EP3309323A1 - Panel and panel connection - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a panel comprising at least four sides which are edge regions of the panel, and wherein at least one first side has a groove profile, and at least one second side has tongue profile suitably engageable with the groove profile, the first side having a second side a similar second panel to be joined to the panel, the groove profile having a horizontal locking projection engageable with a locking channel of the spring profile, and wherein the first side groove profile is a first double tongue and groove profile comprising a locking spring and a locking groove, and the second side spring profile has a second double tongue and groove profile corresponding to and engageable with the first double tongue and groove profile, comprising a spring tongue, a guide groove and a counter locking edge.

Description

The invention relates to a panel and a panel connection.

Panels are often designed as decorative elements such as wall, ceiling and floor coverings. Such coverings are, for example, engineered parquet flooring, laminate flooring, resilient plastic coverings (e.g., LVT, PUR, WPC, PET, PVC), mineral-based coverings in square, rectangular or even hexagonal form. In general, such elements have on one longitudinal side and on a transverse side continuous grooves and on the respective opposite sides of continuous springs. The individual elements, also referred to as panels, are connected by tongue and groove.

Are known mechanical locking means for glueless installation of elements or panels with snap-in profiles to a surface. As a rule, the longitudinal and transverse sides are pivoted into one another or pivoted longitudinally and horizontally displaced horizontally, so that a locking of the elements or panels can take place. The connection of individual panels with each other is usually sufficient, but can still be improved. In addition, every material saving is important, both to conserve resources and to enable a more cost-effective production.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide improved tongue and groove profiles for panels which both have improved bonding properties and save material. In particular, these panels are connected to a floor, wall or ceiling covering together.

This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

Provided is a panel comprising at least four sides which are edge regions of the panel, and wherein at least one first side has a groove profile, and at least one second side has a groove profile suitably engageable A spring profile, wherein the first side is engageable with a second side of a similar second panel to be joined to the panel, the groove profile having a horizontal locking projection engageable with a locking channel of the spring profile, and wherein the first side groove profile is a first one A double tongue and groove profile comprising a locking spring and a locking groove, and the second side spring profile comprises a second double tongue and groove profile corresponding to and engageable with the first double tongue and groove profile a spring tongue, a guide groove and a Gegenverriegelungskante having.

In one embodiment, a distance between the extreme end of the horizontal locking projection of the groove profile of the first side of the first double tongue and groove profile of a first panel and the extreme end of the spring tongue of the second side of a second double tongue and groove profile a like second panel to be joined to the first panel after assembly equal to or less than 90% of the material thickness.

In one embodiment, the groove depth of the guide groove is greater than or equal to the spring length of the spring tongue, and the locking spring length of the locking spring is greater than or equal to the groove cheek length of the groove profile, and the diagonal groove width between the locking spring and the horizontal locking projection of the groove profile is half the material thickness of the panel or is less than half the material thickness of the panel.

In one embodiment, the thickness of the counter locking edge is equal to the thickness of the guide groove equal to the thickness of the spring tongue.

In one embodiment, the groove depth is equal to or greater than the lock spring length.

Further, a panel connection is proposed, comprising at least two similar interconnected previously described panels, wherein in each case at least a first side of a first panel is connected to a second side of a second panel.

In one embodiment, the first double-tongue and groove profile of the first side of a first panel and the second double-tongue profile of the second side of a similar second panel connected to the first panel are formed such that the distance between the outermost End of the horizontal locking projection of the groove profile of the first side and the extreme end of the spring tongue of the second side is equal to or less than 90% of the material thickness.

In one embodiment, a plurality of panels are interconnected such that each one side of a panel is connected to a second side of another panel.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention, with reference to the figures of the drawing, the inventive details shows, and from the claims. The individual features can be realized individually for themselves or for several in any combination in a variant of the invention.

• Fig. 1 zeigt einen Vertikalschnitt durch den Randbereich zweier miteinander verbundener Paneele gemäß einer Ausführung der vorliegenden Erfindung.
• Fig. 2 zeigt einen Vertikalschnitt durch den Randbereich der Nut-Seite eines Paneels gemäß einer Ausführung der vorliegenden Erfindung.
• Fig. 3 zeigt einen Vertikalschnitt durch den Randbereich der Feder-Seite eines Paneels gemäß einer Ausführung der vorliegenden Erfindung.
• Fig.en 4a und 4b und 5a und 5b zeigen Vertikalschnitte durch Standard-Profile.
• Fig. 4c und Fig. 5c zeigen einen Vertikalschnitt durch ein Profil gemäß einer Ausführung der vorliegenden Erfindung.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

• Fig. 1 shows a vertical section through the edge region of two interconnected panels according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 2 shows a vertical section through the edge region of the groove side of a panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 3 shows a vertical section through the edge region of the spring side of a panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• 4a and 4b and 5a and 5b show vertical sections through standard profiles.
• Fig. 4c and Fig. 5c show a vertical section through a profile according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the following description of the figures, the same elements or functions are provided with the same reference numerals.

According to the invention, the above-mentioned problems are solved by an improved profile, whereby better connection properties can be achieved and up to 5% material can be saved or 5% more top surface can be produced. For example, with a current deck width of currently 200mm, the new profile may have a deck width of 203mm, which is 1.5% more than the current deck width. With a deck width of currently 70 mm, the new profile has a deck width of 73 mm, which is 4.3% more than the current deck width.

Basically, two identically formed panels 100 may be formed with two mutually corresponding sides, i. a groove side and a corresponding thereto, that can be brought into engagement, spring side, are joined together to form a covering. The flooring can be a wall, ceiling and floor covering. The panels 100 are laid parallel to a laying direction designated VE in the figures. The upper side O, i. the visible side or decor side, each of the panels, and the bottom U of each of the panels 100 are substantially horizontal to each other. The underside U preferably points in the direction of the ground U, that is, it is no longer visible after installation. The edge portions 101, also referred to as Gutkanten, each of the panels 100 are in contact with each other when the assembly is completed.

FIG. 1 shows a vertical section through the edge region of two interconnected panels according to a preferred embodiment. Each of the panels 100 has an inventive groove profile 1 on at least one first side 1 and a spring profile 2 according to the invention on a second side 2, as in FIG FIGS. 2 and 3 shown. In FIGS. 2 and 3 in each case a vertical section through the groove side 1 according to the invention or through the spring side 2 according to the invention is shown.

As in FIGS. 1 and 2 shown, the groove profile 1 below the edge portion 101 and the Gutkante in some embodiments, a locking spring 104 having a stop edge to the locking spring 114, with a corresponding guide groove 107 in the spring profile 2 can be brought into engagement. Furthermore, the locking spring 104 on its upper side, that is to the top O of the panel 100th facing side a bearing surface 103 which can serve as a guide stop during assembly and on which a counter locking edge 109 of the spring profile 2 rests after assembly.

The distance between the edge region or the good edge 101 and the outermost end of the locking spring 104 and the vertical tangent applied thereto is referred to as the locking spring length c. The height of the edge region or the good edge 101, i. the distance from the support surface 103 to the upper edge of the top O of the panel is referred to as the groove width d. The thickness of the panel or the material of the spring profile 1 is referred to as material thickness e.

According to the invention, the locking spring length c is greater than or equal to the groove width d, i. c ≥ d.

Groove profile 1 also has a horizontal locking projection 102 protruding beyond edge region 101 and having a horizontal locking stop edge 102a which is engageable with a stop edge 108a of locking channel 108 of spring profile 2, i. after assembly or locking it is in contact and has a bias. Latching is accomplished by latching the latching projection 102 into the latching channel 108 by moving the stop edge to the horizontal latch 102a of the groove side 1 of a panel 100 with the stop edge 108a of the latching channel 108, i. the transition between the spring tongue 106 and the locking channel 108, the spring side 2 of the panel 100 to be connected thereto is brought into contact when lowering.

The distance from the stop edge to the lock spring 114 and from the vertex 114 of the lower curve of the lock spring 104 to the vertex of the horizontal lock projection 102, which may coincide with the stop edge to the horizontal lock projection 102a, is referred to as diagonal groove width f. As in FIG. 2 can be seen, this diagonal groove width f is the distance between in each case one at the apex 114 or 102a of the locking spring 104 and the horizontal locking projection 102nd applied tangent, wherein the two tangents are parallel to each other and the distance is measured perpendicular.

According to the invention, the diagonal groove width f is preferably half or less than half of the material thickness e, i. f ≤ e.

Furthermore, the groove profile 1 has a locking groove 105, with which a spring tongue 106 of the spring profile 2 can be brought into engagement.

As in FIGS. 1 and 3 As shown, the spring profile 2 has a guide groove 107 engageable with the locking spring 104 of another panel. The distance between the edge region or the good edge 101 and the outermost rear end of the guide groove 107 and the vertical tangent applied thereto is referred to as the groove depth a. The distance between the outermost end of the spring tongue 106, which may coincide with the edge of the edge region or the Gutkante 101, and the outermost rear end of the guide groove 107 and the vertical tangent applied thereto is referred to as the spring length b.

According to the invention, the groove depth a is greater than or equal to the spring length b, i. i.e. a ≥ b. Further, it is advantageous if the groove depth a is equal to or greater than the locking spring length c in order to achieve as possible no joint between the Gutkanten 101 of the interconnected panels 100, i. a ≥ c.

As compared with the in FIGS. 4a, 4b or 5a, 5b shown standard profiles, the thickness of the groove profile 2 from the top O of the panel 100 to the lower edge of the locking spring 104 is significantly larger than the standard profiles. This is achieved above all by the double tongue and groove profile according to the invention, which also serves as a click connection, that is easy to lay. By this arrangement of a respective spring and a groove in the groove profile 1 and corresponding spring and groove in the spring profile 2, a more compact profile can be realized, which allows an improved, especially stronger, profile connection. In addition, the more compact dimensions can save up to 5% or 5% more top surface. Furthermore, in FIG. 3 the thickness A of the counter-locking edge 109, the width B of the guide groove 107 and the thickness C of the spring tongue 106 located. The thickness A is the distance between the upper edge of the top O of the panel 100 and the parallel tangent first tangent which is applied to the lowermost edge of the counter-locking edge 109. The width B is the distance between the above-mentioned first tangent which is applied to the lowermost edge of the counter-locking edge 109 and a second tangent parallel to the first tangent applied to the vertex of the upper side of the spring tongue 106. Preferably, A = B = C.

The advantages of the inventive dimensions of the profiles are in FIGS. 4a to 4c and 5a to 5c shown. FIGS. 4a and 5a show a standard profile A, FIGS. 4b and 5b show a standard profile B. FIGS. 4c and 5c show the profile according to the invention. In FIGS. 4a to 4c It can be seen that after connecting the groove profile 1 with the spring profile 2, the distance S between the outermost end of the horizontal locking projection 102 of the groove profile and the outermost end of the spring 106 when in FIG. 4a the standard profile A shown is the value = 10 and the in FIG. 4b shown standard profile B is the value = 9.3, while the profile according to the invention, the distance has only the value = 7. Thus, in the production up to 5% material can be saved because more profiles can be cut out of a web, it is a smaller and thus more robust profile projection feasible, and it is achieved a stronger profile connection through the more compact dimensions.

These benefits are in FIGS. 5a to 5b clarified again by an equally large separation in each figure T is shown. A separation cut T, ie the distance between panels 100 to be cut out, must be observed when panels from which profiles are later milled or produced by another method are cut out of a web. The distance R between two edge regions 101 of the groove profile 1 and the spring profile 2 is in FIG. 5c , which shows the profile according to the invention, assumed to be 100%. In FIGS. 5a and 5b It can be seen that the distance R is 130% and 123% respectively, whereby the potential of the material saving is illustrated by the dimensions according to the invention. The proposed panel with the new, improved double tongue and groove profile not only saves material, but it is also achieved by a lower power consumption, lower power consumption, and longer life of the motors and tools.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

Panel or element

1

Grooved side with groove profile

2

Spring side with spring profile

101

border area

102

horizontal locking projection

102

Stop edge to the horizontal locking projection

103

bearing surface

104

locking spring

114

Stop edge to the locking spring

105

locking groove

106

spring tongue

107

guide

108

locking channel

108a

Stop edge of the locking channel

109

Against locking edge

a

groove depth

b

spring length

c

Locking spring length

d

Nutwangenbreite

e

material thickness

f

Diagonal groove width

A

Thickness of the counter locking edge

B

Width of the guide groove

C

Thickness of the spring tongue

S

Distance between the outermost end of the horizontal locking projection of the groove profile and the extreme end of the spring tines, value of tread depth.

R

Distance between two edge areas of the groove profile and the spring profile

T

separating cut

VE

laying plane

Claims (8)

A panel (100) comprising at least four sides (1, 2) which are edge regions of the panel (100), and wherein at least one first side (1) has a groove profile (1) and at least one second side (2) the tongue profile (1) suitably engageable spring profile (2), wherein the first side (1) with a second side (2) of a with the panel (100) to be connected similar second panel is engageable, wherein
the groove profile (1) having a locking channel (108) of the spring profile (2) engageable horizontal locking projection (102), characterized in that - The groove profile (1) of the first side (1) has a first double tongue and groove profile (104, 105) comprising a locking spring (104) and a locking groove (105), and - The spring profile (2) of the second side (2) to the first double tongue and groove profile (104, 105) corresponding and thus engageable second double tongue and groove profile (106, 107, 109), comprising a spring tongue (106), a guide groove (107) and a counter locking edge (109). Panel according to claim 1, wherein
a distance (S) between the extreme end of the horizontal locking projection (102) of the groove profile (1) of the first side (1) of the first double tongue and groove profile (104, 105) of a first panel (100) and the outermost end of the spring tongue (106) of the second side (2) of a second double tongue and groove profile (106, 107, 109) of a similar second panel (100) to be joined to the first panel (100) after assembly is equal or less than 90% of the material thickness (e). Panel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein - The groove depth (a) of the guide groove (107) is greater than or equal to the spring length (b) of the spring tongue (106), and - The locking spring length (c) of the locking spring (104) is greater than or equal to the groove cheek width (d) of the groove profile (1), and the diagonal groove width (f) between the locking spring (104) and the horizontal locking projection (102) of the groove profile (1) is half the material thickness (e) of the panel (100) or less than half the material thickness (e) of the panel (100 ). Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - The thickness (A) of the Gegenverriegelungskante (109) is equal to the width (B) of the guide groove (107) equal to the thickness (C) of the spring tongue (106). Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the groove depth (a) is equal to or greater than the locking spring length (c). A panel joint comprising at least two similar interconnected panels (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a first side (1) of a first panel (100) is connected to a second side (2) of a second panel (100). Panel connection according to claim 6, wherein the first double tongue and groove profile (104, 105) of the first side (1) of a first panel (100) and the second double tongue and groove profile (106, 107, 109) of second side (2) of a similar second panel (100) connected to the first panel (100) are formed such that the distance (S) between the outermost end of the horizontal locking projection (102) of the groove profile of the first side (1) and the extreme end of the spring tongue (106) of the second side (2) is equal to or less than 90% of the material thickness (e). Panel connection according to claim 6 or 7, wherein a plurality of panels (100) are connected to each other such that in each case a first side (1) of a panel (100) with a second side (2) of another panel (100) is connected.

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