EP2573295A1 - Covering panel with vertical locking means - Google Patents

Abstract

The insert (1) has a rectilinear locking element (5) and a rectilinear extracting element (6) connected together by fractional connectors (7). Each element comprises longitudinal protruding portions (15, 16) opposite to one another. The portions include inclined sliding ramps (17, 18) opposite to one another. The locking element is moved laterally along a direction of a median groove by lateral pushing of the extracting element until being engaged in the groove so as to vertically block a junction between successive strips made of a composite material.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a blade for assembling a set of facing blades, parquet or the like in a plane, the blade having a first joining edge provided with an assembly structure and a second edge junction, opposite, each provided with an assembly structure of complementary shapes for assembling two successive blades by interlocking the first junction edge of a first blade and the second junction edge of the next blade,
the opposite edges of the blade each having a groove which opens into the edge of the first edge and the second edge so that the groove of the first edge of the first blade forms with the groove of the second edge of the next blade to be assembled, a channel when the two blades are joined to each other by their assembly structures constituting a union of the two integral blades in the plane of the two blades.

The invention relates generally to a locking system of two transverse or longitudinal edges joining two successive blades of a synthetic floor or a similar structure of facing or facing, and more particularly in the field of facings walls, floors or walls and in that of floating floors consisting of thin sections of a melamine composite material whose upper face is provided with a decorative sheet covered with a film or a transparent protective layer.

State of the art

The floating floors or other flat structures of dressing or finishing are made by the juxtaposition of blades whose longitudinal edges are assembled by engaging laterally in each other by a tongue-and-groove joint. The transverse horizontal blocking between the blades results from the embedding of a linear and longitudinal projecting shape in a cavity of complementary shape existing in correspondence along each of the edges to be assembled.

This longitudinal immobilization could be dissociated if the linear projection emerged from its receiving form following a vertical movement of the ends.

It is important to provide a suitable means that allows both the leveling of the two ends and a vertical blocking thereof at the junction so that they remain well joined and in coplanar extension. This constraint results from technical and aesthetic imperatives.

There are various proposals which each provide a satisfactory mechanical solution from the point of view of vertical blocking but often not very convenient to implement.

The document FR 10/03852 discloses a locking system for the lateral ends of two successive strips of parquet and which uses a ribbon type flat insert introduced into an inner channel formed by the juxtaposition of two middle grooves facing two junction edges of the blades. The contact of the two flat front surfaces in the upper part of these two edges ensures the vertical blocking and a perfectly planar junction, while recessed forms in the lower part provide lateral and longitudinal immobilization.

This locking system is satisfactory from the point of view of the vertical blocking but the introduction of the ribbon-type flat insert into the inner channel formed by the juxtaposition of two middle grooves facing it is a long and tedious operation, particularly in the case of its introduction into the longitudinal interior canal.

Purpose of the invention

The present invention proposes to develop a parquet board facilitating the installation and locking of the assembly of two successive blades, which is mechanically satisfactory for blocking the assembly.

Description and advantages of the invention

• un organe de verrouillage composé d'une languette de verrouillage et d'une languette extractible ayant un coin d'actionnement et une patte de préhension à son extrémité,
• l'organe de verrouillage étant logé dans la première rainure en position d'attente, la languette extractible venant le long de la rainure contre le fond de celle-ci et la languette de verrouillage étant logée dans la rainure derrière son ouverture sans dépasser du chant (plan de jonction), la languette extractible dépassant de l'extrémité libre de la rainure par sa patte de préhension, et
• après assemblage des deux lames par leurs structures d'assemblage, une traction sur la languette extractible dont le coin d'actionnement s'appuie contre le fond de la rainure, repousse la languette de verrouillage pour la faire pénétrer partiellement dans la seconde rainure homologue du second bord de la seconde lame, pour être à cheval sur la première et la seconde rainure et verrouiller l'assemblage dans la direction perpendiculaire au plan des lames.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a blade of the type defined above, characterized by

• a locking member consisting of a locking tongue and an extractable tongue having an actuating wedge and a gripping tab at its end,
• the locking member being housed in the first groove in the waiting position, the extractable tongue coming along the groove against the bottom thereof and the locking tongue being housed in the groove behind its opening without exceeding the edge (junction plane), the extractable tab protruding from the free end of the groove by its gripping tab, and
• after assembly of the two blades by their assembly structures, a pull on the extractable tongue whose operating wedge bears against the bottom of the groove, pushes the locking tongue to partially penetrate the second groove homologue the second edge of the second blade, to straddle the first and second grooves and lock the assembly in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the blades.

This blade has multiple laying and manufacturing advantages.

The locking member being integrated in each blade and not impeding this implementation, it is thus "transparent" for the introduction of the blades and their assembly in the laying plane. It is only once the blades are joined two by two by their assembly structure, that it is sufficient to pull each time the extractable tongue and remove it from the channel so that the assembly of the two blades integral in the direction of the laying plane, is also secured in the direction perpendicular to this plane. This blade according to the invention does not create any particular manufacturing problem since the blades are grooved and the locking member is introduced into the groove provided for this purpose.

The conditioning of the blades at the end of manufacture is as for the traditional blades since the locking member is not protruding.

The locking member which joins the two parts is made of plastic by injection and locking members of the same length for the same blades can be associated in strips by their long sides, connected by highly splittable connections to facilitate feeding a laying machine, introducing the locking members in the grooves of the blades.

• la languette de verrouillage de forme allongée se composant d'une tête de largeur sensiblement égale à celle de l'organe de verrouillage entier et de longueur au moins légèrement inférieure à celle de la rainure à laquelle l'organe de verrouillage est destiné, cette languette étant reliée par un col étroit à la rampe du corps,
• la languette extractible est formée d'un coin d'actionnement logé dans l'espace laissé par le col et d'une tige logeant le bord arrière du corps et d'une patte au-delà de l'extrémité du corps et de largeur égale à celle de l'organe de verrouillage,
• la languette de verrouillage et la languette extractible étant séparées d'un intervalle et réunies par liaison fractionnables.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the locking member is a flat part forming part of a rectangular contour and consisting of a locking tongue and an extractable tongue interleaved by their shape, joined by separable bonds,

• the elongated locking tab consisting of a head of width substantially equal to that of the entire locking member and of length at least slightly less than that of the groove to which the locking member is intended, this tongue being connected by a narrow neck to the ramp of the body,
• the extractable tongue is formed of an operating wedge housed in the space left by the neck and a rod housing the rear edge of the body and a leg beyond the end of the body and of equal width to that of the locking member,
• the locking tab and the extractable tab being separated by an interval and joined by splittable connection.

This locking member is a particularly simple embodiment since the locking tab and the locking member are connected by separable fasteners and are handled as if they were a single piece for their implementation in the corresponding groove of the blade.

This one-piece assembly promotes the automatic positioning of the locking member in the groove, without interfering with the separation of the extractable tab with respect to the locking tongue, and the pulling movement exerted on the extractable tongue at the moment. the establishment of the locking tab in the two parts of the channel formed by the two edges together of a blade and the next blade does not constitute a difficulty or a risk of poor assembly.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the narrow rod joins the gripping tab by a triangular junction alongside the inclined end of the body.

This extended extension of the rod of the extractable tongue to reach the gripping tab, blocks the orientation of the tongue and prevents it from being twisted around the longitudinal axis of the rod at least at the beginning of the extraction which avoids any weakening of the thin part of the extractable tongue by an involuntary twisting movement about the axis.

According to another advantageous characteristic in the assembled state of the locking member, the ramp, the ramp of the body and the ramp of the actuating wedge are separated by an interval allowing a vacuum stroke of the extractable tongue at the beginning of its translational movement.

Since there is a manufacturing gap between the locking tongue and the extractable tongue and that the two parts are joined only by easily divisible bonds but not a continuous web, this ensures the ease of separation of the two parts at the time of the actuation of the extractable tongue and its extraction to move the locking tab.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the locking tongue has a front edge facing the rod of the extractable tongue. and which is provided with rupture notches distributed along the length of this edge.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the locking tongue and the extractable tongue are connected by splittable connections provided between the head and the actuating wedge as well as between the end and the gripping lug to be shear-split in the direction transverse, by pushing on the locking tongue against the extractable tongue itself pressed against the bottom of the groove.

Thus at the end of setting up the locking member, simply press the front edge of the locking tab to shear the links connecting the locking tab to the extractable tongue.

The extractable tongue is thus ready to be extracted without it being necessary at the beginning of its extraction movement to split the links that would connect it to the locking tongue.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the upper face and the lower face of the body of the locking tongue are provided with transverse ribs.

These protrusions or transverse ribs promote the attachment of the locking tongue in its groove in the direction of action of the extractable tongue without however hindering the translational movement of the locking tongue in the direction generally perpendicular to the direction of extraction of the extractable tongue.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the thickness of the extractable tongue is slightly less than that of the locking tongue, which facilitates the extraction of the extractable tongue without affecting the locking of the locking tab.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the locking member comprises an extractable tongue which is a wire element terminated at one end by a part forming an actuating wedge and at the other end, preferably by a tab of gripping.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the locking tab has a first end provided with a ramp to cooperate with the corner of the tongue.

Finally, according to another advantageous characteristic, the groove comprises a longitudinal groove receiving the extractable tongue. in the form of wire element and this groove is formed in the bottom of the groove or alternatively in the rear side of the locking tongue.

The locking member being housed in the first groove in the waiting position, the extractable tongue coming along the groove against the bottom thereof and the locking tongue being housed in the groove behind its opening without exceeding the edge , the extractable tab protrudes from the free end of the groove by a gripping tab.

After assembly of the two blades by their assembly structures, a pull on the extractable tongue whose operating wedge bears against the bottom of the groove, pushes the locking tongue to partially penetrate the homologous groove of the second edge of the second blade, to be straddling the first and second groove and lock the assembly in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the blades.

The invention makes it possible to produce a blade with a locking member which is quick and easy to fit in an internal channel formed by the face-to-face juxtaposition of two facing median grooves, each shaped in a transverse or longitudinal edge of a junction. a blade of a synthetic parquet or similar structure of coating or facing.

This device comprises a wire element housed in a central groove of a floorboard. It comprises an end bulb constituting an actuating wedge or means of lateral thrust of the locking insert. When pulled, the initial linear movement movement of the end of this wire element is transformed by action on an oblique ramp in an initial lateral thrust on the locking insert for example on its beveled end. It forms between the end of the locking insert and the bottom of the adjacent groove an introduction space for the end of the wire element in which it engages and progresses. The path of this end of the wire element along the longitudinal edge of the locking insert and between it and the bottom of the adjacent groove will cause the lateral displacement of the locking insert at the end of which it will be in its final vertical blocking position of the junction between the two blades. During this movement, this locking insert being previously housed in the first groove of the first blade is pushed towards the middle groove facing the second blade by the conversion of the linear movement of traction and linear displacement. the end bulb of this wire element on the end, for example bevelled end of the locking insert in a lateral translational movement of the locking insert.

• ● la languette de verrouillage est déplaçable transversalement de la rainure médiane dans laquelle elle est logée vers et dans la rainure opposée ;
• ● un élément filaire logé dans une gorge longitudinale s'étendant le long de la rainure servant de logement initial pour l'organe de verrouillage et se déplaçant le long de celle-ci, cet élément filaire à un moyen de poussée latérale pour le déplacement latéral de la languette de verrouillage ;
• ● un moyen de conversion de mouvement entre le mouvement linéaire correspondant à la traction sur l'élément filaire et le mouvement de déplacement latéral de l'insert de blocage vers et dans la rainure opposée à celle dans laquelle il est logé initialement.

More specifically, the blocking system of the blades of the invention is provided for the joining of two opposite edges assembled by interlocking two successive blades of facing, parquet or the like, these blades having a first joint edge having a structure of for example a double-flange assembly of male / female shapes and a second opposite edge comprising an assembly structure of complementary shapes for making and stabilizing the assembly by interlocking edge-to-edge of two successive blades when their opposite edges junction are placed in look; these edges each have a groove in a front edge and these grooves form a channel when they are placed facing one another, this channel receives the locking insert housed before assembly in one of the grooves and for to immobilize vertically the blades together at the assembly. This locking tab system is characterized by the following means:

• ● the locking tongue is movable transversely of the central groove in which it is housed towards and in the opposite groove;
• ● a wire element housed in a longitudinal groove extending along the groove serving as initial housing for the locking member and moving along it, this wire element to a lateral thrust means for the lateral displacement the locking tab;
• ● a motion conversion means between the linear movement corresponding to the traction on the wire element and the lateral displacement movement of the locking insert to and in the groove opposite to that in which it is initially housed.

drawings

• ● la figure 1 montre dans ses parties 1A-1C, la section d'une lame selon l'invention,
  • la figure 1A est une vue en section d'une lame selon l'invention non munie de son organe de verrouillage,
  • la figure 1B est une vue en section partielle de la réunion de deux lames selon l'invention mais sans l'organe de verrouillage,
  • la figure 1C est une vue en section d'une lame munie de son organe de verrouillage,
• ● la figure 2 est une vue en plan schématique de l'assemblage de deux lames montrant le canal et l'organe de verrouillage non encore activé,
• ● la figure 3 montre dans ses parties 3A, 3B, 3C, la réunion de deux bords homologues de lames successives et leur verrouillage,
  • la figure 3A montre la première lame en position d'attente et la seconde lame sur le point d'être assemblée à la première lame,
  • la figure 3B montre l'assemblage de la seconde lame à la première lame en cours de verrouillage des deux lames par l'organe de verrouillage,
  • la figure 3C est une vue de l'assemblage terminé et verrouillé, la languette extractible ayant été extraite,
• ● la figure 4 montre dans ses parties A et B deux états de l'organe de verrouillage,
  • la figure 4A montre la languette extractible pendant son mouvement d'extraction repoussant la languette de verrouillage dans la seconde rainure,
  • la figure 4B montre la position de la languette de verrouillage à la fin de sa mise en place,
• ● les figures 5A-5D sont des vues en perspective illustrant plusieurs exemples de formes de la languette de verrouillage ;
• ● les figures 6A-6C sont des vues en coupe transversale de deux lames de parquet en regard l'une de l'autre et équipées d'un organe de verrouillage selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention, illustrant la mise en place de l'organe de verrouillage ;
• ● les figures 7A-7C sont des vues de dessus correspondant aux séquences des figures 6A-6C, dans lesquelles les lames de parquet sont tronquées en longueur;
• ● la figure 8 est une vue en perspective illustrant le retrait de la languette extractible pour activer la languette de verrouillage ;
• ● la figure 9 est une vue en perspective d'un exemple de languette extractible;
• ● les figures 10A-10B sont des vues de dessus illustrant la mise en place d'un insert de blocage à extrémité droite,
• ● la figure 11 est une vue en coupe transversale de deux lames de parquet en regard l'une de l'autre, dont le canal formé par la juxtaposition de deux rainures est oblique et dans laquelle une gorge est prévue dans l'insert de blocage pour loger la languette extractible filaire.
• ● la figure 12 dans ses parties 12A, 12B, montre un autre mode de réalisation de l'organe de verrouillage d'une lame,
• ● la figure 12A est une vue d'ensemble en perspective de l'organe de verrouillage ;
• ● la figure 12B est une vue en plan de l'organe de verrouillage,
• ● la figure 13A est une vue de détail en perspective de l'insert dissociable de blocage de l'invention au niveau d'une de ses extrémités ;
• ● la figure 13B est une vue de détail en perspective de l'insert dissociable de blocage de l'invention au niveau de son autre extrémité ;
• ● les figures 14A-14C sont des vues en perspective illustrant le fonctionnement de l'insert dissociable de blocage de l'invention;
• ● la figure 15 est une vue de détail de l'extraction de la languette extractible.

The present invention will be described hereinafter in more detail with the aid of embodiments of blades intended to be assembled to form a cladding, parquet or similar structure, represented in the accompanying drawings in which:

• ● the figure 1 shows in its parts 1A-1C, the section of a blade according to the invention,
  • the Figure 1A is a sectional view of a blade according to the invention not provided with its locking member,
  • the Figure 1B is a view in partial section of the meeting of two blades according to the invention but without the locking member,
  • the figure 1C is a sectional view of a blade provided with its locking member,
• ● the figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the assembly of two blades showing the channel and the locking member not yet activated,
• ● the figure 3 shows in its parts 3A, 3B, 3C, the meeting of two homologous edges of successive blades and their locking,
  • the figure 3A shows the first blade in the waiting position and the second blade about to be assembled to the first blade,
  • the figure 3B shows the assembly of the second blade to the first blade during locking of the two blades by the locking member,
  • the figure 3C is a view of the completed and locked assembly, the extractable tab having been extracted,
• ● the figure 4 shows in its parts A and B two states of the locking member,
  • the Figure 4A shows the extractable tongue during its extraction movement pushing the locking tongue in the second groove,
  • the Figure 4B shows the position of the locking tab at the end of its installation,
• ● the Figures 5A-5D are perspective views illustrating several examples of shapes of the locking tab;
• ● the Figures 6A-6C are views in cross section of two parquet boards facing each other and equipped with a locking member according to a first embodiment of the invention, illustrating the establishment of the locking member ;
• ● the Figures 7A-7C are top views corresponding to the sequences of Figures 6A-6C in which the floorboards are truncated in length;
• ● the figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating the removal of the extractable tab to activate the locking tab;
• ● the figure 9 is a perspective view of an example of extractable tab;
• ● the Figures 10A-10B are top views illustrating the placement of a right-end locking insert,
• ● the figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of two parquet boards facing each other, the channel formed by the juxtaposition of two grooves is oblique and in which a groove is provided in the locking insert for housing the tongue Extractable wired.
• ● the figure 12 in its parts 12A, 12B, shows another embodiment of the locking member of a blade,
• ● the figure 12A is an overall perspective view of the locking member;
• ● the figure 12B is a plan view of the locking member,
• ● the figure 13A is a detail view in perspective of the dissociable blocking insert of the invention at one of its ends;
• ● the Figure 13B is a detail view in perspective of the dissociable blocking insert of the invention at its other end;
• ● the Figures 14A-14C are perspective views illustrating the operation of the dissociable blocking insert of the invention;
• ● the figure 15 is a detail view of extracting the extractable tab.

Description of Embodiments of the Invention

According to figure 1 in its parts 1A-1B, the invention relates to a blade 100, 100 'for assembling a set of blades in a plane to form a floor or a facing or a similar structure. The figures show the section of the blade and by orientation convention, each blade 100 has a bottom (or underside) 100a and a top (or upper face) 100b. The blades 100 are supposed to be installed in a horizontal plane to simplify the orientation terminology used in the description.

According to Figure 1A , the blade 100 comprises a first junction edge 110 and a second junction edge 120, each defining a junction plane 130. The first junction edge 110 comprises a first assembly structure 111 called "assembly structure in extension" since it protrudes from the junction plane 130. This assembly structure 111 which extends the blade 100 on the side of its lower face 100a, first comprises a cavity 111a and a projection 111b. The assembly structure 111 also has a first groove 115 opening into the junction plane 130. This groove 115 has a lower surface with a ramp 116 so that the groove 115 has a reduced bottom side height 117 and a higher height. large on the side of its opening in this junction plane 130.

The second joining edge 120 has a second assembly structure 121 called "recessed" because it is recessed with respect to the joining plane 130 and develops, facing the lower face 100a of the blade 100. This structure of recessed assembly 121 consists of a projection 121a followed by a cavity 121b from left to right as was the case for the description of the assembly structure 111 of the first joining edge 110 in the plane of junction 130. The second junction edge 120 has a second groove 125.

The shapes of the assembly structures 111 and 121 of the two edges are complementary to allow the successive assembly of blades 100, 100 'one after the other by joining the second edge 120' of the second blade 100 'to the first edge 110 of the first blade 100 and so on. This assembly is represented at Figure 1B which only shows the first joining edge 110 of the first blade 100 and the second joining edge 120 'of the second blade 100' without the locking member 150.

For ease of description, the elements of the second blade 100 'which is assembled to the first blade 100, have the same references as the identical elements of the first blade, but with a premium. Thus, the second blade bears the reference 100 ', its second edge, the reference 120' and so on.

The assembly of the two junction edges 110, 120 'of the two blades 100, 100' in the junction plane 130, makes the joining of the complementary assembly structures 111, 121 'and the formation of a channel 140 by the meeting of the first groove 115 and the second groove 125 ', since as indicated above, the assembly structures 111, 121 are homologous and their shapes correspond and complement each other.

According to figure 1C , the first groove 115 of the first edge 110 of each blade 100, receives a locking member 150 composed of a locking tongue 151 and an extractable tab 154. This locking member 150 is placed during manufacture, in the first groove 115 so as not to exceed the opening of this groove 115, that is to say the joining plane 130.

The schematic sectional view of the figure 2 without respecting any dimensional scale made by a "horizontal" plane II-II (at the Figure 1A ) passing through the grooves 115, 125 ', shows more precisely the organization and the meeting of the first and the second edge 110, 120' of the blades 100, 100 '.

The figure 2 also shows the other two sides 101, 102; 101 ', 102' of the blades 100, 100 'and which also comprise structures of assembly by the form, different or identical to those of the edges 110, 120.

The figure 3 in its parts 3A, 3B, 3C shows the three steps of locking the two edges 110, 120 of the two blades 100, 100 'with a locking member 150 inserted in the groove 115 of the blade 100.

The figure 3A shows the blade 100 'in the position of placement above the blade 100 already installed. The edge of the blade 100 'is in the junction 130 of the blade 100. The locking member 150 is retracted into the groove 115 and does not protrude from the junction plane 130.

According to figure 3B the blade 100 'has been lowered and joined by its edge 120' to the edge 110 of the blade 100. The extractable tab 154 of the locking member 150 is pulled in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the figure. This camming traction advances to the right the locking tab 151 and makes it penetrate into the cavity 125 'of the second blade 100'.

The figure 3C shows the final position of the locking tab 151 in the two grooves 125 'and 115, straddling the junction plane 130, thus locking the assembly of the two blades 100, 100' in the direction of the junction plane.

The figure 4 in its schematic parts 4A and 4B like figure 2 , shows in plan view, cut, by plane II-II (see figure 2 ) the two blades 100, 100 '.

The Figure 4A shows the movement of the extractable tongue 154 in the direction of actuation of the arrow E. Its ramp 156 cooperates first with the ramp 152 of the locking tongue 151 to push it in the direction of the arrow F. Au During this extraction movement of the extractable tab 154 and its wedge 155, the locking tongue 151 occupies a position more or less inclined because of this cooperation to finally be in the position schematically at the Figure 4B , straddling the junction plane 130 being both engaged in the groove 125 'of the blade 100' and remaining partially engaged in the groove 115 of the blade 100.

These patterns of Figures 4A and 4B are very simplified and serve simply to explain the locking mode of the two blades 100, 100 'without regard to dimensions or dimensional ratios of practical embodiments.

By convention, the term "blade" will be used hereinafter to designate floorboards or any support or facing or similar application of this invention.

Usually and as already indicated, the blades 100 have complementary assembling structures 111, 121, for example double-recessed, on their transverse and / or longitudinal junction opposite edges 110, 120 which allow to assemble two blades edge to edge 100, 100 'successive when their opposite edges junction 110, 120' are placed opposite and immobilized horizontally by interlocking their complementary assembly structures 111, 121 '. These assembly structures 111, 121 ', for example double-type type of male / female forms, ensure horizontal horizontal immobilization of the parquet boards 100, 100'.
The junction edges 110, 120 and / or longitudinal with their assembly structure 111, 121, have a groove 115, 125 'whose meeting forms the channel 140 when the edges are placed opposite each other . According to the invention, a locking insert also called locking member 150 initially housed in the single groove 115, then comes into the channel 140 on either side of the junction line between the two blades 100, 100 'to be assembled in order to immobilize them vertically after this final setting of the tongue 151 of the locking member 150.

The locking member 150 is preferably an elongate insert, of generally planar shape, for example of the ribbon, rod, rod or other type, which may have reliefs on its faces. It can be produced in great length and cut into end segments ( s) skew of length corresponding to the use, that is to say practically equal to the width or length of a blade 100, 100 'depending on whether it is a locking member 150 for transverse or longitudinal edges.

Several examples of forms of the locking tab 151 are given in a non-limiting manner on the Figures 5A-5D .

On the Figure 5A , the rectilinear tongue 151 is of generally flat shape having transverse reliefs of the type crosspieces or lips from a central core.

On the Figure 5B , the straight tab 151 is generally planar in shape having a flat upper horizontal face and a series parallel rails over the entire thickness of the body of the tongue. Such tongue 151 may also be turned so that its flat horizontal face is the lower face, while its upper horizontal face has the reliefs.

On the Figure 5C , the rectilinear tab 151 is generally planar in shape having a section in two "C" contiguous back to back connected in their middle by a vertical section.

On the figure 5D , the straight tab 151 is hollow, of generally planar shape, rectangular section.

The channel 140 for the locking member 150 in the vertical locking position of the blades 100, 100 'has a width substantially equal to that of the locking member 150 or the locking tab 151 and its bottom or bottom side is preferably offset downwardly relative to the groove 115 initially housing the locking member 150; the groove 115 has for this purpose on its lower face a recess with a ramp 152 descending outwards and separating the two planes constituting the lower surface of the groove 115.

The groove 115 initially housing the locking member 150 has a height so that the locking member 150 is housed tight fit, so that it can not accidentally out of the central groove 115.

The channel 140 has a height designed to receive the locking member 150 with an almost zero clearance to prevent its displacement once in vertical locking position of the blades 100, 100 '.

According to Figures 6A-6C the locking member 150 between the two transverse and / or longitudinal joining edges 110, 120 'of two blades 100, 100' comprises an extractable tongue 154 in the form of a wire element housed in a longitudinal groove 118, for example over the entire length of the groove 115 initially receiving all the locking member 150 of the first blade 100; this groove 115 forms the channel 140 for the locking member 150.

The longitudinal groove 118 housing the extractable tongue 154 may for example be located at the bottom of the groove 115 serving as initial housing for the locking member 150 or in a variant not shown in the longitudinal edge of the locking tab 151 facing the bottom of the groove 115.

This extractable tab 154 (see figures 9 , 10A-B ) has at one of its ends an actuating wedge 155 constituting a lateral thrust means for a lateral displacement of the tongue 151 (arrow F), while its other end is free or provided with a gripping or pulling member or lug 158. The end comprising the actuating wedge 155 will be called "active end". The corner 155 with its ramp 156 is for example a bead, an extra thickness or a bulb or a piece forming a slider or any other local blister or magnification of section forming part of, secured to or connected to the end of the wire of the extractable tab 154 and in general, a sufficient increase in end diameter to be greater than the width of the longitudinal groove 118.

According to a variant ( Figures 7A-7C ), the tongue 151 of the locking member 150 has a bevelled end or ramp 152 descending to the underside of the groove 115. The final portion of the extractable tab 154 is initially located substantially at the corresponding end by For example, the ramp 152 of the tongue 151, preferably at one end of the longitudinal groove 118, while the free end of this extractable tongue 154 protrudes outwardly from the opposite end of the longitudinal groove 118. .

The locking member 150 having an end, for example a ramp 152 is housed at the bottom of the groove 115 of the blade 100, the longitudinal groove 118 is occupied by the wire element 157 of the extractable tongue 154. The end of the ramp 152 is on the side of the wedge 155 of the wire element 157. The locking member does not protrude from the groove 115. The first part of the end, for example ramp 151 152 of the tongue 151 is on the side of the corner 155, namely on the bottom side of the groove 115, while the second portion of the end, for example bevelled tongue 151 is located towards the outlet of the groove 115.

The actuating wedge 155 of the active end of the extractable tongue 154 may have a suitable shape with a double oblique or divergent conical ramp beyond the end, for example a conical or spherical shape or a wedge of engagement. so that when the extractable tab 154 is pulled along the groove 118, for example at the bottom of groove 115 along which it slides, its wedge 156 engages the end with the ramp 152 or only bevelled corner of the tongue 151 to push this end laterally outwardly. When the extractable tab 154 is pulled over the entire length of the groove 115 ( Figures 6C and 7C ), moving its active end with its ramp 156 along the bottom of the groove 115 and against the end, for example ramp 152, causes a lateral thrust on the tab 151 which moves towards and in the opposite groove 125 'until the extractable tab 154 and its active end has moved over the entire length of the tongue 151 along its inner longitudinal edge, comes free end of stroke at the end of the groove 115. It then constitutes a disposable assembly.

The transverse position of the locking tab 151 is guaranteed by the recess ramp 116 which acts in the manner of an anti-recoil stop. This combination provides a solid and stable assembly.

All of these operations are possible provided that the locking tab 151 has sufficient resistance to longitudinal displacement to prevent traction on the extractable tab 154 moves longitudinally thereof. Its adjustment in the grooves 115, 125 and its reliefs are provided for this purpose.

Thus, the invention is characterized by a motion conversion means between the linear movement corresponding to the traction on the extractable tab 154 generating the lateral displacement movement of the tongue 151 towards and in the opposite groove 125 'to that in which it is housed initially.

In the case where the end of the tongue 151 is tapered downwardly forming an oblique ramp 152 towards the bottom of the middle groove 115 in which the tongue 151 is housed at the origin, the motion conversion means is composed of one part of the ramp end 152 of the tongue 151 and secondly of the corner 155 at the end of the extractable tongue. The wedge 155 is then an end piece which firstly cooperates with the oblique ramp 152 of the beveled end of the tongue 151 for the initial initial thrust of the tongue 151.

In the case where the end of the tongue 151 is not beveled, but has for example a simple cut corner obliquely on the side of the end of the extractable tab 154 provided to cooperate with the wedge 155, the conversion means movement is composed on the one hand of the active end of the extractable tab 154 which has an oblique or conical ramp shape and on the other hand, the end of the locking tongue.

Thanks to the invention, while the extractable tab 154 is pulled, the locking tab 151 moves progressively in the channel 140, and not all at once, which offers a better accuracy and makes it possible to compensate for any defects in assembly of blades 100, 100 '.

This progressive implementation of the locking tongue 151 in the channel 140 also prevents any possible elastic deformation of the blades 100, 100 'or the tongue 151, which allows a more resistant assembly of the blades 100, 100'.

An example of wedge shape 155 is given to the figure 9 .

By way of example, the wedge 155 is in the form of a sphere, a spheroid, a cone whose tip is located on the side of the end of the extractable tongue 154 or of any shape, for example of the pebble type whose edge located near the end of the extractable tab 154 is rounded or pointed.

According to a variant represented on the Figures 10A and 10B the tongue 151 has straight ends and not beveled; in this case, the wedge 155 has a shape adapted to such ends the tab 151, in particular a pointed shape that allows wedge 155 to exert a lateral spacing force between the inner longitudinal edge of the tongue 151 and the bottom of the middle groove 115 where it is initially housed.

As the channel 140 for receiving the locking member 150 in the vertical locking position of the blades 100, 100 'is shifted downward relative to the groove 115 of the initial housing of the locking member 150, once housed in this channel 140 the tongue 151 is kept in this channel and is not likely to come out.

Other means may be provided to maintain the tongue 151 in position in the channel 140.

As an alternative, for example, the longitudinal groove 118 of the wire element 157 of the extractable tongue 154 is not in the bottom of the groove 115, but in the longitudinal edge and along the entire length of the tongue 151 located towards the inside of this groove 115, as shown on the figure 11 .

Similarly, as shown on Figures 10A and 10B , an element or a gripping tab 158 is provided at the free end of the extractable tab 154 which allows the user to pull more easily on the extractable tab 154. This gripping tab 158 may advantageously be of the same shape as the wedge 155, which allows to use the same mold for their manufacture.

As another variant represented on the figure 11 the grooves 115, 125 'are oblique with respect to the upper face 100b of the blades 100, 100', which makes it possible to provide these grooves 115, 125 'in a zone of greater material. Thus, there is more material around each middle groove 115, 125 'which reinforces the transverse and / or longitudinal edges of junction 110, 120' of the blades 100, 100 '.

The Figures 12 to 15 show another mode of the locking member 150A blades 100, 100 'according to the invention. This locking member 150A also called "dissociable blocking insert" consists of a locking tab 151A also called "rectilinear locking element" and an extractable tab 155A also called "extractable rectilinear element".

In more detail and with reference to Figures 12A , 12B , the non-scale locking member 150A is a piece generally falling within a rectangular contour of width (1) at most equal to the possible depth of the groove 115A in the blade 100 and the length (L ) equal to not more than the length of the grooves 115A, 125A forming the channel 140A, this length being increased by the length (Lo) of which the locking member 150A installed in the groove 115A must exceed it so that its leg grip 158A is accessible from the outside while the portion corresponding to the locking tab 151A remains in the groove 115A without exceeding.

The length (L) is that of one side of the blade, generally the small side which is of the order of 15 to 20 cm while the width of the member 150A is of the order of 5 mm.

In this rectangular contour of the locking member 150A defined by a front edge 173A and a rear edge 174A, is the meeting of the two parts 151A, 154A which constitute it being nested by their contour, the tab 151A occupying the most much of the front side and the extractable tab 154A, most of the back side.

From one end to the other, the locking tab 151A consists of a head 160A substantially of the width (1) and then a neck 161A, thin, connected to a body 162A ending in an end 163A.

The rear of the head 160A is shifted by the distance Δ1 from the rear edge 174A.

The neck 161A forms a free space constituting a housing 170A. The connection between the neck 161A and the body 162A is via the ramp 152A.

According to the same order of description, the extractable tab 154A has an operating wedge 155A having a ramp 156A beyond the front side 180A and joining the rod 157A which runs along the rear edge 153A of the body 162A to reach the gripping tab 158A by a triangular junction 181A reinforcing the primer of the rod 157 and guiding the start of its extraction movement between the sides of the groove 115.

The gripping lug 158A occupies the entire available width (1) of the locking member 150 with a front edge set back from the offset Δ1 of the front edge 173A and has asperities 182A on its two large faces, as well as notches 183A in its sides to improve grip. The locking tab 151A and the extractable tab 154A are connected by splittable links 159A to provide rigidity to this assembly and allow the mechanized installation of the locking member 150A in the groove 115. The links 159A are preferably provided only at the ends between the head 160A and the corner 155A and between the end 163A and the gripping tab 158A; these links are generally oriented in the longitudinal direction of the locking member 150A. Thus at the end of setting up the locking member 150A in the groove 115, simply press the front edge 173A of the tab 151A so that the links 159A are sheared, the tab 154A being supported by its rear edge 174A against the bottom of the groove 115. Thus at the end of installation, the blade 100 which will be packaged and packaged in a package will be ready for installation without it being necessary at the time of installation, to split the links 159A at risk moreover also to pull on the locking tab 151A and partially out of the groove 115 (in the longitudinal direction).

The locking tab 151A forms the housing 170A for the actuating wedge 155A leaving a gap 171A between the ramps 152A, 156A to allow a vacuum stroke of the extractable tongue (or its wedge 155A) at the beginning of the movement. actuation.

The trailing edge 153A is skirted by the rod 157A of the extractable tongue leaving a gap 172A necessary for manufacture. This interval 172A continues along the body 162A of the rod 157 and the junction 181A. It also allows, as indicated above, the shear bonds 159A.

The top / bottom of the body 162A is preferably provided with transverse ribs or reliefs 164A retaining the tab 151A in the channel 140, against the pull of the extractable tab 154A and the friction of the ramp 156A and the front side 180A of the corner 155A against the ramp 152A and the trailing edge 153A of the body 162A. The ribs or reliefs 164A, oriented transversely, promote both the guiding of the locking tongue 151A in its transverse movement and its holding in the channel 140.

The head 160A not only has the function of holding the wedge 155A by a link 159A which can be sheared but also to constitute an injection zone for producing the locking tab 159A. It is the same with the gripping lug 158A by which is injected the extractable tab 154A. This injection of the locking member 150A is thus simultaneously by the two ends and the injected material is joined at the links 159A.

The trailing edge 153A of the locking tab 151A has break-off notches 175A, distributed at regular intervals to allow the length of the locking tab 151A to be adapted to a particular and exceptional length on the blade side 100.

Indeed, if the blade 100 is a floorboard blade, at the end of the building site, it may be necessary to install a blade of reduced width and therefore it is necessary to cut the blade along its length to reduce its width according to that of the location to cover. This dimension is plotted schematically on the figure 12B in the form of the TC line. It is assumed that the blade must be cut along this line, so that the groove 115 will also be cut along this line and likewise the locking member 150 which is integrated in the groove. So that the organ is cut and can not be operated (the extractable tongue itself being cut), it is out the portion of the locking member 150A, that is to say the length of the tongue lock 151A and the length of the extractable tab 154A, for example up to the first notch 153A above the line TC; for this, it bends these two tabs outwardly. Due to the nearest notch which is subjected to this bending and which constitutes a breaking point, the tongue 151A breaks at this point whereas this outward bending movement does not break. not the rod 157A of the extractable tab 154A which, because of its thinness, is flexible and has no notch. This makes it possible to cut the blade 100 and then possibly push the locking element 151A completely into the groove 115 while leaving the extractable tab 154A over its entire length of the rod 157A since it has not been cut off at the same time as the blade. This overshoot is not troublesome since the extractable tab 154A will be extracted from the groove after the installation of the next blade 100 'as explained above.

The Figures 13A, 13B which complement one another, give a larger scale representation of the locking member 150A intended to be housed in the groove 115 of the edge of the junction edge of the blade 100.

The locking member 150A is formed in one piece by molding. It comprises the two separable parts 151A, 154A joined together by the fractional bonds 159A by simple rupture. It consists of an extractable tongue 154A and a locking tongue 151A, the latter being designed to be engaged in the channel 140 formed by the grooves 115, 125 'opposite of two successive blades 100, 100' assembled in order to vertically immobilize the blades 100, 100 'together at the assembly, overlapping the junction plane 130 as detailed above in the case of Figures 1 to 4 .

The locking member 150A is of size and shape adapted to be housed in the groove 115, without exceeding and interfering with the engagement of the blades 100, 100 '; the locking tab 151A is directed towards the groove 125 '.

The tongue 151A is moved to protrude and come into the groove 125 'when engaged in the groove 125' for the desired effect of vertical immobilization of the blades 100, 100 'together at the assembly.

In order to prevent the tongue 151A from coming out of the second groove 125 'when it is engaged therein, the channel 140 receiving the tongue 151A in the vertical locking position of the blades 100, 100' has a part offset downwards relative to to the groove which preferably has a width substantially equal to or slightly greater than that of the tongue 151A.

The extractable tongue 154A and the tongue 151A each comprise a longitudinal portion in opposite relation to each other with an inclined ramp of engagement 152, 156 of inverse slope for cooperatively effecting the motion conversion transforming the linear pulling movement on the extractable tab 154A into a lateral movement movement of the tab 151A towards and in the middle groove 125 'opposite to the one 115 in which the locking member is initially housed 150A.

The longitudinal protruding portion of the extractable tab 154A is preferably located at one end thereof.

The protruding longitudinal portion of the locking tab 151A extends over more than half of it to allow the tab 151A to be fully engaged in the groove 125 'during the progressive longitudinal movement of the extractable tab 154A on the entire length of the channel 140 until its complete extraction out of the channel 140 by manual pulling.

Indeed, if the tongue 151A is only partially engaged in the groove 125 °, for example diagonally, the effect of vertical immobilization of the blades 100, 100 'between them is reduced.

The locking member 150A of the invention being manufactured in one piece, the extractable tab 154A and the tab 151A are interconnected by easily divisible links 159A, provided to yield when the locking member 150A of the The invention is implemented in the groove 115 or pulling the extractable tab 154A along the tongue 151A, or for example by exerting a transverse support on one of the elements 151A, 154A.

In order to facilitate pulling on the extractable tab 154A, it has a grip tab 158A, preferably at the end opposite that of its wedge-shaped portion 155A.

In use, once the locking member 150A is housed in the groove 115, and after interlocking the two successive blades 100, 100 ', the user exerts a longitudinal manual pull on the extractable tab 154A, for example by pulling by its gripping portion 158A. This pulling force breaks the splittable links 159A connecting the extractable tab 154A to the tab 151A and the two elements 151A, 154A are found dissociated. Continuing to exert traction on the extractable tab 154A, after a small initial dead stroke due to the free space between the longitudinal portions of 151A, 154A protruding elements, they come into contact. Still continuing to exert traction on the extractable tab 154A, the tab 151A moves laterally to and into the other groove 125 '. At the end of the displacement, the locking tongue 151A can be entirely removed from the groove 115 while the tongue 151A, engaged in the groove 125 'while projecting into the groove 115, remains in its final position to immobilize the blades 100 vertically, 100 'between them at the junction.

In order to prevent the tongue 151A from moving longitudinally during pulling on the extractable tongue 154A, its thickness is preferably greater than that of the extractable tongue 154A and its dimensions are such that it is placed with a tight fit in the groove 115. The term "thickness of a member of the locking member 150A" designates the height thereof when in the horizontal position of use shown on the Figures 1 to 4B .

For the same purpose, the tongue 151A may also have reliefs 160A on at least one of its faces in contact with the groove 115 when the locking member 150A is housed therein. An example of reliefs 160A is shown on the figure 13A .

Conversely, in order to facilitate the longitudinal displacement of the extractable tongue 154A by traction, its thickness is less than that of the tongue 151A and the groove 115 which receives it so as not to be clamped in it but rather to remain loose.

NOMENCLATURE

100

blade

100a

underside / underside

100b

top / top side

101

side

102

side

110

first joining edge

111

first assembly structure in extension

111

cavity

111b

projection

115

first groove

117

back bottom of the first groove

118

throat

116

ramp

120

second joining edge

121

second assembly structure set back

121a

projection

121b

cavity

125

second groove

130

junction plane

140

channel

150, 150A

locking member

151, 151A

locking tab

152, 152A

ramp

153, 153A

back edge

154, 154A

extractable tab

155, 155A

actuating corner

156, 156A

ramp

157, 157A

rod / wire element

158, 158A

gripping lug

159, 159A

split link

160A

head

161A

collar

162A

body

163A

end

164A

relief

170A

housing

171A

empty race space

172A

interval

173A

front edge

174A

back edge

175A

notch of rupture

180A

front side

181A

triangular junction

182A

asperity

183A

notches

100 '

blade

The other elements of the blade 100 'have the same references as those of the first blade 100, but these references are provided with a bonus (this list will not be explained).

Claims (11)

A blade for assembling a set of facing blades, parquet or the like in a plane, the blade having a first joining edge (110) having a first joining structure (111) and a second edge junction (120), opposite, provided with a second assembly structure (121) these structures being of complementary shapes to assemble two successive blades (100, 100 ') by interlocking the first joining edge (110) of the first blade (100) and the second joining edge (120) of the next blade (100 '),
the opposite edges (110, 120) of the blade each having a groove (115, 125) which opens into the edge of the first edge (110) and the second edge (120) so that the groove (115) of the first edge of the first blade (100) forms with the groove (125) of the second edge of the next blade to be assembled, a channel (140) when the two blades (100, 100 ') are joined to each other by their structures; assembly (111, 121) constituting an integral union of the two blades in their plane,
blade characterized by - a locking member (150) consisting of a locking tab (151) and an extractable tab (154) having an actuating wedge (155) and a gripping tab (158) at its end, - the locking member (150) being housed in the first groove (115) in the waiting position, the extractable tongue (154) coming along the groove (115) against the bottom (117) thereof and the locking tab (151) being housed in the groove (115) behind its opening without exceeding the edge (joining plane 130), the extractable tongue (154) protruding from the free end of the groove (116) by its leg gripping (158), and - After assembly of the two blades (100, 100 ') by their assembly structures (111, 121), a pull on the extractable tongue (154) whose operating wedge (155) rests against the bottom (117). ) of the groove (115), pushes the locking tongue (151) to partially penetrate the second homologous groove (125 ') of the second edge (120') of the second blade (100 '), to be on horseback on the first (115) and the second groove (125 ') and lock the assembly in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the blades (100, 100'). Blade according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the locking member (150A) is a flat part forming a rectangular contour and consisting of a locking tongue (151A) and an extractable tongue (154A) imbricated by their shape joined by splittable links ( 159A), the locking tongue (151A) having a length at least slightly less than that of the groove (115) to which the locking member (150A) is intended and of elongated shape consisting of a head (160A) of width substantially equal to that of the entire locking member and this tongue being connected by a narrow neck (161A) to the ramp (152A) of the body (162A), the extractable tongue (154A) is formed of an operating wedge (155A) housed in the space (170A) left by the neck (161A), of a rod (157A) accommodating the rear edge (153A) of the body (162A) and a tab (158A) beyond the end (163A) of the body (162A) and of a width equal to that of the locking member (150A), the locking tab (151A) and the extractable tab (154A) being separated by an interval (171A, 172A) and joined by separable links (159A). Blade according to claim 2,
characterized in that
the narrow rod (157A) joins the gripping lug (158A) by a triangular junction (181A) alongside the inclined end (163A) of the body (162). Blade according to claim 2,
characterized in that
in the assembled state of the locking member (150), the ramp (152A) of the body (162A) and the ramp (156A) of the operating wedge (155A) are separated by an interval (171A) allowing a vacuum stroke of the extractable tongue (154A) at the beginning of its translational movement. Blade according to claim 2,
characterized in that
the upper face and the lower face of the body (162A) of the locking tongue (151A) are provided with transverse ribs (164A). Blade according to claim 2,
characterized in that
the thickness of the extractable tongue (154A) is slightly less than that of the locking tongue (151A). Blade according to claim 2,
characterized in that
the locking tab (151A) has a leading edge (153A) facing the rod (157A) of the extractable tab (154A) and which is provided with breaking notches (175A) distributed along the length of this edge (153A). ). Blade according to claim 2,
characterized in that
the locking tab (151A) and the extractable tab (154A) are connected by splittable links (159A) provided between the head (160A) and the actuating wedge (155A) and between the end (163A) and the gripping lug (158A) for shear splitting in the transverse direction by pushing on the locking tongue (151A) against the extractable tongue (154A) itself against the bottom of the groove (115). Blade according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the locking tab (151) is a wire element (157) terminated at one end by an actuating wedge member (155) and having at its other end a gripping tab (158). Blade according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the locking tab (151) has a first end provided with a ramp (152) to cooperate with the corner (155) of the tongue (151). Blade according to claims 1 and 2,
characterized in that
it comprises a longitudinal groove (118) receiving the extractable tongue (154) in the form of a wire element (157), the groove (118) being formed in the bottom of the groove (115) or in the side of the locking tongue (151).

Images