DE102007049792A1 - connection - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a connection for floor panels, in which a vertical locking along by pivoting down connectable longitudinal or end edges via spring bolts takes place, each engage behind a locking projection on the other floor panel.

Description

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

Under the keyword "glueless connection" or "click connection" currently offered a variety of solutions, in particular for laminate floors with a HDF / MDF core or parquet floors with a core of OSB, or HDF, or softwood sticks (preferably spruce wood), or a mixture of the above Materials find application.

At one in the EP 1 061 201 B1 known solution adjacent peripheral edges of the floor elements or panels, ie the longitudinal edges and the front or transverse edges are executed with a tongue and groove connection. The lower, facing a bearing surface groove cheek of a panel is extended beyond a vertical parting plane between the panels out and has at its end a locking projection which dips into a corresponding recess on the underside of a spring of the other floor panel. In order to facilitate the laying of the panels, the connection is made in the engagement region of the extended groove cheek with the spring with a game, so that a displacement of the panels along the longitudinal edges is possible.

adversely in this known solution is that the lower groove cheek each must be made elastic to the locking engagement to be able to bring about. At unfavorable Conditions, such as material defects or excessive Loading the elastically deflectable lower groove cheek or swelling Due to humidity and the influence of temperature it can happen that cracks occur in the connection area of the lower groove cheek, so that this can no longer fulfill their locking function.

In the DE 19 962 830 C2 The Applicant is proposed to solve this problem, the horizontal locking over a separate locking tap perform, which is formed in addition to a conventional tongue and groove 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.

Especially in the solutions mentioned, the panels are preferably by pushing together in the horizontal direction connected to each other. Some customers, however, prefer to angle the panels to connect with each other, being to an already laid panel a panel to be laid in inclination along the Longitudinal edge is attached, so that for example the spring of to be laid panel dips into the groove of the laid panel. Subsequently, the panel to be laid from its oblique position folded down, with the groove completely in the spring dips and horizontal locking devices into each other intervene that the two panels so along the longitudinal edge locked in both the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction are. The problem with such a solution is that the Locking at the shorter end or transverse edges at the above-described Einschwenkvorgang is difficult to produce so that - depending on the constructive solution - along the front edges either no vertical locking takes place or but this can only be produced with considerable effort.

In the DE 201 12 474 U1 discloses a glueless connection, wherein the front side projections are formed on a spring tongue over which an elasticity in the horizontal direction is provided, so that the engagement of these projections is simplified into corresponding recesses of the other panel. In this solution, the vertically effective part of the locking projections is made relatively small, so that when laying a special attention must be paid to ensure that these locking projections are not damaged when swiveling down the panel to be laid on the front edge.

To improve the locking is in the DE 10 2005 002 297 proposed a compound in which the frontal locking is effected via an elastic spring tongue, which is used as a separate component in the front edge region of the panels. The spring stiffness of this spring element can be very easily and essentially adapted without regard to the material of the panels to the respective conditions of use. The disadvantage of such a solution is that the production is relatively expensive, since a separate component must be punched, bent and fixed to the panel.

Solutions, as mentioned in the above DE 201 12 474 U1 and the DE 10 2005 002 297 A1 are also referred to in professional circles as "push-button connection", as the latching down the pivoting of the panel to be laid in a locking recess of the already laid panel latching locking projection acts much like a push button.

In the EP 1 650 375 discloses a push-button connection, in which a bending spring is inserted into a groove of a panel and first dips into the groove when attaching the other panel and then due to the elastic recovery protrudes into a locking position in which it engages behind a locking projection form fit.

The EP 1 415 056 B1 discloses a push-button connection in which an elastically deflectable sheet metal spring element is inserted into a front edge of a floor panel. This spring element has a leg, which is first deformed when fitting to an already laid floor panel in an investment position and then springs back in the locking position due to its elastic restoring forces in the locking position to lock the two panels in the vertical direction.

adversely in these solutions is that as separate inserts executed elastically deformable locking elements have a relatively complex structure, the lock respectively takes place by elastic bending of the locking element, so that these are executed with considerable strength must be in order to ensure the vertical locking.

In contrast, The invention is based on the object, a simply constructed To create a connection for floor panels the low-cost reliable vertical locking allows is.

These Task is through a connection for floor panels solved with the features of claim 1.

According to the invention when connecting for floor panels at one Longitudinal or front edge of a floor panel to be laid At least one spring bolt provided, the pivoting down of the to be laid panel on an end face of a locking projection slips off the other panel and then by the force of the spring protrudes into its locking position.

such Spring bolts can be with minimal effort in mass production mount, as these only in pre-drilled holes - preferably by press fitting - be used.

Preferably are in addition to the at least one spring bolt more provided spaced spring pin, whereby an extremely firm locking of the panels can be made possible.

at a preferred embodiment of the invention the spring bolt with a locking head running, via a spring or other elastic element, For example, an elastomer, biased in the direction of its locking position is.

at an advantageous solution is the locking head of the Rounded bolt.

This Locking head with the spring biasing him, for example inserted into a sleeve, which in turn into a recess or bore of the panel is pressed.

Of the from the spring bolt engages behind the locking projection is preferred frontally two mutually employed inclined surfaces along which the spring bolt slides when swinging down.

The Horizontal locking between the two panels is done for example via mutual hook connections.

at a particularly compact solution is the spring bolt with its locking head below the hook connection on the locking projection at.

at a preferred embodiment of the invention along the front edge of three spring bolts spaced from each other.

In Another preferred embodiment is a Spring element associated with several spring bolts. This arrangement can be very inexpensive to produce, since only one spring element mounted becomes.

The Spring element is preferably arranged in a groove extending extends parallel to the front edge and consists of inexpensive Materials, such as hard foam or an elastic hot melt adhesive.

Of the Spring bolt is advantageously self-locking in through holes introduced, which is continuous from an end face portion extend to the groove. These through holes are inexpensive and easy to make.

The Length of a respective spring bolt projects beyond, for example the length of the respective associated through hole.

other advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of further Dependent claims.

in the Following are preferred embodiments of the invention explained in more detail with reference to schematic drawings. Show it:

1 a side view of an end edge of a rectangular floor panel according to a first embodiment;

2 a side view of the other end edge of the floor panel according to the first embodiment;

3 a section along the line AA in 2 ;

4 a section along the line BB in 1 ;

5 two along the in 3 . 4 shown end edges connected panels according to the first embodiment;

6 a bottom view of a floor panel according to a second embodiment; and

7 a section along the line CC in 6 ,

The compound according to the invention can generally be realized in floor panels, for example in laminate or parquet panels. Such panels usually have a rectangular cross-section with longer longitudinal edges and shorter end edges. At the longitudinal edges usually a lock connection is executed, as for example under www.Hamberger.de or in the WO 97/47834 A1 is described. Such lock connections can be connected along their longitudinal edges by angling a panel to be laid in an already laid panel. As described above, it is necessary by this angle, to provide at the shorter end edges locking elements that can be connected to each other by pivoting down the panel to be laid on an already laid panel. For this purpose, the push-button connections described above have hitherto been used.

1 shows a view on a front edge 2 a floor panel 1 along its two longitudinal edges 4 . 8th (perpendicular to the view in 1 ) is executed with a suitable connection, for example a lock connection. In the illustration according to 1 For the sake of simplicity, a groove / tongue connection is made on the longitudinal edges, wherein on one longitudinal edge 4 a groove 6 and on the other longitudinal edge 8th a feather 10 is arranged.

According to the in 3 shown section along the line AA in 1 is at the front edge 2 one to one top 12 of the panel 1 opening hook groove 14 trained, whose in 3 left wall opposite the surface 12 is milled off, leaving a locking horizontal surface 16 stop. The left adjacent to the front face is with an inclined surface 18 executed in an end face section 20 passes, on which a locking inclined surface 22 connects, so that through the surface sections 16 . 18 . 20 . 22 a in 3 to the left from the front edge 2 protruding locking projection 23 is trained.

In the 2 illustrated opposite end edge 24 has a corresponding structure. According to the in 4 illustrated section along the line BB in 2 , is at this front edge 24 a hook projection 26 formed, the down through a hook surface 28 and to the left (view after 4 ) through a longitudinal groove 30 is limited. The geometry of the longitudinal groove 30 and the hook projection 26 is to the appropriate dimensions, ie the horizontal width of the locking projection 23 and the width and depth of the hook groove 14 adapted so that they can be engaged in a known manner with each other (see 5 ).

In the 4 left wall of the longitudinal groove 30 is through an end face portion 32 formed in accordance with 2 three mutually spaced spring bolt 34 are used. This leads to each end face section 32 a blind hole 36 , into one of the spring bolts 34 is used. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring bolt 34 one in the blind hole 36 fixed guide sleeve 38 in which a locking head 40 is guided axially displaceable. This is by means of a spring 43 in an illustrated stop position on the sleeve 38 biased, with a rounded head 42 by a predetermined amount from the face portion 32 protrudes. In the illustrated embodiment, the head protrudes 42 about half the width B of the longitudinal groove 30 from the face portion 32 in front.

When laying a panel on an already laid panel 1 First, the longitudinal edges are aligned with each other and then the panel to be laid along the longitudinal edge in the already laid panel 1 angled in. In the process, the lowered front edge becomes 24 of the panel to be laid in locking engagement with a front edge 2 a laterally adjacent, already laid panel brought. During this down-angle of the panel 1 (left in 5 ) the head is running 42 of the spring bolt 34 first with its underside on the inclined surface 18 the locking projection 23 on and slides along this, with the locking head 40 against the force of the spring 43 in the guide sleeve 38 or the blind hole 36 is moved into it. The further lowering is the head 42 then the front side of the end face portion 20 the locking projection 23 and has thus reached its lowest position. Upon further pivoting down the hook protrusion emerges 26 perfect fit in the hook groove 14 one, in which case the head 42 of the locking head 40 by the force of the spring 43 against the lower locking inclined surface 22 is pressed. In the completely lowered position lies the head 42 in the transition region between the locking inclined surface 22 and the adjoining, vertically extending wall section 44 on (see 5 ). The angle of attack of the locking inclined surface 22 is comparatively acute to the horizontal in 5 chosen so that the two panels 1 can not be easily disengaged by swinging back. For this purpose, the two panels must either be solved by moving the front side or initially angled downwards. Since the frontal locking over three spaced spring bolts 34 takes place, a reliable vertical locking is ensured even with large temperature and humidity fluctuations and forming over-tooth due to a vertical displacement of adjacent panels 1 largely excluded.

The assembly of spring bolts 34 is extremely simple, as these as prefabricated components in holes of the front edges 24 the panels 1 can be used. The geometry of the assigned front edge 2 with the locking projection 23 is also very easy to produce by milling, so that this solution both in terms of manufacturing technology and in the applied locking forces and in the precision of the relative positioning of the two panels 1 is superior to the solutions described above.

In principle, it is also possible, the spring bolts 34 without a guide sleeve 38 directly in the blind hole 36 or any other receiving bore - only appropriate measures must be taken to secure the locking head against losing.

In 6 is a soffit on the panel 1 shown according to a second embodiment. Here are the spring bolts 34 along the front edge 24 are arranged, a common spring element 46 on. This is in a groove 48 placed in the bottom 50 of the panel 1 parallel to the front edge 24 is milled and consists of an elastic material, such as a thermoplastic, a hard foam or a hot melt adhesive. The length of the spring element 46 is less than or equal to the length of the groove 48 so that the spring element 46 completely inside the groove 48 is arranged so that a flush concern the longitudinal edges 4 . 8th the panels 1 is possible in the installed state.

7 sets the section along the line CC in 6 through the panel 1 It can be seen that the spring bolts 34 in a through hole 52 are plugged, which are perpendicular from the end face portion 32 to the groove 48 extends. The length of the spring bolts 34 is longer than the length of the through hole 52 ,

The groove 48 has a rectangular cross-section and has a depth x, which is slightly smaller than the depth y of the longitudinal groove 30 is. The width a is at both grooves 30 . 48 About the same, s. 6 , The distance b of the left groove wall 54 the groove 48 , in 7 , from the front edge 24 corresponds approximately to four times the distance c of the end face portion 32 to the front edge 24 , The spring element 46 has an approximately oval or circular cross section, the sections of the Nutinnenwandungen the groove 48 abuts and from the bottom 50 of the panel 1 is slightly spaced and thereby frictionally or positively, depending on the material in the groove 48 is fixed.

The spring bolts 34 in 7 are on the spring element-side end portion 56 with a flat side 58 flattened and lie with this on the spring element 46 in sections. The spring element 46 is in relation to the spring bolts 34 arranged so that the flat side 58 as large as possible on the spring element 46 is applied, so that the spring element 46 can develop their optimal spring action. The cross section of the through holes 52 corresponds essentially to the cross section of the spring bolt 34 , which makes them self-locking in the through holes 52 be kept and, for example, during the transport of a panel 1 can not fall out of this.

Laying the panel 1 According to the second embodiment is carried out according to the first embodiment, wherein the spring element 46 the function of the springs 43 , s. 5 , takes over. When laying and swiveling down the panels 1 become the spring bolts 34 , as described above, first away from the front edge 24 moved axially and thereby with the flat side 58 in the spring element 46 pressed, which is thereby elastically deformed. When reaching the final position of the panels 1 become the spring bolts 34 by the force of the elastically deformed spring element 46 again axially towards the front edge 24 pushed.

It is conceivable that the spring element 46 In order to save material, consists of several parts and these only in the range of spring bolts 34 in the groove 48 are introduced. Also, different cross-sectional shapes of the spring element 46 possible, such as rectangular shapes, to achieve optimum spring action.

Disclosed is a connection for floor panels, in which a vertical locking along by pivoting down connectable longitudinal or end edges via spring bolts, each ei NEN locking projection on the other floor panel engage behind.

1

paneling

2

front edge

4

longitudinal edge

6

groove

8th

longitudinal edge

10

feather

12

surface

14

hook groove

16

Locking horizontal surface

18

sloping surface

20

Face portion

22

Locking slanted surface

23

locking projection

24

front edge

26

hook projection

28

hook surface

30

longitudinal groove

32

Face portion

34

Plungers

36

Blind hole

38

guide sleeve

40

locking head

42

head

43

feather

44

wall section

46

spring element

48

groove

50

bottom

52

Through Hole

54

groove wall

56

end

58

flat side

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - EP 1061201 B1 [0003]
• - DE 19962830 C2 [0005]
• - DE 20112474 U1 [0007, 0009]
• - DE 102005002297 [0008]
• DE 102005002297 A1 [0009]
• - EP 1650375 [0010]
• - EP 1415056 B1 [0011]
• WO 97/47834 A1 [0038]

Cited non-patent literature

• - www.Hamberger.de [0038]

Claims (14)

Connection for floor panels along along longitudinal or front edges ( 2 . 24 ; 4 . 8th ) formed locking elements, via the two floor panels ( 1 ) are lockable in the horizontal and in the vertical direction, said locking along the relevant edge ( 2 . 24 ) by pivoting down a panel to be laid ( 1 ) around an adjacent edge ( 4 . 8th ), wherein for vertical locking a locking element ( 34 ) of one panel ( 1 ) a locking projection ( 23 ) engages behind the other panel, characterized in that at least one of the one panel ( 1 ) projecting spring bolt ( 34 ) is provided, which resiliently when pivoting down on an end face ( 18 . 20 . 22 . 44 ) and then protrudes into a locking position. A compound according to claim 1, wherein in addition to the at least one spring bolt ( 34 ) further spaced apart spring bolts ( 34 ) are provided. A compound according to claim 2, wherein the spring bolts ( 34 ) a locking head ( 40 ), which has a spring ( 43 ) or another elastic element is biased in its locking position. A compound according to claim 3, wherein the spring ( 43 ) and / or the locking head ( 40 ) in a guide sleeve ( 38 ) are used. Connection according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking projection ( 23 ) frontally with two mutually inclined surfaces ( 18 . 22 ) is executed. A compound according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a horizontal lock via a mutual hook connection ( 26 . 14 ; 30 . 23 ) he follows. A compound according to claim 6, wherein the engagement of the spring bolts ( 34 ) takes place below the horizontal lock. A compound according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein three spring bolts ( 34 ) are spaced apart and the locking projection ( 23 ) along the entire other end edge ( 2 ). Connection according to one of the claims 3 to 8, wherein the locking head is rounded. A compound according to claim 3 or 5 to 9, wherein a spring element ( 46 ) several spring bolts ( 34 ) assigned. A compound according to claim 10, wherein the spring element ( 46 ) in a groove ( 48 ) is arranged, which is parallel to the front edge ( 24 ). A compound according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the spring element ( 46 ) consists of a hard foam or a hot melt adhesive. A compound according to claims 11 to 12, wherein the spring bolts ( 34 ) in through holes ( 52 ) extending continuously from a face portion ( 32 ) up to the groove ( 48 ), are introduced self-locking. A compound according to claim 13, wherein the length of a respective spring bolt ( 34 ), the length of the respective associated through-bore ( 52 ) surmounted.