WO2009043339A1

WO2009043339A1 - Connection for floor panels

Info

Publication number: WO2009043339A1
Application number: PCT/DE2008/001607
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Hamberger; Peter Huber
Original assignee: Hamberger Industriewerke Gmbh
Priority date: 2007-10-05
Filing date: 2008-10-06
Publication date: 2009-04-09
Also published as: WO2009043336A1; EP2181228A1; EP2191083B1; DE102007062106A1; EP2191083A1; DE102007062106B4; DE102008013551A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection for floor panels comprising a stop region (78) along their longitudinal or transversal edges.

Description

description

Connection for floor panels

The invention relates to a connection for floor panels according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Under the slogan "Glue-free connection" or "Click connection", a large number of solutions are currently being offered which are used in particular for laminate floors made of HDF / MDF or parquet floors.

Such a "click connection" is disclosed in EP 1 024 234 B1, in which NuW spring connections for vertical fixing and additional locking elements for horizontal locking are provided along the longitudinal and end or transverse edges. In this known solution, a lower, facing a bearing surface of the floor groove cheek of a panel is extended beyond a vertical parting plane between the panels and carries at its end a locking projection which dips into a corresponding recess on the underside of a spring of the other floor panel. The horizontal locking is carried out without play in this solution, so that even with larger temperature fluctuations only relatively small gaps between the facing edges arise. This known solution can be brought into engagement by sliding the panels to be laid on one another or by tilting one panel into relation to the other panel.

A similar solution is shown in EP 0 098 162 B1, in which, however, the horizontal locking is carried out with a certain play, so that the panels can still be displaced along their adjacent edges when laid.

In EP 1 250 503 B1 a connection for floor panels is shown in which the two floor panels can be connected to each other only by an angle - a planar displacement of the panels for producing the locking engagement is not provided.

In the case of the solution mentioned at the outset, the floor panels can be interconnected along the longitudinal and transverse edges by the planar succession of slides. to be bound. For some customers, however, it is preferable to connect the panels with one another by means of an angle.

In some solutions, such as in the case of the solution disclosed in EP 1 250 503 B1, this connection is even possible only by angulation. In this case, a panel to be laid in an inclined position along the longitudinal edge is attached to an already laid panel so that, for example, the spring of the panel to be laid dips into the groove of the laid panel. Subsequently, the panel to be laid is pivoted downwardly from an oblique position, wherein the groove is completely immersed in the spring and the horizontal locking devices mesh with each other such that the two panels are locked along the longitudinal edge.

The problem with these solutions is that the lock on the shorter end or transverse edges in the above Einschwenkvorgang is difficult to produce, so that - depending on the constructive solution - along the front edges either no vertical locking or this can be produced only with considerable effort.

To improve the locking at the front or transverse edges so-called push button systems are proposed in which the connection along the shorter edges is made by pivoting down the panel. Such solutions are described, for example, in DE 201 12474 U1 or DE 102005 002 297.

From DE 19 962 830 C2, a connection is known in which the horizontal locking takes place via a separate locking pin, which is formed in addition to a conventional NuW spring connection. Even with a breakage of this locking pin, the relative arrangement of the panels in the vertical direction is ensured in this technically superior solution.

In those solutions in which the connection along the transverse edges by planar displacement takes place, the panel to be laid is brought by a punch block in locking engagement with the already laid panel. For this, the two panels must be aligned along their edges and then. be connected as evenly as possible with the help of the block and a hammer. This approach may not be a problem for professional publishers, however, since the described non-glued connections are also laid by less experienced people, it can in practice with improper handling happen that the floor panels along the transverse edges to be joined, so that accordingly the parting line between the two panels can be damaged.

In contrast, the invention has for its object to provide a connection for floor panels, in which the connection along the transverse edges is simplified by planar displacement.

This object is achieved by a connection for floor panels with the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, the floor panels to be joined along two edges have a tongue and groove connection which can be brought into locking engagement by planar displacement or angulation. In this connection, a transverse edge is extended at a region adjacent to the longitudinal edge region in the direction of the longitudinal edge to a stop area, so that the panel to be laid during installation rests only along this stop area on the adjacent transverse edge of the already laid panel and damage is prevented when pivoting down ,

This stop area is preferably designed on the spring-side transverse edge.

The stop area is preferably extended only by a few 1/10 millimeters in the longitudinal edge direction, wherein the width of this stop area (in the transverse edge direction) can be more than 0.5 cm, preferably about 1 cm (in a standard panel).

The stop area is designed so that it dips in connected transverse edges in the groove of the adjacent transverse edge without having contact with the groove bottom.

The groove sides of the panels are preferably designed with extended Nutunterwangen.

The attachment of the panels in the intermediate position can be done by a combined vertical and horizontal displacement, during which movement, the two panels are aligned substantially parallel to each other. According to the invention, it is preferred if the connection is made on the shorter transverse sides of the floor panels. At the longitudinal edges then one of the solutions described above can be used.

The invention can be realized particularly advantageously in floor panels with HDF / MDF core.

Other advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of further subclaims.

In the following preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to schematic drawings. Show it:

Figure 1 is a highly simplified plan view of a executed with a first embodiment of a compound according to the invention floor panel;

Figure 2 is a section along the line A-A through a transverse edge of the floor panel of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a corresponding section along the line B-B in Figure 1;

FIG. 4 shows the detail X in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 Laying steps for connecting two floor panels along their transverse edges;

Figure 6 shows another embodiment of a compound according to the invention, wherein two panels to be joined together are shown in sections along the line A-A and B-B according to Figure 1 and

Figure 7 shows the two panels of Figure 5 in the locked state.

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a floor panel 1 of a laminate or parquet floor. Such a floor panel 1 has a rectangular shape in plan view with two longitudinal edges 2, 4 and two shorter transverse edges 6, 8. For glueless connection of two floor panels along the longitudinal edge 2 is a spring 12 and along the longitudinal edge 4 a groove 10 with extended lower lip eleventh trained, as they are known for example from the prior art described above.

These NuW spring connections are made with horizontal locking systems, as known for example from the prior art described above 2008/001607

are. These locking systems can be engaged with each other either by planar displacement and / or by angulation.

At the two shorter transverse edges 6, 8 are also each a groove 14 and a spring 16 are executed. The profiling of the two transverse edges 6, 8 will be explained with reference to Figures 2 and 3, the sections along the lines A-A and B-B in Figure 1 show.

According to the section along the line A-A in Figure 2, the groove 14 is formed at the transverse edge 8, which in the illustrated embodiment, inwardly, d. h., slightly to the right in Figure 2 opens. For this purpose, an upper groove surface 17 is slightly adjusted to the horizontal. A lower groove surface is formed with an approximately horizontally extending groove surface 18 and a Nutschrägfläche 20 adjacent to the groove bottom. The two last-mentioned surfaces 18, 20 are provided on an elongated groove bottom cheek 22 which extends in the horizontal direction (to the left in FIG. 2) beyond a top cheek 24. The upper beam 24 is limited by an end edge 26 frontally.

On the Nutunterwange 22, a concave recess 28 is provided following the horizontal groove surface, which is to the left, d. h., Transitions to the free end portion of the lower beam 22 in a locking projection 30 which is designed with a comparatively short in this embodiment, locking surface 32 which is inclined to the horizontal. The locking projection 30 then drops along its rear face 34 towards a guide projection 36 that extends vertically beyond the locking projection 30. As is apparent from the dotted line in Figure 2, a vertical extension of the guide projection 36 bounding upper surface 38 is closer to the upper groove surface 16 than the horizontal groove surface 18. The top 38 goes over an obliquely downward sloping guide surface 40 in the back 34 of the locking projection 30 over. The locking projection 30 is arranged below the groove plane 18 containing the horizontal plane.

The transverse edge 6 of the floor panel 1 shown in Figure 3 is carried out according to the spring 16, whose end portion is designed to be conical in the illustration of FIG. This conification is effected by an upper spring inclined surface 42 and a slightly convex spring surface 44. In the transition region between the two surfaces 42, 44, the spring 16 is provided with a rounding 46. The spring inclined surface 42 goes into a horizontal slightly sloping downwards Spring top 48 via which extends approximately to a spring-side end edge 50. In the transition region between the spring-side end edge 50 and the top edge 48 of a bevel chamfer 52 is milled.

The slightly convex executed spring surface 44 merges into a horizontally extending spring underside 54, to which a slightly inclined to the horizontal salaried surface 56 connects to the left, which extends at a horizontal distance to a bottom 58 of the floor panel 1. This surface 56 extends practically from the predetermined by the spring-side end face 50 parting line inwardly up to a locking recess 60. This opens following the surface 56 with an inclined contact surface 62, which extends into an approximately parallel to the bottom 58 recess surface 64 passes. The left end portion of the locking recess 60 is formed by a vertical surface 66, which merges via a transition radius 68 in the recess surface 64.

As can also be seen in FIG. 3, the recess surface 64 extends approximately in the horizontal plane, in which the tip of the spring 16 formed by the rounding 46 runs.

When laying the prescribed panels 1, 1 ', it may happen - especially in untrained publishers - that the already laid panels are not carefully aligned with one another in the longitudinal direction. That is, in particular for larger areas, the panels 1, 1 'seen in the longitudinal direction may be slightly arcuate, so that it can come in the transverse edge region at the angle of an open panel in the direction of the already laid panel to damage, since the transverse edges 6, 8 do not run parallel, but form an acute angle to each other. In the case where the improperly installed panels 1, 1 'form a concave arch towards the publisher, the distance between the transverse edges 6, 8 decreases towards the publisher, so that the transverse edge portions facing it collide when bent and thus the Good edge is damaged.

In order to prevent such a collision due to an angular offset between the transverse edges 6, 8 of the panels 1, 1 'to be laid, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the spring 16 is attached to the transverse edge 6 of the panel 1 to be laid in the longitudinal edge 2 extended region to a stop region 78, said extension L is only a few 1/10 millimeters, for example less than 0.5 cm. The width B of this extended Investment area 78 is in the illustrated embodiment about 1 cm. By this stop area 78, the front, towards the publisher directed areas of the transverse edges 6, 8 of the panels to be laid 1, 1 'held each other before striking at a distance L, so that damage to the laid panel Y when pivoting down the panel 1 in the intermediate position is avoided. This ensures that the publisher can not apply the panel 1 to be laid along the entire transverse edge 6 to the already laid panel 1 '.

The function of the tongue and groove joint shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4 will be explained with reference to a laying operation. It is assumed that already some floor panels are laid and now another floor panel 1 should be attached to the already laid floor panels. For this purpose, the floor panel 1 to be laid is connected along its longitudinal edge-for example, the longitudinal edge 12 -with the already installed panel V, which can be done by planar displacement or by angulation. For connecting the two adjacent transverse edges, the floor panel 1 to be laid is aligned with its transverse edge 6 with respect to the corresponding transverse edge 8 of the already laid floor panel V such that the spring 16 just below the side edge 26 and in the vertical direction above the extended lower cheek 22nd the already laid floor panel 1 ¹ extends and rests only with the end face of the stop portion 78 on the end edge 26 of the Nutoberwange 24.

Following this, the transverse edge 6 of the floor panel 1 to be laid is lowered in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5a down to the extended groove cheek 22 of the laid floor panel 1 'until the surface 56 on the transverse edge 6 comes to rest on the locking projection 30 of the lower wall 22. In this position, the rear abutment surface 62 of the locking recess 60 abuts the guide surface 40 of the guide projection 36. In order to make this possible, the length L of the Nutunterwange (measured from the predetermined by the end edge 26 parting plane to the beginning of the guide surface 40 (see Figure 5b)) is slightly greater than or equal to the length I of the spring 16, measured from the rounding 46 to the beginning of the contact surface 62, executed so that the spring 16 comes to lie with its underside on the extended lower cheek 22, wherein the relative position in the horizontal direction to the left (view of Figure 5a) by the system of surfaces 62, 40 is predetermined , The guide projection 36 provided at a distance from the locking projection 30 thus ensures exact pre-adjustment of the two floor panels 1, Y along their transverse edges 6, 8, a gap S (see FIG. 5 b) between them in this intermediate position adjacent end edges 26, 50 remains. The spring 16 dives with the abutment portion 78 in sections in the groove 14 a.

Subsequently, a notch block is attached to the transverse edge 8 of the floor panel 1 to be laid and not shown in Figure 5 and the floor panel 1 by means of a hammer in the horizontal direction (arrow in Figure 5b) moved so that the spring 16 is immersed in the groove 14 and the Appendix between the two approximately parallel surfaces 62, 40 is repealed. During this wrapping process, the gap S closes until the two end edges 26, 50 of the two panels 1, 1 'abut each other and the spring 16 is completely immersed in the groove 14, in which case the rounding 46 and the end face of the stop portion 78 still at a distance from the groove bottom 70 extends. In this case, the spring 16 lies along the surfaces 48 and 54 on the groove surfaces 16 and 18 and the inclined locking surface 32 engages behind the contact surface 62 of the locking recess 60 so that the transverse edges 6, 8 are locked in horizontal and vertical directions. In this locking position of the guide projection 36 is completely received in the locking recess 62, wherein the guide surface 40 is formed in a gap S corresponding distance to the contact surface 62. The upper side 38 of the guide projection 36 extends at a distance from the recess surface 64.

5c, the lower sides 58 and the upper sides 72 of the floor panels 1, 1 'are exactly flush with one another, wherein a sharpening or damage due to the pre-adjustment of the two floor panels 1, 1' reliably prevented via the guide projection 36 and over the stop area 78 can be. This laying aid also allows less experienced to carry out faultless floor laying in professional quality.

A further exemplary embodiment of the invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the basic structure of which largely corresponds to the above-described exemplary embodiment, so that only the differences are explained here. Also in this embodiment, a stopper portion 78 is formed on the executed with a spring 16 transverse edge 6, which in turn is formed as a projection on the spring 16. On the spring underside 54 of the spring 16, a groove 74 is formed, which covers the locking projection 30 of the already laid panel 1 'when lowering the panel to be laid 1 in the intermediate position. In FIG. 6, the panel 1 to be laid is shown in a position shortly before reaching the above-described intermediate position. In another swing down of the panel 1 to the panel 1 ', then the locking projection 30 immersed in the space created by the groove 74, so that the panel 1 can be further pivoted down to the underside with respect to the solution described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Due to the resulting flatter edition is to be laid, longitudinally already inflected panel 1 then much more plump on the subsoil, as it is the case in the solution described above, so that can be dispensed with a longitudinally patched laying aid. In the solutions described above, however, it may be necessary, in the region of the transverse edges a short laying aid longitudinally on the panels 1, 1 'set up so that they are fixed in position relative to each other. Also in this embodiment, damage to the spring 16 or the upper groove cheek 26 is prevented when tilting the panel 1 to the already laid panel 1 'on the stop area 78, since a possible angular offset between the transverse edges 6, 8 is compensated.

Another advantage is that the spring 16 of the panel 1 to be laid in the vertical direction is much better aligned with respect to the groove 14 of the already laid panel 1 ', so that the front-milled spring inclined surface 42 only when moving from the intermediate position to the locking position supports and not - as in the embodiment described above - serves as a guide element.

In the locked state of the two panels 1, 1 'shown in Figure 7, the groove 74 is then in the area defined by the recess 28, in which case an enlarged chamber 76 is created in which any impurities or the like can accumulate without the pull-out forces are reduced.

A further advantage of the connection according to the invention becomes clear on the basis of the illustration according to FIG. By the formation of the guide projection 36 on the lower groove cheek 22 and adjoining the guide projection 36, upwardly (view of Figure 7) by the guide surface 40 and the back 34 of the locking projection 30 limited transition region to the apex of the locking projection 30, the Shear strength significantly increased because this part of the lower lip 22 supports the locking projection 30 practically in the horizontal direction. In conventional solutions, the extended lower beam 22 terminates subsequent to the locking projection 30, so that, for example, in a shrinkage of the panel during the heating period due to Then, in particular in the longitudinal direction of the panel 1 occurring forces could cause a shearing of the locking projection 30 and thus to a gap formation in the longitudinal edge region. Due to the support of the locking projection 30 on the guide projection 36 and the abutting portions of the extended lower beam 22, the locking projection 30 can accommodate much higher shrinkage forces, so that a gap formation is effectively prevented.

This support is improved in the variant according to the invention in particular by the fact that the lowest point of the transition region, i. the transition region between the guide surface 40 and the back 34 of the locking projection 30 is located in a plane G, which is in the view of Figure 7 above a plane H in which the locking surface 32 of the locking projection 30 ends or - in other words - the recess 28 begins on the lower beam 22.

In the embodiments described above, the transverse edges 8 are each designed with a guide projection 36. In principle, such guide projections and the variants otherwise disclosed can also be provided on the longitudinal edges 11. The above-described stop area 78 can in principle be provided for all tongue and groove joints with and without horizontal latches and for all panel materials (laminate, parquet, etc.).

Disclosed is a connection for floor panels which have a stop area along their longitudinal or transverse edges.

LIST OF REFERENCES:

floor panel

longitudinal edge

transverse edge

groove

feather

groove

Spring upper groove surface horizontal groove surface

Slanted surface lengthened lower cheek

upper beam

Forehead edge

recess

locking projection

Verrieglungsfläche

back

guide projection

top

guide surface

Spring oblique surface

tongue surface

rounding

Spring top Spring-side end edge

sloping bevel

Spring-side

area

bottom

locking recess

contact surface

recess surface

vertical space Transition radius

groove base

top

fillet

room

stop area

Claims

claims

1. Connection for floor panels, the longitudinal and transverse edges (2, 4, 6, 8), wherein in each case along two edges to be joined together (2, 4, 6, 8) of two panels (1, 1 ') has a groove Spring connection (14, 16) for vertical fixing and a horizontal lock (32, 62) is formed, which can be brought into locking engagement by planar displacement or angulation of the floor panels (1, 1 ¹ ), characterized in that at least one edge (2, 4 , 6, 8) is extended in sections to a stop region (78) which can be brought into contact with an end face section (26) of an adjacent panel (1, 1 ').

2. A compound according to claim 1, wherein the abutment portion (78) is formed on the provided with a spring (12) transverse edge (6) in an adjacent to the longitudinal edge (4) region.

3. A compound according to claim 2, wherein the abutment portion (78) relative to the other part of the transverse edge (6) is extended by less than 0.5 mm.

4. A compound according to claim 3, wherein the width (B) of the stop region (78) transversely to the longitudinal edge (2) is more than 0.5 cm, preferably about 1 cm.

5. A compound according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panels (1, 1 ') along the transverse edges (2, 4, 6, 8) can be brought by approximately planar displacement in engagement.

6. A compound according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a groove cheek (22) of the groove (14) on the other groove cheek (24) is extended out.

7. A compound according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panels (1, 1 ¹ ) along the longitudinal edges (2, 4) by planar displacement or Einwinkein and along the transverse edges (6, 8) can be brought by approximately planar displacement in engagement.

8. A compound according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the abutment portion in the connected panels (1, 1 ') in the groove (14) of the other panel (T) is immersed and at a distance from a groove bottom (26) ends.

9. A compound according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

Floor panels (1, 1 ¹ ) are made essentially of HDF / MDF.