UA113738C2 - MECHANICAL LOCKING SYSTEM FOR FLOOR PANELS - Google Patents

Abstract

The flooring panels are provided with a system of locking connection of vertical folding at short edges, by means of which only vertical connection to the lock is made, and a system of mechanical locking connection at long edges, which prevents displacement along long edges.

Description

The invention, in general, belongs to the field of systems of mechanical locking connection for panels of floor coverings and building panels. In addition, bridges, locking systems, installation and manufacturing methods are shown.

The present invention is particularly suitable for use in floating floors, which are manufactured from panels of floor coverings mechanically connected by means of a system of interlocking joints integrated into the panel of the floor covering, i.e. installed at the manufacturing plant, which consists of one or more upper layers of veneer, surfaces of decorative layered plastic on a powder basis or decorative plastic material, an intermediate inner layer of material based on wood fiber or plastic material and preferably a lower layer of uniform load distribution on the back side of the inner layer. The following description of known methods, problems of known systems and problems and features of the invention as a non-limiting example refers, among other things, to this field of application and in particular to floor covering panels made in the form of rectangles with long and short edges, produced with the possibility of mechanical connection with each other as on long and short edges. Long and short edges are mainly used to simplify the description of the invention. Panels can be square. It should be noted that the invention can be used in any floor covering panel and can be combined with interlocking systems of all known types, where the flooring panels are connected using a mechanical interlocking system connecting the panels in horizontal and vertical directions on at least two adjacent sides. The invention can also be used, for example, in floors with a bulk base, in solid wooden floors, parquet floors with an inner layer of wood or material based on wood fiber and a surface of wood or wood veneer, etc., floors with a printing and mostly varnished surface, floors with a surface layer of plastic or cork, linoleum, rubber. This includes even floors with hard surfaces such as stone, ceramic tiles and similar materials and floor coverings with a soft wearing layer such as non-woven material glued to a board. The invention can also be used to connect building panels, which preferably contain cladding material, for example, wall panels, ceiling panels, furniture components, etc.

Laminate flooring usually contains an inner layer of 6-12 mm fiberboard, an upper decorative surface layer of laminate with a thickness of 0.2-0.Ф8 mm and a lower layer of uniform load distribution of laminate with a thickness of 0.1-0.6 mm, plastic, paper or similar material. The laminate surface may contain melamine-impregnated paper.

The most common material of the inner layer is a high-density fiberboard with good stability, which is usually called HDF/NOE (high-density fiberboard). In some cases, MDF/MOEE (medium density fiberboard) is also used as an inner layer.

Traditional laminate flooring panels of this type are joined using tongue and groove joints and glue. In addition to such traditional floors, floor panels have been developed that do not require the use of glue, but instead are mechanically connected using so-called mechanical locking systems. These systems contain a locking device, which connects the panels into a lock vertically and horizontally. Mechanical locking systems are usually performed by machining the inner layer of the panel. Alternatively, part of the locking system can be produced from a separate material, such as aluminum or HDF, integrated with the floor panel, for example, connected to the floor panel during its manufacture.

The main advantage of floating chaff with mechanical locking systems is their ease of installation. They can also be disassembled and reused on another site. At the same time, there is a need to improve the strength of the lock connection and reduce the cost of materials.

Meaning of some terms

In the following text, the visible surface of the installed floor panel is referred to as the "front side" and the opposite side of the floor panel facing the black floor is referred to as the "back side". The edge between the front and back sides is called the "joint edge". "Horizontal plane" means a plane parallel to the outer part of the surface layer. Directly next to each other are the upper parts of two adjacent edges of the connection of two floor panels, which are joined together and define a "vertical plane" perpendicular to the horizontal plane. "Vertical interlocking" means interlocking parallel to the vertical plane in direction 01. "Horizontal interlocking" means interlocking parallel to the horizontal plane in direction 02. "First horizontal interlocking" means a horizontal interlocking joint perpendicular to the edges of the joint in the direction 02. "The second horizontal interlocking joint means a horizontal interlocking joint in the horizontal direction along the joint which prevents the two panels from sliding parallel to each other, when they lie in the same plane. "Locking connection systems" means cooperatively acting connecting elements that connect floor panels vertically and/or horizontally. "Mechanical locking connection system" means that the connection can be without glue. Mechanical interlocking systems can also be joined by gluing. "Integrated 3" means integral with the panel or factory-fitted to the panel. "Hg "upward" means toward the surface, and "downward or downward" means toward the back. "In" means toward the center of the floorboard, and "out" means in the opposite direction. "Cutting" means a method of making a groove or projection in the edge of a panel by cutting a portion of the edge to a finished shape with one or more cutting tools having multiple non-rotating and fixed chip removal surfaces located along the direction of feed.

For the mechanical connection of long edges, as well as short edges in the vertical and in the first horizontal direction, perpendicular to the edges, several methods can be used. One of the most frequently used methods is the method of turning and pinching. Long edges are installed by turning. The panel is then moved into a locked position along the long side. Short edges are pinched in a horizontal position.

A vertical joint is generally a tongue and groove joint. During horizontal displacement, the rail with the locking element bends, and when the edges come into contact, the rail straightens like a spring, and the locking element enters the locking groove and performs a horizontal locking connection of the panels. Such a pinch connection is difficult because it may require the use of a hammer and tapping block to overcome the friction between the long edges and requires bending of the rail during the pinching.

Similar lock connection systems can also be performed with a rigid rail, here the connection is made with two turns, where both the short and long edges are returned to the lock connection position.

Recently, new and very effective locking systems have been proposed

With a separate flexible or integrated movable spike on the short edge, which provide installation by a rotary action only, generally referred to as "vertical folding".

Such a system is described in UMO 2006/043893 (Maiipde Ippomaiop AB).

Some versions shown in fig. ta-17 are presented on the market. In fig. 16 shows a flexible spike 30 with a flexible locking tab extending from the edge. In fig. 1c, 14 shows a displacing spike with an internal flexible part that bends horizontally at the cross section of the spike or along the joint. Such systems are called systems with vertical pinching. The lock connection system can also be locked into the lock by means of a side push, in which the movable spike 30 is pushed into the locking position from the edge of the long side when the adjacent edges of the sides are folded onto the black floor. In fig. It shows a system consisting of a flexible spike 30 made integral with the inner layer. In fig. 17 shows the locking system of the long edge in a folding system that connects with a turn.

All such lock connection systems contain a horizontal lock connection, which is performed due to the interaction of the engaging element in the form of a rail with the locking groove of another element.

Several variants of folding systems are described in materials M/O2006/104436,

UMO2007/015669, UMO2008/004960, UMO2010/087752 (Maiipde Ippomayiop AB), the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference and form part of this description.

Although such systems are very effective, they can be improved. It is difficult to insert a separate spike 30 during manufacture into the groove 40 along the rail b, which contains the locking element 8.

The keyway 14 reduces strength and the edges may crack.

The projecting locking rail with the locking element determines the production of waste during machine processing of the edges, and the volume of such waste can be significant in wide bridges in the form of tiles.

A significant advantage is given by a more compact and shorter rail 6 and the exclusion of the locking element 8 and the locking groove 14.

One of the main advantages of folding systems is the elimination of the requirement to offset long edges. In fact, it's an advantage if the long edges don't slide during the turn, as the flexible spike used in some systems pushes the short edges open during assembly.

UMO 2006/043893 describes a system consisting essentially of a horizontal protruding rail that does not have a locking element. Such a folding system does not have a horizontal connection, and the short edges can be fixed, for example, by gluing or nailing to the black floor. The advantage should be manifested if such bridges can be installed in the form of a floating floor.

Such installation of a floating floor can be carried out in accordance with the present invention by means of a locking connection system containing long edges which are connected in a lock in a first horizontal direction perpendicular to the edge and in a second horizontal direction along the edge. The long edges, which do not move after being locked, should also hold the short edges together and prevent separation.

It is known that the separation of the short edges of the floor covering panels can be prevented by increasing friction or by means of protrusions and gaps between the long edges which should counteract the mutual displacement along the edge and therefore prevent the short edges from diverging.

For example, it is known from the material Umieop 05 2430200 that several protrusions and depressions between the spike and the groove in the system of a mechanical locking connection can be used to prevent displacement along the connection. Such protrusions and recesses are difficult to manufacture, and the panels can only be locked together in strictly defined positions when joining closely adjacent long edges, and they cannot move close together in an inclined position when the upper edges are in contacts

Material Tegbgask 05 4426820 describes an impractical locking system with an ideal panel installation made of plastic material. Perfect installation can prevent displacement along the joint.

MO1994/026999 (Maiyipde Ippomayop AB) describes a system of mechanical locking connection with vertical and horizontal interlocking and with a rubber rail or other sealing device applied in a groove or between a flat projecting part of the rail and the adjacent edge of the panel, as shown in principle in fig. 1st A rubber rail can be used to increase friction along the joint.

Material UU098/22677 (Soimabria) describes a joint with a tongue and groove, where it is used

Made of several different types of friction-increasing materials to prevent edge separation with sliding perpendicular to the edge. Examples of materials that are inserted or applied to a tongue and groove joint are coarse wool, rubber strips in the form of a rail, plastic, foam rubber, foam rubber coated surfaces in which a friction-increasing material such as sand, plastic or rubber particles. Grained or roughened surfaces can also be used.

Materials M/O03/025307 and UMO03/089736 (Maiyipde Ippomayop AB) describe that displacement along long edges can be counteracted or prevented by high friction, adhesives, mechanical means, etc., and that short edges can be only with a vertical locking device or completely without a locking device. In the material UUO03/012224 (Mayipde

Ippomayop AB) described that flexible elastic sealing compositions based on acrylic plastic, elastomers of synthetic resins, hot-mix adhesives based on polyurethane, etc. can be used between horizontal locking surfaces to correct movements due to swelling or shrinkage under the influence of moisture. Such an elastic material should increase friction and prevent displacement of the long edges along the joint.

In the material Uuegpeg55op UMO2004/083557, floor covering panels with a mechanical locking device are disclosed, in which the specified edge surfaces are equipped with slots. The geometry of such a mechanical fixing device, how such slots are produced and on which surfaces they are used, are not revealed.

UMO 2006/123988 (Maiyipde Ippomayop AB) describes panels with a sliding lock joint system containing a plurality of small local protrusions that prevent displacement along the edges of the joint when the panels are laid flat on a black floor.

The protruding parts can be interlocked with the flexible rubber material on the adjacent panel. The short edges are secured only by a vertical locking joint containing a spike made integral with the inner layer. Panels can be interlocked with vertical stacking, and a slide stop prevents sliding along the joint after stacking. A collapsible system on the short edges, which only interlocks vertically and which contains a flexible separate spike, is not described.

These known technical solutions that prevent displacement along long edges suffer from several disadvantages. The friction created by pressure and crushed solids 60 is not reliable because swelling and shrinkage in the wood fiber panels can change the friction forces, so the panels can eventually slide and the short edges can come apart. The friction-increasing material is applied to the surface and forms the working horizontal lock surfaces, such surfaces of the lock element and the lock groove and the upper adjacent edges of the connection can change the geometry of the connection into the lock and complicate installation.

The first general task of this invention is to create a lock connection system for basically rectangular panels of floor coverings with long and short edges installed in parallel rows, which provides the possibility of locking short edges with each other with vertical movement without horizontal connection connection, and such a horizontal connection is performed by a lock connection system on the long edges, containing the first and second horizontal lock connection perpendicular to the edges and along the edges.

The invention is based, in part, on the discovery that, since offset long edges are not required in a collapsible locking system, there is more freedom in the design of a long edge locking system.

Cost and functions should be preferable compared to known technical solutions.

It is part of the general object of this invention to improve the function and cost of those parts of the locking joint system that lock together in a second horizontal direction along the joint when the panels are installed on a black floor.

More specifically, the task is to create a second horizontal locking system on the long edges, hereinafter referred to as a "sliding locking connection", which provides one or more of the following advantages.

The sliding lock joint on the long edges should be activated when the panel is brought into contact with the already installed panel and then back down onto the black floor.

The operation of the sliding lock connection must be reliable over time and the panels must ensure the connection and disconnection of the lock connection in any position when two adjacent long edges are brought into contact with each other.

The sliding lock joint must be strong and prevent the short edges of the two interlocking panels from separating when the humidity changes or when people walk on the floor.

The sliding lock joint must provide a lock connection with high precision and without the use of tools.

The locking joint system and the sliding locking joint must be designed with low material and manufacturing costs and ensure the safe use of flexible materials without the risk of uncontrolled inclusion of such individual materials in the active locking surfaces.

The invention is based on the general approach, which is that the locking element and the locking groove on the long edges should be used to make a horizontal connection in the lock perpendicular to the edge, but also along the edge.

The above-mentioned tasks of the invention are solved in full or in part by means of interlocking systems of floor covering panels and methods of installation and manufacture according to the description given in this document. Variants of the invention become clear from the description and attached drawings.

A first aspect of the invention is a flooring system comprising a plurality of rectangular flooring panels with short edges and long edges. The panels are made with the possibility of installation on the black floor and connection with each other with a system of mechanical lock connection for connecting the panels in a lock vertically and horizontally.

The lock connection system contains a spike and a groove under the spike for mechanical interlocking of adjacent edges, vertical to the horizontal plane, with the formation of a vertical mechanical connection between the panels. The locking element on the first long edge and the locking groove on the opposite second long edge form a first horizontal mechanical connection between the adjacent long edges, interlocking the panels with each other in a direction parallel to the horizontal plane and at right angles to the adjacent long edges . The panels are equipped with a short-edge locking connection, containing a separate spike for locking adjacent short edges in the first vertical direction, inserted into the locking groove on the short edge of the panel. The spike is preferably at least partially flexible and/or displaceable. The locking connection of the short edge additionally includes a locking rail and a locking notch for locking adjacent short edges in the second vertical direction.

The lock connection of the short edge is made with the possibility of connecting adjacent edges in a lock only in the vertical direction. The long edges are provided with a second horizontal mechanical locking joint that locks the panels together along the adjacent long edges in a direction parallel to the horizontal plane and parallel to the adjacent long edges when the panels are lying flat on the black floor.

The second horizontal mechanical joint on the long edges may include a locking element and a locking groove with two sets of interlocking surfaces, in which the first set is located closer to the vertical plane (VP) and the upper edges of the joint than the second set group.

Two groups of locking surfaces can have such a slope that the lower part of the locking element is larger than the upper part.

The vertical extent of the second group of locking surfaces can essentially be equal to or greater than the vertical extent of the first group of locking surfaces. The locking system of the long edge may contain a third group of interacting, interlocking surfaces located on the outer and lower part of the rail.

It is possible to have a gap between the upper part of the locking element and the locking groove.

The second horizontal mechanical connection may contain a flexible material that is used essentially in the vertical groove.

The second horizontal mechanical connection may contain a flexible material that is compressed horizontally in two opposite directions.

The second horizontal mechanical connection may contain a flexible material that is located essentially in a vertical groove that is complementary to the wedge-shaped locking element.

The second horizontal mechanical connection may contain a friction element located on the upper part of the locking element, which interacts with the friction groove.

The friction groove may contain flexible material.

The second horizontal mechanical connection may contain friction notches located on the locking element.

The second horizontal mechanical connection may contain a compressible material that is used in the locking connection system on surfaces that are not actively interacting locking surfaces that lock the panels vertically and horizontally.

A short edge lock joint can be joined into a lock by vertical pinching, where a separate pin moves into a locking groove during vertical movement.

A short-edge lock joint can lock into a lock when the individual stud is displaced

From the locking groove along the short edge.

According to the first preferred embodiment, the lock connection system on the long edges includes a lock element and a lock groove with two groups of interacting, interlocking surfaces. The first group is located closer to the vertical plane and the upper edges of the joint than the second group. The locking surfaces are preferably inclined so that the lower part of the locking element is larger than the upper part. Preferably, there is a gap between the upper part of the locking element and the locking groove. Such a gap can be used to reduce the tolerance requirements for manufacturing. Preferably, the vertical extent of the second group of locking surfaces is substantially equal to or greater than the vertical extent of the first group of locking surfaces.

According to the second embodiment of the invention, the locking system of the long edge contains a flexible material located in a vertical groove that prevents displacement along the edges. The flexible material is preferably located between the interacting surfaces of the locking element and the locking groove.

According to the third embodiment of the invention, the locking system of the long edge contains at least three groups of interacting locking surfaces between the locking element located on the rail and the locking groove. The first and second groups are located in the upper part of the locking element, with the first group located closer to the upper edges than the second group. The third group is located on the lower and outer part of the rail. This geometry is used to provide a strong tight fit between the locking element and the locking groove, and the panels must be tightly bonded to each other so that displacement along the long edges and perpendicular to the short edges is prevented.

Such a tight-fitting locking system can be made much stronger than conventional locking systems with hooks on the short edges.

The second mechanical connection may contain a flexible spike that is inserted into the locking groove made in the locking groove.

The above-described locking system on the long edges can also be used purely individually to lock one pair of two adjacent edges, preferably along the long edges, horizontally perpendicular to the edges and along the edges. Such a locking system can be used together with locking systems of many other types on another pair of adjacent edges, preferably short edges, and can achieve a significant increase in the strength of the horizontal locking connection on the short edges. This advantage is particularly evident in large floors with a length or width exceeding, for example, 20 m, which are, for example, installed in shopping areas where the load on the floor can be significant.

The second aspect of the invention is two panels of the floor covering, provided with a locking system containing a spike and a groove under the spike for mechanically connecting adjacent edges to each other in a lock, vertical to the horizontal plane, while forming a vertical mechanical connection between the panels. The locking system additionally includes a first horizontal mechanical connection between the adjacent edges for interlocking the panels with each other in a direction parallel to the horizontal plane and at right angles to the adjacent edges. The first horizontal mechanical connection includes a locking element on the first edge and a locking groove on the opposite second edge. The spike can be a separate spike, preferably at least partially flexible and/or displaceable, inserted into the fixing groove on the edge of the panel. The locking system additionally includes a second horizontal mechanical connection that locks the panels together along the first and second edges in a direction parallel to the horizontal plane and parallel to adjacent edges when the panels are lying flat on the black floor.

The locking element and the locking groove preferably contain two groups of interacting, interlocking surfaces, while the first group is located closer to the vertical plane (MP) and the upper edges of the connection than the second group.

At least one of the two groups of interacting interlocking surfaces may contain a flexible material. The flexible material can be a flexible spike inserted into the locking groove. The locking groove can be made in the lock groove.

Two groups of locking surfaces can have such a slope that the lower part of the locking element is larger than the upper part.

The vertical extent of the second group of locking surfaces can essentially be equal to or greater than the vertical extent of the first group of locking surfaces.

The locking connection system may contain a third group of interacting, interlocking surfaces located on the outer and lower part of the rail.

There may be a gap between the upper part of the locking element and the locking groove. 0) The second horizontal mechanical connection may contain a flexible material which is applied essentially in a vertical groove, the flexible material preferably being compressed horizontally in two opposite directions. The flexible material can be complementary to the wedge-shaped locking element.

The second horizontal mechanical connection may contain a friction element located on the upper part of the locking element, which interacts with the friction groove. The friction groove may contain flexible material.

The second horizontal mechanical connection may contain friction notches located on the locking element.

The second horizontal mechanical connection may contain a compressible material that is used in the locking connection system on surfaces that are not actively interacting locking surfaces that lock the panels vertically and horizontally.

The edges can be joined into a lock by vertical pinching, where a separate spike moves into a locking groove during vertical movement.

The edges can be locked together when the individual spike is moved into the locking groove along the short edge.

The invention is described below for exemplary embodiments and in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the following is shown.

In fig. 1a shows lock connection systems of known technology.

In fig. 2a-4 shows a short edge lock system according to an embodiment of the invention.

In fig. 3 shows the locking system of the long edge according to preferred embodiments of the invention.

In fig. 4a-c shows the preferred embodiment of the locking system of the short edge.

In fig. 5a-i shows individual spikes, which are examples that can be used in a short-edge locking connection.

In fig. and preferred embodiments of the invention are shown.

In fig. 7a-c shows the locking system of the long edge according to an embodiment of the invention. (with;

In fig. Fig. 86 shows a vertical assembly with a conventional locking system and a locking system according to an embodiment of the invention.

In fig. 9Za-94 show preferred embodiments of the invention.

To ensure understanding, several lock systems are shown schematically in the figures.

It should be noted that improved or superior functionality may be obtained using combinations of the preferred embodiments.

The inventor has tested all known and especially all commercially used interlocking systems used on the market, which are installed vertically in panels of floor coverings of all types, especially laminate floor coverings and wooden floor coverings, and has concluded that at least all these known locking joint systems having one or more locking elements interacting with locking grooves can be adapted to a sliding locking joint system on long edges that prevents displacement along adjacent edges, and a locking joint system that folded on the short edges, which is connected to the lock only vertically.

The most preferred implementations, however, are based on decks with a laminate surface layer, paperless powder-based surfaces or wood surfaces, an inner layer of HDF or wood and a locking system on the long edge with a rail running beyond the top edge , which provides a turn lock in combination with a tongue and groove connection on the short edges, containing a separate pin that preferably only locks vertically.

All variants of implementation can be used separately or in combinations. Angles, dimensions, rounded parts, intervals between surfaces, etc. are only examples and can be adjusted in the basic principles of the invention.

In fig. 2a-24 shows the first preferred embodiment of the short edge locking system, provided with a flexible and displaceable spike 30 in the edge of the first panel 1, inserted into the fixing groove 40, which interacts with the groove 20 under the spike in the adjacent second panel 1 and connects into the panel lock in the first vertical direction according to a known technical solution. The first panel 1 (panel with a rail) contains a protruding rail b, which passes outward beyond the vertical plane UR. Second Panel 1! contains a locking recess 7, which interacts with

With lock rail 6 and connects the panels in the lock in the second vertical direction. In fig. 2e shows that the panels are locked only vertically and that they can be released or connected horizontally in essentially the same plane, since there is no locking element on the rail and there are no hook connections in the locking system, which prevents such horizontal displacement.

Such a locking system can be more cost-effective than conventional folding systems, as it does not require a protruding rail with a locking element.

Softer, thinner and cheaper inner layers can be used in the lock joint system, which is used only for vertical lock joint. The horizontal lock connection can be obtained in the sliding lock connection system on the long edges.

In fig. 365 shows a sliding locking system according to one preferred embodiment, comprising a spike 10 and a groove 9 for the spike, a locking rail 6, a locking element 8 and a locking groove 14. A flexible and compressible material 16, such as synthetic or natural rubber or foam plastic is used in the upper part of the lock groove 14 in the form of a layer or on local areas or on the upper part of the lock element 8. The upper part of the lock element 8 is made so that preferably two horizontal opposite edges are pressed against the compressible material 1ba, 16r. In a wooden floor with an inner layer of thin plates, the locking element and the locking groove must be made across the orientation of the fibers. Swelling and shrinkage in the horizontal direction along the wood fibers are extremely small and do not cause changes in dimensions to meet the installation tolerances of the lock element 8 and the lock groove 14. The back pressure does not affect in any way the tolerances of the connection in the lock, and the swelling and shrinkage of this part of the system of the lock joint should be easily compensated by the flexibility of the compressive material even in other wood-based materials such as HDF, chipboard or plywood. Preferably, the upper part of the locking element is wedge-shaped and interacts with the complementary groove 14. Preferably, the inner part of the groove 14 is smaller than the opening of the groove outside. This design can be used to create a frictional connection even without compressible material.

In fig. Cc and Za show a locking system with at least three groups of interacting locking surfaces between the locking element 8 and the locking groove 14. The first group of surfaces 11, 12 and the second group of surfaces 21, 22 are located in the upper part of the locking element, and the first group is located closer to the upper edges of 4, 5 than the second group.

The third group 23, 24 is located preferably lower than the first and second groups, preferably on the lower and outer part of the rail 6. The locking surfaces are essentially flat, but can also be curved. Lock surfaces are mostly inclined. Preferably, the angle Ai1 relative to the horizontal plane HP of the first group of interacting surfaces should be slightly smaller than the angle AZ of the third group. This geometry can be used to obtain a simple turn-lock connection and a strong tight fit between the locking element 8 and the locking groove 14, and the panels must be tightly fastened to each other so that displacement along the long edges and perpendicular to the short edges must be prevented. Preferably, all or some of the interacting groups of surfaces are made with angles АТ, А2, АЗ with a value between 40-80 degrees relative to the horizontal plane or even more preferably between 45 and 75 degrees.

In wooden inner layers, such a plywood or wooden inner layer of thin plates, the orientation of the fibers is predominantly perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the edges. The layers inside the plywood inner layer can be made so that at least one group of interacting surfaces contains such an orientation of the fibers that should create a very high friction and strong connection in the lock along the connection.

Such a tight-fitting locking system with or without additional, preferably flexible, friction-increasing materials between the locking element and the locking groove can be made much stronger than conventional locking systems with hooks on the short edges. It is possible to make a groove 35, which runs horizontally, in the wall or lock groove 14 to increase the flexibility of one of the lock surfaces 23 in the third group of lock surfaces. Similarly, the vertical groove Z5a can also be made in rail 6. This can be done with rotary tools or cutting tools.

The locking element and the locking groove can be made by a method with high precision profiling, where several tools are installed at one processing station so that the upper edge 4 and the locking element are performed simultaneously to exclude the rotation of the panels during machining. The lock groove and the upper edge 5 can be done in one way. The interlocking system can also be partially or fully performed using cutting tools, which allows for the creation of more complex geometric shapes with undercutting.

The sliding lock joint systems described above are preferably used on long edges and in combination with a folding lock joint system on short edges, as shown in fig. 2a-2a.

In fig. It is shown that the flexible material can be combined or replaced with a flexible and preferably displaceable spike 30 located in one of the edges, which is inserted into the locking groove 40 and includes a part, preferably an outer part, which is in contact with the adjacent edge and prevents the edges from being displaced along the connection. The flexible spike 30 is preferably inserted into the locking groove 40 made in the locking groove 14. The outer part of the spike preferably contains small and sharp locking protrusions that increase longitudinal friction.

The spike can be fixed in the fixing groove 40 by means of friction and/or glue. One or more ZO spikes can be attached to one edge, preferably the long edge of the floor covering panel.

In fig. A locking system is shown here, containing a spike of the 10th rail on one edge of 2. This geometry saves material in the manufacture of a locking system.

Adjacent panel 2" contains a groove 9 for a spike with an upper overhang 8a and a lower overhang 9B, which interacts with the spike 10 for a vertical locking connection. The locking groove 14 contains a fixing groove 40, which can be inclined to make a simple insertion of a flexible spike 30 in locking groove 40. The outer sliding surface Zba of the flexible pin 30 during rotation slides along the side surface v on the locking element, and the flexible pin moves in and out in the locking groove. Pins of all types that contain at least one flexible part can be used. flexible spike can be made wedge-shaped and can be pressed with preload into the slot 20 under the spike in the locked position. The upper part of the groove 20 under the spike in this embodiment is inclined upwards and outwards, so that the panels connected in the lock can be separated by turning.

The fixing groove can be made in the outer part of the rail 6, and it is also possible to replace the flexible spike 30 with a sharp nail made, for example, of plastic or metal, preferably aluminum.

In fig. Shown here is a locking system of a flexible spike 30, which is pressed against the upper part 21 of the locking element 8. Such a locking system can have a flexible spike that can only be moved by a distance of less than 0.5 mm. Even a value of 0.1-0.2 mm can be sufficient to ensure a connection in a lock.

All described implementation options can be combined. The system of the sliding lock connection can also be combined with the usual system with a spike 10 from one part and a groove 9 on the short edges. A flexible tenon can be designed to allow some offset, especially if a hammer and tapping block are used. The two panels can also be partially or completely connected by the short edges and can then be returned to the locking position on the long edges.

The locking groove can go along the entire length or can be a local groove with a length slightly greater than the length of the flexible spike 30.

The slide lock system can also be used independently to lock panels on one pair of opposite edges and can be combined with any type of lock system on the other pair of edges, preferably the short edges. The sliding lock joint system can be used to improve the overall interlocking of the panels and to increase the strength of the interlocking on the other pair of edges. This can be an advantage in thin panels or in the case of a soft material of the inner layer, such as, for example, PVC, in which it is difficult to make a large locking element. This is also suitable for narrow panels, where the length of the locking element is very short. Material savings can be obtained, for example, in the inner layer of wood material from thin plates, where a separate, stronger and more expensive material is usually used on the short edges to make the rail and the locking element.

In fig. 4a-4c show that a single spike can be attached to a 1" folding panel.

In fig. 5a-5a shows that all known spikes can be used in the short edge locking system. In fig. for the shown spike in the shape of a bow, and in fig. 55 shows a spike in the form of bristles. Such spikes bend in the longitudinal direction during the connection in the lock. In fig. 5c shows a wedge-shaped spike that is displaced by lateral thrust from the long edge so that the spike moves both along and perpendicular to the edge in the groove 20 under the spike. In fig. 5a shows a rigid spike, which with the use of a side push only moves along the edge so that the protruding parts on the spike overlap the protruding parts made in the groove 20 under the spike.

In fig. A flexible spike 30 is shown which can be used to prevent

With displacement along the edge. The spike contains frictional connections 31, which are located in the inner part of the fixing groove 40 and the locking protruding part 32, which can be in contact with the adjacent edge, preferably the outer part of the locking element 8. The spikes shown in fig.

Ba and 50 can also be used.

In fig. 5 shows a locking system which includes a flexible spike Z0 and which is in the locking position, in which one of the edges 2' turns to the black floor. The flexible spike 30 is in contact with the outer part of the rail when the locking element 8 and the locking groove 14 overlap each other. This specific geometry prevents edge separation during turning.

In fig. Fig. 6 shows that all known assembly systems can be adapted to the locking connection system according to the embodiment of the invention by removing part of the locking element and preferably part of the rail 6. This should provide cost savings due to reduced waste and a stronger connection. It is also possible to implement the assembly system in very thin floor slabs, for example, with a thickness of about 4-6 mm. In fig. ba shows a system with the execution of a lateral thrust with a wedge-shaped spike, and in fig. 1 shows a side thrust system with a spike containing projecting portions. Even a system in the form of a single part with a spike, created by machine processing, as shown in fig. bi, can be used. The short rail 6 provides much simpler machine processing of the groove 41, which is cut. This groove 41 can also be performed by cutting.

All are shown in fig. 64 of the folding locking system can be converted so that the edges b can be done without the protruding rail b, and the spike 30 can be vertically connected to the lock at the top and bottom.

In fig. 7a-765 shows preferred embodiments. The long side of the locking system includes a friction element 15, which in this embodiment is located on top of the locking element 8 and which interacts with the friction groove 17. One advantage is that the compressible material 16 is not used in active locking surfaces

Za, 9B, 10a, 10B, 3, 4, 11, 12, which connect the panels in a lock vertically and horizontally.

In fig. 7c shows that the friction can be improved if the friction recesses 18 are made on the upper part of the locking element 8 or in the friction element 15. Such recesses form the expansion spaces of the flexible material 16, which can be used, reducing the requirements for 60 tolerances in manufacturing. Excavations are preferably performed on a screw-cutting machine, as described in

UMMO2010/087752. Friction notches 18 can also be made on other parts of the locking system, for example, the outer part of the rail 6. In fig. va and 865 it is shown that the known lock connection systems shown in fig. va, can be easily converted into a locking system according to an embodiment of the invention, as shown in fig. 80, and that the new locking system can be compatible with the old locking system. Friction notches 18 are made in the upper part of the locking element on a screw cutting machine, the compressed material 16 is preferably inserted essentially into a groove running along the entire long edge or parts thereof, and the locking element on the short edges is removed. A flexible spike can also be inserted into the long edge as described above.

When installing the panels, the long edge 2" of the new panel in the second row is placed at an angle close to the long edge 2 of the first panel installed in the previous row, and is shifted until its short edge 1 comes into contact with the short edge 1 of the second panel installed in the second row. The new panel is turned down, while the flexible spike 30 vertically joins the short edges 1.1" into the lock. The long edges feature a friction lock joint system that prevents the panels from shifting along the 2, 2", 2" long edges.

In fig. It is shown that it is possible to create several friction elements 15, 15 and friction grooves 17, 17" with compressible material 16, 16.

In fig. 96 shows that the projecting rail 6 on the short edges can be replaced by overlapping upper edges 33, 34 above a separate spike 30. Of course, it is possible to use both overlapping edges and a locking rail 6 interacting with the locking notch 7.

In fig. 9c shows that the flexible and compressible material 16 can be used on the friction element 15.

Longitudinal locking of long edges can be done with a tight fit, with high friction, or by any known means to prevent displacement along the joint.

A wood floor with an inner layer of thin plates, which generally has a rough surface, can be made with a lock joint system with a close fit and with very large interacting locking surfaces. Flexible materials are not required to obtain sufficient friction. Such a long-side locking system creates extreme difficulties for displacement, especially when the floor slabs are long, such as 1.8-2.4 m, and the friction force

Zo is generally sufficient to create a lock joint that holds the short edges together for the life of the floor. Only a few small flexible spikes 30 can be created on the long edges for the necessary additional interlocking that may be required in some applications and in very dry conditions where the wood material shrinks.

The strength of the sliding lock joint can be significantly increased with the help of a slightly bent lock rail, which creates a constant vertical pressure, as shown in fig. 94.

Sufficient friction can be created even in HDF material, which is generally made with fairly smooth surfaces. Rail b, which is bent back in the position of connection to the lock, should press the lock element 8 into the lock groove 14 when people walk on the floor or furniture is placed on the surface. This should increase the strength of the joint in the lock of the second horizontal joint along the long edges. The strength of the lock connection can be additionally increased if, for example, the pressing protruding part 23 is made on the lower part of the rail, preferably under the locking element. Such a pressing protruding part 23 can be applied as a separate material essentially over the entire rail 6 or on separate parts along the edge.

Wedge-shaped locking elements 8, which are pressed into the interacting locking groove 14, as shown in fig. For, they can create sufficient friction even without compressible friction material. In fig. 9a shows a variant of implementation, which contains a locking element 8 and a locking groove with two groups of interacting surfaces that connect into a lock. The first group 11, 12 is located closer to the vertical plane than the second group 21, 22. The locking surfaces are mostly inclined, such that the lower part of the locking element is larger than the upper part.

The locking surface can be essentially flat or curved. Preferably, there is a gap 5 between the upper part of the locking element and the locking groove. Such a gap 5 can be used to reduce the requirements for manufacturing tolerances. The angle AT, A2 of the interacting surfaces, or the tangential line in the case of curved surfaces, should preferably be greater than about 45 degrees. Preferably, the vertical length of the second group 21, 22 of the locking surfaces is essentially equal to or greater than the vertical length of the first group 11, 12 of the locking surfaces. The second group should preferably go down to a level that is lower than the first group.

A flexible groove 34, 34" can be made in the locking element 8 and/or behind the locking groove 14 to increase the flexibility of the walls of the locking element 8 or the locking groove 14. Such a flexible groove can also be filled with a flexible material, which increases the flexibility additionally.

A wedge-shaped locking element, as described above, can be used to set top edges with a small amount of play, for example, about 0.01-0.10 mm. Such backlash should ensure the swelling of the upper edges and the elimination of damage to the upper edges or creaking. Such a locking joint system is also very suitable for use when installing a floor covering on glue or in combination with bevels between the upper edges of the joint.

The above-described embodiment can, of course, be combined with the friction recess 18, and the flexible material 16 can be inserted between the locking element and the locking groove.

The locking system can be made with two or more groups of locking elements and locking grooves to increase friction. Small friction grooves 23, parallel to the edge of the connection, can also increase friction.

Glue or wax, which hardens after some time, can also be used to eliminate shrinkage and swelling problems of prestressed lock joint systems.

Wax mixed with particles of aluminum oxide, used in the locking system, significantly increases friction.

The long edge locking system can be used with all known vertical folding systems that lock short edges vertically and horizontally.

Individual spikes are usually connected to the edge at the factory. Individual unrelated studs that are inserted before assembly or when the two short edges lie flat on the black floor are not excluded.

The locking system of the long edge can be made offset by an angle of 3-5 degrees.

This facilitates installation near doors, etc.

The invention is described above only as an example, and it should be clear to a person skilled in the art that various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims (19)

FORMULA OF THE INVENTION Zo 1. A floor covering system, which includes a plurality of rectangular panels of the floor covering with short edges (1, 1) and long edges (2, 2", 2"), and the panels are made with the possibility of installation on a black floor and connection each other with a long-edge mechanical locking system for locking panels vertically and horizontally, and the locking system includes a spike (10, 30) and a groove for a spike (9, 20) for mechanical connection in the lock with each other of the adjacent edges, vertical to the horizontal plane (HP), which forms a vertical mechanical connection between the panels, and the locking element (8) on the first long edge (2) and the locking groove (14) on the opposite second long edge ( 2), which at the same time form the first horizontal mechanical connection between the adjacent long edges (2, 23, which interlocks the panels with each other in a direction parallel to the horizontal plane and at right angles to the adjacent long edges, when this panel is provided short edge lock connection, which contains a separate spike (30) for connecting adjacent short edges (1, 1) in a lock in the first vertical direction, inserted into the groove (40) of fixing on the short edge (1, 1) of the panel, while the individual spike is made at least partially flexible and/or displaceable, and the lock rail (b) and the lock groove (7) for connecting the adjacent short edges (1, 1) in the lock in the second vertical direction, while the long edges are provided with the second a horizontal mechanical locking joint that interlocks the panels with each other along the adjacent long edges in a direction parallel to the horizontal plane and parallel to the adjacent long edges, when the panels are laid flat on a black floor, which differs in that the locking with the connection of the short edge is made with the possibility of connecting adjacent edges in a lock only in vertical directions, the second horizontal mechanical connection contains friction grooves (18) located on the locking element (8) and/or a flexible mother al (16) is located between the locking element (8) and the locking groove (14). 2. The floor covering system according to claim 1, in which the second horizontal mechanical connection on the long edges includes a locking element (8) and a locking groove (14) with two groups of interacting surfaces (11, 12-21, 22) which are connected in a lock, while the first group (11, 12) is located closer to the vertical plane (UR) and the upper edges of the connection than the second group (21, 22). 3. The floor covering system according to claim 2, in which the two groups of locking surfaces are inclined so that the lower part of the locking element (8) is larger than the upper part. 4. The floor covering system according to claim 2 or 3, in which the vertical extent of the second group of locking surfaces (21, 22) is substantially equal to or greater than the vertical extent of the first group of locking surfaces (11, 12). 5. A flooring system according to any one of claims 2-4, in which the locking system of the long edge comprises a third group of interlocking surfaces (23, 24) located on the outer and lower part of the rail ( 6). 6. The floor covering system according to any of claims 2-5, in which a gap (5) is formed between the upper part of the locking element (8) and the locking groove (14). 7. The floor covering system according to any one of claims 1-6, in which the second horizontal mechanical connection comprises a flexible material (16) which is applied substantially in the vertical groove (14). 8. The floor covering system according to claim 7, in which the flexible material (16) is compressed horizontally in two opposite directions. 9. Floor covering system according to claim 7 or 8, in which the flexible material (16) is located essentially in a vertical groove (14) which is complementary to the wedge-shaped locking element (8). 10. The floor covering system according to any one of claims 1-9, in which the second horizontal mechanical connection comprises a friction element (15) located on the upper part of the locking element (8), which interacts with the friction groove (17). 11. The flooring system of claim 10, wherein the friction groove comprises a flexible material (16). 12. The floor covering system according to any one of claims 1-11, in which the second horizontal mechanical connection contains a compressible material that is used in the locking connection system on surfaces that are not actively interacting locking surfaces (3, 4, Za, 90, 10, 106, 11, 12), which connect the panels vertically to the horizontal plane and horizontally in the direction parallel to the horizontal plane and at right angles to the adjacent long edges. 13. The flooring system according to any one of claims 1-12, in which the short edge lock joint is connected to the lock by vertical pinching, and the individual spike (30) moves into the locking groove (40) during vertical movement. 14. A flooring system according to any one of claims 1-12, in which the short edge locking joint is interlocked when the individual pin (30) is moved into the locking groove (40) along the short edge. 15. The floor covering system according to any one of claims 1-14, in which the second mechanical connection comprises a flexible spike (30) placed in a locking groove (40) formed in the locking groove (14). 16. Panels (1, 1) of the floor covering, equipped with a locking system, which contains a spike (10) and a groove (9) under the spike for mechanically connecting the adjacent edges vertically to the horizontal plane in a lock, while forming a vertical mechanical connection between the panels, and the locking connection system additionally includes a locking element (8) on the first edge and a locking groove (14) on the opposite second edge, forming a first horizontal mechanical connection between adjacent edges for connection in the panels interlock with each other in a direction parallel to the horizontal plane and at right angles to the first and second edges, the edges being provided with a second horizontal mechanical connection that interlocks the panels with each other along the first and second edges in direction parallel to the horizontal plane and parallel to the first and second edges, when the panels are arranged flat on the black floor, and the locking element (8) and the locking groove (14) contain two groups of interaction ing surfaces (11, 12, 21, 22) connecting into a lock, while the first group (11, 12) is located closer to the vertical plane (MP) and the upper edges of the connection than the second group (21, 22 ), which differ in that the second horizontal mechanical connection contains friction grooves (18) located on the locking element (8) and/or flexible material (16) is located between the locking element (8) and the locking groove (14). 17. Panels of floor coverings according to claim 16, in which at least one of the two groups of interacting surfaces, which are connected in a lock, contains a flexible material (16, 20). 18. Floor covering panels according to claim 16 or 17, in which the flexible material is a flexible spike (30) inserted into the groove (40) of the fixation. 19. Floor covering panels according to any of claims 16-18, in which the fixing groove (40) is made in the locking groove (14).