Panel, in particular floor panel

[0001] The invention relates to a panel, in particular a floor panel with a core made of wood material or a mixture of wood material and plastic, with an upper surface and a lower surface, the panel at least on one side edge being provided with a tongue and on the other side edge in line with the tongue, key, wherein two panels of identical shape can be joined and locked together in a horizontal and vertical direction with a substantially horizontal assembly movement, wherein locking in the horizontal direction can be carried out by means of at least one movable in the vertical direction of the spring element cooperating with the tongue during assembly, it snaps behind the locking edge located in a direction that differs from the horizontal.

[0002] Such a panel is known for example from WO 2004/085765 A1. The locking implemented in this panel is preferably provided on the longitudinal edge of the floor panels. It can, however, be provided at the transverse edge, or both at the transverse edge and at the longitudinal edge. The V-shaped elastic element is made of plastic and is embedded in a vertical recess along the side edge provided in the upper surface of the tongue. An undercut cooperating with the elastic lip of the elastic element is provided on the upper lip formed in the opposite lateral edge. When the two panels are slid together horizontally, the spring lip of the spring element runs over the upper lip of the inlet and is compressed with it. During further insertion of the tongue into the groove, the spring lip of the spring element coincides anywhere with the undercut formed in the upper lip of the inlet, moves in the vertical direction and snaps into the undercut, thus creating a block in the horizontal direction. In the vertical direction, locking is done with a tongue embedded in the groove of the second panel.

[0003] Special injection molding machines are needed for the production of this elastic element, which makes production relatively expensive. In addition, high-quality plastic must be used to obtain high strength, which further irritates the spring element. If a plastic material with too low strength is used, the result is relatively large dimensions of the elastic elements, because only in this way can the occurrence or transfer of appropriate forces preventing disconnection be ensured.

[0004] The additional costs arise from the fact that the locking element is made as a separate part. For technological reasons, the blocking element is produced in a room separate from the room in which the panels are made, so that combining their production into one uninterrupted technological process, especially for floor panels, is rather not possible. Due to the diversity of materials, on the one hand wood material and on the other plastic, alignment of manufacturing tolerances in two different manufacturing processes is labor-intensive and expensive. Since locking in the horizontal direction would be ineffective in the absence of a locking element, it must be secured against the possibility of falling out of the vertical groove in the tongue during further manufacturing process and during transport. This security is also expensive. Alternatively, the locking element could be provided to the user separately.

[0005] These panels are increasingly being laid by amateur craftsmen, so that due to their lack of experience it is generally possible that the amount of locking elements needed is estimated incorrectly and they are not imported in sufficient quantity to completely cover the room with panels. In addition, it cannot be ruled out that when mounting the elastic element in the panel, an amateur craftsman makes a mistake, which leads to the fact that the locking is not accurate, and over time it loosens, which is incorrectly attributed to the manufacturer by the user of the panels as a poor product quality.

[0006] From WO 97/47834, panels are known which on opposite side edges are provided with a cross section enabling the panels to be joined with tongue and groove. On the lower side of the tongue a locking protrusion is provided, which cooperates with a recess located in the lower lip of the inlet. When the two panels are joined together horizontally, the bottom lip swings down and moves back elastically when the locking projection coincides with the locking recess. In this solution, the disadvantage is that the lower lip must be extended far beyond the upper lip of the inlet in order to allow the milling of the locking recess. Traditional panels have a total thickness of 6-12 mm. Thus, for the lower lip there is a very small panel thickness stock. The lower lip is very vulnerable to fracture, especially during transport. If the panel core material is damaged in the area of ​​the lower lip, then sufficient forces cannot be provided to prevent the panels from detaching, so that reliable locking of the two panels cannot be obtained, which also leads to loosening of the connection, and the user can be attributed to poor product quality.

[0007] From such panels description DE 20 2004 015 275 U1 are known floor panels provided with a tongue-and-groove joint which connect with each other by horizontal assembly movement and lock with each other. The purpose of locking in the horizontal direction on the upper surface of the tongue is a recess in which the protrusion located in the upper lip of the groove can snap. The projection may be formed in one piece from the core material.

[0008] Also known from EP 1 516 977 A1 or DE 103 36 614 A1 are floor panels provided with a tongue-and-groove joint, which can be joined together and blocked by horizontal assembly movement. Locking is carried out by means of a protrusion located on the lower surface of the tongue, which latches into a recess located in the lower lip of the groove. To give the feather flexibility, it is provided with a gap parallel to its bottom surface.

[0009] In the floor panel known from DE 101 56 775 A1, the bottom lip of the inlet is provided with a gap, which ensures its flexibility.

Locking is carried out by means of a protrusion located on the lower surface of the tongue, which latches into a recess located in the lower lip of the groove.

[0010] Considering these problems, the panel described above should be improved.

In order to solve these problems, the floor panel is characterized in that the core is formed in one piece with it, at least one elastic element, which in the direction of its lateral edge and in the direction of the opposite lateral edge is movable relative to the core due to two substantially vertical slits, and which at least at one of its ends it is connected to the core.

In order to solve these problems, the floor panel can also have a shape such that a spring element is provided on the lower lip, which is formed in one piece with the core, and is separated from the core in such a way by a vertical gap that is movable with respect to the core in its direction lateral edge and towards the opposite lateral edge, and at least at one of its ends is connected to the core.

[0013] Thanks to this solution, production is drastically simplified. There is no equalization of tolerances between the different components. Manufacturing time and costs are reduced because it is not necessary to bring and assemble different components together. The end user is assured that no components are missing and no interruptions will be caused. Such a cross-section can preferably be provided on the transverse edges of the panels, which, for example, are joined with their longitudinal edge by angular displacement, and then shifted along the long edge with each other in a transverse plane.

[0014] The elastic element may be formed on the tongue or on the lower lip of the tongue. Both substantially vertical slots can be parallel to each other.

[0015] Preferably, at least one elastic element is movable relative to the core towards its lateral edge and towards the opposite lateral edge, and at least at one of its both ends, and preferably, especially at both ends thereof, is connected to the core. By the size of the surface of the effective connection of the elastic element to the core, its elasticity can be adjusted.

[0016] Not only by choosing the right gap width can the strength of the connection of the elastic element with the core material be obtained, but also by choosing the right width of the vertical gap that is closest to the center of the panel, an appropriate horizontal position of the stop for the spring element can be obtained , which thanks to it is effectively protected against excessive elongation.

[0017] If several spaced spring elements are provided along the side edge, the stability of the joint is increased because the free movement of the spring element in the longitudinal direction is limited. The distance between individual elastic elements can be chosen larger or smaller. While the distance is smaller, the effective blocking surface is obviously greater, and the forces transferred in the vertical direction are also correspondingly higher.

[0018] On both other opposite side edges, such compatible cross sections can also be provided such that two panels of identical shape can be joined and locked together in a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction, essentially vertical assembly movement, blocking in a direction vertical is made by means of a movable elastic element in the horizontal direction, which snaps into place behind the locking edge in a generally horizontal direction during assembly. This spring element can also be formed in one piece with the core.

[0019] The locking method described above is preferably used on the transverse edge of the panel when the joint on the longitudinal edge is in the form of the previously described cross section, which instead of on the transverse edges is provided on the longitudinal edges, and the joint is made not only by horizontal assembly movement, while the panels are rotated relative to each other in such a way that the new panel being laid adheres to the already laid panel and is at an angle to it, the tongue is inserted into the groove, and then the new panel is lowered to the ground.

[0020] For such a case, at least one elastic element is movable relative to the core towards the upper surface and towards the opposite side edge, and towards its side edge at at least one of its both ends is connected to the core. The spring element is particularly preferably movable relative to the core due to the substantially horizontal gap and due to the substantially vertical gap.

[0021] Examples of the solution according to the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing.

[0022] In this drawing they show;

Fig. 1 a top view of a fragment of the first panel.

Fig.la Top view fragment of the second panel.

Fig. 2 view in the direction II according to Fig. 1 of two panels at the joint.

Fig. 2a. View in Ha direction according to fig. 1 of two panels at the joint.

Fig. 3 a section III-III according to Fig. 1 of two panels at the joint.

Fig. 3a, sectional view II-III according to fig.

Fig. 4: a perspective view of a panel fragment according to Fig. 1.

Fig. 4a. Perspective view of a panel fragment according to fig.

Fig. 5 a top view of a fragment of the first panel in its third embodiment.

Fig. 6 view in the direction VI according to Fig. 5 of two panels at the joint.

Fig. 7 sectional view VII-VII according to Fig. 5 of two panels at the joint.

Fig. 8 a perspective view of a panel fragment according to Fig. 5

Fig. 9 a fragment of the cross section of two panels joined together on the transverse edges according to another solution.

Fig. 10 a view of two panels joined together on the transverse edges according to the cross-section according to Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 a perspective view of the panel according to Fig. 9.

[0023] Figs. 9-11 are not to be considered as components of the invention.

[0024] Panels 1,2 or 1 a, 2a are identical. On their lateral edge I, Ia they are provided with a tongue 6, 6a, and on the opposite side edge II, IIa they are provided with a key 3, 3a. The key 3, 3a is provided with a lower lip 4, 4a and an upper lip not described in more detail. The core 37 is made of wood material or a mixture of wood material and plastic.

[0025] The embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 4 and 2a to 4a are broadly compatible. Compared with panels 1,2, panels 1a, 2a are provided with a lower lip 4a protruding beyond the upper lip 4. Furthermore, the panels are similar. However, the markings are supplemented only by the letter a.

[0026] On the lower lip 4.4a, a spring element 5.5a protruding towards the upper surface 15, which is connected with its both ends 12, 13 to the core 37 of panels 1,2, 1a, 2a. From the core 37, the spring element 5, 5a is separated by a vertical gap 8, 8a. The top surface 18 of the spring element is directed towards the bottom of the key. Since the spring element 5.5a is connected to the core 37 only with its both ends 12, 13, it is movable in the vertical direction V. The inner surface 8 ', which is formed on the core 37 due to the gap 8, 8a, serves as a horizontal movement limiter for the elastic element 5, 5a, protecting it from excessive elongation. As shown in Figs. 4 and 4a, the upper surface 18 of the spring element 5, 5a is inclined and is directed towards the bottom 3 'of the groove. An undercut 6 'is provided on the lower surface of the tongue 6, 6a, whose inner contour is substantially in line with the outer contour of the elastic element 5, 5a. When two panels 1,2, 1a, 2a are joined together by horizontal shift H, the tongue 6, 6 'of panel 1, 1a sinks into the groove 3, 3' of panel 2, 2a. The elastic element 5, 5a with its inclined surface hits the bottom surface of the tongue 6, 6a and is tilted vertically downwards. When, during further joining of the panels, the elastic element 5, 5a hits the undercut region 6.6a, it springs in the opposite vertical direction V and latches with the tongue 6, 6a, thanks to which the panels 1,1a, 2,2a are locked together in the horizontal direction H. Blocking in the vertical direction V is made with the tongue 6, 6a and the key 3, 3a.

[0027] In the embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 8, the spring element 5 is formed of the tongue 6 due to two slots 7, 8 located substantially in the vertical direction V and one horizontal slot 9 located substantially in the H direction, thanks to which the spring element 5 is movable relative to the core and is connected to the core material only by its two ends 14, 15. As shown in Fig. 8, the horizontal gap 9 can be through the length L of the side edge I. Parallel slots 7.8 end in a plane located below the upper surface 16. The lower edge 5 'of the spring element 5 is sloped and lowers , as shown in figure 8, towards the center of the panel. On the opposite side edge II, the lower lip 4 is provided with an undercut 4 ', the inner contour of which is substantially in line with the outer contour of the elastic element 5. When the two panels 1,2 are joined together by a mounting movement in the horizontal direction H, the tongue 6 of the panel 1 sinks into the groove 3 of the panel 2, the inclined surface 10 begins to adhere to the bottom lip 4, and when further joining the panels it is pressed in in the vertical direction V upwards and then spring back again in the opposite direction when the spring element 5 coincides with the undercut 4 'and then a blocking in the horizontal direction H is formed.

[0028] Figures 9 and 10 show the connection of two panels 21, 22 with their transverse edges. As mentioned before, the core 37 is made of wood material or a mixture of wood material and plastic. On opposite sides III, IV, panels 21,22 have the discussed cross section, with side edge IV being milled from the upper surface 16, while side edge III is milled from the bottom surface 17. An elastic element 23 is formed on the lateral edge IV by milling the core 37, by milling the horizontal gap 31 and the substantially vertical slot 30. Side edges III, IV have a length I. In the longitudinal direction of the side edge III, the elastic element 23 is connected with its ends to the material of the core . The mobility of the elastic element 23 relative to the core 37 is only due to the slits 30, 31. The surface of the outer edge 23c of the elastic element 23 is inclined relative to the upper surface 16 of the panel 22. The vertical surfaces of the side edges III, IV are machined in such a way that in the area of ​​the upper surface 16 vertical contact surfaces 35, 36 are formed.

[0029] Opposite to the elastic member 30 of the side edge IV, the panel 21 is provided with a groove 29 substantially in the horizontal direction, the top surface of which forms a substantially horizontal locking edge 24. The bottom of the groove 29 is parallel to the outer edge 23c of the elastic member 23, which facilitates processing of the key 29.

However, it could be located exactly in the vertical direction or at an angle different from the angle of the outer edge 23c of the elastic element 23.

[0030] The locking of both panels 21,22 in the horizontal direction H is made by means of step milling hook elements 40, 41, and in the vertical direction thanks to the elastic element 23 cooperating with the locking edge 24 of the key 29. A partially flat face 32 is formed on the downward projection 25 of the hook element 41, which cooperates with the bearing surface 33 formed on the hook element 40 of the lateral edge IV, which is located outside the projection 26. Face 32 and the bearing surface 33 are located in on the same horizontal E plane, thanks to which the connected panels 21,22 rest on each other. The shape of the hook elements 40, 41 is selected in such a way that pretension is generated at the joint and the vertical contact surfaces 35, 36 of the panels 21,22 are pressed together so that on the upper surface 16 of two connected panels 21, 22 no visible gap is created. To facilitate joining panels 21, 22, the upward projection 26 of the hook element 40 and the downward projection 25 of the hook element 41 are milled at their edges or rounded. To simplify the processing and manufacturing of the elastic element 23, either the horizontal gap 31 or the substantially vertically arranged gap 30 can be through, and thus can extend over the entire length I of side edge III.

[0031] In all the above-described embodiments, the surface, i.e. its height and width, which the ends 12, 13 of the elastic element 5, 5a or 23a, 23b of the elastic element 23 are connected to the core 37, determines the spring characteristics of the elastic element. Several elastic elements 23 can be formed along the length L, I of the side edge I, II, III.

List of determinations [0032]

panel

1a Panel

panel

2a Panel

Groove

3a Key

Lower lip

4a Lower lip

4 'Undercut

Spring element

5a Spring element

5 'Lower edge

Feather

6a feather

6 'Undercut

Gap

Gap

Gap

Sloped surface

End

End

End

End

Upper surface

Bottom surface

Upper surface

panel

panel

Spring element

End

End

Outer edge

Lower edge

Locking edge

Performance

Performance

Groove

Gap

Frontal surface

Contact surface Vertical contact surface Vertical contact surface

<td> 37</td><td>Core</td>

<td> 40</td><td>Hook element</td>

<td> 41</td><td>Hook element</td>

<td>Ε</td><td>Plane</td>

<td>Η</td><td>Horizontal direction</td>

<td>L</td><td>Length</td>

<td>AND</td><td>Length</td>

<td>V</td><td>Vertical direction</td>

<td>AND</td><td>Side edge</td>

<td>II</td><td>Side edge</td>

<td>III</td><td>Side edge</td>

<td>IV</td><td>Side edge</td>