EP2085534A1 - Covering panel - Google Patents

Abstract

The covering panel (10) has two pairs of lateral edges (10a-10d) lying opposite one another whereby one pair of lateral edges is provided with coupling means which are formed in the shape of a groove and a clip. One section of the boundary surface of the groove (12a,12c) and/or one section of the boundary surface of the clip (12b,12d) is provided with a roughening (18).

Description

The invention relates to a trim panel having two pairs of opposite side edges, wherein at least one side edge pair is provided with coupling means, which are formed substantially in the form of a groove and a spring and extending along the respective side edge.

Such trim panels are well known. For example, be on the EP 1 036 244 B1 directed.

The generic panels are usually made by substantially forming cuboidal panels, i. Raw panels whose side surfaces associated with the side edges substantially orthogonal to the loading surface, machined, for example by milling to form the coupling means on at least one of the side surface pairs, in the form of a groove in the region of a side surface and a spring in the region other side surface. The aim of this machining is always to achieve surfaces as smooth as possible in order to move when installing the cladding panels two interconnected via tongue and groove panels in the longitudinal direction of the respective side edge relative to each other.

A problem with which generic trim panels always have to contend in practice, are the seasonal variations in relative humidity. During periods of high relative humidity, the trim panels expand due to swelling while shrinking due to lower relative humidity during the heating period in winter. This swelling and shrinking leads to the formation of gaps between adjacent panels, even if the coupling means of the cladding panels, as is common in many types of trim panels currently available on the market, are formed with integral locking means which extend longitudinally of the respective side edge of the trim panel and attempt relative movement of the two panels in a direction in the panel plane and orthogonal to the respective side edge counteract. Other causes for the formation of cracks include the effects of static and mechanical-dynamic loads, such as those that are exerted on the ground, for example, by heavy furnishings or by their conquest. For rectangular cladding panels, this cleavage problem is particularly evident on the short sides of the panels. The splitting problem also occurs particularly strongly when the panels, as usual today, are laid freely floating on the ground, ie are not connected to the ground by separate connecting means and are not glued together.

To prevent crevice formation was in the EP 0 843 763 A1 , of the EP 1 024 234 A1 and the EP 1 026 341 A1 proposed a trim panel, wherein in the connected state of two panels, the groove of the one panel bounding lower lip presses against the spring of the other panel with a biasing force. In this case, this biasing force is generated by a permanent deflection of the lower lip from its rest position, which it assumes in the unconnected state of the two panels. This permanent deflection leads to a constant mechanical stress and gradual fatigue of the panel material.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a trim panel of the type mentioned, in which the formation of gaps between two interconnected panels waiving the provision of such biasing force can be counteracted.

This object is achieved by a trim panel of solved at the beginning, at least a portion of the boundary surface of the groove and / or at least a portion of the boundary surface of the spring is provided with a roughening.

In the context of the present invention, the "boundary surface" is understood to be that surface which starts from the side surface of the respective side edge, the groove rotates with a surface normal pointing into the groove, or the spring revolves with a surface normal pointing away from the spring, and on the other side of the groove or the spring ends again on the side surface of the side edge.

By providing the roughening according to the invention, the friction between the groove of one panel and the spring of the other panel is increased, so that a relative displacement of the two interconnected panels in the longitudinal direction of the groove or the spring is difficult. As a result, the gap formation is counteracted at the panel side extending orthogonally to this longitudinal direction. That when the trim panel is a rectangular trim panel with a short side and a long side, the formation of gaps on the short side of the panel can be counteracted by roughening at least on the long side at least a portion of the groove or tongue and groove boundary surface. Of course, the provision of a roughening in the region of the groove or / and the spring of the short side of the panel has a reduction in the tendency to form crevices on the long side of the panel.

With regard to achieving the highest possible friction, it is preferred if the at least one section of the boundary surface provided with the roughening extends over substantially the entire length of the respective side edge and also in the circumferential direction of the boundary surface over the substantially entire circumference of the boundary surface , Not least for manufacturing reasons, however, it may also be desirable that the provided with the roughening at least a portion of the boundary surface extends only over part of the length of the respective side edge and / or in the circumferential direction only over part of the boundary surface.

The friction between the boundary surface of the groove and the corresponding boundary surface of the spring can be further increased by providing at least a portion of the boundary surface of the groove and at least a portion of the boundary surface of the spring with a roughening Part are provided on mutually complementary portions of the boundary surfaces of tongue and groove. As a "complementary" in the sense of this claim, two sections of the boundary surfaces of tongue or groove one and the same panel are to be considered if, when connecting two identical panels provided with a roughening portion of the groove of a panel and provided with a roughening section of Spring of the other panel in the connected state of these two panels abut each other.

The roughening can be designed in different ways:

For example, at least one section provided with a roughening can be formed by a toothing. In order to achieve the highest possible friction between two interconnected panels, it is proposed that the tooth follower direction of the toothing extends substantially in the longitudinal direction of the respective side edge, while the tooth extension direction extends substantially in the circumferential direction of the groove or spring. The "tooth following direction" is understood to be that direction in which the teeth of the toothing follow one another; in a conventional gear so the circumferential direction of the gear. By contrast, the term "tooth extension direction" is understood to mean that direction in which the individual tooth extends; in a conventional spur gear so the axial direction.

The toothing can be formed for example by a substantially non-cutting machining, such as by impressions, notching or the like. Additionally or alternatively, however, it is also possible for the teeth to be formed by machining, for example by piercing, milling or the like. In both alternatives for producing the toothing, however, it is advantageous to use a tool whose rotational speed is matched to the feed rate of the panel, that its peripheral speed substantially coincides with the feed rate of the panel.

In a second variant, which can be used in addition to or alternatively to the formation of the roughened portion as a toothing, at least one provided with a roughening portion of a plurality of wood fibers may be formed, which protrude from the surface of the respective portion of the boundary surface. In order to achieve this setting up of the fibers, the surface may be treated with an agent, for example with a water-dilutable paint (such as a plasticizer-free aqueous copolymer dispersion) which at least partially removes the fibers from their composite material, for example solid wood, MDF or another wood-based material, sets up and fixes.

According to a third embodiment, which in turn may be used in addition to or as an alternative to the two embodiments described above, at least one section provided with a roughening can be formed by a plurality of particles which are applied to the surface of the respective section of the boundary surface. As these particles are, for example, particles of micronized polypropylene wax into consideration, which have a size of between about 30 microns and 75 microns. Furthermore, these particles can be bonded to the surface by means of an adhesion promoter, for example a water-dilutable paint (for example a plasticizer-free aqueous copolymer dispersion) be connected to the respective portion of the boundary surface.

As already indicated above, at least one core of the panel can be formed from a wood material, for example solid wood, a chipboard, an MDF board or the like. In principle, however, it is also possible to use the principles according to the invention for other materials, for example compact laminate, plastic or the like.

As already mentioned above, the coupling means may be formed with integrated locking means which extend in the longitudinal direction of the respective side edge. This locking means can be formed, for example, in one piece from the core material. In principle, however, it is also conceivable to form the locking means and / or the coupling means in or on a coupling unit connected to the core of the panel. This coupling unit can for example be connected to the core of the panel by injecting a suitable material, for example plastic, a wood extrudate or the like, into a prepared recess in the side surface of the panel and subsequently machining it to form the coupling means and / or the locking means , Alternatively, however, it is also possible to insert a prefabricated part with prefabricated coupling means and / or locking means in the prepared recess.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the invention can be used when the trim panel is a floor panel, especially if the floor panel is intended for floating installation and / or laying without the use of adhesive to connect adjacent panels.

Fig. 1

eine Draufsicht auf ein erfindungsgemäßes Verkleidungspaneel;

Fig. 2

eine Teildraufsicht auf einen aus einer Mehrzahl derartiger Verkleidungspaneele gebildeten Verkleidungsbelag;

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Nutendes und des Federendes eines erfindungsgemäß mit einer Aufrauhung versehenen Verkleidungspaneels;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Seitenansicht des Paneels gemäß Fig. 3 zur Erläuterung des Verfahrens zur Ausbildung der Aufrauhung; und

Fig. 5 und 6

Ansichten ähnlich Fig. 3 und 4 einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Verkleidungspaneels.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows:

Fig. 1

a plan view of an inventive panel panel;

Fig. 2

a partial plan view of a formed from a plurality of such panel panels lining covering;

Fig. 3

a perspective view of the groove end and the spring end of a present invention provided with a roughening panel panel;

Fig. 4

a schematic side view of the panel according to Fig. 3 to explain the method of forming the roughening; and

FIGS. 5 and 6

Similar views Fig. 3 and 4 a further embodiment of a trim panel according to the invention.

In Fig. 1 is a panel according to the invention generally designated 10. The panel 10 is formed as a rectangular panel and comprises two long sides 10a and 10b and two short sides 10c and 10d, which are each arranged in pairs opposite one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the panel 10 is provided on both the long sides 10a and 10b as well as on the short sides 10c and 10d with coupling means which the connection of the panel 10 with in the longitudinal direction L or in the transverse direction Q adjacent panels 10 ', 10 ",. .. serve (see Fig. 2 ).

The coupling means 12 are formed essentially in the form of a groove 12a provided on the long side 10a and a spring 12b provided on the long side 10b, which together form the coupling means of the long side, and a groove 12c provided on the short side 10c and one on the short side 10d provided spring 12d, which together form the coupling means of the short side. These coupling means 12 may be in different Variants of which with reference to the Fig. 3 to 6 will be explained in more detail below. However, all these coupling means 12 have the common property that mutually associated pairs 12a / 12b, 12c / 12d of grooves and springs are formed so that in the connected state of two identical panels 10 puzzle piece-like, so vorspannungsfrei mesh, ie in particular without that the lower Nutbegrenzungslippe would be permanently deflected from its rest position.

The representation according to Fig. 3 On the one hand, it can be interpreted as showing, at the bottom left in a first perspective view, the groove edge 10a or 10c and at the top right in a second perspective view the spring edge 10b or 10d of the same panel 10. On the other hand, since the panels joined together to form a lining covering are identically formed, they can also be interpreted as meaning that the adjoining edges 10b, 10a 'or 10c, 10d "of two adjacent identically formed panels 10, 10' and 10, respectively , 10 "represents (see Fig. 2 ).

At the in Fig. 3 illustrated embodiment is a tongue and groove profile, which can be connected by interlocking two adjacent panels 10 and 10 'and 10 " Fig. 3 left Nutpaneel 10 lie flat on the ground, while the in Fig. 3 right spring panel 10 'or 10 "is fed laterally in an angled relative to the horizontal position until its spring 12b, 12d engages in the groove 12a, 12c of the panel 10. Subsequently, on the coupling means 12a, 12c and 12b, 12d the two panels 10 and 10 'or 10 "provided by pivoting down the spring panel 10', 10" are engaged with each other in the illustrated embodiment, the locking means 14 are on the groove side 12a, 12c of the panel of a recess 14a formed in the upper surface of the lower, the groove 12 a, 12 c bounding lip 16. On the spring side of the panel 10 are the Locking means 14 formed by a projection 14 b, which is provided on the underside of the spring 12 b, 12 d.

In the connected state of two panels 10, the engagement of the coupling means 12 prevents a relative movement of the two panels 10 in the vertical direction H (see Fig. 1 ), that is, in a direction orthogonal to the panel plane or Begehfläche E of the panel 10 extending direction, while the interaction of the locking means 14 prevents relative movement of the two panels 10 in a panel plane E and orthogonal to the respective side edge 12a to 12d extending direction. The panel plane E is thereby spanned by the longitudinal direction L (direction of the long sides 10a and 10b) and the transverse direction Q (direction of the short sides 10c and 10d) of the panel 10.

In contrast to the panels of the prior art, the panels 10 according to the invention additionally have a roughening 18, which at least complicates a relative movement of two interconnected panels 10 in the longitudinal direction of the respective side edge 10a / 10b, 10c / 10d. For this purpose, at least one surface portion of the abutting surfaces of the coupling means 12 and the locking means 14 is provided with such a roughening 18. In the in Fig. 3 illustrated embodiment, this is on the one hand the base 14a1 of the recess 14a of the in Fig. 3 Nutpaneels shown on the left and the top surface 14b1 of the projection 14b of in Fig. 3 right illustrated spring panel. Note that the two aforementioned surfaces 14a1 and 14b1 abut against each other in the connected state of two adjacent panels, thus interacting with their respective roughnesses, thereby effectively increasing the longitudinal friction of the respective side edges 10a / 10b, 10c / 10d. For the purposes of the present application, the surface 14a1 and 14b1 of the panel 10 therefore form "complementary" surfaces.

The roughenings 18 extend in the longitudinal direction of the two side edges preferably over its entire length while, as in Fig. 3 shown, are provided in the circumferential direction U only on a part of the boundary surface of the groove or the spring. The latter, however, has mainly manufacturing reasons.

As in Fig. 3 is schematically indicated, the roughenings 18 are each formed by a toothing, the teeth 18a in the longitudinal direction of the respective side edge 10a / 10b, 10c / 10d successive ("tooth follower"), each individual tooth substantially in the circumferential direction U, ie orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the respective side edge extends ("Zahnerstreckungsrichtung").

As in Fig. 4 is shown schematically, the toothing 18, for example, by impressing the teeth 18a in the base 14a1 of the recess 14a and in the head surface 14b1 of the projection 14b are formed. For this purpose, a rotating tool 20 or 22 with the surfaces 14a1 and 14b1 is brought into engagement, the peripheral surface 20a and 22a has one of the teeth to be formed 18 corresponding counter-toothing. In addition, care must be taken that the tool 20 or 22 rotates synchronously with the movement of the panel 10, ie such that its peripheral speed when rotating about the axis 20b or 22b of the feed rate of the panel 10 in the direction of the respective side edge 10a to 10d equivalent.

In Fig. 4 Furthermore, a further tool 24 is shown, which corresponds in construction and function of the tools 20 and 22, but is arranged such that it provides an oblique boundary surface 14a2 of the recess 14a with a toothing. It should also be noted that at the in Fig. 4 shown right spring panel no analog gear tool for the local inclined surface 14b2 is provided. Nevertheless, even the one-sided provision of a toothing can further increase the friction between the two panels.

In the Fig. 5 and 6 a modified embodiment is shown, which essentially according to the embodiment Fig. 3 and 4 equivalent. Therefore, in the Fig. 5 and 6 Analog parts provided with the same reference numerals as in Fig. 3 and 4 , but increased by the number 100. In addition, the Fig. 5 and 6 in the following will be described only insofar as they differ from the above-described embodiment, the description of which is hereby expressly referred to.

That in the Fig. 5 and 6 shown panel 110 differs from the panel 10 according to Fig. 3 and 4 on the one hand, that the coupling means 112 formed on the side edges 110a-110d are not formed so that two adjacent panels can be connected to each other by angling the spring panel into the groove panel, but the panels 110 are connected by a substantially planar telescoping parallel to the panel plane E. become. The locking means 114 are in this case formed by a projection 114a at the free end of the groove 112a, 112c limiting lower lip 116 and by a recess 114b in the region of the transition of the spring 112b, 112d in the panel 110. Therefore, upon insertion of the spring 112b, 112d into the groove 112a, 112c, the lower lip 116 is deflected, ie, bent down, until the projection 114a can snap into the recess 114b. As a result of this latching, the lower lip 116 returns to its in Fig. 5 shown rest position, in which it is free of any mechanical deformation.

Also in the in the Fig. 5 and 6 illustrated embodiment, both the groove 112a, 112c and the spring 112b, 112d provided with a roughening 118, on the one hand to an upper boundary surface 116a of the lower lip 116 and the other to a lower boundary surface 122 of the spring 112b, 112d. The roughenings 118 are formed in the present case of particles 118a, which by means of a spray tool 128 or 130 (see Fig. 6 ) on the surfaces 116a and 126th can be applied, preferably using a primer that holds the particles 118a after it has dried on the surfaces 116a, 126.

It should also be noted that in principle it is also conceivable to provide only one of the two complementary surfaces 116a, 126 with such sprayed-on particles in order to achieve a higher friction between the two panels 110. In addition, it is conceivable that such particles also on the in Fig. 5 non-visible areas on the lower side of the upper Nutbegrenzungslippe 132 as well as on the upper side of the spring 112b, 112d apply.

Based on the schematic representations according to Fig. 5 and 6 will also be explained below, a further embodiment of the present invention provided roughening:

Namely, by means of the spraying tools 128 and 130, a solvent can also be applied to the surfaces 116a and 126, which at least solves a wood material used for forming the panels 110, for example solid wood, MDF or the like, so that individual wood fibers are at least partially made loosen the material composite and protrude from the surface after drying of the treatment agent. In this case, in Fig. 5 118a denotes the wood fibers protruding from the surfaces 116a and 126a.

Add to this is the following:

The panels 10, 110 can be made of any material, such as a wood material, such as solid wood boards, MDF boards, chipboard or the like, or even of compact laminate, plastic and the like suitable panel materials.

If the panels are to be used as floor panels, can she, like in Fig. 4 and 6 each indicated at the bottom left panel 10, 110, a core 10e, 110e, which is formed for example as MDF board (medium-density fiberboard), said core 10e, 110e at its footprint E a decorative layer 10f, 110f and its the loading side E opposite, lying on the bottom bottom B with a leveling layer 10g, 110g is glued. The decorative layer 10f, 110f may, for example, comprise one or more layers of printed paper impregnated with synthetic resin. In an analogous manner, the compensating layer 10g, 100g may also be formed by such a laminate layer comprising a plurality of paper layers.

The groove 112a, 112c and the spring 112b, 112d need not necessarily be formed directly from the material of the core 110e. Rather, it is, as in Fig. 6 indicated by dashed lines, also possible to inject into a prepared in the side surface 110a to 110d recess 150 a suitable material, such as plastic, a wood extrudate or the like, and cure there and the groove 112a, 112c and the spring 112b, 112d thereafter to be trained by machining.

Claims (11)

A trim panel (110) having two pairs of opposed side edges (110a-110d), at least one side edge pair being provided with coupling means (112) substantially in the form of a groove (112a, 112c) and a spring (112b, 112d ) and extending along the respective side edge, wherein at least a portion (116a) of the boundary surface of the groove (112a, 112c) and / or at least a portion (126) of the boundary surface of the spring (112b, 112d) with a roughening (118 ),
characterized in that the roughening (118) in the form of a plurality of at least partially out of the composite material of the cladding panel wood fibers (118a) is formed, which protrude from the surface of the respective portion of the boundary surface. Cladding panel according to claim 1,
characterized in that , if it is a rectangular fairing panel with a short side (10c, 10d) and a long side (10a, 10b) at least on the long side (10a, 10b) at least a portion (14a1, 14b1) of the boundary surface of groove or / and spring is provided with a roughening (18). Cladding panel according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that the at least one portion (14a1, 14b1) of the boundary surface provided with the roughening (18) extends only over part of the length of the respective side edge. Cladding panel according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that the roughening (18) provided at least a portion (14a1, 14b1) of the boundary surface extends over the substantially entire length of the respective side edge. Cladding panel according to one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that the at least one portion (14a1, 14b1) of the boundary surface provided with the roughening (18) extends in the circumferential direction (U) of the boundary surface only over a part of the circumference of the boundary surface. Cladding panel according to one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that the at least one portion (14a1, 14b1) of the boundary surface provided with the roughening (18) extends in the circumferential direction (U) of the boundary surface over the substantially entire circumference of the boundary surface. Cladding panel according to one of claims 1 to 6,
characterized in that at least one core (10e) of the panel (10) is made of a wood material, for example solid wood, a chipboard, an MDF board or the like, and / or of compact laminate and / or of plastic. Cladding panel according to one of claims 1 to 7,
characterized in that the coupling means (12) are formed with integrated locking means (14) extending in the longitudinal direction (L or Q) of the respective side edge (10a-10d). Cladding panel according to claim 8,
characterized in that the locking means (14) are made in one piece from the material of the core (10e). Cladding panel according to one of claims 1 to 9,
characterized in that the coupling means (112) and / or the locking means (114) are formed in or on a coupling unit (150) connected to the core (110e) of the panel (110). Cladding panel according to one of claims 1 to 10,
characterized in that it is a floor panel.

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