WO2004050998A1

WO2004050998A1 - Floor covering element consisting of an artificial stone material

Info

Publication number: WO2004050998A1
Application number: PCT/EP2003/013721
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andreas Drost
Original assignee: Uni-International Bausysteme Gmbh + Co. Kg
Priority date: 2002-12-04
Filing date: 2003-12-04
Publication date: 2004-06-17
Also published as: DE10256684A1; AU2003293767A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a floor covering element predominantly consisting of an artificial stone material and having the following characteristics: (a) the basic form of said floor covering element comprises a plurality of corners and a plurality of covering element sides; (b) at least some of said covering element sides have engagement surfaces for co-operating with counter-engagement surfaces of an adjacently positioned floor covering element, the engagement surfaces of a considered covering element side in its entirety forming both a two-directional horizontal structure and a two-dimensional vertical structure with the adjacently positioned floor covering element; and (c) the engagement surfaces only occupy part of a considered covering element side, in their entirety, in the viewing direction at a right angle to the floor covering side.

Description

K 57 774/8

Flooring element made of artificial stone material

The invention relates to a floor covering element predominantly made of artificial stone material, having the following features:

(a) the floor covering element has a basic shape with several corners and several covering element sides;

(b) at least in the case of a partial number of the covering element sides, there are engagement surfaces for interacting with counter-engagement surfaces of an adjacent placed floor covering element, the engagement surfaces of a considered covering element side in their entirety providing both a two-way horizontal connection and a two-way vertical connection with the adjacent placed floor covering element;

(c) and in the case of a facing element side, the engagement surfaces in their entirety, viewed in the viewing direction at right angles to the facing element side, only occupy part of the facing element side.

Floor covering elements made of artificial stone material, which perform both bidirectional horizontal composite and bidirectional vertical composite with an adjacent placed floor covering element, are known. In the case of these known floor covering elements, however, the engagement surfaces in their entirety or the engagement regions which represent the engagement surfaces occupy at least a large part of the covering element side under consideration. This leads to the fact that the covering element sides are difficult to produce and, overall, there is an uneasy covering element side profile which shows the dominant orientation towards the composite function. In this regard, the invention is intended to provide improvement. The covering element sides should be easier to manufacture and, although assigning a less dominant role to the composite function, should nevertheless lead to effective, good composite function. In order to enable the floor covering element in question to interact with an adjacent floor covering element, the adjacent floor covering element provides engagement surfaces which interact, at least in part, with the engagement surfaces of the floor covering element in question. One could also speak of complementary engagement surfaces in the sense that the interaction for the horizontal composite and vertical composite is possible. In most cases, the adjacent floor covering element will be a floor covering element which is essentially the same as the floor covering element under consideration, at least with regard to the engagement surfaces or the engagement regions (to be explained in more detail later). The overall position of the adjacent floor covering element can be the same as the considered floor covering element, but it does not have to be. In this connection, the following two cases can be kept in mind: the flooring element under consideration has a square basic shape, and. the adjacent flooring element is essentially the same and also has a square basic shape of essentially the same size; alternatively, the flooring element under consideration may have a rectangular basic shape, twice as long as it is wide; Two floor covering elements with a square basic shape are placed adjacent, the square side length corresponding to the transverse side length of the floor covering element considered first.

A considered covering element side of a considered floor covering element can, but does not have to come together exactly with a covering element side of an adjacent placed covering element. For the realization of the latter case, one should keep in mind square flooring elements that are offset by half a square side length.

If one first imagines the floor covering element without engagement surfaces or without engagement regions, then the covering element sides are generally flat surfaces (also called "straightened covering element sides" below). The surfaces of the covering elements become uneven due to the engagement surfaces or engagement regions. It is emphasized that, despite the use of the plural in the word "engagement surfaces", the lower limit case of the presence of only a single engagement surface on one side of the covering element should also be covered according to the invention. A typical example of this is the situation that instead of the four inclined surfaces on a truncated pyramid (that would be four engagement surfaces), rounding off on the inclined edges of the truncated pyramid is provided. Strictly speaking, this would form a single engagement surface, which, however, can still have a composite effect in several directions.

In order to be able to develop an engaging effect, engagement surfaces are not parallel to the straightened covering element side in question. The simplest case of an engagement surface for horizontal composite is a surface that runs vertically and at right angles to the straightened covering element side. Analogously, the simplest case of an engagement surface for vertical composite is a surface that runs horizontally and at right angles to the straightened covering element side. With the floor covering element according to the invention, it is usually the case that the engagement surfaces do not run at right angles to the associated, straightened covering element side.

In the expression used at the beginning "the engagement surfaces in their entirety, viewed in the viewing direction at right angles to the associated facing element side, only take up a part of the facing element side", the lower limit case is expressly also to be included, that the engagement surfaces in their entirety, viewed in the viewing direction at right angles to the covering element side, practically do not occupy any part of the covering element side in question, because they run at right angles to this covering element side.

The engagement surfaces are generally realized by providing at least one elevation above the level of a reference level and / or at least one depression below the level of a reference level on the covering element side in question, this reference plane running parallel to the straightened covering element side and the - measured at right angles to the straightened facing element - bond depth, which adjacent placement of another flooring element results, essentially halved. Below it will be even clearer that the survey

105 does not necessarily have to start from the level of the reference level and that the deepening does not necessarily have to start from the level of the reference level. On the one hand, there is the case that the depression is delimited all around by a wall that leads to the level of the reference plane (or even beyond). On the other hand, there is the possibility that the deepening

110 fung is not delimited all around by a wall, but in one or even in several directions, e.g. to the left and / or to the right and / or up and / or down, is open.

A group of elevations and depressions, which are arranged in close proximity and which overall offer engagement surfaces, is called an engagement region in connection with the invention. Instead of the definition given at the beginning that (c) "for a facing element side, the engagement surfaces in their entirety, viewed in the viewing direction perpendicular to the facing element side, only occupy part of the facing element side", the following 120 alternative definitions are given here:

(c) and in the case of a facing element side, the engagement area or the entirety of the engagement areas, as viewed at right angles to the facing element side, occupies only part of the facing element side.

125 There are embodiments of the invention in which this alternative definition results in the same percentage of the facing element side. However, the embodiments in which this alternative definition leads to a higher percentage than the definition given at the outset are more common, parts of the engagement areas that do not actually include engagement surfaces

130 senses.

Either the engagement surfaces in their entirety or the engagement region or the engagement regions in their entirety preferably occupy less than 50% of the covering element side in question. More preferably, the 135 engagement surfaces in their entirety occupy less than 30%, even more preferably less than 20%, of the covering element side in question. With the alternative By definition, the engagement area or the entirety of the engagement areas occupies more preferably less than 40%, still more preferably less than 30%, of the relevant covering element side. Detached from the listed,

140 preferred percentages, it is preferred if large parts of the horizontally measured length of the covering element side in question are free of engagement surfaces or engagement areas, particularly preferably more than 50% of the horizontal length, even more preferably more than 60% of the horizontal length, even more so preferably more than 70% of the horizontal length, yet

145 more preferably more than 80% of the horizontal length.

It is particularly preferred if all covering element sides (possibly with the exception of those covering element sides which have a subordinate length) are equipped with engagement surfaces or engagement regions.

150

The floor covering element according to the invention preferably has a plurality of covering element sides of equal length, more preferably all covering element sides being of equal length, and are in each case in the direction from the interior of the floor covering element to the relevant of the same length covering element sides

155 seen - under the same length of facing element sides, the engagement surfaces are essentially the same. Alternatively, this preferred training also applies to the areas of intervention. Particularly preferred geometries for the basic shape of the flooring element with the same, long sides of the covering element are square, regular octagon, regular hexagon, equilateral triangle. As

160 further preferred geometries, in which, however, not all the facing element sides are of equal length, are rectangle, which is longer than wide, and octagon with alternating longer and shorter sides. For geometries in which some covering element sides have a multiple of the length of another covering element side (e.g. rectangle, which is twice as long as it is wide)

165 it is preferably so that one first looks at the engagement surfaces or the engagement area or the entirety of the engagement areas on the shorter side and then states that this design recurs multiple times on the longer side. Preferably, the floor covering element is characterized in that, at least in part of the engagement surfaces, the depth, measured at right angles to the relevant covering element side, essentially corresponds to the composite depth, also measured at right angles to the relevant covering element side, which is the same when another floor covering is placed adjacent.

175 elements results. Such engagement surfaces can be generated, in particular, by the fact that an elevation considered goes directly beyond the level of the reference level into a depression below the level of the reference level. The borderline case is possible that the recess has a wall only on the side where this wall is a continuation of the one there

180 is the engagement surface of the survey, but is open to the other sides. An illustrative example of this will be given below.

Furthermore, the floor covering element is preferably characterized in that the depth, measured at right angles, at least in part of the engagement surfaces

185 corresponds to the covering element side in question, essentially half of the composite depth - likewise measured at right angles to the covering element side in question - which results when a further floor covering element is placed adjacent. Such engagement surfaces can be created by the elevation starting from the reference plane and the depression from the

190 reference plane starts, whereby the engagement surface provided by the elevation does not directly merge into the engagement surface provided by the recess wall.

In the case of both preferred designs described in the two preceding paragraphs, a preferred possibility is that the

195 dimension is met. As an alternative, however, it is also preferred that the specified rule regarding the dimension of the engagement surface is met only in part of the engagement surfaces. It is particularly preferred that, for a facing element side, a number of the engagement surfaces have a depth that essentially corresponds to the bond depth, and a remaining

200 lying part number of the engagement surfaces has a depth which essentially corresponds to half the bond depth. The flooring element is preferably characterized in that a reference plane can be specified for a covering element side under consideration, which runs 205 parallel to the straightened covering element side and substantially halves the composite depth, measured at right angles to the covering element side, which results when a further flooring element is placed adjacent; and that this reference plane

(a) either essentially coincides with the straightened covering element side,

(b) or essentially has a distance which corresponds to half the tooth depth from the straightened facing element side,

(c) or a distance which is greater than half the tooth depth from the straightened facing element side.

215

Cases (b) and (c) result in the engagement surfaces, as it were, in front of the straightened covering element side. Viewed in plan view, there can be free spaces between the adjacent flooring elements between the engagement areas.

220

It is emphasized that the reference level does not necessarily have to be the same if one considers the horizontal composite on the one hand and the vertical composite on the other. In many embodiments, however, the reference plane will be the same both when looking at the horizontal composite and when looking at the vertical composite.

The floor covering element is preferably characterized in that, when a covering element side is considered, a reference plane can be specified which runs parallel to the straightened covering element side and which - at right angles to it

230 of the straightened covering element side - bonded depth, which results when a further floor covering element is placed adjacent, essentially halved; and that at least to create the engagement surfaces. a survey above the level of the reference level and / or at least one deepening below

235 the level of the reference plane is provided down. These features are related to an alternative definition above Size of the engagement surfaces or the engagement areas have already been addressed. All statements made in connection with this preferably also apply at the current position.

240

Preferably, the floor covering element is characterized in that a covering element side under consideration has at least one engagement area for interacting with a counter-engagement area of an adjacent floor covering element, the engagement area being both bidirectional.

245 conventional horizontal composite as well as bi-directional vertical composite with the adjacent flooring element; and that the engagement area has at least two elevations beyond the level of the reference plane. Two engagement areas are particularly preferred. It is particularly preferred if an area of intervention under consideration is precise

250 has two surveys.

The elevations are preferably offset from one another in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction.

255 Preferably, at least one of the elevations goes through to the lower flat side or is extended upwards or goes up to the upper flat side of the floor covering element. A corresponding recess in the case of an adjacent floor covering element will have no wall at the "walk-through point" or be extended so that this part of the elevation also has space

260 finds.

The floor covering element is preferably characterized in that the engagement region has at least two depressions below the level of the reference plane, the depressions each having at least on two sides 265 walls which lead to the level of the reference plane.

The floor covering element is preferably characterized in that at least at one point an elevation and a depression merge directly into one another, so that there is an engagement surface with a depth (measured perpendicular to the straightened covering element side) which essentially Chen the bond depth (also measured perpendicular to the facing element side). As an alternative to this, at least one point can be provided at which an elevation or a depression has a depth which essentially corresponds to half the bond depth. In the previous paragraphs is about

275 surveys and in-depths have been spoken. It is emphasized that these features alternatively characterize a floor covering element, which does not meet the condition "on a considered covering element side, the engagement surfaces in their entirety or the engagement region or the entirety of the engagement regions, viewed in the direction of view perpendicular to the covering element

280 side, only a part of the covering element side is "fulfilled. In other ^" words: the features mentioned in the preceding paragraphs define an alternative floor covering element according to the invention, which is free from the above-mentioned restriction on the size of the engagement surfaces or the engagement areas in relation to the entire covering element side is.

285

Preferably, in the case of the floor covering element, at least one elevation and / or one depression has a channel which runs from top to bottom and which, in the case of the depression, is provided in the wall of the depression. Such a trough is preferably provided at least in the elevation or depression that comes first when one proceeds downwards in the vertical direction from the upper surface of the flooring element. This groove allows joint filling sand to reach the engagement surfaces or engagement areas more easily from above.

295 A left part of the engagement area and a right part of the engagement area can preferably be converted into one another essentially by mirroring on an axis. An upper part of the engagement region and a lower part of the engagement region can preferably be converted into one another essentially by mirroring on an axis. In both cases, the reflection is not

300 must lead to complete coverage of the left part and the right part or of the upper part and the lower part. In the second case in particular, for example, one of the two parts can be longer in the vertical direction than the other of the two parts. 305 The floor covering element is preferably characterized in that - in a modification of what has been mentioned so far, particularly the one mentioned in the first paragraph of the description - a part number of the elevations is cut away on at least one side of the covering element and / or a part number of the depressions each in at least one direction

310 is open in such a way that the floor covering element can be removed upwards from a group of floor covering elements placed thereon, or an adjacent floor covering element can be removed upwards from a composite floor covering elements. With this modified flooring element, the condition that it is placed with an adjacent one no longer applies

315 'floor covering element has both bidirectional horizontal composite and bidirectional vertical composite.

A particularly preferred basic shape of the flooring element, such as the rectangle, either longer than wide or square. The elevations and / or the depressions are very particularly preferably truncated pyramids, spherical segment-like or prism-like.

The floor covering element is preferably characterized in that either the reference plane is such a large distance from the straightened one

325 has covering element side or material omissions are provided, so that powerful water passage openings are present in an area occupied by adjacent floor covering elements. In this way, water can be drained down through the flooring element covering without having to be used for surface removal, in particular

330 a sewage system would have to take care of. The material omissions can be provided in particular in the edge region of the floor covering element or also in the inner region of the floor covering element, leading from the upper surface to the lower surface.

335 Another object of the invention is a floor covering element of the second type, characterized in that it has a shape which, when integrally combined, results in several floor covering elements which are designed according to the previous description. A typical, but also preferred example is the integral union of several flooring elements with a square basic shape, be it two or more squares in a straight row, be it a number of squares in several parallel rows, or be it in the form of a single or multiple angled row Line. The floor covering element of the second type can have at least one dummy joint in its upper surface, which preferably runs according to a pair of floor covering element sides (possibly straightened side pair) which has been omitted.

It is emphasized that many of the statements made do not necessarily apply in the same way to horizontal composite on the one hand and vertical composite on the other. For example, the engagement surfaces for horizontal composite take up a larger part of the covering element side in question than the engagement surfaces for vertical composite. However, embodiments are particularly preferred in which the statements made apply either in the same or analogous manner both for horizontal composite and for vertical composite or apply to the sum of the features responsible for horizontal composite and the features responsible for vertical composite or to essentially the mean value between the for horizontal composite features and the vertical composite features apply.

The flooring element according to the invention is preferably made of concrete. However, other artificial stone materials are also possible, in particular brick-like materials or materials which contain other hardening substances; polymer concrete is particularly mentioned.

The floor covering element according to the invention is preferably intended for laying "outdoors". Courts, squares, pedestrian zones, driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, industrial areas, commercial areas, container spaces are mentioned as preferred locations.

It is emphasized that the configurations of an engagement region or of engagement surfaces disclosed in the present application are not restricted to being realized on a covering element side of a floor covering element. to become light. Rather, these engagement areas or engagement surfaces can also be implemented in other components, examples being used here as examples.

375 only facade panels and wall components should be called. It is possible to form the engagement area or the engagement surfaces on a composite effect element, which in turn on another component, e.g. Facade plate, attached or combined with this. The composite effect element with the engagement area or the engagement surfaces

380 can be made of a different material than the other component, in particular polymer concrete, metal or plastic.

The preceding paragraph defines another invention that is detached from the substrate "floor covering element" and the covering element side.

385

The invention and preferred developments of the invention are explained in more detail below with the aid of drawings of some exemplary embodiments. It shows:

390

Figure 1 is a flooring element in a perspective view.

2 shows a floor covering element of another embodiment in a perspective representation;

395

3 shows a floor covering element of another embodiment in a perspective representation;

4 shows a floor covering element of another embodiment in a perspective 400 representation;

5 shows a detail of a floor covering element in a perspective representation;

405 FIG. 6 shows a detail of another floor covering element in a perspective representation;

7 shows a detail of another floor covering element in a perspective representation;

410

8 shows a floor covering element of another embodiment in a perspective representation;

9 shows a floor covering element of another embodiment in a perspective 415 representation;

10 is a perspective view of a floor covering element of another embodiment;

420 Fig. 1 1 a composite effect element in a perspective view; Fig. 12 is a composite effect element of another embodiment in a perspective view.

425 Instead of "floor covering element", we will speak of "covering element" for the sake of brevity. In all embodiments, the covering element is made of concrete; other materials are possible, as stated above.

1 shows a plate-like covering element 2 with a square basic shape 430. Seen from the inside of the covering element 2 (see arrows i), all four sides 4 of the covering element 2, including the engagement areas and engagement surfaces to be described below, are at least substantially identical to one another. Each of the straightened sides 4 is a flat, rectangular surface which extends at right angles to the upper surface 6 and the 435 not directly visible lower surface 7 of the covering element 2. If the covering element 2 is laid on a horizontal bedding, the upper surface 6 is horizontal and the straightened side surfaces 4 are vertical.

The engagement areas or engagement surfaces are now described in more detail using the example of page 4 to be pointed towards the viewer in FIG. 1 440. This also describes the engagement areas and engagement surfaces on the other three sides 4.

The side 4, as seen by the arrow i, has a left engagement area 81 and a right engagement area 8r. The engagement areas 81 and 8r are identical to one another, so that it is sufficient to describe the left engagement area 81 now:

The engagement area 81 consists of a left-upper elevation 10 I / o, a 450 right-lower elevation 10 r / u, a right-upper depression 12 r / o and a left-lower depression 12 l / u, which are in close mutual relation Neighborhood or intertwined are arranged. The two elevations 10 have the same shape and are each like a truncated pyramid. The two depressions 12 are also identical to one another and are each truncated pyramids. 455 like a head. The reference plane of the engagement area 81 coincides with the straightened side surface 4. Each of the elevations 10 - measured at right angles to the straightened side surface 4 and relative to the reference plane - has a depth t which corresponds to the depth of the depressions 12, measured the same way. The so-called bond depth - measured essentially from the bottom of a depression 12 to

460 free end level of a survey 10, is 2t.

The interleaving of the two elevations 10 and the two depressions 12 shows a first large engagement surface 14 for vertical toothing (between the upper left - when looking in the direction of arrow i - left

465 elevation 10 I / o ^' and lower left depression _, - 12 l / u) as well as a second large engagement surface 16 for vertical connection (between the right upper depression 12 r / o and right lower elevation 10 r / u). The first large engagement surface 14 consists of a pyramid inclined surface of the elevation 10 and a pyramid inclined surface of the recess 12, the

470 pyramid bevels merge directly into one another. Correspondingly, the second large engagement surface 16 consists of an inclined pyramid surface of the depression 12 there and an inclined pyramid surface of the elevation 10 there, these two inclined pyramid surfaces merging directly into one another. The first large engagement surface is outward-upward, the second

475 large engagement surface 16 extends outward - downward. Each of the large engagement surfaces 14, 16 has a depth 2t.

Analogously, a first large engagement surface 18 for horizontal composite and a second large engagement surface 20 for horizontal composite are formed, which also each have the depth 2t.

Each of the elevations 10 and each of the depressions 12 has two further pyramid inclined surfaces 22 with the depth t, which are not included in the engagement surfaces 14, 16, 18, 20.

485

Furthermore, a horizontal axis of symmetry 24 lying in the straightened side surface 4 and a vertical axis of symmetry 26 lying in the straightened side surface 4 are shown. If you look at the upper part of the reichs 81 on the horizontal axis of symmetry 24 (or rotates 180 ° around the 490 axis of symmetry 24), it coincides with the lower half of the engagement region 81. If one mirrors the left half of the engagement area 81 on the vertical axis of symmetry 26 (or rotates 180 ° about the axis of symmetry 26), it coincides with the right half of the engagement area 81.

495

It is easy to see that the same covering element 2 can be placed adjacent to the covering element 2 shown in FIG. 1, irrespective of which of the four sides 4 of the covering element 2 to be placed next to one another for contacting the side 4 just described in detail of the drawn

500 covering element 2 chooses. Each of the eight engagement areas 8 in total can engage with each of the described engagement areas 81 and 8r. Each elevation 10 of an adjacent placement element 2 comes into a recess 12 of the illustrated covering element 2, and each depression 12 of the adjacent placement element 2 takes an elevation 10 of the illustrated

505 th covering element 2. In this way, a bi-directional horizontal bond is created for each engagement area, brought about by the large engagement faces 18 and 20 of depth 2t and by four small engagement faces 22 of depth t, which intersect the straightened side face 4 in a vertical line, and a bidirectional vertical bond, accomplished by

510 the large engagement surfaces 14 and 16 of depth 2t and four small engagement surfaces 22 of depth t which intersect the straightened side surface 4 in a horizontal line.

Since the adjacent covering element 2 is not so close to the covering element 2 drawn 515 that the side surface 4 lies against the side surface 4 and the end surface 43 of the elevation 10 lies against the bottom surface 44 of the recess 12 and the engagement surface against the engagement surface, but so much distance between the two Covering element 2 remains that sand can be introduced into the joint between the two covering elements 2 (in practice 520 the joint width is about 3 to 5 mm), the real depth of the bond is somewhat smaller than the geometrically drawn 2t. The statements on depth t and bond depth 2t therefore apply "essentially". In this context also mentioned that in reality the boundary surfaces of the truncated pyramids of the elevations 10 and of the depressions 12 are slightly modified 525 because there must be some distance between the engagement surfaces of the one covering element 2 and the engagement surfaces of the other covering element 2. In practice, the recesses 12 are made slightly wider horizontally and vertically and / or the elevations horizontally and vertically are somewhat smaller than the purely geometric drawing of FIG. 1 corresponds.

530

In the covering element 2 shown in FIG. 1, two engagement areas 8 are present on each covering element side 4. It is emphasized that other numbers of engagement areas 8 per covering element side 4 are possible. A single engagement area 8 per covering element side 4 is possible, in this case in the middle

535 the length of the lining element side 4 arranged. One can also provide three or four or even more engagement surfaces 8 per facing element side 4, but preferably in such a way that - viewed in each case with viewing direction i - the engagement regions 8 under the facing element sides 4 are the same, and / or preferably in such a way that - in viewing direction i considered - the engagement areas 8

540 are distributed symmetrically to the bisecting plane of the relevant covering element side 4 on the relevant covering element side 4.

It is preferred if the two engagement areas 8 of a covering element side 4 in question are each arranged in the middle of the relevant half of the covering element side 4 in question, insofar as this differs from the drawing in FIG. 1. In the preferred arrangement mentioned, one can use one Place another covering element 2 next to each other with an offset of half the length of the covering element. This preferred arrangement is preferred in all the illustrated embodiments.

550

It should also be mentioned that each engagement area 8 can have more than one elevation 10 and / or more than one depression 12 one above the other, and more than one elevation 10 and / or one depression 12 horizontally next to one another. However, the number of two elevations 10 and two depressions 12 is preferred 555. 1 that - when one considers the horizontal length of a covering element side 4 - the two engagement areas 8 take up about 40% of this horizontal length. At the vertical height, the engagement areas 8 560 take up almost the entire height of the covering element side 4. If one looks at the “projection” of the engagement surfaces 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, as seen at right angles to the straightened side surface 4, this percentage is smaller than the stated percentage of the engagement regions 8 on the straightened side surface 4.

565

The covering element 2 shown in FIG. 2 differs from the covering element according to FIG. 1 in that in each engagement area 8 the lower elevation 10 r / u goes down to the lower surface 7 of the covering element 2. These elevations 10 r / u are therefore no longer truncated pyramids,

570 but one could better speak of a prism-like shape, the prism being cut off obliquely at the top by the engagement surface 16. This design of the lower elevations 10 r / u simplifies the production of the sides 4 of the covering element 2 very considerably, because the production mold pull-out slide only needs 12 l / u for all lower recesses. you

575 also sees that all of the lower depressions 12 l / u are also extended to the lower surface 7 of the covering element 2, if only to provide space for the lower elevations 10 r / u of an adjacent covering element 2.

The upper elevations 10 I / o are extended upwards, analogously the upper 580 depressions 12 r / o. This also simplifies production. In the upper elevations 10 I / o, the extension can, but does not have to, extend to the upper surface 6 of the covering element 2. In the embodiment shown, the upper elevations 10 I / o end somewhat below the geometric upper surface 6.

585 Due to the vertical extension of the elevations 10 and depressions 12, a total of four engagement surfaces 22 of depth t are lost for the vertical assembly, but the design can be easily accomplished so that the vertical assembly is ensured by the engagement surfaces 14 and 16. FIG. 2 also shows that the horizontal axis of symmetry 24 may lie halfway up the engagement area 8, but need not. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the axis of symmetry 24 is somewhat lower than half the height of the engagement area 8. As a result, the upper elevation 10 I / o in the vertical direction is somewhat larger than the lower depression 12 l / u; the upper depression 12 r / o is somewhat larger in the vertical direction than the lower elevation 10 r / u. Such deviations are also intended to be encompassed by the wording "an upper part of the engagement area and a lower part of the engagement area can essentially be converted into one another by mirroring on an axis".

The covering element 2 shown in FIG. 3 differs from the covering element 3 according to FIG. 1 in that the reference plane 30 (which is drawn in sections and with a dash-dotted line and with partial hatching for clarification) by essentially half the bond depth t compared to the straightened one Side surface 4 to the outside, ie away from the interior of the covering element 2. The reference plane 30 is parallel to the straightened side surface 4.

Each engagement area 8 (the engagement area 81 is again viewed in the viewing direction i below) shows two elevations 10 I / o and 10 r / u. Each of the elevations 10 is frusto-pyramidal. When looking at FIG. 3 at first glance, one could say that the engagement area 81 has two elevations 10l / o and 10r / u and no depressions 12 at all, the elevations 10l / o and 10r / u analogously to the elevations 10I / o and 10r / u of the covering element 2 according to FIG. 1, but with an essentially double (horizontally measured) projection dimension and a larger base square. In the thinking system and language system of the present application, however, it is more correct to designate only that part of each survey 10 _> which projects beyond the reference plane 30 as survey 101/10 or 10r / u. The elevation viewed in this way is the same size as in the covering element according to FIG. 1. Because of the position of the reference plane 30 at a distance from the straightened side surface 4, the elevations 101/10 and 10r / u settle towards the interior of the covering element 2 down to the straightened side surface 4. With this mindset and designation It is also understood that the engagement area 81 has two depressions 121 / u 625 and 12r / o relative to the reference plane 30 (!). Each of the depressions 12 shows two walls, each formed by a half of a pyramid sloping surface closer to the straightened side surface 4, which represents the continuation of an elevation 10l / o and 10r / u towards the actual covering element 2. These two walls 32 are illustrated by hatching in FIG. 3. Towards the other two sides, ie in the case of the depression 12r / o in the upward direction and in the rightward direction when looking in the direction i and in the case of the depression 121 / u in the direction of the left and in the downward direction when looking in the direction i , the depressions 12 each have no walls; they are simply open upwards and to the right or downwards and to the left. ^■

635

It is not difficult to see that a further covering element can be placed adjacent to the illustrated covering element 2, the elevation 10l / o, i.e. the part of the truncated pyramid protruding beyond the reference plane 30, into the recess 12r / o of the region shown in FIG.

640 neten covering element 2 comes and the elevation 10r / u of the neighboring covering element comes into the recess 121 / u of the covering element 2 shown in FIG. 3. Then - with each of the two adjacent covering elements 2 and per engagement area 8 - there are two large engagement surfaces 18 and 20 for horizontal connection with the engagement depth 2t and two large engagement surfaces 14

645 and 16 for vertically aligned with the depth 2t, in this respect largely analogous to FIG. 1. Deviating from FIG. 1, the parts of the large engagement surfaces 14, 16, 18, 20 which are located between the reference plane 30 and the straightened side surface 4 are bigger now. In addition, there are no longer any small engagement surfaces 22 with depth t.

650

The fact that in the embodiment according to FIG. 3 the reference plane 30 is at a distance t from the straightened side surface 4 means that the adjacent covering elements 2 now have not only the usual backfill sand - joint spacing 655 between their adjacent straightened side surfaces 4 ben, but a significantly larger distance. The covering made of covering elements according to FIG. 3 is a so-called infiltration covering, in which rain water due to the comparatively wide joints between the covering elements 2 can run down by bedding the covering. You can even push the joint width so far that plants, especially grass, can grow there (so-called greening covering).

The broken lines also show the possibility that the covering element 2 can have material omissions 34 in comparison to the square basic shape. Two square material omissions 34 are drawn inside the covering element 2 and a narrow, rectangular material omission 34 at the edge of the covering element 2. In both cases, the material omissions 34, preferably with a constant cross section, pass from the upper surface 6 to the lower surface 7 of the covering element 2. It goes without saying that in the case of practically implemented covering elements 2, the material omissions 34 are preferably distributed uniformly over the entire covering element surface 6. It is emphasized that material omissions 34 can be present in all embodiments of the covering element 2 according to the invention, even if they are not shown in the remaining drawings. Another possibility would be to leave out material 34 by cutting away a corner of the square basic shape. In this case, however, one would usefully move the engagement areas 8 further away from the corners of the square basic shape.

At this point, it should be pointed out that if the reference plane 30 is positioned at a distance from the straightened side surface 4, this distance need not necessarily be t. For example, a smaller distance possible, which has the consequence that the depressions 12 again go a little below the level of the straightened side surface 4 into the interior of the covering element 2. The case that the distance of the reference plane 30 from the straightened side surface 4 is greater than t is also possible; Examples of this are shown in embodiments which are described below.

The covering element 2 shown in FIG. 4 differs from the covering element 2 according to FIG. 3 in that the lower elevations 10r / u extend downwards to the lower surface 7 of the covering element 2. These elevations 10r / u are therefore no longer truncated pyramids. Since between the Elevations 10r / u and the lower surface 7 of the covering element 2 is no longer "air", the production is simplified - insofar as analogous to the embodiment of FIG. 2. Fig. 4 also shows that this "extension" of elevation

695 Exercise 10 does not have to do 10Y / o for the upper elevations, although it would be possible. The non-elongation of the upper elevations 10l / o upwards means that the upper elevations 10l / o are less easily visible from above in the finished installation of a number of covering elements 2 after joint filling material has been introduced. A manufac

700 Ease of breathing would not be achievable at this point anyway.

FIG. 5 shows a part of a covering element 2, that is to say an engagement area 8 cut out of a side surface 4. As in FIG. 1, two elevations 10r / o and 101 / u and two depressions 705 12l / o and 12r / can be seen. u, whereby - viewed in the direction i - the upper elevation 10r / o is on the right instead of the left and the lower elevation 101 / u is on the left instead of the right; the reverse applies of course to the depressions 12. The elevations 10 and depressions 12 are, in a first rough view, truncated pyramid like in FIG. 1 and also intertwined with each other.

710

The difference from FIG. 1 is that there is now a vertical groove 36 in the elevations 10 and in the upper wall and the lower wall 32 of the depressions 12, respectively, preferably in the middle between the left and right ends of the elevation 715 10 or depression 12 in question. The grooves 36 each have a rectangular cross section, but could also have a different cross section, for example V-shaped cross-section. The channels 36 in the embodiment shown have a - measured horizontally - depth that goes to the bottom surface 44 of the depressions 12; however, this depth could also be a little larger or a little smaller.

720

Because FIG. 5 is a section of a covering element side, one can see in FIG. 5 only hint that the grooves 36 - as is preferred - go up to the upper surface 6 and down to the lower surface 7 of the covering element 2. As a result of the grooves 36, joint filling sand can better 725 get into the space between two engagement areas 8. FIG. 6 shows, in so far as analogous to FIG. 5, a section of a covering element 2, the engagement area 8 also shown having two elevations 10 r / o and 101 / u and two depressions 12l / o and 12r / u, but now without grooves 36 , 730.

In contrast to all previous embodiments, however, the four elevations / depressions 10/12 have been pulled away from one another, as it were, both in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction. This means that

735 standing strips 38 each emerged between an adjacent pair of elevation 10 / depression 12. There are no longer large engagement surfaces 14, 16, 18, 20, but only small engagement surfaces 22. Otherwise, however, the ability of an adjoining side element 2 to be applied and the composite effect to be as described in connection with previous embodiments 40. Extension of the elevations 10 and depressions 12 to the lower surface 7 and / or to the upper surface 6 of the covering element 2 is also possible here.

6, it can be described well that it is possible to "pull apart" the left and 745 right "half" and / or upper and lower "half" of a viewed engagement area 8 in the horizontal direction or in the vertical direction. In many embodiments, this is possible to a greater extent in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction because the vertical dimension of the covering element 2 sets a limit in the vertical direction. In the case of the stronger "pulling apart" in the horizontal direction, either the two "halves" can still be regarded as an associated engagement area 8, so that a whole series of statements made so far remain valid, for example mirror symmetry of the engagement area 8 to the vertical axis of symmetry 26 and statement "seen from the inside of the covering element 2, see viewing direction i, 755, all engagement areas 8 are the same". The "pulling apart" in the horizontal direction can go so far that, for example, four vertically extending pairs of elevation 10 and depression 12 are present, evenly distributed over the horizontal length of the covering element side 4. In two of these pairs, the elevation 10 is at the top and the depression 12 is at the bottom, and in the other two pairs 760 is the opposite. However, it remains preferred that each of the four covering element sides 4, viewed in the viewing direction, is the same overall, also with regard to the engagement areas.

FIG. 7 also shows - to the extent analogous to FIGS. 5 and 6 - an engagement area 8 765 as a section of a covering element 2. Again, there are two elevations 10 I / o and 10r / u and two depressions 12 r / o and 121 / u, but all four now have a rounded shape that could be described as spherical or bell-shaped. The lines drawn on the lateral surface of the respective elevation 10 or depression 12 merely serve to ^" illustrate 770 the shape mentioned and have no equivalent in the real product. The elevations 10 and the depressions 12 are spaced from one another, to the extent analogous to FIG. 6. With regard to the ability to put on an adjacent covering element 2 and with regard to the composite effect, what has been said so far applies analogously.

775

It is emphasized that the previously described truncated pyramid shape and the previously described spherical segment shape or bell shape of elevation 10 and depression 12 were preferred exemplary embodiments. Many other designs are possible. The possibility that the

Rounding 780 oblique edges of the truncated pyramid shape so that the engagement surfaces 22 and 22 in FIG. 14, 22 in FIG. 16, 22 in FIG. 18, 22 in FIG. Nevertheless, in such cases it will be useful to speak of engagement surfaces 14, 16, 18, 20, 22. If, however, the engagement surfaces are rounded as continuously as in the exemplary embodiment according to

785 Fig. 7, it will be better to speak of the fact that the elevation 10 or the depression 12 has only a single engagement surface. Apart from that, it is possible to extend the elevations 10 and the depressions 12 to the lower surface 7 and / or to the upper surface 6 of the covering element 2, in a manner analogous to that previously explained in connection with other exemplary embodiments. 90

The covering element 2 shown in FIG. 8 differs from the covering element shown in FIG. 1 in that each engagement area 8 as it were by the distance d from the inside of the covering element 2 to the outside, in the direction of the arrow i, the part of the straightened side surface 4 which immediately surrounds the engagement area 8 has been taken out and is now a rectangular frame 40 forms around the actual engagement area 8. 3, the reference plane 30 is spaced by the distance d in front of the straightened side surface 4. In the one shown in FIG. In the exemplary embodiment, the distance d is essentially equal to half the composite depth t (so that in the case of the depressions 12, the base 44 is in each case at the same level as the straightened side surface 4). With regard to the bond effect between adjacent covering elements 2, there are conditions as in the embodiment of FIG. 1. 805 On the other hand, there are distances in the installed bond between the straightened side surfaces 4 of adjacent covering elements 2, in this respect similar to that described in FIG. 3.

It is emphasized that the distance d can alternatively be made smaller than the 810 half bond depth t or also greater than half the bond depth t. An extension of the elevations 10 and the depressions 12 to the lower surface 7 and / or to the upper surface 6 of the covering element 2 is possible.

The lining element 2 shown in FIG. 9 is in a way a combination of the lining element 2 from FIG. 2 and the lining element 2 from FIG. 8. In comparison to the lining element 2 from FIG. 2, the engagement area 8 is in each case one piece moved far outwards from the inside of the covering element 2. In contrast to the embodiment in FIG. 8, only 820 vertical “strips” 42 are present from the advanced frame 40 around the actual engagement area 8; the elevations 10 and depressions 12 end downward and upward without a limiting frame 40. The elevations 10 r / u and depressions 12 l / u go down to the lower surface 7 of the covering element 2, at the top the engagement area 8 ends a small one Slightly below the upper surface 6 of the covering element 2. Also deviating from the embodiment of FIG. 8, the reference plane 30 is spaced a little further from the straightened side surface 4 than it would correspond to half the composite depth t, so that in each case the recesses 12 the Reason 44 sits a bit outside - in front of the straightened side surface 4. As in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the upper elevation 10 I / o and the upper depression 12 r / o are each somewhat longer in the vertical direction than the lower elevation 10 r / u or the lower depression 121 / u.

The covering element 2 shown in FIG. 10 is intended to illustrate that, in a further development of the invention, the covering element on at least one side of the covering element can either be modified in such a way that the modified covering element can be removed upwards from a group of placed covering elements, or can be modified in such a way that an adjacent, unaired covering element can be removed upwards from a group of placed covering elements. The modification can consist in that at least a partial number of the elevations 10 are omitted or cut away on the covering element side in question. The modification can alternatively or additionally consist in making at least a partial number of the depressions open at least in one direction.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is based on the covering element 2 from FIG. 9. On the covering element side 4 facing the viewer, the upper elevation 10l / o is omitted or cut away in both engagement areas 81 and 8r. If a covering element side 4 of an unchanged covering element 2 is now placed adjacent to this covering element side 4, the elevation 10r / u of the neighboring covering element 2 can run along the depression 121 of the covering element 2 shown in FIG. 10 which is open both upwards and downwards be introduced from above. The elevation 101 / o of the covering element to be placed adjacent can in any case be introduced from above in the covering element 2 shown in FIG. 10. As used from above, the adjacent covering element can also be removed upwards.

Instead of omitting or cutting off the upper elevation 10l / o on the facing element side 4 facing the viewer, one can leave this upper elevation 10l / o in each case and instead omit the lower elevation 10r / u or wegschnei- the. Then you can insert the modified covering element 2 from above for adjacent placement next to an unchanged covering element 2.

865 If, in connection with the embodiment according to FIG. 10, one spoke of omitting or cutting away an elevation 10, then this was not only referring to the level of the reference plane 30, but also so far towards the interior of the covering element 2 indicates that an elevation 10 coming there

8 0 π neighboring to be placed covering element 2 finds enough space for insertion from above.

Since the embodiment of FIG. 10 was produced by modifying the embodiment of FIG. 9, in which the recess 12r / o was already open at the top 8 5, nothing had to be changed on the recesses 12. However, if one changes an embodiment in which the recess 12r / o is not open at the top, this opening must also be carried out when the change is made.

880 In order that the mentioned removal of the modified covering element or the neighboring covering element of the modified covering element can be carried out as easily as possible in practice, it is preferred not to modify it only on one covering element side 4, but on two (opposite or adjoining corner) covering element sides 4 to make.

885 It is also possible to make the modification on three or on all four covering element sides 4.

In Fig. 11, a composite effect element 50 (you could also call it "alignment element") is drawn, which for fastening ^" to another

890 component is determined. As an example of another component, one may imagine a facade panel in which two such alignment elements 50 are attached to each of the four edge surfaces with a mutual spacing. Then you can easily align a new facade panel to one or two facade panels already attached to a building. The egg-

895 Any fastening of the facade panel is exempt from the alignment function. 895 The other component can in particular also be a floor covering element. Be artificial stone material with flat side surfaces, which, when combined with composite effect elements, becomes a flooring element with horizontal and vertical composite.

900 The composite effect element 50 shown in FIG. 11 has a shape like the engagement area 8 shown in FIG. 8, with a block-like base 52 of the composite effect element 50 being provided instead of the frame 40 and part of the interior of the covering element 2 , From the rear side of the composite effect element 50 facing away from the elevations 10 and depressions 12

905 two (or also fewer or more) fastening bolts 54, preferably made of metal, project to the rear. Alternatively, other fastening elements such as angles, pouring loops, etc. be provided.

The composite effect element, without the fastening bolts 54, can consist of a number of materials, in particular metal or plastic (deliberately rather hard or somewhat resilient); concrete or polymer concrete are also possible. If the composite effect element is made of metal, the fastening bolts 54 can be welded on. With all materials of the composite effect element 50, it is alternatively possible to cast the fastening bolts 915 54 into the rest of the composite effect element, or in a through hole, e.g. to fasten with a nut, or to fasten otherwise. The fastening bolts 54 do not necessarily have to be made of metal; Depending on the application, plastic can be an alternative, in particular one-piece production together with the rest of the composite effect element. There are numerous options for fastening the composite effect element to the other component, in particular screw-bolt-like fastening and pouring into the concrete from which the other component is made.

925 It goes without saying that the composite action element 50 is preferably intended to interact with an identical counter-composite action element on an adjacent component. All features mentioned in the present application in connection with floor covering elements, preliminary Draft features, measures, etc., if possible, are also preferred features, measures or the like for the composite effect element 50. This also applies to the illustrated and described exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of a composite effect element 50. It can be seen that the alignment element 50 has a shape 935 on its front corresponding to the engagement area 8 in the covering element 2 from FIG. 3. Here, too, there is again a cuboid base 52 behind the two elevations 10. Fastening bolts 54 are drawn in as in FIG. 11. All of the statements made in connection with FIG. 11 also apply accordingly to the embodiment of FIG. 12.

940

It is emphasized that the component to which the alignment element 50 is to be attached does not necessarily have to be a component from the construction industry. For example, to be a component from the furniture industry, mechanical engineering and more. The component is not material

945 restricted. The composite effect element 50 according to the invention does not necessarily have to have specific fastening elements such as the fastening bolts 54. You can also work with other types of attachment to the other component, e.g. Sticking. Alignment element 50 need not necessarily be attached to a side surface, e.g. on a

950 tere surface of a floor covering plate.

The possibility described in the last paragraphs, in particular to equip a flooring element made of artificial stone material by pouring or otherwise fastening it with one or more separately produced composite 955 elements 50, in particular also made of plastic, shows the main reason why in the application of "flooring element predominantly (one could alternatively also say "essentially") from artificial stone material ".

960 Then some very particularly preferred embodiments of floor covering elements according to the invention are listed in the form of combinations of features: A. Flooring element predominantly made of artificial stone material, having the following features:

(b) at least in the case of a partial number of the facing element sides, there is at least one engagement area with at least one engagement surface

970 for interaction with a counter-engagement surface of an adjacent placed floor covering element, the engagement surfaces of a considered cover element side in their entirety both bidirectional horizontal composite and bidirectional vertical composite with the adjacent placed floor

975 covering element;

(c) and the engagement area has an upper elevation and an upper depression next to each other and a lower depression and a lower elevation next to each other, such that an essentially identical counter-engagement area of an adjacent floor covering element

980 can interact with the area of engagement.

The elevations and the depressions can be provided in relation to the side surface of the floor covering element that is free of engagement areas; but they can also be provided in relation to a reference plane

985, which is spaced parallel to the side surface of the flooring element. The engagement area can be axisymmetric to a vertical axis, which lies in the side surface or the reference plane. A continuous engagement surface can be present at the transition between the elevation and the adjacent depression. The surveys and the

990 wells can be frusto-pyramidal.

B. Flooring element as specified under A., the lower depression, preferably the lower elevation and the lower depression, going through to the lower surface of the flooring element. In. The upper depression, preferably the upper elevation and the upper depression, can be provided analogously to a passage up to the upper surface of the floor covering element, the upper elevation not necessarily having to pass through 1000 to the upper surface of the floor covering element, but can end a bit below.

C. Flooring element predominantly made of artificial stone material, having the following features:

1005 (a) The flooring element has a basic shape with several corners and several covering element sides;

(b) at least at a part number of pages ^• covering element at least one engaging portion is' each notify one with at least one engagement surface for cooperation with a counter-engaging surface

1010 beard placed flooring elements available, the engagement surfaces of a facing flooring element side in their entirety perform both bi-directional horizontal connection and bi-directional vertical connection with the adjacent flooring element;

1015 (c) and the engagement area has an upper elevation relative to the side surface and, vertically and horizontally offset from the upper elevation, a lower elevation relative to the side surface, such that a substantially equal counter-engagement area of an adjoining transfer element also has the area of intervention together

1020 can work.

Here, too, there can be axis symmetry with a vertical axis lying in the reference plane.

1025 D. Floor covering element as specified under C., the lower elevation going through to the lower surface of the floor covering element and / or the upper elevation going through to the upper surface of the floor covering element. 1030 In the case of floor covering elements specified under A. to D., the engagement areas or the engagement surfaces of the engagement areas — as seen at right angles to the facing element side — do not necessarily have to occupy only a part of the facing element side. However, it is preferred if the engagement areas or the engagement surfaces in their entirety only a part

1035 of the facing element side, with preferred numerical limits given above in the application.

Claims

K 57 774/81040 PATENT REQUIREMENTS

1. Floor covering element predominantly made of artificial stone material, having the following features:

1050 (b) at least in the case of a partial number of the covering element sides, there are engagement surfaces for interacting with counter-engagement surfaces of an adjacent placed floor covering element, the engagement surfaces of a considered covering element side in their entirety both bi-directional horizontal composite and bi-directional

1055 as per vertical alignment with the adjacent floor covering element;

(c) and in the case of a facing element side, the engagement surfaces increase in their entirety when viewed in the viewing direction at right angles. the 1060 lining element side, only a part of the lining element side.

2. Floor covering element according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a plurality of covering element sides of equal length, preferably all covering element sides are of equal length, and that - viewed in the direction from the interior of the floor covering element to the relevant one of the same length covering element sides - among the same long covering element sides the engagement surfaces are essentially the same. 1070

3. Flooring element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least in part of the engagement surfaces, the depth, measured at right angles to the relevant covering element side, essentially corresponds to the - also measured at right angles to the relevant 1075 covering element side - composite depth, which is the same when adjacent another flooring element.

4. Floor covering element according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least in part of the engagement surfaces - 1080 chen, the depth, measured perpendicular to the relevant covering element side, corresponds essentially to half of the composite depth - also measured perpendicular to the relevant covering element side , which results when another .flooring element is placed adjacent.

1085

Has, characterized 5. A ground covering element according to claim 3 and 4 that, for a considered lining member side is a partial number of the engaging surfaces has a depth which substantially corresponds to the composite depth, and a remainder number of engaging surfaces egg 1090 ne depth, ^{'substantially} equal to the Corresponds to half the bond depth.

6. Flooring element according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a reference plane can be specified for a considered covering element side, which runs parallel to the straightened covering element side and the - measured at right angles to the covering element side - composite depth, which occurs when adjacent another flooring element results, essentially halved;

and that this reference plane

1100

(a) either essentially coincides with the straightened covering element side, (b) or essentially has a distance which corresponds to half the tooth depth from the straightened facing element side,

1110 7. Floor covering element according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a reference plane can be specified for a considered covering element side, which runs parallel to the straightened covering element side and which - measured at right angles to the straightened covering element side - composite depth ,. which are located at the neighboring

1115 of another floor covering element, essentially halved;

and that at least one elevation above the level of the reference level and / or at least one depression below the level of the reference level is provided to create the engagement surfaces.

1120

8. Floor covering element according to claim 1, characterized in that a considered covering element side has at least one engagement area for interacting with a counter-engagement area of an adjacent placed floor covering element, 1125 the engagement area performing both bidirectional horizontal bond and bidirectional vertical bond with the adjacent placed floor covering element;

and that the engagement area has at least two elevations beyond the level of the reference plane.

9. Flooring element according to claim 8, characterized in that the elevations are offset from one another in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction.

10. Floor covering element according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that at least one of the elevations passes through to the lower surface or is extended upwards or passes through to the 1140 upper surface of the floor covering element.

11. Floor covering element according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the engagement area has at least two depressions below the level of the reference plane, the depressions 1145 each having walls on at least two sides which lead to the level of the reference plane , ^•

12. Flooring element according to one of claims 7 to 1 1, characterized in that at least at one point an elevation 1150 and a recess merge directly into one another, so that a

Engaging surface with a depth that corresponds essentially to the bond depth.

13. Flooring element according to one of claims 7 to 12,

1155 characterized in that at least one elevation and / or at least one depression a channel running from top to bottom, the. is provided in the case of the recess in the wall of the recess.

14. Flooring element according to one of claims 8 to 13,

1160 characterized in that a left part of the engagement area and a right part of the engagement area can be converted into one another essentially by mirroring on an axis.

15. Floor covering element according to one of claims 8 to 14,

1165 characterized in that an upper part of the engagement area and a lower part of the engagement area can be converted into one another essentially by mirroring on an axis.

16. Floor covering element according to one of claims 7 to 15, characterized in that - in a modification of that mentioned in claims 1 to 15 - a part number of the elevations is cut away at least on at least one side of the covering element and / or a part number of the depressions in each case at least in one Direction is open

1175 in such a way that the floor covering element can be removed upwards from a set of floor covering elements or an adjacent floor covering element can be removed upwards from a set of floor covering elements.

1180 17. Floor covering element according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that it is rectangular, namely longer than wide or square.

18. Floor covering element according to one of claims 7 to 17,

1185 characterized in that the elevations and / or the depressions are truncated pyramid-like, spherical segment-like or prism-like.

19. Floor covering element according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that either the reference plane has such a large 1190 distance from the straightened covering element side or material omissions are provided so that powerful water through-openings are present in a surface occupied by adjacent floor covering elements ,

1195 20. Floor covering element of the second type, characterized in that it has a shape which results when an integral combination of a plurality of floor covering elements which are designed according to one of Claims 1 to 19. 1200

21. Floor covering element of the second type according to claim 20, characterized in that it has at least one dummy joint in its upper surface, which preferably runs according to a pair of floor covering elements — side pairs that have been eliminated by the union.

1205