WO2008083662A1

WO2008083662A1 - Panel and floor covering

Info

Publication number: WO2008083662A1
Application number: PCT/DE2008/000008
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hans-Jürgen HANNIG; Erich SCHÄFERS; Egon Hoff
Original assignee: Akzenta Paneele + Profile Gmbh
Priority date: 2007-01-12
Filing date: 2008-01-04
Publication date: 2008-07-17
Also published as: DE102007002590A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a panel (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) having an effective surface (N) and having four edges (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 4d, 5b, 5c), opposite pairs of edges thereof having corresponding retaining profiles, the retaining profiles of a first pair of edges being configured as complementary hook elements (6a, 7a), a first hook element and a second hook element, so that an adjoining panel (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) of the same kind can be joined to every hook element (6a, 7a) by performing a joining movement perpendicular to the plane of the panel. At least one of the hook elements (6a, 7a) of the first pair of edges is provided with at least one separate vertical locking element (8) which projects into the joining path (M) of the hook elements (6a, 7a) with a locking section thereof. The vertical locking element (8) can be automatically moved out of the joining path (M) during the joining movement of the hook elements (6a, 7a) of two panels (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) in order to release the same, and can be automatically returned to the joining path (M) by the effect of a spring when the hook elements (6a, 7a) interlock. The invention also relates to a floor covering. In order to make it easier to join the panels, a guide for guiding the hook elements of the second pair of edges into the locked state is provided and is effective as a guide during the joining movement across the joining path as of a first guide position of the hook elements in which the second hook element has contacted the vertical locking element so as to exert force, or as of a second guide position, ahead or in front of the first guide position in the direction of joining. The hook elements can be guided in a continuous joining movement into the locked state owing to the guide and owing to a force having a force component that is perpendicular to the panel plane.

Description

Panel and flooring

The invention relates to a panel according to the features of the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a floor covering, which is composed of a plurality of inventive panels

As a rule, the edges of a panel are arranged relative to one another such that opposite edges run parallel to one another and the edges arranged parallel to one another each form a first or a second edge pair with an edge of a similar panel. Known panels of the type mentioned are known from WO 03/016654 A1 as well as from WO 2006/043893 A1. Here, a vertical locking element is provided in an edge pair, which is to prevent functionally a release of the hook elements against the joining movement in which the hook pair has been connected to each other. Here, the joining movement is consuming in two steps. First, the panel to be attached engages in a gravity and / or lowering over an already laid panel, the blocking area is automatically moved out of the Fügeweg. In a further step, the panel to be attached is pressed under force introduction with a force component perpendicular to the joining movement against the edge of the already laid panel, wherein the vertical locking element is automatically moved by spring action back into the Fügeweg.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a panel of the type mentioned, which are easier to connect.

The stated object is achieved by the features solved the characterizing part of claim 1.

Here, a joining movement is understood without interruption by a continuous joining movement by the guide on the joining path at the latest when, in order to effect an automatic moving out of the vertical locking element from the Fügeweg, the second hook element, ie the hook element without blocking element, in force-effective contact with the vertical locking element comes. As a result, it can be prevented that the hook elements can be moved apart during the joining movement into a movement component such that they overlap over a small area in the panel plane, rest on one another and a gap occurs between the edges to be joined, the edges still have a slight height offset. The gap must be closed in a second movement step by means of an additional relative movement of the edges to each other by a force is introduced having a sufficiently large force component in the closing direction of the edges. This can be done for example by an obliquely directed to the gap striking a hand of the person laying the panel on the user surface in the region of the respective hook element of the example, with respect to a higher standing panels, whereby the hook elements are brought into the hooked state in which the vertical locking element by spring action is automatically moved back into the Fügeweg.

By contrast, by means of the guide according to the invention, the edges can be guided completely against each other in a continuous joining movement into the hooked state of the hook elements, in which the useful surfaces of both assembled panels adjoin one another without transition.

As usual, the edge of the first edge pair of the panel and that of the second edge pair of the panel can form a common corner, preferably at an angle of Include 90 °.

Both hook elements of the first edge pair may each have a separate blocking element. The two blocking elements can also protrude here each with a blocking area in the Fügeweg the hook elements. Furthermore, during the joining movement of the hook elements of two panels, the two vertical locking elements can automatically be moved out of the joining path in order to release them and, in the hooked state of the hook elements, be automatically moved back into the joining path and against each other by spring action. According to the guide in the joining movement over the Fügeweg from or at least from the first guide position of the hook elements, in which the two vertical locking elements have come together for effective engagement, or from the upstream in joining movement to the first guide position or front second guide position guidance. Here, it is expediently provided that in the joining movement, the two vertical locking elements for force-effective contact with each other as the first.

Preferably, the holding profiles of a provided second edge pair on one edge of an undercut groove profile and on the opposite edge of a complementary spring profile, wherein the profiles are connected by Einwinkein each other. This describes a known laying form according to which joints of a panel row are arranged at a distance to joints of the panels of an adjacent row. In a new series, a panel is connected to the previous row by so-called "inversion". The term "in-line" refers to a method of joining in which a new panel with one edge is added to the panels of the previous row, the new panel being added in an oblique plane relative to the plane of the previous row of panels. The new panel is locked by an angular movement, during which the new panel is lowered into the plane of the panels of the previous row. Thus, in a known manner simultaneously with the Einwinkein on the second pair of edges joining the first edge pair done by the hook elements of the first pair of edges with pivoting down the new panel in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the panels moved towards each other and can be hooked in this way. The movement in said vertical plane is a scissor-like movement. It can also be called a folding movement. From the prior art, a plurality of such undercut groove and tongue profiles are known, which are connectable by Einwinkein, and are therefore suitable for the panel according to the invention. The known retaining profile geometries can therefore be provided on the first edge pair and combined with the hook element according to the invention on the second edge pair.

In another embodiment, the holding profiles of a planned second edge pair may be formed as complementary hook elements. Furthermore, a separate vertical locking element can be provided at least on one of the hook elements of the second edge pair. Thus, both edge pairs each have at least one blocking element. Thanks to the guide in this case, such a panel can be connected to other panels by two edges are connected simultaneously with adjacent panels, the edges preferably form a common corner. For this purpose, the panel to be joined can be lowered so that the edges are guided in a heavy movement at the edges of the adjacent panels. Alternatively, the joining movement of the panel to be joined can also take place approximately perpendicularly or perpendicular to the panel plane, in that the edges are joined together at once in a small shearing motion or without shearing movement, which is favorable in particular with small panels. Furthermore, the panel to be joined in the vertical joining movement can also be connected at the same time at its three or at its four edges with adjacent, already interconnected panels.

Preferably, at least one of the edge pairs can be corrected with be provided ponding hook elements. For this purpose, the hook elements may have at least one guide element as part of the guide. The guide elements of the two hook elements can be arranged to cooperate in the first guide position of the hook elements for guiding the same from the first guide position or the second guide position into the hooked state and allow the hook elements to be joined in a continuous joining movement.

Hereby, a basic, the task completely solving measure is proposed by an early construction of the hook elements is sought by a structural design to allow no later than a guidance of the hook elements in the entangled state in when the vertical locking element to automatic from the Fügeweg to be moved out, via the Fügeweg in joining movement in a force-effective contact with the second hook element or on the second hook element arranged vertical locking element comes. Thereby, a placement of the hook elements and a divergence or a gap formation described above can be prevented by the occurring during the joining movement force-effective contact of the vertical locking element with the hook element without vertical locking element.

As guide elements, various geometries and components may be considered, which, sliding away, rolling or rolling or interlocking, be effective in leadership. Preferably, the guide elements each have at least one Hinterschneidungsflache. The two undercut surfaces may be arranged so that they slide on the Fügeweg of the first guide position or the second guide position in the hooked state into and at least partially contiguous to each guide effective.

The hook elements may each have a hook head in a conventional training, by means of at least one groove in the edge direction and to form a hook neck of the Panel is deposed itself. Here, the grooves of two assembled panels may be in the hooked state facing each other, so that a hook head of a panel engages in the groove of the other panel and that the undercut surfaces are respectively disposed on an inner side surface of the groove, which points to the associated panel.

The undercut surfaces can be arranged parallel to the joining path. As a result, a straight-line joining in a joining movement perpendicular panel level is possible. As an insertion aid, at least one of the holding profiles cooperating in the hook pair can be provided with an insertion surface upstream of the joining surface, leading to the associated undercut surface, by means of which the undercut surfaces can be brought together. Preferably, the undercut surfaces are inclined at an acute angle to the joining movement so that the panels can be pressed against one another with joining. This can cause the guide in the joining movement over the joining path in the first guide position of the hook elements, in which the second hook element has come to the vertical locking element for effective engagement, thereby becomes effective that the second hook element with its front in joining movement range his Fügeweg facing end portion slides on the vertical locking element in a complex movement of this. At the same time, the second hook element can automatically resiliently move the blocking region out of the joining path and be guided by means of the blocking element with its guide element or its undercut surface against the guide element or the undercut surface of the first vertical locking element such that the corresponding hook elements can be guided by means of the guide elements or the Hinterschneidungflachen are frontally against each other out and join the user surface of both panels gap-free. This complex movement is among other things of the inclination of the undercut surfaces to the joining path and the elastic behavior of the hook elements involved and the Vertical locking element dependent.

The undercut surfaces can be arranged in the hooked state of two panels on a common unlocking curve and be in contact the undercut surfaces on the common Entriegelungskurve away from each other and movable towards each other, so that the Nutzoberflächen of the panels in an unlocking position at an angle to each other, the smaller than 180 ° is.

This allows a floor covering made of such panels to be dismantled again more easily. Usually, the blocking effect of the vertical locking elements, for example, by repelling the same from the corresponding edge pair must be repealed or the respective hook elements must be moved in the panel level and in the edge direction relative to each other and thus separated from each other. If the panels of a row of panels are to be separated from one another, this row of panels must first be released from the connection with their adjacent rows of panels. Then, the panels of the same row of panels can be disassembled from each other by pivoting a panel which is only connected at one end within the row upwards at that end and not moving the previous panel from which it is to be separated. In principle, this movement of accessing panels of the same panel row corresponds to a reversal of that movement described above as an angle, by means of which a new panel can be attached to panels of a previous row. Therefore, this movement can also be referred to as Auswinkeln.

Thus, the undercut surfaces can serve as guide surfaces in both cases. On the one hand, in the above-described shearing motion for joining the panels or of the respective edge pair with the hook elements, the hook elements can merge into one another such that a continuous joining movement becomes possible. On the other hand, a redissolution of the hook elements can take place in that they, at the undercut slidably abducted, are feasible in a movement of the Auswinkeins opposite to the angle. The Auswinkeln can be done by pivoting or sliding-pivoting the second hook element with a pivot axis approximately along the edge in the amount of abutting surfaces of both panels to be solved. The two undercut surfaces may be in the longitudinal direction of the respective holding profile and in a radius extending from the pivot axis partial circumferential surfaces.

For easy handling of the panel, the vertical locking element can be moved elastically. The resilient mobility can be produced by resilient properties of the vertical locking element itself or by a separate spring element which cooperates with the vertical locking element. Decisive for the resiliently movable vertical locking element is its blocking function in the direction perpendicular to the panel plane and its suitability for angling in panels.

At least for the elastic mobility of a vertical locking element can be provided a plane of movement which is arranged parallel to the plane of the panel. A vertical locking element, which is arranged in a plane of movement parallel to the plane of the panel, usually has no constant spring properties over its entire length. However, the vertical locking element arranged parallel to the plane of the panel usually has good strength properties in the case of a vertical stress on a connection provided therewith. This is because the vertical locking element can be provided with a relatively large cross section.

Alternatively it can be provided that, at least for the resilient mobility of a vertical locking element, a plane of movement is provided which is arranged both perpendicular to the plane of the panel and perpendicular to the edge provided with the vertical locking element. The resiliently movable part of the vertical locking element must in this case, because it is to be accommodated in a plane perpendicular to the panel, be provided with relative be formed tively small cross-section. The height of the vertical locking element will usually not exceed half the panel thickness. Today, vertical locking elements are common, which have in the smallest type of panels about a height of the vertical locking element, which corresponds to one third of the panel thickness.

The vertical locking element of an unconnected panel may, as described above, project beyond the edge of the panel with the blocking area. Furthermore, the second, complementary to the first hook element hook element may have a groove formed as a recess. In the hooked state of the hook elements, at least one region or part of the blocking region can be incised or introduced into the latching recess of the complementary hook element. In order to block the joined panels against the joining movement, the blocking element can, in the hooked state, support itself in an interlocking manner on an inner side surface facing a component in a joining movement. In this context, reference is made to WO03 / 016654 and in particular to FIGS. 19, 20 and 25.

For guiding the hook elements in the joining movement of the panels, the second hook element or the complementary hook element without vertical locking element in a joining movement in the rear end portion of the installation position in the vertical locking element side facing a guide recess for the blocking area. The guide recess may be extended to receive the blocking region during the joining movement to the first guide position towards a rear side surface in joining movement so that at least one front in the joining movement of the locking portion of the locking element can be received in the guide recess. The guide recess may be a fold of a joining edge in the rear edge.

This describes a broad fundamental measure which completely solves the problem, according to which, by means of a constructional construction, the first force occurring during the joining movement is determined. effective contact of the vertical locking element with the complementary hook element is delayed without vertical locking element or with the second locking element on the corresponding hook element. This has the constructional advantage that the vertical locking element can be arranged similarly to the center as described in WO03 / 016654 and the hook of the hook element with the guide elements or the guide surfaces designed as Hinterschneidungs- surfaces less strongly in the hook of the first hook element for mutual guidance - must grab. Thus, a strength determining smallest cross-section of the hook or the elements can be maximized. It is obvious that both measures described, the provision of guide elements or undercut surfaces and the delay of the first force-effective contact of the vertical locking element with the second hook element or with the vertical locking element in the second hook element, can be combined.

Advantageously, the guide recess may have an inner profile whose inner side surface facing in the joining movement is complementary or substantially complementary to an outer side surface of the vertical locking element or its blocking region pointing counter to the joining movement.

In order to guide the hook elements, the inner side surface and the outer side surface can be arranged relative to one another via the joining path to the hooked state, at least from the first guide position, so that they can be slid off one another, at least partially abutting one another. Thus, the risk of a hooking or sticking of the vertical locking element or its blocking area on the guide recess can be effectively countered. In addition, by means of the spring effect of the vertical locking element, the guide recess or the second hook element with its undercut surface are pressed approximately perpendicular to the joining movement resiliently against the first hook element and thus against the undercut surface, whereby a stable guidance hook elements in the hooked State under sliding of the undercut surfaces can be achieved together. Thus, it can be provided that the second hook element is guided by the sliding of inner side surface and outer side surface via a displacement path with a path component in the panel plane with its undercut surface or with its guide element against the undercut surface or against the guide element of the first hook element can be continued with the first hook element via the slipping on the undercut surfaces in the hooked state. As a result, for example, a little flexible vertical locking element can be "bypassed".

In a preferred embodiment of the vertical locking element, the same may also have, as described in WO03 / 016654, a resilient latching lug which, in the installed position, extends at an acute angle to the joining path and with a travel component counter to the joining movement. Furthermore, the blocking element can comprise a holding section for its arrangement in a provided holding groove in the first hook part, to which preferably the latching tab directly adjoins. The guide recess can be formed by forming the facing in joining movement inside surface by a flat, over the entire length of the edge extending ablation of a joining movement rear corner. As a result, the latching tab and inner side surface in the first guide position can be arranged approximately parallel to one another.

In principle, the vertical locking element can either be connected to the corresponding hook element via a slight press fit or via an adhesive connection. A combination of press connection and adhesive connection is possible. It is sufficient if this press connection sets the vertical locking element captive on the hook element. Under certain circumstances, a press fit is undesirable, because it forces into the core material of the panel are introduced, which lead to an undesirable deformation. This is particularly disadvantageous if this deformation is visible on the finished floor covering, because, for example, a change in shape occurs on the useful surface of the panel.

From the publications WO 2006/043893 Al and WO 2006/104436 Al elastic, automatically acting locking elements are known. Those blocking elements which exclusively prevent the panels from moving apart perpendicular to the panel plane-vertical blocking elements-are basically usable for the present invention. The aforementioned vertical blocking elements are hereby incorporated by reference to publications WO 2006/043893 A1 and WO 2006/104436 A1 into the present description and as a vertical blocking element according to the independent patent claims.

Preferably, the blocking element is made of plastic and in this case preferably extruded.

It has been found that the hook elements can be caught more sensitively for the user when the vertical locking element is arranged on the lower, resting panel. This also has the advantage that the vertical locking element, when placed on the lower panel, is more visible to the user. It therefore helps if the movement of the vertical locking element, which is initiated by the joining movement of the hook elements caused by the user, is also recognizable to the user.

The handling of the panels can be improved if a hook element can be positioned for connection to the complementary hook element of a neighboring panel on a substrate, wherein the joining of the hook elements of two panels is effected by the fact that the panel can be positioned on the ground and rests with the neighboring panel a joining movement is executable, and wherein the vertical locking element is preferably provided on that hook element, which is located at the edge of the stationary panel. For the sake of completeness it should be mentioned that the hook elements of two panels are always connectable even when two panels to be joined lie in a common plane. For this purpose, the hook element of a panel is placed in alignment behind the hook element of a neighboring panel, so that the cross sections of the hook elements lie exactly in line with one another. Then, the edges provided with the hook elements are pushed into each other until they overlap on the desired length of the panels. For this laying method, reference is made to FIG. 44 in DE 10 2006 011 887, which illustrates this with an example. In this example, the edge 32 of a panel 30b is flush-fitted in the direction of the arrow with an edge of a panel 30a. It may be necessary at the beginning of the aligned movement to press the elastic vertical locking element projecting from the edge a little and to set it so that it fits into the neighboring panel.

The panel of the invention may be formed, for example, as a floorboard, parquet or laminate panel and therefore either consist of solid wood or have a core material. The core material may be a wood material consisting of grown wood parts, such as a blockboard made of rod-shaped pieces of wood, a multiplex board made of wood layers, or a plywood. On the other hand, fiber material can also be provided as the core material. By this is meant wood which has first been cut into pieces of fiber and which has subsequently been processed by admixing binder into a wood fiber material, such as MDF, HDF, plywood or OSB board. Of course, other materials for a panel according to the invention are suitable, for example, solid plastic or at least plastic as a core material. The panel may consist of a grown fiber-free wood material, such as solid wood, or have a core material of a fiber-free wood material. If the panel has a core material, this is coated and usually provided with a user surface with decorative properties.

In the connected state of two panels can be provided within the connection of the holding profiles at least one dust chamber. This ensures that any dirt particles that can get into the connection of the holding profiles during the laying of a floor covering, can not affect the optimum fit of the connected holding profiles. Preferably, the guide recess is also designed as a dust chamber. In this case, the dust chamber is formed in the hooked state of the guide recess and a wall of the first hook part. Furthermore, the dust chamber is open laterally as part of the holding profiles.

The retaining profiles can be partially bent in the connected state of two panels, wherein by the bending a clamping force can be generated, which acts in a plane parallel to the plane of the panel. Depending on the desired position of the panels, the clamping force can be designed in such a way that the panels are forced together or kept at the desired distance.

Alternatively or additionally, the holding profiles in the connected state of two panels may be partially bent so that a tension force can be generated by the bending, which acts in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the panel. In this way, connected panels can be positioned in height relative to each other so that existing contact surfaces within the holding profiles can be forced against each other or kept at the desired distance.

Conveniently, with the vertical locking element in the connected state of two panels, a clamping force can be generated, wherein the clamping force acts in a plane which is arranged parallel to the plane of the panel. Depending on requirements, the clamping force of the vertical locking element can force the panels to be forced or setting a desired distance between the panels are effected.

Alternatively or additionally, a clamping force can be generated with the vertical locking element in the connected state of two panels, the clamping force acting in a plane which is arranged both perpendicular to the plane of the panel and perpendicular to the edge provided with the vertical locking element. In this way, depending on the direction of the clamping force of the vertical locking element, the panels can either be loaded with a force component as required, which forces a panel upwards or downwards relative to the connected panel perpendicular to the plane of the panels.

It is proposed a flooring having a plurality of compatible panels of the type described above, which are interconnected.

Several exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to a plurality of partial representations of panels. Show it:

Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a flooring with two rows of panels, with a new panel being angled in,

FIGS. 2a to 2e are cross-sectional views of five exemplary embodiments for angled holding profiles of a second edge pair of the panel,

3a shows a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a retaining profile connection with a hook element pair and a separate vertical locking element,

FIG. 3b shows a detail IHb according to FIG. 3a,

FIG. 4 a shows a cross-sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of the retaining profile connection, FIG. 4b shows a detail IVb according to FIG. 4a,

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a third exemplary embodiment of the retaining profile connection,

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the retaining profile connection,

Figure pairs 7a, 7b to IIa, IIb and Figures 12 to 15

in each case in a cross-sectional view in each case a further embodiment and thus a total of the fifth to fourteenth embodiment of the retaining profile connection with a hook element pair and a separate vertical locking element, on the one hand by means of a joining movement in a plane arranged substantially perpendicular to the plane plane are connected and the other hand hooked by means of a pivoting movement Edges are unlockable,

16 shows a side view of a first embodiment of a vertical locking elements according to FIGS. 3a to 9b, FIG.

Figures 17a and 17b is a plan view and a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the Vertikalsperrele- elements according to the figures 10a to 11b and

FIG. 18 shows a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the vertical locking elements according to FIGS. 12 and 13.

FIG. 1 shows a started floor covering B of panels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 according to the invention, similar here, in two panel rows.

The panel 2 according to the invention has a quadrangular shape. It is provided with a user surface N. At the four edges of the panel 2 holding profiles 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d are arranged. The panel 2 has two edge pairs. Each edge pair is formed from two opposite edges, which correspond with corresponding Denden retaining profiles are provided. In the present example, the panel 2 comprises two parallel long edges 2a and 2b and two short edges 2c and 2d, which are respectively opposed in parallel. At the short edges 2c and 2d of the panel 2, the same is connected to further panels 1 and 3 lying in the same row R1. The indexing of the edges applies to the remaining panels 1, 3, 4 and 5 in the same way. At the long edge 2b, the panel is connected to the panels 4 and 5 of the following row of panels R2. A new row of panels can be added to each laid row of panels. This is preferably done in a stepwise construction of a new row of panels by adding individual panels.

Figure 1 further shows how the panel 5 is connected as a new panel by Einwinkein with the panels 2 and 3 of the previous Pane neel Rl. Shown is the new panel 5 in a plane which is arranged obliquely to the plane of the panels 2 and 3 of the previous row of panels Rl. A long edge 5b of the new panel 5 is attached to the long edges 2b and 3b of the panels 2 and 3 of the previous row R1. The nested at the long edges holding profiles of the first pair of edges are automatically locked together by pivoting down the new panel 5 in the plane of the panels of the previous row Rl. The retaining profiles of the long edges of the panels then prevent the panels from moving apart in the common plane, perpendicular to the long edges.

At the same time, the angle also causes a connection of the short edge 5c of the new panel 5 with the short edge 4d of the panel 4 already in the same row of panels R2. The angulation causes a scissors-like movement at the short edges 4d / 5c short edge 5 c of the new panel 5 on the short edge 4 d of the lying panel 4 moves. In connection with the locking of the short edges, the angle is also called a folding movement.

Figures 2a to 2e show forms of holding profiles, the are known in the art, and which are suitable for Einwinkein.

Usually, a groove edge A of the panels of a previous row is provided for the connection of a following row of panels. Therefore, an edge of a new panel provided with a spring B is usually added to the groove edge A of the panels of the previous row, the new panel being arranged in an oblique plane as shown in FIG. The groove edge has at least one Hinterschneidungsflache Al and the spring edge per an undercut surface Bl, which counteract in the locked state, a movement apart of the panels in the panel plane and that perpendicular to the locked groove and spring edges A / B. An upper side of the panels 1 to 7 is provided with a payload surface N.

The panels 1 to 7 according to Figures 1 and 2 and the panels 6 and 7 according to Figures 3a to 15 comprise a core material of a wood fiber material. The holding profiles are milled to the edges, which may consist of the core material or have a special edge material.

In the figures 3a to 15 holding profiles in the form of hook elements 6a and 7a in connection with at least one separate vertical locking element 8 are shown. These hook elements 6a and 7a are arranged at least on that edge pair of a panel 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 according to FIG. 1, which join together by a scissor-like movement (folding movement) with a similar neighboring panel 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 leaves. All examples of hook elements of FIGS. 3a to 15 are therefore suitable for the edges 2c / 2d of the panel 2 according to FIG. 1 or for the edges 4d / 5c of the panels 4 and 5 according to FIG. 1 to be hooked.

However, the use of the hook elements 6a and 7a of FIGS. 3a to 15b for a scissor-type joining movement m is not the only possible joining mode, as will be explained below will be .

All the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 3a to 15 have the preferred joining type in common, according to which a new panel 7 shown in the figures above is moved by a scissor-like movement to a neighboring panel 6 already shown in the figures below, the facing hook elements 6a and 7a are hooked together. For this purpose, the hook elements 6a and 7a have hook necks 6.1 or 7.1 and hook heads 6.2 and 7.2, respectively. So that the panels 6 and 7 are not moved apart even in the panel plane perpendicular to the hooked edges, the hook element 6 is provided with an undercut surface 6b which cooperates with an undercut surface 7b of the panel 7. The panels 6 and 7 are only partially shown in sectional view. Subsequently, the hook element facing a user surface N is always referred to as the upper hook element 7a and the hook element complementary thereto corresponding to its position as the lower hook element 6a.

The scissor-like relative movement of the hook elements 6a and 7a relative to one another is illustrated in FIGS. 3a to 15 by means of at least two positions I and IV, which occupies the upper hook element 7a via a joining path M relative to the lower hook element, the lower hook element 6a with respect to one in FIGS not shown base remains unmoved. In this case, the position I shows the upper panel 7 in an unconnected in the cutting area with the lower panel 6 state, wherein the upper panel is shown in this position with a dashed line. The position IV, in which the upper panel 7 is shown by a solid line, indicates the hooked state of the hook elements 6a and 7a again, in which the vertical locking element 8 is automatically locked and a release of the hook elements 6, 7 opposes the joining movement m. In this position, the effective areas N of the panels 6 and 7 are at a height. A load on the effective area N in the area of the upper hook element 7a presses a bearing surface. surface 7w of the upper hook element 7a onto a support surface 6w of the lower hook element βa. In the hooked state of the hook elements 6a / 7a, contact surface 7w and support surface 6w are in contact, so that no height difference can arise due to a cavity between support surface 7w and support surface 6w. In addition, as shown in dashed line in Fig. 3a, in the support surface 7w a dust chamber area S may be provided. This applies to all exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3a to 15.

In addition, in FIGS. 3 a, 4 a and 5, the upper panel 7 is shown in position II, in which the upper hook element 7a has come to the vertical locking element 8 via the joining path M during the shear-type joining movement m over the joining path M. ,

According to the invention, a guide 9 is provided for guiding the hook elements 6a and 7a into the hooked state, which in the joining movement m via the joining path M from the position II of the upper hook element 7, in which the upper hook element 7 for effective engagement with the vertical lock - Element 8 has come, is guiding. The hook elements 6 and 7 are, as explained in more detail below, by means of the guide 9 and by means of a force with a force component K perpendicular to the panel plane or perpendicular to the user surface N already laid panels 1 to 6 in a continuous joining movement m from the position I in the hooked state (position IV) into feasible. Here, the position II is equal to a first guide position F. The guide can also be designed so that they upstream in a joining movement m to the first guide position F and not shown here leadership position or from a joining in the first leading position or joining second Leadership position becomes effective.

In the following, only the processes in which the guide 9 acts on the joining movement m of the hook elements 6, 7 are based on the four exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3 a to 6 are explained:

In the first embodiment of the retaining profile connection, the undercut surfaces 6b and 7b, except for rounded transitions to adjacent surfaces, an end face 6v and the support surface 6w or a neck surface 7v and the support surface 7w, perpendicular to the payload surface of the associated panel 6, 7 are arranged. To guide the hook elements 6a and 7a, the hook head 6.2 of the lower hook element 6a is dimensioned so that it is forcefully applied to an undercut surface 7e of the upper hook element 7 in the position II and thus in the first guide position F, with its undercut surface 6e. This is illustrated schematically in FIG. 3b, a detail IHb according to FIG. 3a. Via the further joining path M from the first guide position F to position IV, in which the useful surfaces N of the two panels 6, 7 lie in one plane, the undercut surfaces 6e and 7e slide against each other.

The lower hook element 6a has a joint surface b, which in the hooked state is in contact with a joint surface c of the upper hook element. The so abutting joint surfaces b and c ensure that the surface of a floor covering B is seamless, because the user surface N of a panel immediately adjacent to the user surfaces N of the neighboring panels. Of course, the corners between the joining surfaces b or c and the user surface N can also be taken or rounded.

A gap 1 is provided in the hooked state between the free outer edge of the lower hook element 6a and the region of the upper hook element 7a projecting from the outer edge. When mounting the hook elements 6a / 7a, the resilient automatic locking of the vertical locking element 8 is easy to feel for the user, because it is the only resistance, which is the joining movement m on the joining path M. According to Figure 3a and Figure 16, the vertical locking element 8 as a blocking region Sp an elastically resilient locking tab 8a, which is resiliently movable in the cross-sectional plane shown in Figure 3a. Further, the vertical locking member 8 includes an insertion portion 8b, with which it sits in a recess 6c, which is provided for this purpose at the edge of the hook member 6a. In the present case, the recess 6c is formed in two stages with a narrow and deep area and a wider area with less depth. At the opening of the recess 6c, the locking tab 8a of the vertical locking element 8 projects from the edge of the hook element 6a. The insertion section 8b of the vertical locking element 8 is arranged captively in the hook element 6a of the panel 6.

The vertical locking element 8 protrudes in the guide position F still with its elastic locking tab 8a in the joining path M of the hook elements 6a, 7a inside, is automatically moved with its locking tab 8a during the further joining movement of the joining path M to release this, and in the locked state of Hook elements 6a, 7a by means of spring action automatically moves back into the joining path M in a provided in the hook head 7.2 Rastausneh- tion 7c inside, wherein the locking tab 8 is supported with its free end on a locking surface d in the recess 7c. Thus, the undercut surface 6e and 7e are guide elements of the guide 9 for guiding the hook elements 6a and 7a via the joining path M from the first guiding position to the position IV in which the hooking elements 6a and 7a are in a hooked state. From the illustrated geometries it is immediately apparent that the vertical distance of the vertical locking element 8 from the useful surface N or from the support surface 7w and the formation of the locking tab 8a or generally its locking region Sp the necessary vertical extension of the hook head 6.2 or determine the undercut surfaces 6e and 7e, so that the guide 9 in the joining movement m on the joining path M at least from the first guide position can be guiding effect. Thanks to the guide 9 according to the invention, it is thus possible that the upper panel 7 is lowered with its hook element 7a perpendicular to the effective area N and connected in one step and in a continuous joining movement over the entire profile length of the hook element 7a with the hook element 6a. This makes it possible that the panel 7 can also be connected simultaneously, for example, with two, three or four adjacent, already interconnected panels. If there is a shearing motion in which the holding profiles to be joined are pivoted and connected along their length, it is obvious that the guide on the front in shear movement, already nested sections of the holding profiles with the vertical locking element 8 on the stiffness of the same the relative position of not yet directly covered by the guide, in shear movement rear sections may affect the same holding profiles. By means of the shearing motion of the panel 7, the same can also be connected simultaneously to two adjacent, already interconnected panels by the panel starting the heavy movement from a common corner of two of its edges or attaching to a same side of two parallel edges.

Similarly, the hook elements 6a and 7a shown in Figure 4a are hooked together. Here, the vertical locking element 8 is arranged at the same height as in FIG. 3a in the lower hook element 6a. In contrast to the hook elements 6a and 7a shown in FIG. 3a, a guide recess 7k for receiving the latching lug 8a of the vertical locking element 8 is provided in the hook element 7a according to FIG. 4a. The guide recess 7k comprises an inner side surface 71 pointing in joining movement m, which has an approximately same inclination as an outer side surface 8n of the latching lug 8a facing opposite the joining movement. Here, the guide recess 7k is a simple Abkantfläche the front in the direction of movement free edge of the hook head 7.2. Thus, the two side surfaces 71 and 8a are in the drawn in Figure 4a and dotted shown position II of the upper hook element 7a to each other. The undercut surfaces 6e and 7e are arranged perpendicular to the effective surface N as in FIG. 3a. The guide recess 7k at the same time forms a Staubkämmer Sl.

In this position, hook element 7a and vertical locking element 8 are in a force acting over the joining movement m first (Figure 4b), which, since the locking tab on the joining path M can be received by the guide recess 7k, compared to the embodiment of Figure 3a on the Joining path M takes place later and is thus delayed. This has the consequence that the hook head 6.2 must be dimensioned smaller in the vertical direction, so that it in the first guide position F (position II in Figure 4a) with its undercut surface 6e guide effective at the Hinterschneidungs- 7e of the hook element 7a. In order to obtain a delay of the first force-effective system of vertical locking element 8 and hook element 7 on the joining path M, or in addition, the vertical locking element 8 can be arranged further offset in its vertical positioning downwards, whereby, however, the wall receiving force for blocking between a sloping locking surface d of the recess 7c and the support surface 7w may be unfavorably reduced.

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a retaining profile connection with vertical locking element 8 and hook elements 6, 7, in which, differing from the previous, the undercut surfaces 6e and 7e have a slight inclination to the vertical and enclose with this an angle μ. This allows known to facilitate engagement of the hook elements on the Fügeweg M. Further, the hook elements are pressed with the joining movement in the hooked state according to position IV in accordance with the principle of the inclined plane against each other, so that their joint surfaces b and c can be close to each other. This has, as shown below, a dependent on the inclination change of the joining movement m on the joining path M result. In the exemplary embodiment for a retaining profile connection illustrated in FIG. 6, it is provided that the undercut surfaces 6b, 7b of the hook elements 6a and 7a are arranged such that they lie in an unlocking curve V whose function will be discussed in the following examples. As can be seen directly from the figure, the undercut surfaces 6e and 7e are generally inclined more towards the horizontal. This can result in a more complex joining movement than in FIG. 5 and in particular as in FIGS. 3a and 4a.

In Figure 6, in addition to the positions I, II and IV nor a position III of the hook element 7 is located, which is arranged between the positions II and III and in which the hook element 7 is already guided over a portion of the joining path M by means of the guide 9. In position II, in which the second hook element has come to the vertical locking element for effective engagement, the guide is effective in that the upper hook member 7 here with its inner side surface 71 on the outer side surface 8n of the vertical locking element 8 starts to slide off, while the locking tab 8a , Depending on the rigidity of the hook element 7 and possibly the previously previously on the joining path M moving sections of the holding profile and its own rigidity, automatically resiliently pushed out of the joining path M. By way of this, the hook element 7 with its undercut surface 7e is guided against the undercut surface 6e of the lower hook element 6a (position III). Sliding further on the undercut surfaces 6e and 7e, the hook element 7 is guided further into the hooked state (position IV) with the lower hook element 6a. Since this complex movement is dependent inter alia on the inclination of the undercut surfaces to the joining path and the elastic behavior of the hook elements and the vertical locking element involved, the drawn position III is only an example and not to be regarded as a precisely occurring position.

The following examples are in pairs of figures 7a / 7b to 11a, wherein the figures indicated by a show the joining together of the hook elements 6, 7 in the positions I and IV as well as the figures indicated by b, an unlocking of the hook elements 6, 7.

The hook elements 6, 7 shown in FIG. 7a differ from those shown in FIG. 6 only in that the gap 1 is missing and contact between the edges is instead provided. According to FIG. 7a, the hook elements 6a / 7a have undercut contact surfaces 6d / 7d which are designed such that, during the vertical joining movement according to FIG. 7a, a constraining and elastic deformation is required in order to bring the contact surfaces into the illustrated contact position , The guide 8 in turn has the guide recess 7k, so that the guidance of the hook elements 6, 7 takes place in the same way as previously explained.

In order to again separate the connected state shown in FIG. 7a, the panel 7 entangled according to FIG. 7a is pivoted up into an oblique position according to FIG. 7a and brought into an unlocking position. The pivotal movement is effected about a pivot axis arranged parallel to the pivot elements 6a / 7a or on an unlocking curve V, which in the present embodiment are circular. In the unlocking position, the useful surfaces N of the two panels 6 and 7 assume an angle β of less than 180 °. It is sufficient if the tilted for unlocking panel 7 is pivoted so far up that the Hinterschneidungsflachen 6b, 7b of the hook elements 6a, 7a, which prevent a movement apart of the two panels 6 and 7 in the panel plane and perpendicular to the hooked edges have slid so far past each other by the pivoting that the undercut flat 6b, 7b are out of contact. Then the panel 7 can be easily removed.

The undercut surfaces 6b, 7b of the hook elements 6a, 7a have a cylindrically curved shape in the present case on. However, it is also possible to provide even or oppositely curved Hinterschneidungsflachen. Under certain circumstances, the undercut surfaces would then undergo elastic deformation when the panels are moved from a level position into the unlocking position shown in FIG. 7b. The elastic deformation can be tolerated if it does not prevent the function of the hook elements. The contact surfaces 6d, 7d are also shaped so that they can slide past each other to achieve the unlocking position shown in Figure 7b without appreciable elastic deformation. The contact surfaces 6d, 7d are subject to less wear than during the joining movement.

In addition to the gap 1 occurring, the hook elements 6, 7 in FIGS. 8a and 8b differ from those in FIGS. 7a, 7b, in particular in the number of undercut surfaces of the hook elements, which move the panels apart in the panel plane perpendicular to the hooked edges (horizontal ) prevent. According to FIG. 8a, two undercut surfaces 6b and 6e or 7b and 7e are provided on each hook element 6a or 7a, which are arranged on two unlocking curves V1 and V2. By the measure to provide each of the hook elements 6a and 7a with two successive Hinterschneidungsflachen, a higher strength is achieved against a moving apart of the panels 6 and 7 in the horizontal direction and that perpendicular to the hooked edges.

In Figure 8b, the unlocking of the hook elements 6a, 7a is shown, which is easily possible by the formation of the Hinterschneidungsflachen 6b, 6e and 7b, 7e on the locking curves V1 and V2.

Figures 9a and 9b show an embodiment of hook elements 6a and 7a, which provide the vertical locking element 8 on the upper hook element 7a. The hook elements 6, 7 are in turn by a scissor-like joining movement with each other connected. The vertical locking member 8 is disposed in a recessed from the outer edge of the upper panel 7 area and cooperates with the outer edge of the provided with the lower hook member 6a panel 6, with its locking tab 8a extends against the joining movement m. At the outer edge of the lower hook element 6a a Rastausneh- tion 6f is provided with the oblique locking surface d. When the upper hook element 7a is lowered from the position I shown in dashed lines to the lower hook element 6a, the resilient locking tab 8a is initially pushed back out of the joining path M by contact with the lower hook element 6a. When the hook elements have reached their locked position shown in FIG. 7a, the resilient latching tab 8a automatically emerges again into the joining path M, being sprung into the clearance formed by the latching recess 6f and springing against the latching surface d. The arrangement of the vertical locking element 8 in the upper hook member 7 is a kinematic reversal. Therefore, in order to delay effective contact of the lower hook element 6a with the vertical locking element 8, a guide recess 6k is now provided in the hook head 6.2 of the lower hook element 6 for receiving the latching lug 8a in the first guide position not explicitly shown here.

According to FIG. 9b, the hook elements 6a and 7a have interlocking surfaces 6b and 7b cooperating in the panel plane and perpendicular to the hooked edges (horizontally). These undercut surfaces 6b / 7b are arranged on an unlocking curve V. To release the hook elements 6a and 7a from each other, the panel 7 is pivoted with the upper hook member 7a around the hooked edges up and brought into an unlocked position. In the unlocked position, the useful surfaces N of the panels 6 and 7 have an angle β of less than 180 ° with respect to each other.

The embodiment of FIGS. 10a and 10b largely corresponds to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 7a and 7b. however, an alternative vertical locking element 8 is provided at the same installation location. The vertical locking element 8 is bendable in the manner of a leaf spring and also designed so that it can be pushed out of the joining path M of the upper hook element 7a automatically and thereby absorbs spring energy. When the two hook elements 6a and 7a have reached the locked position shown in FIG. 9a, the vertical locking element 8 has been automatically moved back into the joining path M by means of the stored spring energy and reaches a latching recess 7c of the hook element 7a.

The vertical locking element 8 is arranged in a plane parallel to the useful surface N of the panel 6. For this purpose, a groove-shaped recess 6h is provided on the lower hook element 6a. The recess 6h extends along a recessed portion of the edge of the lower hook member 6a. In this plane parallel to the useful surface N, the spring elastic movement of the vertical locking element 8 also takes place. In the recess 6h, the vertical locking element 8 is spring-movable parallel to the plane of the panel, namely substantially perpendicular to the edge of the panel. It protrudes in the relaxed state into the joining path M of the upper hook element 7a. Because the vertical locking element 8 must be able to move in the recess 6h, the fit for the vertical locking element 8 in the recess 6h is designed as a slight sliding fit. Clamping is thus prevented. The vertical locking element 8 has an oblique outer side surface 8n, which serves as a contact surface for the upper hook element 7a. When the upper hook member 7a abuts on its joining path M against the inclined outer side surface 8n, the leaf spring-like vertical locking member 8 is elastically deformed and moved in the direction of the groove bottom of the recess 6h. In this way, the joining path for the upper hook element 7a is temporarily released.

It can be seen from FIG. 10b that the alternative vertical locking element 8 likewise ensures problem-free unlocking by the panel provided with the upper hook element 7a 7 is pivoted on an unlocking V in an unlocking position, in which the user surfaces N of the panels 6 and 7 to each other an angle ß occupy less than 180 °.

In the example shown in FIGS. IIa and IIb, a vertical locking element 8 according to the previous example is also used, but here in the upper hook element 7a and kinematically reversed. The vertical locking element 8 is thus no longer arranged on the recessed edge of the lower hook element 6a, but on the free outer edge of the upper hook element 7a. Consequently, the upper hook element 7a has a groove-shaped recess 7h which has the same properties as the above-described groove-shaped recess 6h according to FIG. 10a. The oblique outer side surface 8n of the vertical locking element 8 is arranged according to FIG. IIa for the purpose of kinematic reversal on the side facing away from the user surface N of the groove-shaped recess 7h, so that it initiated by contact with the lower hook member 6a by the vertical joining movement in the horizontal direction in the groove-shaped recess 7h is pressed and stores spring energy. In order to enable a guide in the first guide position for guiding the hook elements of the second edge pair into the hooked state, the hook head 6.2 of the lower hook element 6 extends correspondingly far to the useful surface. When the two hook elements 6a and 7a have reached the locked position IV shown in FIG. 11a, the vertical locking element 8 has been automatically moved back into the joining path M by the stored spring energy and reaches a latching recess 6f of the hook element 7a.

It is shown with reference to FIG. 11b that, in this example too, the panel with the upper hook element 7a can be swung open along an unlocking curve, so that an unlocking position is achieved in which the user surfaces N of the panels 6 and 7 assume an angle .beta. which is less than 180 °. Figure 12 shows an embodiment which is approximately equal to the embodiment of FIG. 3a. It is merely another embodiment of the vertical locking element 8 is provided. The vertical locking element 8 is arranged at the same mounting position on the lower hook element 6a. For locking against moving apart of the panels 6 and 7 in the panel plane and perpendicular to the hooked edges, the hook elements 6a and 7a are provided with cooperating Hinterschneidungsflachen 6b and 7b. The vertical locking element 8 has jagged or arcuate spring-elastic contact means 8d, which effect a blocking action in the vertical direction, namely perpendicular to the panel plane by releasing the joining path M for the upper hook element 7a under a back pressure of the upper hook element 7a, after omitting the Gegenrucks move by stored spring energy automatically and again in the joining path, this blocking, emerge. The contact means 8d are arranged at a recessed area of the edge of the lower hook element 6a. Furthermore, the vertical locking element 8 has two insertion areas 8e which approximately correspond to the insertion section according to FIG. 3a. For the insertion portions 8e groove-shaped recesses 6i are provided in the lower hook member 6a. The insertion portions 8e of the vertical locking member 8 may be received in the groove-shaped recesses 6i so as to be movable back and forth therein. As a result, they help to temporarily release the joining path M and block it again. On the other hand, the insertion portions 8e may be fixedly connected to the groove-shaped recesses 6i, for example, by press-fitting due to interference and / or adhesive in the groove-shaped recesses 6i. It is also favorable if only one of the insertion areas 8e is firmly connected in the groove-shaped recesses 6i and the second insertion area 8e is movable in its groove-shaped recesses 6i.

Between each of the contact means 8d and the edge to which the vertical lock member 8 is attached, there is a clearance 8f intended. In order to move the projecting contact means 8d out of the joining path M of the upper hook member 7a, the contact means 8d are automatically pressed against the edge of the lower hook member 6a. The contact means 8d are resiliently deformed and pressed into the mentioned free spaces 8f. The open spaces are thereby reduced. In the locked position of the hook elements 6a and 7a shown in FIG. 13a, the contact means 8d again resiliently move and engage in corresponding recesses 7i provided at the outer edge of the upper hook element 7a therefor. The free spaces 8f lying behind the contact means 8d are enlarged again in the locked state of the two hook elements 6a and 7a.

FIG. 13 shows an example in which a vertical locking element 8 is arranged on each hook element 6a and 7a. Both vertical locking elements 8 are suitable to be locked together. They act against a release of the panels 6 and 7 in a direction perpendicular to the panel plane. Since the undercut surfaces 6e and 7e in each case according to FIGS. 12 and 13 lie on a locking cam V, the hook elements 6, 7 can be unlocked as already described above.

FIGS. 14 and 15 each show an exemplary embodiment with panels 6 and 7, which largely correspond to the panels of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 8a and 7b, with a respective guide recess 7k being provided on the hook elements 7. The only difference is the vertical locking element 8 and a recess 6i, which is provided in the lower hook element 6a for receiving an insertion region 8e of the vertical locking element 8. Furthermore, each of the hook heads 7.2 continue to the effective area N.

The special vertical locking element 8 is arranged at the same installation location on the lower hook element 6a as the vertical locking element 8 in Fig. 6a. For locking against separation Moving the panels 6 and 7 in the panel plane perpendicular to the hooked edges, the hook members 6a and 7a are provided with undercut surfaces 6b and 6e which cooperate with undercut surfaces 7b and 7e, respectively. The vertical locking element 8 has a protruding resilient contact means 8d, which causes a blocking action in the vertical direction, namely perpendicular to the panel plane, in which it release the joining path M for the upper hook member 7a under a back pressure of the upper hook member 7a and after elimination of the back pressure through move stored spring energy automatically and emerge again in the joining path M and blocks it. The vertical locking element 8 receives its resilient property by two spring means 8n, which protrude laterally from the insertion.

Figure 16 shows an enlarged view of the cross section of a vertical locking element 8, as it can be found in the embodiments of Figures 3a to 9b use. The vertical locking member 8 has an insertion portion 8b provided with anchoring means. With the insertion section, the vertical locking element 8 can be inserted in a recess 6c or 7f of a hook element 6a or 7a. A connection between the insertion portion 8b of the vertical locking element 8 and the recess 6c or 7f of the hook element 6a or 7a may be based on a press connection or on the use of an adhesive. The anchoring means of the Einsetzabschnitts 8b have a bearing surface 8g, which rests in the assembled state on a side wall of the recess 6c and 7f of a hook element. The anchoring means of Einsetzab- section 8b have on the opposite side of the abutment surface 8g side by side protruding holding elements 8h. Between the holding elements 8h gaps 8i are provided. If the insertion portion 8b is to be connected via a press connection with the recess 6c or 7f, the recess 6c or 7f must with This results in a high surface pressure and an elastic deformation of the contact points at which the holding elements 8h with the recess 6c and 7f of the hook member 6a and 7f are in contact materials in contact with each other. In this way, the vertical locking element 8 is attached captively to the hook element 6a or 7a. If a press connection is undesirable, the recess may be formed with a width greater than the width of the insertion portion 8b of the vertical locking member 8. The insertion portion 8b may then be connected to the recess 6c or 7f by introducing an adhesive. In this case, it is advantageous that the interspaces 8i between the holding elements 8h of the insertion section 8b can form a reservoir for adhesives.

An inclined surface 8j adjoins the contact surface 8g at the free end of the insertion section 8b. This inclined surface 8j serves to make it easier to insert the insertion section 8b into the recess 6c or 7f during assembly. By the inclined surface 8j is achieved that the free end face of the insertion portion 8b has a significantly smaller width than the width of the opening of the recess 6c and 7f, so that the insertion portion 8b therefore easily fits into the opening of the recess 6c and 7f. At the end opposite the inclined surface 8j, a laterally projecting shoulder 8k adjoins the abutment surface 8g of the insertion section 8b. The shoulder 8k is in the mounted state in contact with a bottom of a wider portion of the recess 6c or 7f of a hook member 6a and 7a, respectively. In the embodiment according to FIG. 16, the shoulder 8j serves to limit the insertion depth of the vertical locking element 8 in the recess 6c or 7f. On the other hand, at the free end of the insertion portion 8b, a clearance to the bottom of the recess 6c or 7f is provided. At the shoulder 8k is followed by a support surface 8m, which is oriented approximately parallel to the contact surface 8g. The support surface 8m according to the present embodiment has contact with the lateral wall of the wider portion of the recess 6c or 7f of the hook element 6a and 7a, respectively. It serves to absorb forces that are introduced into an obliquely protruding resilient locking tab 8a. The free end of this locking tab 8a is the side of the vertical locking element 8 faces, on which the holding elements 8h of the insertion 8b are arranged. The locking tab 8a has two side surfaces, an outer side surface 8n and an inner surface 8p. Between the support surface 8m and the outer side surface 8n of the locking tab 8a, an obtuse angle is formed. On the inside 8p of the locking tab 8a, a recess 8r is provided at the foot end thereof. The recess 8r reduces the cross section of the foot of the locking tab 8a, thereby favoring a resilient bending of the locking tab 8a in the direction of the Einsetzabschnitts 8b.

The vertical locking element 8 is manufactured as an extruded part and is processed by the meter. From the meterware therefore blocking element pieces must be separated to equip a provided with a hook element edge with a vertical locking element 8 of appropriate length. It is favorable to cut a vertical locking element 8 slightly shorter than the edge of the respective panel in order to avoid a projection of the vertical locking element 8.

Figures 17a and 17b show an embodiment of a vertical locking element 8, as it can be used for hook elements 6a and 7a according to Figures 10a to IIb. It is designed in the manner of a flexible leaf spring which, if it is arranged in a recess 6h or 7h of a hook element 6a or 7a, has a maximum spring travel f. On one side of the vertical locking element 8, an oblique outer side surface 8n is provided, which in the present embodiment extends over part of the length L of the vertical part 8n. kalsperrelements 8 extends. A cross section through the vertical locking element 8 is shown in Figure 17b, in which also the maximum spring travel f is indicated.

Another vertical locking element is shown in Figure 18, which is used in the examples of Figures 14 and 15. It has two contact means 8d. The contact means 8d are arranged in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the panel and project laterally from the edge of the hook element 6a or 7a. The contact means 8d have elastic properties. The vertical locking element 8 is provided in recesses 6i and 7j of a hook element 6a and 7a, respectively. The in the assembled state of the panel edge facing side of the contact means 8d is partially supported on a contact surface of the panel edge. Free spaces 8f are provided between the contact means 8d and the contact surface. The free spaces 8f provide a spring travel f by which the contact means 8d can be pushed back from its protruding position against the contact surface of the panel edge.

Akzenta Paneele + Profile GmbH 56759 Kaisersesch

Panel and flooring

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 panel

2 panels

2a long edge

2b long edge

2c short edge

2d short edge

3 panel

4 panel

4d short edge

5 panel

5a long edge

5c short edge

6 panel

6a hook element

6b undercut surface

6c recess

6d contact surface

6e undercut surface

6f recess

6g projecting contact element

6h recess

6i recess

6j recess

6k guide recess

61 inside surface

6v face 6.1 hook neck

6.2 Hook head

7 panel

7a hook element

7b undercut surface

7c recess

7d contact surface

7e Hintersehneidungsfläche

7f recess

7g locking surface

7h recess

7i recess

7j recess

7k guide recess

71 inside surface

7v throat area

7w contact surface

7.1 hook neck

7.2 Hook head

8 vertical locking element

8a snap tab

8b insertion section

8d contact agent

8f free space

8g contact surface

8h holding elements

8i interval

8j bevel

8k shoulder

8m support surface

8n outside surface

9 guide b joint surface

C joint surface d locking surface

1 gap m joining movement

A groove edge

Al undercut area

B spring edge

Bl undercut area

B flooring

K force component

L length

M Fügeweg

N user surface

Rl panel row

R2 panel row

S dustbin area

Sl dustbin

V unlocking curve

Vl unlocking curve

V2 unlocking curve ß angle μ angle

Claims

Panel as well as flooring patent claims

1. panel (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) with a user surface (N) and four edges (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 4d, 5b, 5c), of which opposite pairs of edges corresponding retaining profiles have, so that similar panels (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) on all four edges (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 4d, 5b, 5c) are connectable, wherein the holding profiles of a first edge pair are formed as complementary hook elements (6a, 7a), a first hook element and a second hook element, so that on each of the hook elements (6a, 7a) a similar neighbor panel (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) in Essentially by means of a joining movement (m) is connectable, which takes place in a plane of movement perpendicular to the plane of the panel (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7), with the proviso that at least on one of the hook elements (6a , 7a) of the first pair of edges at least one separate vertical locking element (8) is provided, which projects with a blocking area in the joining path (M) of the hook elements (6a, 7a), wherein the vertik as blocking element (8) during the joining movement (m) of the hook elements (6a, 7a) of two panels (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) is automatically moved out of the Fügeweg (M) to release this, and in hooked state of the hook elements (6a, 7a) by means of spring action automatically hineinbewegbar in the Fügeweg (M), characterized in that a guide (9) for guiding the hook elements (6a, 7a) of the second edge pair (7) in the hooked state is provided in that the guide (9) in the joining movement (m) via the joining path (M) from a first guide position of the hook elements (6a, 7a), in which the second hook element (7a) has come to the vertical locking element (8) for effective engagement, or is effective from a forward in a joining movement (m) to the first guide position or front second guide position and that the hook elements (6a, 7a) by means of the guide (9) and by means of a force with a force component (K) perpendicular to the panel plane in a kon- Continuous joining movement (m) in the entangled state are feasible.

2. Panel according to claim 1, characterized ge kenni zei chnet that both hook elements (6a, 7a) of the first pair of edges each have a separate vertical locking element (8), which with a blocking area in the Fügeweg (M) of the hook elements (6a, 7a) protrudes, wherein the two vertical locking elements (8) during the joining movement of the hook elements (6a, 7a) of two panels (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) are automatically moved out of the Fügeweg (M) to release this and in the hooked state of the hook elements (6a, 7a) by spring action automatically back into the Fügeweg (M) and against each other are movable, and that the guide (9) in the joining movement (m) via the joining path (M) at least from the first Leading position of the hook elements (6a, 7a) in which the two locking elements have come into contact with one another for force-effective contact, or is effective from the front in the joining movement (m) to the first guide position or front second guide position.

3. Panel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized ge ze- zei chn that the holding profiles of a planned second edge pair at one edge have an undercut groove profile and at the opposite edge a complementary spring profile, wherein the profiles are connected to each other by Einwinkein.

4. Panel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is not shown that the holding profiles of a provided second edge pair are designed as complementary hook elements (6a, 7a) and that at least on one of the hook elements (6a, 7a ) of the second edge pair, a separate vertical locking element (8) is provided.

^"5. A panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, since you rchge ke nn zei chn et that at least one of the pairs of edges with corresponding hook elements (6a, 7a) is provided, that each hook element (6a, 7a) has at least one guide element and in that the guide elements of the two hook elements (6a, 7a) are arranged to cooperate in the first guide position of the hook elements (6a, 7a) for guiding them from the first guide position or the second guide position into the hooked state.

6. The panel according to claim 5, characterized in that it is characterized by the guide elements (6a, 7a) each having at least one undercut surface and the two undercut surfaces (6b, 6e, 7b, 7e) being arranged such that they slide over the joining path (M) from the first guide position or the second guide position into the hooked state and at least partially abutting each other in a guide-effective manner.

7. Panel according to claim 6, characterized in that it is not visible that the undercut surfaces (6b, 6e, 7b, 7e) in the hooked state of two panels (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ) are arranged on a common unlocking curve (V, Vl, V2) and are in contact, and that the undercut surfaces (6b, 6e, 7b, 7e) on the common unlocking curve (V, Vl, V2) away from each other and towards each other are movable.

8. Panel according to one of claims 1 to 1, since you rch geke nn zeic hn et that the vertical locking element (8) is at least partially resiliently movable.

9. The panel according to claim 8, characterized in that a movement plane is provided at least for the resilient mobility of a vertical locking element (8) which is parallel to the plane of the panel (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) , 6, 7) is arranged.

10. Panel according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, at least for the elastic movability of a vertical locking element (8), a plane of movement is provided which is both perpendicular to the plane of the panel (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) and perpendicular to the edge provided with the vertical locking element (8).

Panel according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the vertical locking element (8) of an unconnected panel (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) has a blocking area of Edge of the panel (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) protrudes that the complementary hook element (6a, 7a) as a latching recess (6f, 6j, 7c, 7i) formed groove, and that in the hooked state the hook elements (6a, 7a) at least a portion of the locking area in the latching recess (6f, 6j, 7c, 7i) of the complementary hook element (6a, 7a) is bent or introduced.

12. A panel according to claim 11, characterized ge kennzeich zei net, that the complementary hook element (6 a, 7 a) in a joining movement (m) rear end portion of a mounting position in the vertical locking element (8) side facing a guide recess (6k, 7k) for the locking area has up and that the guide recess (6k, 7k) for receiving the blocking area during the joining movement (m) to the first guide position extended to a rear side surface in joining movement, so that at least one in joining movement (M) front portion of the locking portion of the locking element (8) in the guide recess (6k, 7k) is receivable.

13. Panel according to claim 12, characterized in that the guide recess (βk, 7k) has an inner profile whose inner side surface (61, 71) pointing in the joining movement (m) is opposite to the joining movement (m). facing outer side surface (8n) of the vertical locking element (8) is complementary or largely complementary.

14. Panel according to claim 13, characterized in that inner side surface (61, 71) and outer side surface (8n) are arranged relative to each other via the joining path (M) towards the hooked state, at least from the first guide position they can be slid off each other, at least partially abutting one another.

15. Panel according to one of claims 12 to 14, since you rch ze neh zei chn et, that the locking element (8) as a locking portion has a resilient latching tab (8a), which in the installed position at an acute angle (μ) to Fügeweg and extending with a path component against the joining movement (m) and that the guide recess (6k, 7k) forming the in joining movement facing inner side surface (61, 71) by means of a flat, extending over the entire length of the edge erosion in a joining movement (m ) Rear corner is formed so that locking tab (8a) and inner side surface (61, 71) are arranged approximately parallel to each other in the first guide position.

16. A panel according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that it is not shown in the connected state of two panels (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) within the connection of the retaining profiles at least one dust chamber area (S) is provided.

17. Panel according to claim 16, insofar as dependent on claim 12, since it indicates that the guide means recess (6k, 7k) is formed as a dust chamber (Sl).

18. A panel according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that a hook element (6a, 7a) for connection to the complementary hook element (6a, 7a) of a neighboring panel (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) is positionable on a substrate, that the joining of the hook elements (6a, 7a) of two panels (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) is effected by that on the ground positionable panel (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) rests and with the Nachbarpaneel (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) a joining movement is executable, wherein the vertical locking element (8) preferably at that hook element (6a, 7a) is provided, which is located at the edge of the resting panel (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7).

19. A panel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that a core material of HDF or MDF is provided.

20. Panel according to claim 19, characterized in that the retaining profiles of the panels (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) are integrally formed on the core material.

21. A panel according to any one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that it is not only that the vertical locking element (8) is made of plastic.

22. Floor covering, that a large number of compatible panels (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,

7) are interconnected according to one of claims 1 to 21.