a covering, such as a floor covering.

Fig. 6c schematically illustrates in a top view an embodiment of a quadratic shape of a circumference of the pipe cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Next, various embodiments of an assembled and a disassembled pipe cover 10,such as a pipe collar, as well as embodiments of an assembly thereof, will bedescribed with reference to the embodiments in, e.g., Figs. 1a-1e, 2a-2d, 3a-3e, 4a-4e, 5a-5e and 6a-6c.

The embodiments in Figs. 1a-1e, 2a-2d, 3a-3e, 4a-4e, 5a-5e and 6a-6c illustrate apipe cover 10, such as a pipe collar, comprising a first 1 and a second 2 covermember that are separately formed and that are configured to be assembled to eachother by means of a mechanical locking device 3. The side view in Fig. 2b illustrates the assembled pipe cover 10 along the section A-A in Fig. 2c.

The mechanical locking device 3 comprises a tongue 4 and a tongue groove 5configured to cooperate with each other for vertical locking of the first 1 and second2 cover members, preferably along a first 1a and a second 2a edge portion thereof, respectively. The tongue 4 is provided in the second edge portion 2a and the tongue groove 5 is provided in the first edge portion 1a. Moreover, the meohanioal lookingdevice 3 oomprises a looking element 6 and a looking groove 7 oonfigured tooooperate with eaoh other for horizontal looking of the first 1 and seoond 2 oovermembers. ln, e.g., Figs. 1a-1e, 2a-2d, 4a-4e and 5a-5e, the looking element 6 isprovided on a strip 8 extending horizontally beyond an upper portion 1b of the firstedge portion 1a. Preferably, the looking element 6 extends vertioally upwards. Thelooking groove 7 is provided in the seoond edge portion 2a, preferably suoh that is itopen downwards. ln, e.g., Figs. 3a-3e, the looking element 6 is provided on a strip 8extending horizontally beyond a lower portion 1o of the first edge portion 1a.Preferably, the looking element 6 extends vertioally downwards. The looking groove 7 is provided in the seoond edge portion 2a, preferably suoh that is it open upwards. ln the assembled state of the first 1 and seoond 2 oover members the pipe oover 10oomprises a oavity 9, preferably being disposed in a oentre portion thereof. The first1 and the seoond 2 oover members oomprise a first 9a and a seoond 9b oavityportion, respeotively, whioh together form the oavity 9. Preferably, the first 9a andseoond 9b oavity portions are delimited by a vertioal plane VP defined by upperportions 1b, 2b of the first 1a and seoond 2a edge portions in the assembled state ofthe first and seoond oover members, of. the dashed line in Figs. 1b-1o. The vertioalplane VP is perpendioular to a horizontal plane HP, whioh is parallel to a front side14a and/or a rear side 14b of the oover members 1, 2. Generally, a shape and/or asize, suoh as a diameter, of the oavity 9 may oorrespond to a shape and/or a size,suoh as a diameter, of a pipe 17 whioh the pipe oover 10 is adapted to enolose.Preferably, the shape is oiroular as seen from a top view. For example, an innerdiameter D of the pipe oover may oorrespond to a diameter of a oiroular pipe 17, whioh, e.g., may be 10-30 mm, suoh as 17.1 mm or 22 mm, of. Fig. 1o.

The meohanioal looking devioe 3, and espeoially elements thereof, suoh as thetongue 4, tongue groove 5, looking element 6, looking groove 7 and strip 8, may beprovided on either side of the oavity portions 9a, 9b along the first 1a and seoond 2aedge portions, whioh preferably extend along a longitudinal direotion LD of therespeotive oover member 1, 2. Preferably, the first 1a and seoond 2a edge portionsextend straightly along the longitudinal direotion LD, e.g., suoh that border portions14o, 14d of the front side 14a disposed at the upper portions 1b, 2b are straight, of.Figs. 1o and 3d, and/or an outermost edge 8b of the strip 8 and an inner wall 7o of the looking groove 7 are straight, of. Figs. 1b and 1d.

The first 1 and second 2 cover members in, e.g., Figs. 1a-1e, 2a-2d and 3a-3e areconfigured to be assembled to each other by angling A. ln order to allow for angling,the size, such as the diameter, of at least a portion of the cavity 9 preferably is largerthan the size, such as the diameter, of the pipe 17. For example, the cavity 9 maycomprise a wider portion in the front 14a or the rear 14b side, e.g., having afrustroconical shape. Alternatively, the edge portions 1a and/or 2a may comprise a beveL ln a first example, as shown in Figs. 1d and 2d, the second cover member 2 may beangled downwards towards the first cover member 1, preferably while the tongue 4 isat least partly inserted into the tongue groove 5. The cavity 9 may comprise a portionin the front side 14a and, optionally in the rear side 14b, that is wider than the pipe17. ln a second example, as shown in Fig. 3d, the second cover member 2 may beangled upwards towards the first cover member 1, preferably while the tongue 4 is atleast partly inserted into the tongue groove 5. Thereby, the pipe cover 10 has to beseparated, e.g., vertically, from the covering 18, such as floor covering, forassembling or disassembling the cover members 1, 2 by angling, cf. Figs. 6a-6b andthe related discussion. Moreover, the, preferably frustroconical, cavity 9 maycomprise a portion in the rear side 14b that is wider than the pipe 17. The widerportion may face downwards, preferably such that the pipe cover 10 is arranged around the pipe 17 in a tight-fit manner at the upper portions 1b, 2b.

The first 1 and second 2 cover members in, e.g., Figs. 4a-4e are configured to beassembled to each other by a relative vertical displacement VD. For example, asshown in Fig. 4d the second cover member 2 may be displaced vertically downwardstowards the first cover member 1, preferably such that the locking groove 7 is gradually inserted into the locking element 6.

The first 1 and second 2 cover members in, e.g., Figs. 5a-5e are configured to beassembled to each other by a horizontal displacement HD, preferably by snapping.For example, as shown in Fig. 5d the second cover member 2 may be displacedhorizontally towards the first cover member 1, preferably such that the tongue 4 isgradually inserted into the tongue groove 5. As indicated in Fig. 5b, the strip 8 maycomprise an undercut portion 8a configured to accommodate a portion of the strip during a downward bending of the strip. This allows for a simplified assembly of the first 1a and second 2a edge portions. Preferably, the strip is flexible such that it may be bent B into the undercut portion, cf. Fig. 5d.

The tongue 4 and the tongue groove 5 in, e.g., Figs. 1a-1e, 2a-2d, 3a-3e, 4a-4e and5a-5e may cooperate with each other at upper 4a, 5a and/or lower 4b, 5b verticallocking surfaces. The upper 4a and lower 4b vertical locking surfaces may beprovided in an upper and a lower wall of the tongue 4, respectively. Moreover, theupper 5a and lower 5b vertical locking surfaces may be provided in an upper and alower wall of the tongue groove 5, respectively. Alternatively, or additionally, theupper 4a (e.g., Figs. 3a-3e) or lower 4b (e.g., Figs. 1a-1e, 2a-2d, 4a-4e and 5a-5e)vertical locking surface 4b may be provided in an upper or a lower surface of aprominence 15 configured to be provided in a recess 16 provided in the first covermember 1 inwardly of the locking element 6. Moreover, the upper 5a (e.g., Figs. 3a-3e) or lower 5b (e.g., Figs. 1a-1e, 2a-2d, 4a-4e and 5a-5e) vertical locking surfacemay alternatively, or additionally, be provided in a lower or an upper surface of the strip 8, preferably provided inwardly of the locking element 6.

The locking element 6 and the locking groove 7 in, e.g., Figs. 1a-1e, 2a-2d, 3a-3e,4a-4e and 5a-5e may cooperate with each other at horizontal locking surfaces 6a,7a, preferably provided in an inner wall and an outer wall of the locking element 6and the locking groove 7, respectively. The mechanical locking device 3 may furthercomprise horizontal locking surfaces 6b, 7b disposed at the upper portions 1b, 2b and/or at the vertical plane VP. ln fact, in Figs. 4a-4e the locking element 6 and locking groove 7 may comprise afirst 11 and a second 12 locking surface configured to lock the first 1 and second 2cover members horizontally and vertically. Hence, the first 11 and second 12 lockingsurface are horizontal 6a, 7a and vertical locking surfaces and may be provided inthe inner wall and the outer wall of the locking element 6 and the locking groove 7, respectively. ln some embodiments, and as shown in, e.g., Figs. 1a-1e, 3a-3e, 4a-4e, 5a-5e and6a-6b, a circumference C of the pipe cover 10 in the assembled state may becircular, preferably as seen from a top view. ln some embodiments, and as shown inFigs. 2a-2c, the circumference C of the pipe cover 10 may be undulating. The covermembers 1, 2 may comprise at plurality of bulging portions 13 that are separated by radially inner portions 13a. Other shapes are of the circumference C are equally conceivable, such as rectangular, quadratic or oval shapes, cf. the illustration in Fig.6c.

A thickness T of the pipe cover 10 disclosed herein may be smaller than 8 mm,preferably smaller than 6 mm, more preferably smaller than 5 mm, cf. Fig. 1b.Preferably, the thickness T is larger than 2.5 mm. However, thicker pipe covers 10, e.g., larger than 8 mm, such as 8-20 mm, are not excluded.

The strip 8 and/or the locking element 6 may be formed in one piece with the firstcover member 1, preferably with a core 1d thereof. Moreover, the tongue 4 may beformed in one piece with the second cover member 2, preferably with a core 2d thereof.

The first 1 and second 2 cover members, such as a respective core 1d, 2d thereof,may comprise a wood-based material. For example, the wood-based material maycomprise or may be solid wood, such as oak, ash or beech. Alternatively, the wood- based material may comprise or may be an HDF board or an MDF board.

At least portions of the mechanical locking device 3 may be formed by laser cutting for obtaining a precise cutting while reducing the damage of the material, such as thewood-based material. Laser cutting may be particularly advantageous for processinga thin blank material which may be prone to being damaged during processing of the blank material. ln some embodiments, the first 1 and second 2 cover members may comprise apolymer-based material, such as a thermoplastic material, preferably comprising a filler, or a thermosetting resin, such as a melamine formaldehyde resin. ln any embodiment herein, a top layer 1e, 2e may optionally be provided on thecores 1d, 2d, cf. Fig. 1b.

Figs. 6a-6b illustrate an embodiment of a pipe cover 10 enclosing a pipe 17 thatpenetrates a covering 18, such as a floor covering. For example, the pipe 17 may beconnected to a radiator. The horizontal plane HP may be arranged substantiallyperpendicularly to a length direction L of the pipe 17. The rear side 14b of the pipecover 10 preferably contacts the covering 18. The covering 18, such as floorcovering, may comprise a plurality of panels 19, such as floor panels, provided with a mechanical connection device 20 comprising connection members for horizontal and/or vertical connection of the panels 19. lt is clear to a skilled artisan, however,that other coverings 18, such as floor coverings, wall coverings or ceiling coverings, are equally conceivable.

Aspects of the disclosure has mainly been described above with reference to a fewembodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, otherembodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope ofthe disclosure, as defined by the appended patent claims. For example, the covermembers 1, 2 may optionally be further fixed to each other by sticky tape and/or byan adhesive, e.g., provided in parts of the mechanical locking device 3. Moreover,the pipe cover 10 may in some embodiments optionally be attached to the covering18, such as floor covering, by sticky tape and/or by an adhesive between the rear side 14b and the covering.

Claims (10)

1. A pipe cover (10) comprising: a first cover member (1) and a second cover member (2), the first and second cover members being configured to be assembled to each other, anda mechanical locking device (3) comprising: a tongue (4) and a tongue groove (5) configured to cooperate witheach other for vertical locking of the first (1) and second (2) cover members,said tongue (4) being provided in a second edge portion (2a) of the secondcover member (2) and said tongue groove (5) being provided in a first edge portion (1a) of the first cover member (1 ), and a locking element (6) and a locking groove (7) configured to cooperatewith each other for horizontal locking of the first (1) and second (2) covermembers, the locking element being provided on a strip (8) extendinghorizontally beyond an upper portion (1 b) or a lower portion (1 c) of the firstedge portion (1a) and the locking groove (7) being provided in the second edge portion (2a).

2. The pipe cover according to claim 1, further comprising a cavity (9) in anassembled state of the first (1) and second (2) cover members, said first covermember (1) comprising a first cavity portion (9a) and said second cover member (2) comprising a second cavity portion (9b).

3. The pipe cover according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first (1) and second (2) cover members are configured to be assembled to each other by ang|ing (A).

4. The pipe cover according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first (1) and second (2)cover members are configured to be assembled by a relative vertical displacement (VD) with respect to each other.

5. The pipe cover according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first (1) and second (2)cover members are configured to be assembled by a relative horizontal displacement (HD) with respect to each other.

6. The pipe cover according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the locking element (6) comprises a first locking surface (11) and the locking groove (7) comprises a second locking surface (12), said first and second locking surfacesbeing configured to lock the first (1) and second (2) cover members horizontally and vertically.

7. The pipe cover according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first (1) and second (2) cover members are separately formed.

8. The pipe cover according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a circumference(C) of the pipe cover in an assembled state of the first (1) and second (2) cover members is circular.

9. The pipe cover according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first (1) and second (2) cover members comprises a wood-based material.

10. The pipe cover according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a thickness (T) of the pipe cover is smaller than 8 mm, preferably smaller than 6 mm.