EP1200690B2 - Method for placing and blocking panels - Google Patents

Abstract

The slabs (2,3) have profiled edges (4,5) which lock together. The first edge has a tongue (6) which projects into a groove (20) in the second profile. The top part of the first edge (9) projects further forward than the bottom part (8). The bottom part (21) of the second edge projects further forward than the top part (22). The bottom surface (7) of the tongue on the first edge is convex and matches a concave portion (23) in the groove. The top surface of the tongue is horizontal at the root, then slopes gently downwards. The bottom of the groove is of rectangular cross-section.

Description

The invention relates to a method for laying and locking of rectangular tabular panels, in particular floor panels having on opposite long narrow sides and on opposite short narrow sides extending over the length of the narrow sides holding profiles, of which the opposite holding profiles are formed substantially complementary to each other first panels of a first row are connected to each other at the short narrow sides, either by the complementary retaining profiles of a laid and a new panel in the longitudinal direction of the short narrow sides are pushed together or by the holding profile of a new panel first by tilting relative to the laid panel with the complementary retaining profile of the laid-down panel and subsequently by pivoting into the plane of the laid-down panel with this in both the direction perpendicular to the interlocked Narrow sides and is locked in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the laid panels, next a new panel is laid in the second row by the holding profile of its long narrow side first interlocked by tilting relative to the long narrow side of a panel of the first row with its holding profile and is subsequently pivoted in the plane of the laid panels.

In addition, the invention relates to a method of laying a new square panel in a second row of panels.

German Utility Model G 79 28 703 U1 discloses a method for laying and locking floor panels or panels with form-fitting retaining profiles. This holding profiles can be connected by a rotating joining movement. The disadvantage, however, must first be completely pre-assembled for laying a second row of panels, which is to be attached to a laid first row of panels. The utility model G 79 28 703 U1, the technical teaching can be seen that initially a first row of plates is laid horizontally and then started in the second row with a second plate, which is to be inserted in an oblique position in a groove formation of the first row of plates. The second plate must be held in this inclined position so that a third plate can be connected to the second plate. The same applies to the following plates, which must be connected in the second row to each other. Only when all the plates of the second row of plates have been preassembled in an inclined position, the complete second row of plates can be pivoted to the horizontal position, wherein it locks with the first row of plates. Unfavorable in the laying process required for this plate construction is that several people are needed to hold all the plates of a second plate row for pre-assembly in an oblique position and then lower the second plate row together in the laying plane.

A method for laying and locking of panels is the type mentioned in the beginning EP 0 855 482 A2 known. Here are panels that are to be laid in the second row, also added in an oblique position to the panels of a first row. Adjacent panels of the second row are first locked at a small lateral distance from each other with the panels of the first row. In this state, the panels of the second row are displaceable along the first row. By pushing together two panels of the second row holding profiles, which are provided on the short narrow sides of the panels, pressed into each other. Disadvantageously, the holding profiles are thereby greatly expanded and stretched. The retaining profiles experience already during assembly a pre-damage that affects the durability of the retaining profiles. For a multiple installation are suitable according to the teaching of EP 0 855 482 A2 designed and installed retaining profiles not. For example, retaining profiles formed from a HDF or MDF material are characterized by the high degree of deformation that the retaining profiles undergo in the laying method of the present invention EP 0 855 482 A2 subject, soft. Internal cracks and shifts in the fiber structure of the HDF or MDF material are responsible for this.

The invention is therefore based on the object to simplify the known method for laying and locking and to improve the durability of the fastening system.

According to the invention this object is achieved in that in the method of the type mentioned a new panel whose short narrow side with the short narrow side of the panel laid in the second row and its long narrow side with the long narrow side of a panel laid in the first row must be locked is first locked at its short narrow side with the panel of the second row and the new panel is then swung along the long narrow side of a panel laid in the first row from the plane of the laid panels upwards, the previously on the short narrow side with the new panel locked second row panel at this end together with the new panel is tilted up to an inclination with the inclination decreases towards the locked short narrow side of the panel, and wherein the long holding profile of the new panel in this inclined position with the complementary retaining profile of laid in the first row panels can be joined together and pivoted after joining the inclined new panel and the locked on a short narrow side in the second row with the new panel panel in the plane of the laid panels.

Also to be solved is a method of laying a new square panel in a second row of panels, in which the second panel to be laid has new retaining profiles which enable the new panel to be erected, both with panels of a first row also to be locked with an already laid panel of the second row, in particular for floor panels, wherein the new second row to be laid panel is locked both with a long side on a first row of panels as well as with a short side on a panel already laid in the second row, wherein the panels on opposite long narrow sides and on opposite short narrow sides over the length of the narrow sides extending holding profiles, of which the opposite holding profiles are formed substantially complementary to each other, and wherein the new to be installed in the second row Panel z is locked at one of its short sides with the already laid in the second row panel by the free end of the locked long narrow side of the laying plane swung by a pivot angle α upwards and already laid in the second row panel is twisted so that the Measurement of the pivot angle α decreases from the free end to the locked end, in this position, the new second row to be laid panel with a part of its short side and attached in an inclined position relative to the already laid in the second row panel at its free end is, now the new panel to be laid in the second row is pivoted to a pivot position until it is also positioned below the pivot angle α to the laying plane, the new second row to be laid panel moved from the pivot position and the holding profile of the new second row panels to be laid in the holding profiles of the panels of the first row is inserted, the short narrow side of the new panel to be laid in the second row is simultaneously pushed all the way to the short narrow side of the already laid in the second row panel and finally the already laid in the second row panel and the new panel to be laid in the second row together in the laying level can be swiveled and locked with the panels of the first row.

According to the new method, panels to be laid in the second row can be installed by a single person. A new panel can be locked both with panels of a first row and with an already installed panel of the second row. For this purpose, it is not necessary to lock the short narrow sides of two lying in a plane panels under expansion and deformation of the holding profiles.

The last laid in the second row panel can be used on its free short narrow side and can be pivoted about the locked long narrow side as a pivot axis in an inclined position upwards. The panel is slightly twisted around its longitudinal axis. This results in that the free short narrow side of the panel is in an inclined position and the inclined position decreases towards the locked short narrow side of the panel. Depending on the rigidity of the panels may result in a more or less strong torsion and thus a more or less decreasing skew. The skewing can continue with stiffer panels through several of the previous panels of the second row.

Of course, when laying it, it is not necessary for the first row to be completely laid before starting to lay the second row. Just make sure that the number of elements in the first row is greater than in the second row, and so on.

The process can be carried out particularly well with thin and easily twistable panels. The inclination of a second row arranged thin panel decreases by strong torsion at a very short distance. The non-twisted remnant of a panel or a row of panels in the laying plane is securely locked. Only with the short slanted piece of the last panel of the second row, the holding profiles of the long narrow sides can be disengaged during the laying work. However, they can easily be joined together again with the new panel attached to the short narrow side.

Particularly articulated and durable are rectangular tabular panels which have on parallel narrow sides extending over the length of the narrow sides extending retaining profiles, a retaining profile is provided as a hinge projection with a convex curvature and the complementary retaining profile as a pan recess with a concave curvature, each hinge projection a new panel with slight expansion of the socket recess of a laid panel inserted into this and the new panel is finally locked by pivoting in the plane of the laid panel. The necessary for laying and locking deformation of the holding profiles is much lower than holding profiles that must be compressed perpendicular to their narrow sides in the laying plane. Advantageously, the hinge projection does not project further from the narrow side than the thickness of the panel. In this way, another advantage is that the holding profile can be milled with very little waste on the narrow side of a panel.

The designated as positive locking profiles retaining profiles of the long narrow sides of two panels form a common joint in the installed state of two panels, wherein the surface facing away from the top of the hinge projection of a panel preferably has an oblique material removal, extending to the free end of the hinge projection extends, and wherein the thickness of the hinge projection is increasingly reduced by the material removal to the free end, and created by the material removal a freedom of movement for the joint joint.

The construction allows articulated movement of two interconnected panels. In particular, two interconnected panels can be bent upwards at the connection point. For example, if a panel on a surface with a survey, so that a narrow side of the panel is pressed under load on the ground and - seesawing the opposite narrow side upwards, so attached to the upwardly rocking narrow side second panel is moved upwards. The resulting bending forces do not damage the narrow cross sections of the positive locking profiles. Instead, a joint movement takes place.

A laid with the proposed fastening system floor has an adapted to irregular rough or corrugated surfaces compliance. The fastening system is therefore particularly suitable for panels for renovating irregular floors in old buildings. Of course, it is also better suited for laying panels on a soft intermediate layer than the known fastening system.

The construction takes into account the principle of "adapted deformability". This principle is based on the recognition that very stiff and thus supposedly stable joints cause high notch stresses and thus easily fail. To avoid this, components should be designed so that they have a tailored to the application compliance or "conformable deformability" and thus notch stresses are reduced.

In addition, the positive locking profiles are designed so that a load on the top of the floor panels in the laid state is transferred from the top wall of the socket recess of a first panel in the hinge projection of the second panel and the hinge projection of the second panel in the bottom wall of the first panel. The walls of the socket recess of the first panel are in an installed state in contact with the top and bottom of the hinge projection of the second panel. However, the upper wall of the socket recess only makes contact with the hinge projection of the second panel in a short area at the free end of the upper wall of the socket recess. In this way, the construction permits articulation between the pan recess panel and the hinge projection panel with little elastic deformation of the walls of the socket recess. In this way, the rigidity of the compound is best adapted to an irregular surface, which inevitably leads to a bending movement between panels attached to each other.

Another advantage is seen in the fact that the laying and locking method according to the invention is better suited for multiple laying than the known methods, because the panels repeated laying and after prolonged use on an irregular surface have no pre-damage of the form-locking profiles. The positive locking profiles are dimensionally stable and durable. They can be used much longer and reused more often during their life cycle.

Advantageously, the convex curvature of the joint projection and the concave curvature of the socket recess essentially each form a circular section, wherein in the installed state, the circle center of the circular sections is arranged on top of the hinge projection or below the top of the hinge projection. In the latter case, the circle center lies within the cross section of the joint projection.

This simple construction results in a joint whose convex curvature of the joint projection similar to a joint ball and the concave curvature of the socket recess are formed similar to a socket, wherein, in contrast to a socket joint, of course, only a plane rotational movement but no spherical rotary motion is possible.

In a favorable embodiment, the most projecting point of the convex curvature of the hinge projection of a panel is arranged so as to be located approximately below the upper edge of the panel. This results in a relative to the total thickness of the panel relatively strong cross section for the hinge projection. In addition, the concave curvature of the socket recess provides a sufficiently large undercut for the convex curvature of the hinge projection, so that they are hardly moved apart by acting in the laying plane tensile forces.

The joint properties of two interconnected panels can be further improved if the wall facing the base of the socket recess of a panel on its inside has an oblique material removal, which extends to the free end of the wall and the wall thickness of this wall is increasingly thinner to the free end. In this case, a space for movement of the common joint is created by the removal of material in the laid state of two panels. With this improvement, the amount of elastic deformation of the walls of the socket recess is further reduced during the upward deflection of the laid panels.

It is also expedient if the socket recess of a panel for connection to the hinge projection of another panel by a resilient deformation of its lower wall expandable is and that the occurring during the joining spring elastic deformation of the lower wall in the finished connected state of two panels is withdrawn. The positive locking profiles are characterized elastically deformed only for the joining process and during a joint movement and, if they are not loaded, no elastic tension.

The ability to articulate two panels even on their short narrow sides, the resilience of a floor covering benefits.

Preferably, the positive locking profiles are integrally formed on the narrow sides of the panels. The panels can be produced very easily and with little waste.

Particularly suitable is the laying method, when the panels consist essentially of a medium density fiberboard (MDF), HDF (High Density Fiberboard) or particle board material. These materials are easy to process and obtain, for example, by a machining, a sufficient surface quality. In addition, these materials have a high dimensional stability of the milled profiles.

Fig. 1

ein Befestigungssystem ausschnittsweise anhand der Querschnitte zweier Paneele vor dem Ineinanderfügen,

Fig. 2

das Befestigungssystem gemäß Fig. 1 im aneinander befestigten Zustand,

Fig. 3

einen Fügevorgang, bei dem der Gelenkvorsprung eines Paneels in Pfeilrichtung in die Pfannenaussparung eines zweiten Paneels gesteckt und das erste Paneel nachfolgend mit einer Drehbewegung arretiert wird,

Fig. 4

einen weiteren Fügevorgang, bei dem der Gelenkvorsprung eines ersten Paneels parallel zur Verlegeebene in die Pfannenaussparung eines zweiten Paneels eingeschoben wird,

Fig. 5

das Befestigungssystem im befestigten Zustand gemäß Fig. 2, wobei das gemeinsame Gelenk aus der Verlegeebene nach oben bewegt ist und die beiden Paneele einen Knick bilden,

Fig. 6

das Befestigungssystem im verlegten Zustand gemäß Fig. 2, wobei das Gelenk aus der Verlegeebene nach unten bewegt ist und die beiden Paneele einen Knick bilden,

Fig. 7

ein Befestigungssystem im verlegten Zustand zweier Paneele mit einem Füllstoff zwischen den Formschlußprofilen der Schmalseiten,

Fig. 8

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Verfahrens zur Verlegung und Verriegelung von rechteckigen Paneelen,

Fig. 9

ein alternatives Verfahrens zur Verlegung und Verriegelung von rechteckigen Paneelen.

The invention is shown by way of example in a drawing. The FIGS. 1 to 6 show a fastening system to panels, by means of which the inventive installation method is described in detail. Show it:

Fig. 1

a fastening system in sections based on the cross sections of two panels before joining,

Fig. 2

the fastening system according to Fig. 1 in the attached state,

Fig. 3

a joining process in which the hinge projection of a panel is inserted in the direction of the arrow in the socket recess of a second panel and the first panel is subsequently locked with a rotary movement,

Fig. 4

a further joining process, in which the hinge projection of a first panel is inserted parallel to the laying plane into the socket recess of a second panel,

Fig. 5

the fastening system in the attached state according to Fig. 2 in which the common joint is moved upwards from the laying plane and the two panels form a kink,

Fig. 6

the fastening system in the installed state according to Fig. 2 in which the joint is moved downwards from the laying plane and the two panels form a kink,

Fig. 7

a fastening system in the laid state of two panels with a filler between the form-locking profiles of the narrow sides,

Fig. 8

a perspective view of the method for laying and locking of rectangular panels,

Fig. 9

an alternative method for laying and locking rectangular panels.

After the drawing, the required for the process for laying and locking of rectangular panels fastening system 1 is explained using the example of elongated rectangular panels 2 and 3, of which Fig. 1 a section is shown. The fastening system 1 has arranged on the narrow sides of the panels holding profiles, which are formed as complementary positive locking profiles 4 and 5. The opposite positive locking profiles of a panel are each formed complementary. In this way, a further panel 3 can be attached to each already laid panel 2.

The positive locking profiles 4 and 5 are based on the prior art of the German utility model G 79 28 703 U1. In particular, on the form-locking profiles of the embodiment, which is disclosed in Figures 14, 15 and 16 and in the associated description part of G 79 28 703 U1.

The positive locking profiles provided for the laying method according to the invention are developed in such a way that they permit a hinged and flexible connection of panels.

One of the positive locking profiles 4 of the present invention is provided with a projecting from the narrow side hinge projection 6. The underside of the hinge projection 6, which faces the base in the laid state, has a cross-section with a convex curvature 7 for the purpose of the articulated connection. The convex curvature 7 is rotatably mounted in the complementary form-locking profile 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the convex curvature 7 is formed in a circular section. The arranged below the hinge projection 6 part 8 of the narrow side of the panel 3, which faces in the installed state of the pad, from the free end of the hinge projection 6 further back than the above the hinge projection 6 arranged part 9 of the narrow side. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the part 8 of the narrow side arranged below the hinge projection 6 recedes approximately twice as far from the free end of the hinge projection 6 as the narrow side part 9 arranged above the hinge projection 6. This is due to the fact that the circular portion of the convex curvature 7 is formed relatively wide. As a result, the widest protruding point of the convex curvature 7 of the hinge projection 6 is arranged so as to be approximately below the upper edge 10 of the panel 3 is located.

The above the hinge projection 6 arranged part 9 of the narrow side occurs at the top of the panel 3 from the narrow side and forms a joint abutment surface 9a. Between this joint abutment surface 9a and the hinge projection 6 of the panel 3, the part 9 of the narrow side is reset. This ensures that the part 9 of the narrow side always forms a closed top-side joint with the complementary narrow side of another panel 2.

The convex curvature 7 of the hinge projection 6 opposite upper side of the hinge projection 6 has a short straight portion 11, which is also arranged parallel to the substrate U in the installed state. From this short section 11 towards the free end, the upper side of the hinge projection 6 has an oblique material removal 12, which extends to the free end of the hinge projection 6.

The complementary to the form-locking profile 4 positive locking profile 5 a narrow side has a pan recess 20. This is essentially limited by a lower in the installed state the substrate U facing wall 21 and an upper wall 22. On the inside of the socket recess 20, the lower wall 21 is provided with a concave curvature 23. This comes to the function of a bearing shell. The concave curvature 23 is also formed in a circular section. In order for the relatively wide concave curvature 23 to fit the bottom wall 21 of the socket recess 20, the bottom wall 21 protrudes farther from the narrow side of the panel 2 than the top wall 22. The concave curvature 23 forms at the free end of the bottom wall 21 an undercut. In the finished laid state of two panels 2 and 3, this undercut is engaged behind by the hinge projection 6 of the associated form-locking profile 4 of the adjacent panel 3. The degree of Hintergreifung, the difference between the thickest point of the free end of the lower wall and the thickness of the lower wall at the lowest point of the concave curvature 23 is tuned so that a good compromise between an articulated compliance of two panels 2 and 3 and a good stop against a pulling apart of the positive locking profiles 4 and 5 is given in the laying plane.

The fastening system of the prior art according to the figures 14, 15 and 16 of the utility model G 79 28 703 U1, in contrast, has a significantly greater degree of undercut. This results in extremely stiff joints that cause high stress due to the stress on an irregular surface U.

The inside of the upper wall 22 of the socket recess 20 of the panel 2 is arranged according to the embodiment in the installed state parallel to the substrate U.

On the ground U facing the lower wall 21 of the socket recess 20 of the panel 2, the inside of the wall 21 has an inclined material removal 24, which extends to the free end of the lower wall 21. As a result, the wall thickness of this wall becomes increasingly thinner towards the free end. The material removal 24 adjoins the one end of the concave curvature 23 according to the exemplary embodiment.

The hinge projection 6 of the panel 3 and the socket recess 20 of the panel 2 form, as in the Fig. 2 see the above-discussed material removal 12 at the top of the hinge projection 6 of the panel 3 and the material removal 24 of the lower wall 21 of the socket recess 20 of the panel 2 create in the installed state of the panels 2 and 3 movement clearances 13 and 25, which allow the joint G in a small angular range rotation.

In the installed state, the short straight portion 11 of the top of the hinge projection 6 of the panel 3 is in contact with the inside of the upper wall 22 of the socket recess 20 of the panel 2. In addition, the convex curvature 7 of the hinge projection 6 bears against the concave curvature 23 of the lower wall 21 of the socket recess 20 of the panel 2.

The top facing side joint abutment surfaces 9a and 26 of two connected panels 2 and 3 are always clearly on each other. In practice, a simultaneous exact contact of the convex curvature 7 of the hinge projection 6 of the panel 3 on the concave curvature 23 of the socket recess 20 of the panel 2 is not possible. Manufacturing tolerances would cause either the joint abutment surfaces 9a and 26 abut each other exactly or hinge projection 6 / recess 20 exactly abut each other. In practice, the positive locking profiles are therefore designed so that the joint abutment surfaces 9a and 26 always abut each other exactly and joint projection 6 / recess 20 for an exact system can not be moved sufficiently far into each other. However, since the manufacturing tolerances are in the order of one hundredth of a millimeter, also hinge projection 6 / recess 20 nestle almost exactly against each other.

Panels 2 and 3 with the described complementary positive locking profiles 4 and 5 can be fastened to each other in various ways. To Fig. 3 a panel 2 with a socket recess 20 is already laid, while a second panel 3 with a complementary hinge projection 6 in the direction of arrow P is inserted obliquely into the socket recess 20 of the first panel 2. Thereafter, the second panel 3 is rotated about the common circle center K of the circular sections of the convex curvature 7 of the hinge projection 6 and the concave curvature 23 of the socket recess 20 until the second panel 3 rests on the substrate U.

Another type of joining of the discussed panels 2 and 3 is in Fig. 4 shown, after which the first panel 2 is laid with a pan recess 20 and a second panel 3 is moved with a hinge projection 6 in the laying plane and perpendicular to the positive locking profiles 4 and 5 in the direction of arrow P until the walls 21 and 22 of the pan recess 20 a expand slightly elastic and the convex curvature 7 of the hinge projection 6 has overcome the undercut at the front end of the concave curvature 23 of the lower wall and the final installation position is reached.

The latter type of joining is preferably used for the short narrow sides of a panel, if they are provided with the same complementary positive locking profiles 4 and 5, as the long narrow sides of the panels.

In Fig. 5 the fastening system 1 is shown in use. The panels 2 and 3 lie on an irregular surface U. The first panel 2 with the form-locking profile 5 has been loaded on its upper side. As a result, the narrow side of the panel 2 has been raised with the positive locking profile 5. The positive locking profile 4 connected to the positive locking profile 4 of the panel 3 has been lifted with. The joint G results in a kink between the two panels 2 and 3. The movement clearances 13 and 25 make room for the rotational movement of the joint. The joint G formed from both panels 2 and 3 has been moved a little way out of the laying plane upwards. The movement clearance 13 has been completely utilized for the rotation, so that the upper side of the hinge projection 6 of the panel 3 rests against the inside of the wall 22 of the panel 2 in the region of the material removal 12. The joint is inherently resilient and does not impose any unnecessary and material-fatigue bending load on the positive-engagement profiles 4 and 4 involved.

The damage occurring in form-locking profiles according to the prior art early damage by breakage of the joint projection or the walls of the positive locking profiles is thus avoided.

Another advantage arises in a joint movement according to the Fig. 5 , This can be seen in the fact that the two panels fall back to their laying level after being relieved of their own weight. A slight elastic deformation of the walls of the socket recess is also present in this case. This elastic deformation supports the falling back of the panels in the laying plane. It comes only to a very small elastic deformation, because the pivot point of the joint, which is defined by the circular portion-shaped bulges 7 and 23, is located within the cross section of the hinge projection 6 of the panel 3.

In Fig. 6 is a joint movement of two laid panels 2 and 3 shown in the opposite direction of rotation. The laid on an irregular surface U panels 2 and 3 are bent downwards. The construction is designed so that when a buckling of the joint from the laying plane to the substrate U towards a much greater elastic deformation of the lower wall 21 of the socket recess 20 occurs as in the buckling from the laying plane upwards. The purpose of this measure is to be seen in the fact that the downwardly bent through panels 2 and 3 can not return to the laying level by unloading their own weight. However, the stronger elastic deformation of the lower wall 21 of the socket recess 20 generates a clamping force, which moves the panels 2 and 3 immediately after relieving spring elastic again in the laying plane.

The described positive locking profiles 4 and 5 are present integrally formed on the narrow sides of the panels 2 and 3. This is preferably done by a so-called formatting process, in which the form-fitting profiles 4 and 5 with several series-connected milling tools mill the shape of the narrow sides of the panels 2 and 3 in one pass. The panels 2 and 3 of the described embodiment consist essentially of an MDF board with a thickness of 8 mm. The MDF board is wear-resistant and has a decorative coating on top. There is a so-called counteracting layer on the underside, which compensates for the residual stresses caused by the top coating.

Finally shows Fig. 7 two panels 2 and 3 in the laid state, wherein a fastening system 1 is used with a soft-elastic hardening filler 30 is used. The filler 30 is provided between all adjoining parts of the form-fitting connected narrow sides. In particular, the top-side joint 31 is closed with the filler, so that no moisture and no dirt can penetrate. In addition, caused in the bent state of two panels 2 and 3 in itself deformed filler 30 by its elasticity a provision of the panels 2 and 3 in the laying plane.

In Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the installation of a floor to see the method of laying and locking of panels according to the invention is applied. For the sake of simplicity of drawing, the details of the retaining profiles have been omitted. But these correspond to the positive locking profiles of FIGS. 1 to 7 and have profiled hinge projections and complementary Pfannenaussparungen extending over the entire length of the narrow sides.

It can be seen a first laid row R1 with rectangular tabular panels 40, 41, 42 and 43. The panels 40, 41, 42 and 43 of the first row R1 are preferably laid so that always pan recesses lie on the free sides of a laid panel and new panels are added with the hinge projections on the pan recesses of the laid panels.

The panels 40, 41, 42 and 43 of the first row R1 have been locked together on their short sides. This can be done either in the laying plane by lateral telescoping in the longitudinal direction of the holding profiles of the short narrow sides or alternatively by joining the holding profiles under inclination of a new panel relative to a laid panel and subsequent pivoting of the new panel in the laying plane. The laying level is in the FIGS. 8 and 9 indicated by the dashed line V. In both cases, the retaining profiles have been locked together without significant deformation. The panels are locked in the direction perpendicular to the laying plane. In addition, they are locked in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the narrow sides.

In a second row R2 are the panels 44, 45 and 46. First, the panel 44 has been locked with its long side by inserting its hinge projection at an inclination relative to the panels of the first row R1 and then pivoting the panel 44 into the laying plane.

For laying a new panel in the second row several alternative process steps can be performed, of which FIGS. 8 and 9 two alternatives are described. Another alternative is explained without representation. The laying according to Fig. 9 as well as without representation on the basis of Fig. 9 explained alternatives for laying are not the subject of the claims.

When laying a new panel 46 in the second row, it must be locked to both the long side on the first row R1 and the short side on the laid panel 45. First, the new panel 46 is always locked on a short side with a laid panel 45.

To Fig. 8 the free end 45a is pivoted about the locked long narrow side 45b from the laying plane by a pivot angle α upwards. At this time, the panel 45 is twisted such that the amount of the swing angle α decreases from the free end 45a toward the locked end 45c. According to Fig. 8 the locked end 45c remains in the laying plane. In this position, the new panel 46 is set in an inclined position relative to the panel 45 at its free end 45a. The panel 46 can not initially be applied along the entire length of the short side because the panel 45 is already locked to the panels 41 and 42 of the first row. Now, the panel 46 is pivoted in the direction of the arrow A, until it is, as by the dashed pivot position 46 'also positioned below the pivot angle α to the laying plane. In the pivoting position 46 ', the panel 46 is displaced in the direction of the arrow B and the hinge projection of the panel 46 is inserted into the socket recess of the panels 42 and 43 of the first row R1. At the same time, the short narrow side of the panel 46 is at the same time pushed completely onto the short narrow side 45a of the panel 45. Finally, the panels 45 and 46 are pivoted together in the direction of arrow C in the laying plane and locked with the panels of the first row R1.

A pre-damage of the holding profiles by a high degree of deformation during installation and locking is avoided.

The alternative of the laying method according to Fig. 9 shows examples of laying panels, which are not the subject of the claims. The method also provides that the free end 45a is pivoted upwards about the locked long narrow side 45b from the laying plane by a pivoting angle α, wherein the panel 45 is twisted and inclined at the free end 45a by a pivot angle α to the laying plane. The locked end 45c again lies in the laying plane. In contrast to Fig. 8 the panel 46 is now also inclined to the laying plane at the pivoting angle α and slid on its short side 46a in the longitudinal direction on the holding profile of the short side 45a of the panel 45. In this inclination, the hinge projection of the long side 46b of the panel 46 is immediately inserted into the socket recess of the panels 42 and 43 of the first row R1. Finally, the panels 45 and 46 are pivoted together in the laying plane and locked with the panels of the first row R1.

The alternatives, not shown, for laying and locking panels are to lock panels 45 and 46 first in the laying plane on their short narrow sides. The alternatives described here are by intuition of FIGS. 8 and 9 understandable, therefore, reference is also made to the alternatives, not shown.

According to one of the alternatives, the holding profiles of the short narrow sides 45a and 46a of the panels 45 and 46 are telescoped longitudinally while both panels 45 and 46 remain in the laying plane. According to another alternative, the panel 45 is in the laying plane and the panel 46 is set at an angle to the panel 45 at its short narrow side 45a and then pivoted into the laying plane.

After the above alternative method steps for locking the panels 45 and in the laying plane, the panel 46 on its long side is not yet locked to the panels 42 and 43 of the first row R1. For this purpose, the panel 46 and the panel 45 must be raised at one end 45a in the above-described inclined position at the pivot angle α. Then, the hinge projection of the long side 46b of the panel 46 is inserted into the socket recess of the panels 42 and 43 of the first row R1 and the panels 45 and 46 are finally locked together by pivoting into the laying plane V with the panels 42 and 43 of the first row R1.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

fastening system

2

paneling

3

paneling

4

Form-fitting profile

5

Form-fitting profile

6

head Start

7

convex curvature

8th

Part of the narrow side

9

Part of the narrow side

9a

Abutting joint surface

10

top edge

11

section

12

material removal

13

Freedom of movement

20

recess

21

bottom wall

22

upper wall

23

concave curvature

24

material removal

25

Freedom of movement

26

Abutting joint surface

30

filler

31

top-side joint

G

joint

K

Circle center

P

arrow

U

document

R1

first row

R2

second row

40

paneling

41

paneling

42

paneling

43

paneling

.44

paneling

45

paneling

45a

short narrow side / free end

45b

long narrow side

45c

short narrow side / locked end

46

paneling

46a

short narrow side

46b

long narrow side

46 '

dashed pivot position

α

swivel angle

V

laying plane

Claims (3)

1. Method for placing and locking rectangular, platelike panels (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46), especially floor panels, that display holding profiles, extending over the full length of the edges, on opposite long edges (45b, 46b) and on opposite short edges (45a, 45c, 46a), opposite holding profiles being designed in essentially complementary form, where panels (40, 41, 42, 43) of a first row (R1) are first joined together at the short edges, either by the complementary holding profiles of a placed panel and a new panel being inserted into each other in the longitudinal direction of the short edges, or by the holding profile of a new panel first being inclined relative to the placed panel and inserted into the complementary profile of the placed panel and then locked with the placed panel, both in the direction perpendicular to the joined edges and in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the placed panels, by being pivoted into the plane of the placed panel, after which a new panel (44) is next placed in a second row (R2) by the holding profile of its long edge initially being inclined relative to the long edge of a panel (40, 41) of the first row (R1), inserted into the holding profile of the latter and subsequently pivoted into the plane of the placed panels, characterised in that the short edge (46a) of a new panel (46), whose short edge (46a) is to be locked with the short edge (45a) of the panel (45) placed in the second row and whose long edge (46b) is to be locked with the long edge of a panel (42, 43) placed in the first row, is first locked with the panel (45) in the second row (R2), and the new panel (46) is then pivoted upwards out of the plane of the placed panels along the long edge of a panel (42, 43) placed in the first row, where the panel (45) of the second row (R2), previously locked with the new panel (46) at the short edge (46a), is also pivoted upwards into an inclined position at this end together with the new panel (46), where the inclination decreases towards the locked short edge of the panel (45), and where the long holding profile of the new panel (46) can be inserted into the complementary holding profile of the panel (42, 43) placed in the first row (R1) in this inclined position and, following joining, the inclined new panel (46) and the panel (45) locked with the new panel (46) on one short edge (45a) in the second row (R2) are pivoted into the plane of the placed panels.
2. Method for placing and locking a new, rectangular, platelike panel (46) in a second row (R2) of panels, where the new panel (46) to be placed in the second row displays holding profiles that enable the new panel (46) to be locked both with panels (42, 43) of a first row (R1) and with a previously placed panel in the second row (R2), especially for floor panels (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46), where the new panel (46) to be placed in the second row (R2) is locked both on one long edge with a first row (R1) of panels, and on one short edge with a panel (45) that has already been placed in the second row (R2), where the panels display holding profiles, extending over the full length of the edges, on opposite long edges (45b, 46b) and on opposite short edges (45a, 45c, 46a), opposite holding profiles being designed in essentially complementary form, characterised in that one of the short edges of the new panel (46) to be placed in the second row (R2) is first locked with the panel (45) previously placed in the second row (R2) by the free end (45a) of the latter being pivoted upwards out of the placing plane through a pivoting angle (α) about the locked long edge (45b), and the panel (45) previously placed in the second row (R2) is twisted in such a way that the amount of the pivoting angle (α) decreases from the free end (45a) to the locked end (45c), part of the short edge of the new panel (46) to be placed in the second row (R2) is placed, in this position and at an inclination relative to the panel (45) previously placed in the second row (R2), against the free end (45a) of the latter, the new panel (46) to be placed in the second row (R2) is then pivoted into a pivoting position (46') (A) until it is likewise positioned at the pivoting angle (α) relative to the placing plane, where the new panel (46) to be placed in the second row (R2) is displaced from the pivoting position (46') and the holding profile of the new panel (46) to be placed in the second row (R2) is inserted into the holding profiles of the panels (42, 43) of the first row (R1), where the short edge of the new panel (46) to be placed in the second row (R2) is simultaneously slid completely onto the short edge (45a) of the panel (45) previously placed in the second row (R2) (B) and, finally, the panel (45) previously placed in the second row (R2) and the new panel (46) to be placed in the second row (R2) are jointly pivoted into the placing plane and locked with the panels (42, 43) of the first row (R1) (C).
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2 for placing and locking rectangular, platelike panels (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) displaying complementary holding profiles (4, 5), extending over the full length of the edges (45a, 45c), on parallel edges, where one holding profile (4) is designed as an articulated projection with a convex curvature (7) and the complementary holding profile (5) is designed as a socket recess with a concave curvature (23), where each articulated projection of a new panel (46) to be placed in the second row (R2) can, by slightly expanding the socket recess of a panel (45) previously placed in the second row (R2), be inserted into the latter, and the new panel (46) to be placed in the second row (R2) is, finally, locked by being pivoted into the plane of the panel (45) previously placed in the second row (R2).

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