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EP1213407B1 - Système de plancher - Google Patents

Système de plancher Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1213407B1
EP1213407B1 EP00670011A EP00670011A EP1213407B1 EP 1213407 B1 EP1213407 B1 EP 1213407B1 EP 00670011 A EP00670011 A EP 00670011A EP 00670011 A EP00670011 A EP 00670011A EP 1213407 B1 EP1213407 B1 EP 1213407B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
flooring
tongue
angle
recess
inclined surface
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP00670011A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1213407A1 (fr
Inventor
Atilio De Lima Fevereiro
Paulo Maria Pereira De Meneses Nogueira
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Poliface - Componentes E Sistemas Para Mobiliario E Construcao Sa
Original Assignee
Poliface - Componentes E Sistemas Para Mobiliario E Construcao Sa
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Poliface - Componentes E Sistemas Para Mobiliario E Construcao Sa filed Critical Poliface - Componentes E Sistemas Para Mobiliario E Construcao Sa
Priority to DE60029331T priority Critical patent/DE60029331D1/de
Priority to AT00670011T priority patent/ATE333018T1/de
Priority to EP00670011A priority patent/EP1213407B1/fr
Publication of EP1213407A1 publication Critical patent/EP1213407A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1213407B1 publication Critical patent/EP1213407B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F15/00—Flooring
    • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
    • E04F15/04—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements only of wood or with a top layer of wood, e.g. with wooden or metal connecting members
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F2201/00—Joining sheets or plates or panels
    • E04F2201/01—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship
    • E04F2201/0107—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship by moving the sheets, plates or panels substantially in their own plane, perpendicular to the abutting edges
    • E04F2201/0115—Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship by moving the sheets, plates or panels substantially in their own plane, perpendicular to the abutting edges with snap action of the edge connectors

Definitions

  • the invention generally relates to flooring panels. More specifically, the invention is directed to flooring panels which are maintained in position relative to each other by the use of tongue and groove technology.
  • the panel is equipped with locking means in the form of a groove and a tongue which form a union between the groove and the tongue suitable for fitting the panels together.
  • the groove and the tongue are made of a waterproof material and they are formed with an quick engagement coupling element, which is under pressure and has the effect of a spring.
  • Utility model DE 200 02 413 U also discloses a floor covering with horizontal locking means having a locking projection cooperating with a corresponding cavity.
  • the invention is directed to a flooring system made of flooring panels.
  • a first flooring panel or member has a first top surface and a first engagement portion.
  • a second flooring member has a second top surface which is essentially parallel to the first top surface, and a second engagement portion.
  • the first engagement portion can be an elongated tongue with a locking projection extending therefrom.
  • the locking projection has a first inclined surface which is inclined at a first angle relative to the first top surface.
  • the second engagement portion can be in the form of an elongated recess with a locking cavity extending therefrom.
  • the locking cavity has a second inclined surface which is inclined at a second angle relative to the first top surface. The second angle is larger than the first angle.
  • the configuration of the flooring panels insures that the top or upper surfaces of the panels will be positioned in the same plane, adding significantly to the aesthetic and functional nature of the floor. Also the cooperation of the panels insures that the panels will fit together properly and prevents the separation of the panels from each other, thereby eliminating inappropriate spaces between panels.
  • the cost of tooling to produce the flooring panels is minimised.
  • the tooling does not need to be reconditioned as often, thereby eliminating costly downtime for the tooling.
  • FIG 1 illustrates a flooring system according to the invention.
  • Each flooring panel 10 has a first major surface 12 and an oppositely facing second major surface 14. Side surfaces 16, 18 and end surfaces 20, 22 extend between the major surface 12 and 14. Although the flooring panels 10 are shown as rectangular, other types of configurations are possible.
  • the first major surface 12 has a laminate or thin layer 24 of decorative wood provided thereon and is designed to face away from the subfloor, as shown in Figure 1.
  • the core 26 of each flooring panel 10 is made from material which has the strength, absorption, and other characteristics required. As the core will not be exposed once the flooring system is completely installed, the core 26 must not be as physically appealing as the layer 24.
  • side surface 16 has a laminate portion 30 which extends from the first major surface 12 in a direction essentially perpendicular to the first major surface.
  • a raduised portion 32 is provided proximate the laminate portion 30. The raduised portion extends inward toward side surface 18 from the plan of laminate portion 30.
  • a tongue 40 extends from side surface 16 outward in a direction away from side surface 18. The tongue is positioned below the raduised portion 32 when viewed in Figure 4.
  • a bottom straight portion 34 and bottom angled position 36 also are provided on the side surface 16. The portions 34 and 36 are offset toward side surface 16 from the plan of laminate portion 30.
  • tongue 40 has a fixed end 42 attached to side surface 16 and a free end 44 which has a rounded or arcuate configuration.
  • An upper surface 46 and a lower surface 48 extend between the free end and the fixed end. In the embodiment shown, the planes of the upper and lower surfaces are essentially parallel to the plan of the first major surface 12.
  • a projection 50 extends from the lower surface 48.
  • the projection has a first inclined surface 52 and a second inclined surface 54.
  • the first inclined surface 52 is inclined at an angle A from a line which is perpendicular to the plane of the first major surface 12.
  • the second inclined surface 54 is inclined at an angle B from a line which is perpendicular to the plane of the first major surface 12. In the embodiment shown, the angle A is 70° and the angle B is 45°. However, the angles can be varied and still fall within the scope of the invention.
  • Side surface 18 has a laminate portion 60 which extends from the first major surface 12 in a direction essentially perpendicular to the first major surface and essentially parallel to the laminate portion 30.
  • a lead-in portion 62 is provided proximate laminate portion 60. The lead-in portion 62 slopes inward toward side surface 16.
  • a recess 70 extends from side surface 18 inward in a direction toward side surface 16. The recess 70 is provided below the lead-in portion 62 when viewed in Figure 4.
  • a raduised portion 64 and bottom angled portion 66 are provided on the side surface 18. The portions 64 and 66 are offset toward side surface 16 from the plane of laminate portion 60.
  • Recess 70 has open end 72 and a closed end 74.
  • An upper surface 76 and a lower surface 78 extend between the open end and closed end.
  • the planes of the upper and lower surfaces 76, 78 are essentially parallel to the plane of the first major surface 12.
  • the space X between the upper surface 76 and lower surface 78 is dimensioned to be larger than the dimension Y between the upper surface 46 and lower surface 48 of the tongue 40.
  • a channel 80 is provided in the lower surface 78 and extends from the lower surface in a direction toward the second major surface 14.
  • the channel 80 has a first inclined surface 82 and a second inclined surface 84.
  • the first inclined surface 82 is inclined at an angle C from a line which is perpendicular to the plane of the first major surface 12.
  • the second inclined surface 84 is inclined at an angle D from a line which is perpendicular to the plane of the first major surface 12.
  • the angle C is 65° and the angle D is 45°.
  • the angles can be varied and still fall within the scope of the invention.
  • individual flooring panels 10 are joined together to form a flooring system.
  • various individual flooring panels 10 are positioned on the subfloor and manipulated into engagement with other flooring panels 10'. This process is best illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.
  • a respective flooring panel 10 is laid on subfloor 90, such that the second major surface 14 is in contact with and essentially parallel to the subfloor 90.
  • the flooring panel 10 is moved in the direction of the arrows until such time when the tongue 40' of flooring panel 10' engages a portion of recess 70 of flooring panel 10.
  • channel 80 cooperates with projection 50'.
  • first inclined surface 52' of projection 50 cooperates with the first inclined surface 82 of channel 80 and the second inclined surface 54' of projection 50' either cooperates with or is in close proximity to second inclined surface 84 of channel 80.
  • first inclined surface 52' and first inclined surface 82 performs an important function with respect to the proper installation of the flooring system.
  • first major surfaces 12 of each flooring panel must be aligned and must be in the same plane. Even slight variances in the positioning of the first major surfaces can cause the floor to be unattractive and unsafe. Therefore, it is important to provide the flooring panels with a mechanism to insure that the first major surfaces will be coplanar.
  • first inclined surface 52' extends at an angle A from a line perpendicular to the first major surface and the first inclined surface 82 extends at an angle C from a line perpendicular to the first major surface.
  • angle A is 70° and angle C is 65°
  • the slope of surface 82 is steeper than the slope of surface 52'. Therefore, as flooring panel 10 and flooring 10' are moved together, surface 52' will engage surface 82.
  • the continued installation of flooring panels causes 52' to be biased upward.
  • surface 52' is biased upward by surface 82 causing upper surface 46' of tongue 40' to engage upper surface 76 of recess 70.
  • upper surface 46' is accurately controlled relative to the first major surface 12' as the flooring panel 10' is manufactured.
  • upper surface 76 is accurately controlled relative to the first major surface 12 as the flooring panel 10 is manufactured. Consequently, the dimensioning of the flooring panels insures that when surfaces 46' and 76 are provided in engagement, the first major surface 12 will be positioned in the same plane as any other respective first major surface 12'. Therefore, with tongue 40' positioned in recess 70 as described, the coplanarity of the first major surface 12 with first major surface 12' is assured.
  • angles described with respect to the preferred embodiment have certain defined values, the scope of the invention is not limited to those specific values. Rather the invention is accomplished if angle A is greater than angle C, thereby causing surface 82 to have a steeper slope than surface 52'.
  • angles B and D are identical in the embodiment shown. This insures that surfaces 54' and 84 are essentially parallel to each other. This type of configuration helps to hold surfaces 52' and 82 in position relative to each other. The cooperation of surfaces 54' and 84 helps to maintain surfaces 52' and 82 in engagement, thereby facilitating the coplanarity of surfaces 12 and 12'. The cooperation of surfaces 54' and 84 also prevents the separation of panel 10 from panel 10'.
  • the dimensions of angles B and D are not as important as the dimensions of A and C. In fact, in order for the flooring panels to be properly positioned, it is not essential that surfaces 52' and 82 be coplanar.
  • the tongue 40' extends from flooring panel 10' and the recess 70 is provided in flooring panel 10.
  • the invention operates in the same manner if the recess 70' is provided in the flooring panel 10' and the tongue 40 extends from flooring panel 10.
  • the configuration of the flooring panels insures that the upper surfaces 12 of the panels will be positioned in the same plane, adding significantly to the aesthetic and functional nature of the floor. Also, the cooperation of the projection 50 with channel 80 prevents the separation of the panels. If the panels are permitted to separate, the aesthetics of the flooring system is degraded. Separation of the panels can also cause safety and maintenance issues.
  • the configuration of the sides and ends of the flooring panels also helps insure that the flooring panels will fit together properly.
  • the only other portions of the flooring panels which engage are the portions 30 and 60 which are proximate the surface 12. As no other portions engage, the other portions will not prevent the surfaces 12 of panels from being held in the proper spaced relationship.
  • the portions of the panels resiliently deform, causing the tongue to effectively click in place in the recess.
  • This positive retention of the tongue in the recess provides sufficient force to retain the flooring panels together, with or without the use of a glue or adhesive. Consequently, the invention can be used with or without glue.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Floor Finish (AREA)
  • Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)

Claims (7)

  1. Système de plancher comprenant :
    un premier élément de plancher (10) ayant une première surface supérieure (12) et une première partie de prise ;
    un deuxième élément de plancher (10') ayant une deuxième surface supérieure (12) qui est sensiblement parallèle à la première surface supérieure (12) et une deuxième partie de prise ;
    la première partie de prise définissant un évidement allongé (70) avec une cavité de blocage (80) s'étendant à partir dudit évidement, la cavité de blocage (80) ayant une première surface inclinée (82) qui est inclinée selon un angle C par rapport à la première surface supérieure (12) et une deuxième surface inclinée (84) ;
    la deuxième partie de prise définissant une languette allongée (40') avec une saillie de blocage (50') s'étendant à partir de ladite languette (40'), la saillie de blocage (50') ayant une première surface inclinée (52') qui est inclinée selon un angle A par rapport à la deuxième surface supérieure (12') et une deuxième surface inclinée (54') ;
    caractérisé en ce que l'angle A est supérieur à l'angle C de sorte que la première surface inclinée (52') de la saillie de blocage (50') coopère avec la première surface inclinée (82) de la cavité de blocage (80) pour positionner le premier élément de plancher (10) et le deuxième élément de plancher (10') afin que la première surface supérieure (12), et la deuxième surface supérieure (12') soient positionnées dans le même plan, le blocage étant obtenu en posant les deuxièmes surfaces inclinées (54' et 84) de la saillie de blocage (50') et de la cavité de blocage (80) respectivement l'une contre l'autre.
  2. Système de plancher selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la coplanarité entre les surfaces principales (12) et (12') est obtenue par l'interaction entre la première surface inclinée (52') et la première surface inclinée (82) en raison du fait que l'angle A est supérieur à l'angle C, ce qui signifie que le panneau de plancher (10) et le panneau de plancher (10') se déplacent l'un vers l'autre, la surface (52') venant en contact avec la surface (82) et la surface (52') étant poussée vers le haut par la surface (82), ce qui provoque que la surface supérieure (46') de la languette (40') vienne en contact avec la surface supérieure (76) de l'évidement (70).
  3. Système de plancher selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'une surface supérieure (46) et une surface inférieure (48) s'étendent entre l'extrémité libre (44) et l'extrémité fixe (42) de la languette (40), lesdites surfaces étant parallèles au plan de la première surface principale (12) et en ce qu'une surface supérieure (76) et une surface inférieure (78) s'étendent entre l'extrémité ouverte (72) et l'extrémité fermée (74) de l'évidement (70), lesdites surfaces étant essentiellement parallèles au plan de la première surface principale (12).
  4. Système de plancher selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la partie d'entrée (62) et la partie (64) de la surface latérale (18) ont une configuration arrondie afin de faciliter le centrage et le guidage de la languette (40) dans l'évidement (70).
  5. Système de plancher selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que, après l'assemblage, un espace libre reste entre l'extrémité libre (44) de la languette (40) et l'extrémité fermée (74) de l'évidement (70), lequel espace permet l'application de colle entre les deux surfaces afin d'assurer une prise permanente entre deux panneaux contigus.
  6. Système de plancher selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la conception des surfaces latérales (16) et (18) de la languette (40) et de l'évidement (70) permet respectivement d'économiser une quantité importante de matériau pendant la fabrication.
  7. Système de plancher selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les angles A et C entre la surface inclinée (52') et la verticale et respectivement là surface inclinée (82) et la verticale suivent le format A > C et ne nécessitent pas d'être strictement déterminés. Leur valeur exacte peut varier, ce qui aide à prolonger la durée de vie des outils de coupe et réduit par conséquent les coûts.
EP00670011A 2000-12-06 2000-12-06 Système de plancher Expired - Lifetime EP1213407B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE60029331T DE60029331D1 (de) 2000-12-06 2000-12-06 Fussbodensystem
AT00670011T ATE333018T1 (de) 2000-12-06 2000-12-06 Fussbodensystem
EP00670011A EP1213407B1 (fr) 2000-12-06 2000-12-06 Système de plancher

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP00670011A EP1213407B1 (fr) 2000-12-06 2000-12-06 Système de plancher

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1213407A1 EP1213407A1 (fr) 2002-06-12
EP1213407B1 true EP1213407B1 (fr) 2006-07-12

Family

ID=8174496

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00670011A Expired - Lifetime EP1213407B1 (fr) 2000-12-06 2000-12-06 Système de plancher

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1213407B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE333018T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE60029331D1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE20200268U1 (de) 2001-12-20 2002-03-28 Hülsta-Werke Hüls GmbH & Co KG, 48703 Stadtlohn Paneelelement
CN2764857Y (zh) * 2005-02-28 2006-03-15 丹阳蓝客金刚石精密刀具有限公司 防断裂平装卡扣式地板拼块及其拼接的地板
DE202010015754U1 (de) * 2010-11-23 2011-01-20 Akzenta Paneele + Profile Gmbh Fußbodenpaneel mit weichelastischer Nutzschicht

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE9500810D0 (sv) 1995-03-07 1995-03-07 Perstorp Flooring Ab Golvplatta
BE1010487A6 (nl) 1996-06-11 1998-10-06 Unilin Beheer Bv Vloerbekleding bestaande uit harde vloerpanelen en werkwijze voor het vervaardigen van dergelijke vloerpanelen.
FR2785633B1 (fr) * 1998-11-09 2001-02-09 Valerie Roy Panneau de recouvrement pour parquet, lambris ou analogue
DE19962830C2 (de) * 1999-12-23 2002-07-18 Hamberger Industriewerke Gmbh Verbindung

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE333018T1 (de) 2006-08-15
EP1213407A1 (fr) 2002-06-12
DE60029331D1 (de) 2006-08-24

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