WO2010075839A1

WO2010075839A1 - Floor covering

Info

Publication number: WO2010075839A1
Application number: PCT/DE2009/001760
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Hamberger; Peter Huber
Original assignee: Hamberger Industriewerke Gmbh
Priority date: 2008-12-16
Filing date: 2009-12-16
Publication date: 2010-07-08
Also published as: WO2010075839A4; EP2376722A1; DE102009058666A1

Abstract

The invention discloses a floor covering having two panels, at the longitudinal sides of which corresponding groove-/tongue-like connections having a horizontal lock are configured. For this purpose, extending at a right angle, a press button connection is provided, which can be connected by pivoting away, wherein a locking protrusion of one panel is inserted into a locking recess of another panel. For vertical locking purposes, an elastically protruding locking element, which engages in a locking receptacle of the other panel when the one panel is pivoted down, is provided on one panel. According to the invention, the press button connection is designed such that the two panels can be detached by turning them.

Description

description

flooring

The invention relates to a floor covering according to the preamble of claim 1.

Modern floor panels are rectangular in shape and have along their longitudinal sides a tongue and groove connection, which is additionally provided with a horizontal locking, so that a nearly column-free laying of the floor panels is guaranteed. Floor panels with such a horizontal locking are marketed, for example, by the patent applicant under the name "Lock Connect." In this case, the floor panels to be joined are longitudinally infiltrated and then joined along their end faces.This frontal connection can be designed, for example, so that the two panels are in plane-parallel position (horizontally) are pushed towards each other so that the side edges engage with each other.This solution, it is assumed that the locking along the front sides can be produced by horizontal displacement.

In an alternative solution, a kind of push-button connection is provided along the end faces, which makes it possible to lock the end faces by pivoting down one panel from an angled position to the horizontal position with the other panel. In this case, for example, a downwardly extending projection engages on a panel in a corresponding, upwardly open recess of the other panel. Although such a push-button connection makes it possible to produce a reliable horizontal connection, loosening in the vertical direction is relatively easy, so that over-toothing can occur.

EP 1 650 375 B1 discloses a locking system in which a flexible spring is arranged along the end face of a panel which dips into a receiving groove when the other panel is pivoted down and into a locking receptacle of the other in the horizontal position, ie when the panel is completely swiveled away Panel snaps. In this way, a reliable positive connection in vertical Calibration ensured. However, this lock can be solved nondestructively only by moving the two panels along their connected end faces or by using an unlocking tool, which is inserted into the locking receptacle, so that the flexible spring is disengaged.

Such handling is extremely cumbersome if a lock must be solved when laying to make, for example, an adaptation of the panels to wall clearances, fixtures, etc.

In contrast, the invention has for its object to provide a floor covering in which a vertical lock in a simple manner is solvable.

This object is achieved by a floor covering with the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, the floor covering has at least two panels which can be connected to one another along two longitudinal sides by means of a tongue-and-groove connection, wherein this connection is made with a horizontal locking. The connection along perpendicularly arranged end faces with adjacent panels takes place by pivoting down a panel on an already laid panel, in which case a locking projection of a push-button connection of a panel dives into a locking recess of the other panel. For horizontal locking is a locking surface of the locking projection on a corresponding contact surface of the locking recess, so that the locking projection is engaged behind and thus the two panels are locked in the horizontal direction. For vertical locking, an elastically projecting locking element is provided on one of the longitudinal sides, which snaps into a locking receptacle on the other panel when the one panel is pivoted down.

Up to this point, the floor covering corresponds to known solutions, as it is known for example from the aforementioned EP 1 650 375 B1. According to the invention, the angle of attack of the locking surface and / or the contact surface with respect to a vertical to the laying plane at an angle of more than 35 ° is employed. This angle is Much shallower than in the prior art described in EP 1 650 375 B1 selected, in which, for example, in Figure 6b an embodiment with vertically extending to the laying plane investment er / locking surfaces is shown. FIG. 6 c shows an exemplary embodiment with an obliquely set locking surface whose angle of incidence relative to the vertical (with respect to the laying plane), however, is substantially less than 35 °.

In other words, according to the invention, the angle of attack is chosen so that a release of the two panels can be achieved along the connected via the flexible spring end faces by unscrewing a panel with respect to the other panel. That the release takes place by angling one panel relative to the other panel, wherein the pivot axis extends approximately along the connected end faces. Such unscrewing is not possible and even undesirable in the prior art mentioned above - it may be that the locking is slightly better in this known system - this small advantage over the solution according to the invention, however, comes at a much more serious disadvantage the handling of the floor covering when loosening the connection is extremely cumbersome.

According to the invention it is preferred if the angle of attack of the contact surface and / or the locking surface extends approximately over the entire overlap region of these sections.

In a variant of the invention, the locking element is an elastic spring which is inserted into a receiving groove.

This spring can - as proposed in EP 1 650 375 B1, be designed with two support legs and a base.

In a further development of the invention, the push-button connection is designed so that the two panels along the respective end faces can be joined together approximately by horizontal displacement. Such a horizontal displacement is not provided in the solutions described above with flexible spring. In a variant of the invention, a guide projection is formed at a distance from the contact surface, which dips into a guide recess of the other panel and along which the two panels are pre-adjusted in an intermediate position. Such a solution is disclosed in the post-published PCT patent application PCT / DE2008 / 001601, the content of which is included in the disclosure of the present application.

The connection by horizontal displacement can be realized in such a variant by the guide projection extends into a horizontal plane which extends below the receiving groove for the locking element.

The connection in the horizontal direction is further simplified if a recess is formed on an underside of the locking projection, which in the abovementioned intermediate position overstretches the areas which are embodied with the contact surface and / or the locking surface.

In this case, it is particularly preferred if the abutment surface is formed on an edge delimiting the locking recess, on whose apex an underside of the locking projection can be supported, in which case the locking element is aligned on one panel in the horizontal direction approximately with respect to the locking receptacle on the other panel.

Other developments of the invention are the subject of further subclaims.

In the following preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to schematic drawings. Show it:

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a floor covering according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a variant of a floor covering which can be locked by horizontal displacement and Figure 3 is a representation of the floor covering according to Figure 2 when assembled in the horizontal direction.

Figure 1 shows a section through two panels 1, 2 of a first embodiment, which are interconnected along their end faces 4, 6. These panels 1, 2 may for example be parquet or laminate panels or floor elements made of highly compressed fiber material, with which, for example, the appearance of a ceramic tile can be achieved. Such floor elements are sold by the applicant under the trademark "Celenio".

However, the preferred area of application is likely to be parquet elements. Usually, the floor elements 1, 2 along two not shown in Figure 1, parallel to the plane extending longitudinal sides a tongue and groove connection with horizontal locking, which can be connected by Einwinkein or horizontal displacement. The connection along the illustrated end faces 4, 6 takes place in the system according to the invention via a push-button connection 8, which in principle consists of a locking projection 10 projecting downwards on a panel 2 which projects into a correspondingly formed upward direction (view according to FIG ) opening locking recess 12 on the other panel dips. In the illustrated embodiment, this locking recess 12 is formed on a protruding from the panel 1 lower lip 14, while the locking projection 10 protrudes from a formed on the bottom (representation of Figure 1) of the other panel 2 recess or downgrading 16 downwards. Along the front side 4, a receiving groove 18 is formed, in which a locking element 20 is received. This locking element is - as shown for example in the aforementioned EP 1 650 375 B1 - in the broadest sense U-shaped spring element which is inserted into this receiving groove 18 and the lateral support legs 22 (in the view of Figure 1, only one support leg see) is supported on a groove base 26 of the receiving groove 28. A base 28 of the locking element 20, which extends in an arcuate manner to the other panel 2, emerges, as shown in FIG. 1, in a locking groove 30 on the other panel 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 28 and the locking groove 30 are each tapered and lie flat along two inclined surfaces 32, 34 anein- on the other, while the remaining surface portions of the base 28 and the locking groove 30 are spaced from each other. In this way, a reliable, clearly defined horizontal locking of the two panels 1, 2 ensures each other.

When pivoting the panel 2 on the already laid panel 1, an inclined surface 36 of the locking projection 10 runs on an upper side of the base 28 of the locking element 20 so that it is displaced inwardly and completely immersed in the receiving groove 18, wherein the base 28 of the spring is deformed relatively strong. The depth of the receiving groove 18 is chosen so that it can receive the locking element 20 in the tensioned state. After the projection 10 is immersed in the locking recess 12, the locking member 20 snaps back into its engaged position shown in Figure 1 - the two panels 1, 2 are then locked along the end faces 4, 6 both in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction.

In this case, a contact surface 38 engages behind the right in Figure 1 edge of the locking projection 10, which is designed as a locking surface 40. Both surfaces 38, 40 are in an overlapping area flat against each other and close in the illustrated embodiment with a vertical (perpendicular to the laying plane) 42 an angle α of about 40 °.

Normally, the unlocking of the two panels 1, 2 with the geometry known from EP 1 650 375 B1 could be effected only with the aid of the unlocking tool or by displacement along the end faces 4, 6. The inventive flat employment of the two surfaces 38, 40, for example, the panel 2 are rotated in the direction of arrow upwards, while the two surfaces 38, 40 slide off each other and the locking member 20 at least partially over the surface 32 of the receiving groove 30 elastically into the receiving groove 18 is deformed into, so that the two panels 1, 2 can be detached from each other.

In the variant shown in Figure 1, the two panels 1, 2 along the end faces 4, 6 can be joined together only by pivoting down of the panel 2 in the vertical direction (parallel to the vertical 42) downwards. An exemplary embodiment is explained with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, in which the joining can also take place in the horizontal direction, ie by horizontal displacement of the panel 2 in the direction of the panel 1. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the same reference numerals as in the embodiment described above are used for corresponding components and referenced to avoid repetition of the corresponding statements. The basic construction of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to that explained in the Applicant's PCT patent application cited at the outset. That is, in this variant, a guide projection 48 is formed at an end portion 46 of the projecting in the horizontal direction lower lip 14, which extends in the illustration of Figure 2 to the right offset to the contact surface 38. This guide projection 48 dips into the downgrading 16 of the other panel 2 and has an inclined guide surface 50 whose inclination corresponds approximately to that of the locking surface 40 of the downgrading 16.

2, a recess 52 forming a space 52 is formed on an underside 44 of the locking projection 10, the function of which will be described in greater detail below.

In the assembled state emerges - as in the embodiment described above - the locking element 20 with the base 28 in the receiving groove 30 of the panel 2, wherein the locking projection 10 immersed in the Verriegelungsaus- 12 and accordingly the surfaces 38, 40 abut each other in sections. The angle α is also in this embodiment in about 40 °, so that the two panels 1, 2 by loosening (see Figure 1) can be solved by each other.

In contrast to the above-described embodiment, the joining of the two panels 1, 2 can be done both by pivoting down of the panel 2 on the panel 1 as well as by successively pushing the panels 1, 2 in the horizontal direction. For assembly in the horizontal direction, the panel 2 is first lowered, as described in the PCT patent application, approximately in the vertical direction onto the panel 1, wherein the pushbutton-like locking projection 10 comes into contact with the guide surface 50 of the guide projection 48 with its rear locking surface 40. In this case, the space 52 on the underside 44 of the locking projection 10 overstretches the contact surface 38 running edge 54 so that it dips into the space 52 and the locking member 20 is aligned in the horizontal direction with respect to the receiving groove 30 - the two panels 1, 2 pre-adjusted, so to speak, along their end faces 4, 6.

In the next installation step, the panel 2 is then moved in the horizontal direction toward the already laid panel 1 with the aid of a block or the like, the underside 44 of the locking projection 10 sliding on the flank 54, as shown in FIG. 2, so that the panel 2 something is moved vertically upwards. However, the locking element 20 is still aligned with respect to the locking groove 30, so that the base 28 is immersed in this locking groove 30. In this relative position, the locking surface 40 of the locking projection 10 has already moved away from the guide surface 50 by a certain amount. With the further turning of the panel 2, the underside 44 of the locking projection 10 slides further on the flank 54 to the left (see Figure 3) until the contact surface 38 of the flank 54, the locking surface 40 of the locking projection 10 engages behind and the locking member 20 snaps into the receiving groove 30 , During this horizontal displacement of the panel 2, the locking element 20 can be deformed somewhat elastically into the receiving groove 18.

The release of the two panels 1, 2 according to Figures 2 and 3 is carried out according to the comments on the embodiment of Figure 1.

Disclosed is a floor covering with two panels, on the longitudinal sides of each corresponding nut / spring-like connections are made with a horizontal lock. For this purpose, extending at right angles, a push-button connection which can be connected by swiveling out, in which a locking projection of one panel dips into a locking recess of another panel is executed. For vertical locking gelung is provided on a panel an elastically projecting locking element which engages when pivoting down a panel in a locking groove on the other panel. According to the push-button connection is designed so that the two panels are detachable by unscrewing.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS:

1 panel

paneling

front

6 front side

8 push button connection

10 locking projection

12 locking recess

14 lower lip

16 downgrading

18 receiving groove 0 locking element 2 supporting leg 4 supporting leg 6 groove base 8 base 0 locking groove 2 surface 4 surface 6 inclined surface 8 contact surface 0 locking surface 2 vertical 4 bottom 6 end section 0 guide surface 2 space 4 flank

Claims

claims

1. floor covering with a on long sides of two floor panels (1, 2) formed nut- / spring-like connection with a horizontal locking, wherein at right angles to extending end faces (4, 6) by pivoting a panel (2) on an already laid panel (2) 1), wherein a locking projection (10) of one panel (2) dips into a locking recess (12) of the other panel (1) and is provided for horizontal locking with a locking surface (40) on a corresponding abutment surface (8). 38) of the locking recess (12) is present, and wherein the vertical locking along one of the end faces (4, 6) of a panel (1, 2) in a locking receptacle (30) on the other panel (2) engages, characterized in that the locking surface ( 40) and / or the contact surface (38) is set at a locking angle (α) of more than 35 ° to a vertical to a laying plane.

2. Floor covering according to claim 1, wherein the locking angle (α) is about 38 ° to 42 °, preferably 40 °.

3. Floor covering according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contact surface (38) and the locking surface (40) extends approximately over the entire overlap region.

4. Floor covering according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking element (20) is a spring which is inserted into a receiving groove (18).

5. Floor covering according to claim 4, wherein the spring (20) is designed approximately U-shaped with two support legs (22) and a base (28).

6. Floor covering according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the push-button connection (8) is designed such that the two panels (1, 2) are connectable by horizontal displacement.

7. Floor covering according to one of the preceding claims, wherein on a panel (1, 2) at a distance from the contact surface (38) a guide projection (48) is formed, which in a recess (16) of the other panel (1) is immersed and along the the two panels (1, 2) are pre-adjusted in an intermediate position.

8. Floor covering according to claim 7, wherein the guide projection (48) extends to a horizontal plane which extends relatively far below the receiving groove (18).

9. Floor covering according to claim 7 or 8, wherein on a lower side (44) of the locking projection (10) a space (52) forming recess is provided, which in the intermediate position, the contact surface (38) overextended.

10. Floor covering according to one of the claims 7 to 9, wherein the abutment surface (38) on a locking recess (12) delimiting flank (54) is formed on the vertex of a bottom (44) of the locking projection (10) can be supported, wherein the Locking element (20) in the horizontal direction approximately with respect to the locking receptacle (30) is aligned.