Panel and fastening system for panels

Description of the invention

The present invention relates to a fastening system for square panel panels, in particular floor panels. The invention further relates to a square panel panel including such a fastening system, in particular a floor square panel panel including such a fastening system.

More specifically, the invention relates to a fastening system for quadrilateral panel panels, in particular floor panels, with locking profiles arranged on the narrow sides of the panels. Opposite locking profiles are matched with said locking profiles in such a way that panels of the same type can be joined together. The locking profiles are designed as first locking profiles on the opposite narrow sides and second locking profiles on the remaining narrow sides, so that a panel in the first row is engaged in a second row with a new panel, with the new panel first attached to an already laid panel in position temporarily inclined in relation to it, and then it is tilted downwards, passing in the plane of the lying panel, the opposing second locking profiles have corresponding hook members and one of the hook members of the new panel and the hook member of the panel already positioned in the second row creates a hook joint by tilting the new panel downwards.

Such a fastening system is known from DE 199 29 896 A1. A characteristic feature of such a fastening system is that the used first and second locking profiles have very different geometries and consequently also differ in the method of connecting different types of locking profiles. In particular, the technical problem is that of the second locking profiles in the form of a hook joint that are arranged in the form of a hook joint. The known hook joint reliably protects the floor panels against sliding perpendicular to the narrow sides of the joined panels. However, a satisfactory resistance of the hook members to disengagement in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the stacked panels is not achieved.

Such a fastening system is preferably used for so-called laminate floors, which are made of a core of a wood material such as MDF, HDF or a particle board material. The mechanical locking profiles are usually milled into the narrow sides of the wood-based panels.

Laminate flooring is predominantly 'floating'. In order to reduce the sound of footfall, a footfall-damping intermediate layer is placed between the substrate and the laminate panels. It is also known to permanently bond the footfall sound absorbing layer to the bottom surface of the laminate panels facing the substrate.

The hook connection of the known fastening system is particularly problematic when in the area of ​​the hook connection only this panel is heavily loaded, the hook element of which is at the bottom, i.e. on the ground side. The upper hook element of the adjacent panel engaged therewith is not under load, so that due to the action of the load, only the panel with the lower hook element is pressed against the predominantly soft, foot-dampening intermediate layer. In this case, the upper hook element of the unloaded panel detaches from the lower hook element of the adjacent panel. The hook coupling is not working and cannot be re-functioning.

PL 349221 A1 discloses a flooring material comprising floor panels of substantially square, rectangular or rhombic shape with edges, a horizontal bottom side and a horizontal upper decorative surface, which floor panels are provided with lower connecting projections at two adjacent edges, while the other two edges are provided with upper connecting lugs. The lower joining projections are provided with vertical lower projection surfaces parallel to the nearest edge, which lower projection surfaces are preferably brought into abutment with the substantially vertical surfaces of the upper projections arranged on the upper connecting projections. Two adjoining floor panels are interlocked with one another in the horizontal direction, moreover, the connecting lugs are provided with one or more shoulders and corresponding recesses. One or more shoulders are arranged to snap-engage with the recesses, respectively, and are provided with horizontal locking surfaces limiting vertical movement between the two adjoining, adjacent floorboards, locking surfaces. The floorboards are connected by pressing downwards.

PL 235 591 B1

SE 515 324 C2 discloses a floorboard having joining means arranged at its side edges, which floorboard is configured to be joined to another similar floorboard to form a floor. A floorboard on at least one pair of female coupling means and male coupling means which extend along two opposite side edges. The female connection means comprises a first connection element which extends laterally and which has a groove open at the top. The male connecting means comprises a second connecting element which has an upward V-shape, an outer V-shaped leg which is able to flex elastically towards the inner V-shaped leg. The two connecting members are arranged such that when two similar panels are connected to each other a groove in the first connecting member of one of the floorboards is positioned directly under the second V-shaped connecting member of the other of the floorboards when the floorboards are in position. in such a position in relation to each other that their side edges face each other in vertical alignment. The two floorboards can be press-fitted together, from a first relative position, of said second floorboards downwards, the V-shaped outer leg of the second joining element thus elastically bending and returning resiliently to its original position and snapping into place. where the second connecting member has been slid into the first connecting member.

WO 0102669 A1 discloses a panel fastening system, in particular for floor panels, which is arranged on a substrate and the sides of which are provided with connection profiles. The connection profiles on the long side and the connection profiles on the opposite side as well as the connection profiles on the two opposite short sides of the panel fit together in such a way that successive panels can be joined to the free sides of the panels already laid. The connecting profiles of the long sides of the panels are joined together by bending them. A corresponding form fit profile is provided on the opposite side of the panel. The upper side facing the ground comprises a bevel so that there is space for a joint connection.

According to the state of the art, undercuts are provided in the hook joint to prevent the hook joint from detaching perpendicular to the panel-laying plane. These undercuts have turned out to be insufficient to impart sufficient strength to this type of fastening element.

The object of the invention is to provide a fastening system provided with a hook joint which does not come loose even when the panel with the hook element underneath is under load and the above hook element of the adjacent panel is unloaded.

Thus, the present invention provides a fastening system for quadrilateral panel panels comprising locking profiles positioned on the narrow sides of the panels, of which the opposing locking profiles are interlocking profiles for the joining of panels of the same type. The locking profiles situated on the mutually opposite narrow sides of each panel constitute the first locking profiles, and on the remaining narrow sides of the panel the second locking profiles. The locking profiles are locking profiles of a panel laid in the first row with a new panel laid in the second row, the locking profiles being the profiles of first slanting the new panel in relation to the already laid panel and then tilting this new panel down to the plane of the already laid panel. The mutually opposite second locking profiles have corresponding hook members, and when the new panel is tilted downwards, one of the hook members of this new panel and the hook member of the panel already laid in the second row together form a hook joint. Associated with each hook joint can be an additional blocking element preventing the disconnection of the hook joint in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the stacked and connected panels. Each hook element on the opposing narrow sides of the panel has a locking groove along the narrow side. Locking grooves are provided on those surfaces of the hook element which, when the panels are stacked, are oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface of the panels. The locking grooves of the two panels with the hook members joined together are in contact with each other to form the locking recess. The locking recess is formed for a locking element that is inserted or driven into the locking groove (s) of the locking recess, wherein, after the two panels have been joined, the locking element is adapted to be inserted into the locking recess after the two panels have been joined, and after the locking element has been inserted into the locking recess, a cross section of the locking element at least partially extends into the cross section of the locking groove of one panel and at least partially extends into the cross section of the locking groove of the other panel, especially the floor panels. Fastening system for square panels

According to the present invention, the surfaces of each hook member, provided with locking grooves and directed substantially perpendicular to the plane of the panel, are so arranged that they face outward from the narrow side of the corresponding panel.

Preferably, the locking recess in the fastening system has a circular or rectangular cross-section.

The present invention also provides a panel that is joined by a fastening system including a separate locking element. The panel is a quadrangular panel panel having locking profiles positioned on the narrow sides of the panel, of which opposing locking profiles are positioned locking profiles to interlock panels of the same type. Locking profiles situated on the mutually opposite narrow sides of each panel constitute the first locking profiles and on the remaining narrow sides of the panel constitute the second locking profiles. The locking profiles are locking profiles of a panel laid in the first row with a new panel laid in the second row, the locking profiles being the profiles of first slanting the new panel in relation to the already laid panel and then tilting this new panel down to the plane of the already laid panel. The mutually opposite second locking profiles have corresponding hook members, and when the new panel is tilted downwards, one of the hook members of this new panel and the hook member of the panel already laid in the second row together form a hook joint. Associated with each hook joint can be an additional blocking element preventing the disconnection of the hook joint in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the stacked and connected panels. Each hook element on the opposite narrow sides of the panel has a locking groove running along the narrow side, the locking grooves being provided on those surfaces of the hook element which, when the panels are stacked, are oriented substantially perpendicular to the stacking surfaces of the panels. The locking grooves of the two panels come into contact with each other after the hook elements are joined together to form the locking recess. The locking recess is formed for an element for a locking element to be inserted or driven into the locking groove (s) of the locking recess, where, after the joining of the two panels, the locking element is adapted to be inserted into the locking recess, or after insertion of the locking element into the locking recess, a cross section of the locking element at least partially extends into the cross section of the locking groove of one panel and at least partially extends into the cross section of the locking groove of the other panel. The panel according to the present invention is characterized in that the surfaces of each hook member, provided with locking grooves and directed substantially perpendicular to the plane of the panel, are so arranged that they face outward from the narrow side of the corresponding panel.

Preferably, the locking recess in the panel has a circular or rectangular cross-section.

According to the invention, this task is thus solved in that an additional locking element is assigned to each hook joint which, when two panels are engaged, prevents the hook joint from disengaging in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the stacked panels.

The locking element is a simple element that can have a different structure. It can be a construction element which is pre-mounted on the hook element, a separate locking element which is arranged after the hook elements engage, or a locking element which is incorporated into the core material of the panel.

In a particularly simple embodiment, each of the hook members of the opposing narrow sides of the panel has a locking groove which is situated in the longitudinal direction of the narrow side. The locking grooves of the two panels abut against each other when the hook elements are connected to form a common locking recess. Locking grooves can be made very easily when profiling hook elements with milling tools. For this purpose, the milling tools must have corresponding contours.

When the locking recess has a circular or rectangular cross-section, this has the advantage that a particularly cheap standard material can be used as locking elements. Any materials are used for locking elements with a round or rectangular cross-section. For example, a suitable bar material can be packaged or, as goods by the meter, it can be separated into locking elements of a suitable length. Particularly advantageous for locking grooves which together form locking recesses with a circular cross section

This is where the locking element is a nail or a nail-like element. During the laying, the nail head allows both the insertion of the locking element into the hook joint and the removal of the locking element if the hook joint needs to be disengaged again in order to disassemble the panels.

Preferably, when two panels are hooked, the locking element may simply be inserted into the locking recess and the cross-section of the locking element at least partially extends into the cross-section of the locking groove of one panel and partially into the cross-section of the locking-groove of the other panel. The separation of the cross-section into locking grooves is almost arbitrary. For example, it can be dependent on whether one of the hook elements, which includes the locking groove, is made more stable than the other element. The locking element may be inserted into the locking cavity by removal or hammering. It is possible to select the tolerance of the locking element and the locking recess such that the locking element can be inserted loosely or tightly into the locking recess.

In the case of a simple locking element with a round or polygonal cross-section, it is preferable if the locking grooves are provided on surfaces of the hook element which, when the panels are stacked, extend approximately perpendicular to the plane in which the panels are laid.

According to an alternative embodiment of the fastening system with hook members, each panel has on its bottom surface facing the ground when the panels are stacked undercut bottom recesses, at least one of which is provided in the area of ​​each hook member from the bottom of the panel.

The handling can be improved if, after joining the two panels, the undercut of the lower cut of the first panel is facing the opposite of the undercut of the lower cut of the second panel. For the construction of the fastening system with lower recesses in the area of ​​the hook elements, a locking element is advantageous, in the form of a U-shaped clamp, which, when the panels are mounted, engages the lower cutout of the first panel as well as the lower cut of the second panel.

In a third alternative embodiment of the fastening system, the locking element is positioned in the locking groove of one of the hook members of the first panel and has a resilient snap fit, the locking groove of the associated hook member on the opposite narrow side of the second panel forming an undercut latch recess into which it is inserted. automatically during assembly the snap fastener of the hook element of the first panel.

The structure can easily be provided with a locking element that has a snap-on connector protruding a great distance from the small side in the relaxed state, which connector when tilting the new panel down to the plane of the stacked panel contacts the hook member of the adjacent panel and remains. automatically folded so that the latch fitting does not protrude beyond the outer end of the narrow side hook member. When the hook joint has almost reached its locked position, the snap-on connection automatically engages into the latching recess of the hook element of the adjacent panel and locks the hook joint in a vertical direction, namely perpendicular to the plane of the panel to be laid.

Such a self-latching element may be pre-mounted in one of the hook elements or it may be supplied separately so that the panel installer can place it on a dedicated hook element.

The automatic locking element and the latching recess are preferably shaped so that, in the event of disassembly of the panel, the locking element can be easily pulled out of the hook connection at any time with a simple tool, for example with pointed pliers, in the longitudinal direction of the narrow sides. For this, there is free space on both sides of the snap-in connector for the use of pliers.

The main advantage of the lock with a snap-on locking element compared to a slide-in locking element is that it is not necessary to leave a free space in front of the narrow side of the row of panels in order to seat the locking element in the locking recess and slide it in. The slide-on locking element cannot be embedded in the locking recess near the wall, while the snap-on locking element can be easily attached laterally to one of the hook elements and locked by tilting the new panel downwards.

PL 235 591 B1

According to a fourth alternative embodiment of the fastening system, the locking element is formed as a claw member which, when the panels are mounted, is positioned between the meshing hook surfaces of the hook elements. The claw member has claws that engage the surface of the hook and prevent the hook elements from sliding vertically.

Preferably, an intermediate space for the claw member is provided between the intermeshing hook surfaces in order to avoid excessive jamming between the hook members.

Moreover, it is advantageous if the claw member is retained in the recess provided for the hook element and, when the hook joint is mounted, abuts the hook element from the recess up to the hook surface.

Moreover, a recess for a claw member may be provided on that part of the hook member which engages the corresponding hook member, the recess opening being provided on a surface of the hook member that faces the ground, the claw member when the hook member is mounted, it is bent such that it protrudes between the engaging hook surfaces.

Manipulation of the claw member is facilitated by the fact that it is L-shaped, the first arm of the L-shaped claw member being inserted into the recess of the hook element and the second limb pointing towards the hook surface of the same hook element, the other arm is automatically bent into the space between the engaged hook surfaces during assembly.

The aim of a further advantageous improvement is to obtain that in the same locking recess formed by the locking grooves of the two hook elements, different locking elements with different geometries can be used and which, by means of different locking mechanisms of the hook joint, provide the required strength. For this purpose, the locking grooves and the locking elements are adapted to one another in a special way. In this case, either the bar-shaped locking element is inserted in its longitudinal direction into the locking recess, or alternatively a locking element having a resilient snap-fit ​​connection can be arranged in the same locking recess, one of the locking grooves then forming the base for the locking element provided with the fastener. snap-fit, and the assigned locking groove creates an undercut snap-in recess, in which the spring-loaded snap-on connector automatically clicks into place when the hook joint is installed.

The panel with the fastening system according to the invention has two different types of interlocking locking profiles. These locking profiles, with which the individual floor rows to be laid are locked together, have locking profiles that are locked according to the principle: inserting the new profile diagonally and then tilting it downwards. The type of locking profile required for this allows the new panel to be mechanically coupled to the stacked row of panels by means of a hinge swing. As a result, the individual rows of panels are secured against sliding apart in a plane perpendicular to the locked locking profiles.

On the other two narrow sides of the panel there are locking profiles in the form of hook elements, the first hook element protrudes from the narrow side and when the panels are stacked facing the ground and the second hook element protrudes from the narrow side and faces the decorative top surface panel. Both hook elements of the hook joint are secured against sliding apart in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the arranged panels by means of an additional blocking element.

The subject of the invention is shown in the embodiment in the drawing, in which fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a locking profile that can be locked mechanically by inserting a new panel diagonally and then tilting it downwards to the plane of the arranged panels, fig. 2 shows the oblique insertion of the profiles. 1, Fig. 3 shows the locking profiles of Fig. 1 in the locked position, Fig. 4 shows locking profiles in the form of hook elements according to the prior art, figures 5-10 show embodiments of a hook joint with one or more additional locking elements with a rectangular cross-section, figures 11-14 show a hook joint structure with one or more additional elements which have a circular cross-section, Fig. 15-16 show embodiments of a hook joint with locking elements which, when the panels are stacked, are recessed into such surfaces of the hook elements which are approximately horizontally oriented,

Figures 17-20 show an embodiment of a hook joint with a locking element with a resilient snap fastener which automatically engages in the associated latching recess during assembly of the hook joint, Fig. 21 shows a hook joint with a locking element shaped as a claw member, 22 shows a hook joint with a locking element shaped as a clamp on the bottom surface of the panels, Fig. 23 shows a further locking element with a resilient snap fastener as well as a latch groove that is adapted to receive the locking element, figure 24 shows a hook joint with the locking element of figure 23 during a connection process, figure 25 shows a hook joint with the locking component of figure 23 in the latched position, and Fig. 26 shows a hook joint with the same locking grooves and the same locking recess as shown in Fig. 25, wherein the locking element with the snap-action fitting is replaced by a locking element with a circular cross section.

Fig. 1 shows one type of locking profiles of the fastening system according to the invention in a perspective view. Corresponding locking profiles are provided on the opposite narrow sides of the panels 2 and 3, so that the adjacent panels 2 and 3 can be joined together. Locking profiles of this type are a modified tongue and groove joint in which the tongue 4 catches the undercut in the bottom wall of the groove 5, so that the two panels 2 and 3, when stacked, are secured against disconnection in the plane of the panels 2 and 3 arranged and perpendicular to it. towards the joined narrow sides.

Fig. 2 shows the diagonal seating of the new panel 2. In this case, the tongue of the new panel 2 continuously engages in the direction of the arrow P1 with the groove 5 of the installed panel 3, and then the new panel 2 is tilted downwards towards the substrate V until it reaches the position shown. in Fig. 3. It is evident that the curved cross-sectional area 4a of the tongue 4 engages a curved cross-sectional recess 5a in the bottom wall 5b of the groove 5, in such a way that the panels 2 and 3 are prevented from sliding apart perpendicular to the joined narrow sides.

On the other narrow sides of the panel 2 or 3, which is provided with the fastening system according to the invention, corresponding locking profiles with hook elements 6 and 7 are provided. They have the advantage that they engage simultaneously with the locking of the locking profiles, tongue 4 and groove 5 described in Figs. 1-3, after seating diagonally by tilting down the new panel 2 on the ground V. No lateral joining movement is necessary to produce the resulting hook joint.

The hook coupling 8 shown in FIG. 4 disengages. This is the case, for example, on uneven substrates, in the event of air leaking between the panels and the substrate V, and when a footfall-sound-damping intermediate layer 9 is arranged between the panels and the substrate V. 4 the symbolically represented weight 11 illustrates how a panel whose hook element faces the ground under the influence of the weight of the weight 11 penetrates into a soft intermediate layer 9 which dampens the sound of footfall. This creates a vertical offset 12 on the top surface of the panels 2 and 10.

Figures 5-10 show different embodiments of the hook joints which are locked by an additional locking element 13. The locking element 13 prevents the hook joint 8 from sliding in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the panels 2 and 10 arranged. 4, the additional locking element 13 prevents vertical displacement of the hooked panels 2 and 10. In the embodiments of FIGS. 5-10. the locking element 13 has a rectangular cross section. Locking grooves 14 and 15 serve to fix the locking element 13, which, when hooked elements 6 and 7 are engaged, are exactly opposite to each other so that a common locking recess 16 is formed, into which the locking element 13 is inserted in the direction of perpendicular to the presented drawing plane. The embodiment in FIG. 5 shows the free intermediate space 17 between the free end of the hook element that faces the substrate V and the narrow side of the associated panel 3.

In Fig. 6, on the other hand, no play is provided at the same location. Instead, there is also an undercut joint 18 here, which also locks in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the panels 2 and 10 arranged. On the panel 2, with the hook element 6 facing the top face, the hook element 6 has a locking groove 14 on the freely projecting surface of the short side, while the locking groove 15 of the opposite hook element 2 of the hook part 8 is provided on the recessed surface 19 of the hook element 7. the same applies to the embodiment of fig. 6.

PL 235 591 B1

Figures 7 and 8 show embodiments of a hook connection 8 in which an additional locking element 22 is provided on the narrow side on the freely projecting surface 20 of the hook element 7 which faces the ground V. Accordingly, on the corresponding hook element 6 a locking groove 15 is provided on the recessed face 21 of the hook element 6 on the narrow side of the panel 2. In Fig. 7 an embodiment is shown in which the hook elements 6 and 7 have a free intermediate space 17 in the area of ​​the locking element 22. However, according to FIG. 8, in the area of ​​the locking element 22 there is no free intermediate space 17 between the hook elements 6 and, instead, an undercut joint 18 increases the strength of the hook joint 8 against sliding in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the panels 2 and 10 arranged.

Figures 9 and 10 show structures in which each hook joint is provided with two locking elements 13 and 22. In Fig. 9, the positions of the locking elements 13 of the locking elements 13 and 22 of Figs. 6 and 8. In Fig. 9, a further example of a hook connection 8 is shown in which the free end of the hook element 7 facing the ground V has an intermediate space 17 facing the narrow side of the hook element 6 of adjacent panel 2, while in Fig. 10 in the same place is the undercut connector 18.

Figures 11-14 show locking elements with a circular cross section. Fig. 11 shows a locking groove with a semicircular cross-section at the outer free end of the hook element 6 which faces the top surface of the panel 2. Correspondingly, a locking groove 24 is provided on the corresponding hook element 7 on the recessed surface 19 of the hook element 7, whereby both locking grooves 23 and 24 together form a locking recess 25 with a circular cross-section in which the locking element 26 is provided. refers to the embodiment of fig. 12. In fig. 11 between the hook element 7 of one panel 10 facing the ground V and the recessed surface 21 of the hook element 6 on the narrow side of the adjacent panel 2 there is an intermediate space 17, while according to FIG. 12, an undercut joint 18 is provided at the same location.

Contrary to Fig. 12, in Fig. 13 the location of the circular locking element 21 is moved to the free end of the hook element of the panel 10. Accordingly, the locking groove 28 of the corresponding hook element 5 is provided on a recessed surface 21 on the narrow side of the adjacent panel 2. shown in Fig. 13 is an example that the locking element 27 can be positioned where there is a free space 17 between the outer free end of the lower hook element 7 and the opposite surface 21 of the corresponding hook element 6. An embodiment without free space 17 with flat adjacent with each other with equal surfaces, as well as an embodiment with an undercut joint 18 according to the lower hook element 7 of Fig. 12, can also be provided with a locking recess and a locking element 27.

Fig. 14 shows a particularly durable hook coupling 8 in which two locking elements 26 and 27 with a circular cross-section are used. The locations of the locking elements 26 and 27 are a combination of the embodiments of Figures 11 and 13.

Figures 15 and 16 show the stacked panels 2 and 10 with a hook joint 8 ready. The locking grooves 30, 31, 32 and 33 are provided in surfaces which are approximately parallel to the plane of the stacked panels. In turn, the locking grooves 30 and 32 of one hook element 6, as well as the locking grooves 31 and 33 of the corresponding hook element 7 are positioned exactly opposite to each other and together form a locking recess in which the locking element 34 or 35 is arranged. In both Fig. 15 and Fig. 16 it is possible to dispense with one of the locking elements or 35 and the corresponding locking recess, in order to simplify the geometry. As the locking elements 34 and 35 must prevent the hook joints 8 from sliding in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the panels 2 and 10, the locking elements 34 and 35 are shaped such that they laterally lock into the walls of the locking grooves 30, 31, 32, and 33. In the illustrated embodiments, serrations 34a and 35a are provided for this purpose. They can be shaped like a stop member, the stop member of one locking groove 30 and the stop member of the opposite locking groove 31 facing away from the same locking recess. The same applies to the stop element in the locking grooves 32 and 33.

A further embodiment of the hook coupling 8 is shown in Figs. 17-20. Fig. 17 shows a separate locking element 36 with a resilient snap fastener 37 which is wide open in the shown relaxed position. In fig. 18 is shown

The gradual joining of the hook joint 8 in the direction of arrow P2. The locking element 36 of Fig. 17 is seated in the freely projecting surface 38a of the upper hook element 6. The resilient latch fitting 37 is deflected by the joining movement alone. When the hook coupling 8 has almost reached the locking position shown in Fig. 19, the latch fitting 37 of the locking element 36 springs automatically into the latching recess 39 of the corresponding hook element 7. In the position shown, the latch fitting 37 is open less widely than in the relaxed position shown in FIG. 17, so that it constantly exerts spring pressure on the latching recess 39 and reliably locks the hook coupling 8.

The locking element 36 can be inserted by the panel installer as a separate element in a dedicated groove 38 of the upper hook element 6 or it can be pre-mounted by the manufacturer on the hook element 6. The locking element 36 can be positioned over the entire length of the narrow side of the panel or over a portion. the length of the narrow side. In an embodiment, it is positioned halfway along the narrow side starting from one end thereof.

In Figure 19, it is seen that there are gaps on both sides of the snap connector 37. They can serve, for example, to pull the locking element 36 out of the hook joint with the aid of pointed pliers in order to dismantle the panels 2 and 10 and unlock it.

Figures 18 and 19 show a structure in which the hook element, facing the ground 25, has at its outer end a free intermediate space 17 in the direction of the corresponding hook element 6.

A further embodiment of a hook connection with a locking element 36, which has an automatic latch connection 37, is shown in Fig. 20. The only difference from the embodiment of Figs. 18 and 19 is that the hook element 7 of the panel 10 facing the ground V is not shown. has at its free outer end a free space 17 towards the corresponding hook element 6 of the connected panel 2. Instead, an undercut joint 18 is re-used which, like the locking element 36, prevents the hook joint 8 from slipping in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the stacked panels 2 and 10.

In another embodiment of the fastening system 1 shown in Fig. 21, a fastening element in the form of a claw member 40 is provided, which, when assembled, is positioned between the engaging hook surfaces 41 and 42 of the hook elements 6 and 7. The claw member has a claw member 40a. that engage the top surface of the hook surfaces 41 and 42 and prevent the vertical movement of the hook members 6 and 7 from sliding apart. In order to make room for the claw member 40 and to avoid jamming between the hook members 6 and 7, an intermediate space 43 is formed between the engaging hook surfaces 41 and 42. Fig. 21 shows the claw member in the mounted state of the hook connection 8. Claw member 40 is secured in its recess 44 of the hook element 6 and, starting from the recess 44 through the hook surface 41, abuts the hook element 6. A recess 44 for the claw member 40 is arranged on that part of the hook member 6 which engages the corresponding hook member, the recess 44 being located on the ground-facing surface 45 of the hook member 6. The claw member 40 is bent so as to extend on to the intermediate space 43, which is formed by the engaging hook surfaces 41 and 42.

Prior to assembly, the claw member 40 is L-shaped. The first limb of the L-shaped claw member is seated in a recess 44 of the hook member 6. The second limb is provided with claw elements and is angled approximately at right angles from the narrow side prior to assembly. panel 10. During assembly, the arm is bent automatically into the intermediate space 43 of the engaging hook surfaces 41 and 42.

In the last structure of the fastening system according to the invention shown in FIG. 22, a locking element in the form of a clamp 46 is provided. For this purpose, each panel 2 and 10, on its bottom surface facing the ground V, has undercut bottom recesses 47 and 48, one of which respectively is located in the area of ​​each hook element 6 or 7 on the bottom surface of the panel 2 or 10. One buckle 46 grips the respective bottom recesses 47 and 48 of two adjacent panels 2 and 10. Thus, the buckle 46 prevents the hook joint from disengaging in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the panels 2 to be installed, and each lower recess 47 and 48 has an undercut. Referring to Fig. 22, the undercut undercut 47 of the first panel 2, when the two panels are joined, faces the opposite of the undercut of bottom cut-out 48 of the second panel 10. The buckle 46 is U-shaped. It is clear that the buckle 46 locks the flat side panels. opening towards the pro

To the hook elements 6 and 7 of the narrow sides of the panels and thus supports the operation of the hook joint 8.

Figure 23 shows a locking element 50 with a particularly shaped cross-section, which element can in practice be replaced by the element 51 shown in Fig. 26. The locking element 51 has a normal circular cross-section. In addition, Fig. 23 shows a hollow locking groove 52 in which the locking element 51 can be inserted anti-slip. When manipulating the panel 2 and hooking the hook joint in the direction of arrow P3, this anti-slip prevents the locking element 50 from falling out of the locking groove 52. To replace the locking elements 50 and 51, the locking grooves 52 and 53 arranged in the hook elements 6 and 7, are particularly suited to the geometry of the different locking elements 50 and 51.

The locking element 50 is a development of the locking element 36 shown in Fig. 17. It includes a snap-lock connector 54 which is shown in Fig. 23 in a wide open, relaxed position. The back 55 of the locking element 50 is circular and, as shown in Fig. 24, fits into the groove 52 of the hook element 6. The locking element 50 is provided with protrusions 56 and 57 by means of which it is secured against slippage in the locking groove 52 of the hook element 6. Moreover, the protrusions 56 and 57 serve to prevent the locking element 50 from slipping or twisting in the groove. locking 52 or in the locking recess 58 formed by locking grooves 52 and 53. In the present embodiment, the projections 56 and 57 are formed as blunt tips. In the case of a hollow locking groove 53 in Figure 23, it is seen that the groove has recesses 56a and 57a at the edges of its semicircular cross-section which serve to block the projections 56 and 57. The A dimension of the locking groove 52 is slightly smaller than the B dimension of the locking element 50. This causes the locking element 50 to be secured against slippage in the locking groove 52. In another embodiment, the protrusions of the locking element 50 are formed as stop elements or claw elements, not shown, which are seated in a wall portion of the locking groove 52, and the locking element 50 is secured against slippage on the hook element 6. In this embodiment, material recesses in the locking groove 52 are not necessary.

24 shows the process of assembling the hook joint 8. The panel 2 is pivoted down towards the ground in the direction of arrow P3, whereby the hook elements 6 and 7 of the panels 2 and 10 engage each other. It will be seen that the locking element 50 is reliably held in the locking groove 52, and the hook elements are connected as described above. After the free end of the latch fitting 4 has passed the upper edge 53a of the locking groove 53, the latch fitting 54 slides in a spring-like manner into the locking groove 53 which serves as the latching recess and locks the hook joint.

List of markings fixing system panel 3 panel 4 tongue 4a curved area 5 groove

5a curved recess 5b bottom groove wall 6 hook element 7 hook element 8 hook coupling footfall-damping intermediate layer panel weight vertical offset locking element locking groove

PL 235 591 B1 locking groove locking groove interlocking interspace joint undercut surface undercut surface protruding surface undercut locking groove locking groove locking groove locking element locking element locking element locking element locking groove locking groove locking groove locking groove locking locking element

34a serrated element locking element

35a serrated element locking element for the snap-in groove

A projection surface 38a is a claw element recess

40a claw member hook surface hook surface intermediate space recess surface buckle recess bottom recess bottom locking element locking element locking groove locking groove

53a upper edge snap fastener rear projection

56a selecting a performance

57a selecting select blocking

And the dimension

B dimension

P1 the direction of the arrow

P2 arrow direction

P3 arrow direction

V ground