EP1224365A1

EP1224365A1 - Panel element

Info

Publication number: EP1224365A1
Application number: EP01909621A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Richard Schwitte; Ansgar Mensing
Original assignee: Huelsta Werke Huels GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Huelsta Werke Huels GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2000-01-13
Filing date: 2001-01-12
Publication date: 2002-07-24
Anticipated expiration: 2021-01-12
Also published as: CN1416492A; CZ304243B6; DE10001076C1; CY1106647T1; DK1246981T3; RU2245973C2; KR20020073171A; SK10262002A3; NO20023352D0; SI20881A; NO320918B1; NO20023352L; NO20023322L; RU2232854C2; NO321531B1; SI20822B; ATE360124T1; SI20822A; CN1396978A; CZ20140477A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a panel element for constructing a floor covering comprised of a number of similar interconnectable panel elements. The inventive panel element comprises the following features: two first sides of each panel element which are designated as longitudinal sides comprise a groove formed by two groove faces and comprise a spring; the spring interacts with the groove of an adjacent similar panel element in order to secure two interconnected panel elements against separation forces which act in both axes running perpendicular to the longitudinal side of the panel elements; the spring comprises, on the bottom side thereof, a rib that extends in the longitudinal direction of the spring; the groove comprises, on the bottom side thereof, a holding channel for accommodating the rib; the upper edge (10) of the groove (2) extends up to the opening of the groove (2) in a rising manner, whereby forming an introduction channel (11) for the spring of a second panel element (1) which is applied in a slanted manner with regard to the installation plane, and; the groove (2) and spring (3) of two interconnected panel elements (1) have four defined points of contact (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d).

Description

panel member

Technical field

The invention relates to a panel element according to the preamble of claim 1.

Panel elements for the formation of floor coverings are usually rectangular and elongated. However, they can also have other contours and, for example, be square. Based on the customary rectangular shape, terms such as "long side", "front side" or the like are therefore used below, without restricting the invention to elongated panel elements. These terms also only serve to distinguish first and second sides on the panel element, which are each arranged in pairs parallel to one another and at an angle to the sides designated differently, so that the geometry of the panel element provided for the “long side” also on the other, for example one "Front" can be provided. State of the art

From GB 2 256 023 A a generic panel element is known. In the case of the floor covering formed from a plurality of such panel elements, it is provided that the individual panel elements have a certain degree of mobility with respect to one another. In this way, especially when the panel elements are made of wood and the wood "works" due to the weather or the effects of moisture, gaping between joints between adjacent panel elements can be avoided, since the intended play, which is possible between adjacent panel elements, leads to such movements of the natural material wood should be able to record.

In some applications and depending on the style of furnishing, however, it may be desirable to limit the mobility of adjacent floor panel elements as much as possible, in order to prevent the penetration of dirt into joints that could result between adjacent panel elements. For this reason, it is known to manufacture floor coverings of a non-generic type in such a way that the tongue and groove geometries provided there do not alone prevent the separation of adjacent floor panels, so that these elements can initially be joined together in a simple manner, namely, can be plugged into one another and only by adding glue on the one hand, firmly connected and secured against the separation forces mentioned and, on the other hand, are literally sealed by the addition of glue mentioned, so that neither moisture nor dirt can penetrate at the joints of two adjacent panel elements. In the field of the generic panel elements, it is known from WO 96/27719 is known, by two adjacent ^• sides of an elongated panel element, thus a long side and a front side to form a groove, and the lower cheek of the groove as a protruding element with a receiving channel for a to provide complementary locking element on the opposite side. The complementary locking element is to a certain extent formed on the underside of a tongue, which can be inserted into the groove. According to the cited document, these locking contours are of the same design on all four sides. It is also stated that the laying takes place in rows. This means that the panel elements of a row to be installed next to one another must first be connected to one another on their end faces, and then connected as a bond on their longitudinal edges to the longitudinal edges of the panels that have already been installed. However, such a procedure is comparatively cumbersome and cumbersome, since several panel elements which are interlocked on their end faces have to be handled.

From DE 297 10 175 UI a floor covering is known which consists of hard floor panels. The panels are provided with locking contours on their longitudinal and end faces, a new panel to be installed can be pivoted into panels already installed by means of a pivoting movement or inserted by means of a horizontal displacement movement. The various solutions shown for the locking contours have in common that they have an oblique contact surface in the area of the retaining rib and groove. This can make a panel with relatively little Turn the force around the joint on the surface and thus detach from the adjacent panel, so that gaps can arise.

From EP 0 855 482 Bl and EP 0 877 130 Bl a method for laying floor panels or a floor is known in which one of the panels has a locking strip protruding from the edge on the underside with a protruding locking element. The complementary locking profile has a locking groove into which the locking element can snap. A position definition is not given here, in order to ensure a subsequent displaceability in the direction of the longitudinal edges, there must be play between the locking element and the locking groove.

From DE 298 03 708 UI a panel is known which can be joined together with an adjacent panel, which has a complementary locking profile, but cannot be locked.

Finally, a system consisting of floor panels and separate holding elements is known from DE 195 03 948 AI, in which rounded locking contours are present. However, due to the need for separate holding elements, this system cannot be installed with little effort.

The invention has for its object to provide a panel element for the formation of a floor covering, with which a simple, glue-free laying of the floor covering is made possible and thereby a possible play-free installation of adjacent panel elements is made possible and is reliably maintained. This object on which the invention is based is achieved by the panel element having the features of claim 1.

In other words, the invention proposes the combination of the following features:

Accordingly, in the panel element according to the invention two first sides, referred to as long sides, have a groove on the one hand and a tongue on the other hand. In other words, in the case of a rectangular, in particular elongated, panel element, one longitudinal side is provided with a groove and the other, opposite longitudinal side has a tongue. It goes without saying that the panel element according to the invention can also be designed square, so that two first sides, which are not necessarily longer than the two second sides to be explained in more detail below, are provided with tongue and groove. On these first sides, grooves and tongues of complementary design are formed in such a way that a second panel element for laying is placed obliquely on a first, already laid panel element, and subsequently by a pivoting or rotating movement around the longitudinal side in such a downward direction, in one plane the already installed panel element is pivoted so that the tongue of the panel element to be installed is inserted into the groove of the already installed panel element.

In the final laying state, the tongue of the second panel element cooperates with the groove of the first, similar panel element, which in the final state is adjacent to the second panel element, in such a way that the two panel elements connected to one another are secured against separating forces, which in both, perpendicular to the longitudinal side of the panel members extending axes act. In other words, the interaction of tongue and groove prevents one of the two panel elements from being able to be raised with respect to the other in a direction perpendicular to the veriege plane, that is to say perpendicular to the surface of the panel elements. On the other hand, tongue and groove have locking contours, which are explained in more detail below and prevent separation of the two panel elements from one another in a direction perpendicular to the long sides and parallel to the surface.

It is preferably provided that the groove opens upwards at its mouth, that is, it facilitates the insertion of the tongue of an obliquely attached panel element. As a result, the rib provided on the underside of the spring can project comparatively far downward from the spring, so that after the floor covering has been laid, high holding forces can be applied, which can reliably prevent the separation of the two adjacent panel elements in the bending plane of the floor. that is, pulling apart transversely to the longitudinal direction of the panel. Furthermore, the formation of a bevel on the upper groove cheek, instead of the underside of the tongue, has the advantage that the tongue comes to rest both above and below in an area in the groove which is comparatively deep in the groove, so that a Particularly stable connection is achieved since the dimension between the two most distant contact and connection points of the connection is comparatively large.

According to the invention, the geometry of the tongue and groove results in a total of four contact points between the two panel elements, so that in this way reliable stability is also achieved against separating forces. that act transversely to the installation plane of the floor and could, for example, cause one to lift or tilt relative to the adjacent panel element. Here, the first two contact points are formed on the tongue and the groove itself, the groove being defined by two groove cheeks. A first contact point can be found on the upper side of the tongue and on the upper groove cheek. A second contact point can be found on the underside of the tongue and the lower groove cheek. Both the upper and the lower side of the tongue, as well as the lower and upper groove cheeks, can be inclined or curved, and the contact points can be provided on inclined or curved surfaces.

The third contact point is formed on the side wall of the holding channel, which is preferably provided in the lower groove cheek. The holding channel is a recess running parallel to the longitudinal edge and having any suitable geometry. In particular, the surface of the holding channel that is closer to the edge of the panel is preferably at least slightly rounded. However, it can also be designed straight or at an angle as a flat surface. On this side surface of the holding channel, the third contact point is preferably defined largely in a vertically oriented manner, which due to its orientation causes two interconnected panels to be positioned in a largely horizontal direction, in other words prevents the panels from being separated from one another in a direction parallel to the surface.

The fourth contact point, which is separate from the third contact point, is formed on the bottom surface of the holding channel or in the vicinity of the holding channel. This includes those areas of the groove cheek that are next to the except holding channel are present. The fourth contact point is present at one of these areas and is oriented at an angle to the third contact point. The area between the holding channel and the side edge of the panel element is preferred for the formation of the fourth contact point, this area being able to be rounded, so that the side wall of the holding channel merges with a curve into the zone lying between the holding channel and the side edge of the panel element. The fourth contact point is preferably oriented largely parallel to the surface of the panels. As a result, two interlocked panels are positioned at the fourth contact point in the vertical direction with respect to one another, so that their positioning and locking connection can be reliably maintained even on an uneven surface, and there are no height differences at the joint. The area in the vicinity of the holding channel where the fourth contact point is provided can also be rounded. In this case, however, the tangent at the contact point defines that direction which, according to the invention, extends at an angle to the corresponding direction present at the third contact point.

In the design of the holding channel and rib, a strong profile can be provided in order to enable high holding forces of the panel elements connected to one another. As a departure from the frequently used installation method, in which a panel element is pushed horizontally onto an already installed panel element, it can therefore be provided that the panel elements are not pushed horizontally into one another when the floor covering is installed, but instead are guided into one another by means of a pivoting movement. So a strong profile of the holding channel and rib can be chosen, the one horizontal sliding of two panel elements would not allow. With a correspondingly weaker profile or with an elastic configuration of the edge area, however, the usual purely horizontally shifting laying method may also be possible.

Unintentional loosening could be initiated or facilitated by the mentioned pivoting movement. The four contact points make such an unintentional pivoting movement of two connected panel elements more difficult and can result in a proper latching connection, in which a latching force must first be overcome in order to release the two connected panel elements.

Advantageous developments of the invention are described in the further claims.

It is preferred that the plane of the groove or tongue be shifted downward, so that an at least the same size or, if necessary, even greater material thickness is provided than below the groove or the tongue. In this way, pressure forces occurring during use of the floor covering, that is to say in everyday operation, are better absorbed by persons or furniture and put less strain on the tongue and groove connection, so that lower separating forces act on two adjacent panel elements.

An upper contact surface extending up to the top of the panel element is preferably present above the spring, and a glue receiving channel is advantageously provided if the panel elements are permanently installed and to be connected to each other by means of glue. This glue receiving channel can be provided in the form of a recess which extends longitudinally to the spring and above the spring, below the upper edge of the panel element, since a contact surface is provided in the region of this upper edge for contact with an adjacent panel element.

Furthermore, two contact surfaces can advantageously be provided between two adjacent panel elements, which prevent movements in both directions transverse to the longitudinal direction of the panel element: on the one hand, the contact surface between the two panel elements, so that the two panel elements cannot be pushed further towards one another. On the other hand, as a second contact surface, a contact surface between the holding channel on the one hand and the rib on the other hand, so that the adjacent panel elements are secured against separating forces. In this way, not only a play-free but also seamless or gap-free laying of the panel elements is made possible and thus a hygienically perfect floor covering with a surface that is as closed as possible.

The locking on the long sides by tongue and groove is additionally facilitated if the underside of the tongue rises towards the free end of the tongue. As a result, a panel to be installed can be particularly easily attached with its spring to an already installed panel and then swiveled in.

During the pivoting movement when laying a panel element, a rest point should be overcome. This locking point ensures that the position of the installed panel elements is reliably maintained after installation. Around To achieve the smoothest possible locking characteristic and thus to simplify the laying, it is advantageously provided to form this locking point between the rib on the one hand and the holding channel on the other hand, the holding channel being rounded in the area of this locking point with a radius as large as possible, so that there is no sudden increase , but results in a latching pressure that is as gentle as possible and to be overcome.

A particularly intensive bond between the individual panel elements of the floor covering is advantageous in order to avoid differences in height and thus abutting edges of the floor covering and to provide additional holding forces also in the longitudinal direction of the panel elements. For this purpose, it can be provided that the panel elements not only form tongue and groove profiles on their long sides, but also have holding means on their end faces, for example also in the form of tongue and groove profiles. If it is provided that the longitudinal sides of the panel elements are placed at an angle and can then be brought into one another by a pivoting movement, the associated frontal tongue and groove geometry can be designed, for example, such that they connect two panel elements exclusively by a horizontal displacement movement in the Laying level enables.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the holding means on the end faces are designed in such a way that they enable two panel elements to be locked essentially by a lowering movement taking place transversely to the laying plane. According to the invention, these holding means, like the holding means on the long sides, prevent the panel elements connected to one another from being raised with respect to one another be separated or in a direction perpendicular to the end faces and parallel to the Veriege plane. Any devices can be provided as such holding means. In particular, they do not necessarily have to be designed as a tongue and groove that can be locked together, but there can generally be a groove or a channel with a suitable undercut, into which a projecting element, i.e. a tongue with projections, that undercut the groove designed to complement it correspond, or can engage a locking projection or hook.

It is advantageously provided that the longitudinal groove of the panel element is connected to the right end of the end groove, the terms "right" and "left" when viewed from above and from outside, ie not from the center of the panel element, to a ready-to-install, with its decorative side facing upwards. This groove arrangement is unusual and surprising for the usual way of laying the panel elements, because the longitudinal groove of a panel element usually adjoins the left end of the end groove:

The usual installation system, as it is carried out by professional floor installers and as is known from the installation instructions for commercially available floor panel systems, provides for the floor covering to be laid starting from a certain corner of the room. In order to achieve a reliable connection between two adjacent panel elements, a certain pressing force usually has to be exerted. For this purpose, a tapping block is usually used, which is placed on the groove edge of the new panel element and which is to absorb and distribute the impact exerted by means of a hammer, so that the newly installed panel element is pressed with its tongue into the groove of an already installed panel element.

In practice, it cannot be ruled out, especially when laying the floor by laymen, that the tapping block is tilted against the groove edge, so that there is a risk of inadmissibly high edge pressure from the impact. As a result, the edge of the panel element can be deformed and the surface can be damaged, so that an undesired joint can result at the deformed point or an upstanding protruding edge is formed there. In addition, the desired moisture protection of the floor can be jeopardized there.

The geometry proposed here favors an unusual laying system in which, while maintaining the usual laying direction, the tapping block is not applied to the groove edge but to the tongue edge of the panel element. The pressing forces to be applied by the impact to lock the two panel elements together are not so great that deformation of the spring can be expected, which could hinder the connection of the two panel elements. In any case, the surface of the panel element is not affected when a tapping block is attached to the spring, so that the desired surface quality of the floor covering is reliably ensured.

To support the insertion channel mentioned at the beginning, it can be provided on the underside of the spring that this underside rise upwards towards the free end of the spring, so chamfer the bottom of the spring or round it. In this way, a particularly easy insertion of the tongue into the groove is promoted, even when the panel element is set at an angle.

During the pivoting movement when laying a panel element, a rest point should be overcome. This locking point ensures that the position of the installed panel elements is reliably maintained after installation. In order to achieve the smoothest possible latching characteristic and thus to simplify the laying, it is advantageously provided to form this latching point between the rib on the one hand and the holding channel on the other hand, the holding channel being rounded in the area of this latching point with the largest possible radius so that no sudden increasing, but a gently building, overcoming locking pressure results.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings are explained in more detail below. Show it:

1 shows a cross section through the area of the tongue and groove formation of the longitudinal sides of two interconnected, adjacent panel elements,

2 and 3 the connection of the long sides of the two panel elements of FIG. 1 in different laying stages, 4 shows a schematic, low-detail and perspective view of the top of a panel element,

5 and 6 each show a cross section through a first

Embodiment of a stirnsei igen tongue or groove design of a panel element, and the

7 and 8 each show a cross section through a second embodiment of an end groove or. Spring design of a panel element.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

1, two similar panel elements are designated by 1, one panel element 1 having a groove 2 and the other panel element 1 having a tongue 3, which extends into the groove 2 of the adjacent panel element 1. The material thickness of the panel elements 1 above the groove 2 or above the tongue 3 is slightly more than below the groove 2 or tongue 3, so that pressure loads from people or furniture can be absorbed comparatively well and stress the tongue and groove connection as little as possible ,

Against lifting forces, the two panel elements 1 are secured by the interlocking effect of groove 2 on the one hand and tongue 3 on the other hand, as well as against downward pressure forces in addition to the support of the panel elements 1 by the substrate on which these two panel elements 1 are laid. The panel elements 1 are secured against separation forces acting transversely to the longitudinal direction of the panel elements 1 by a contact surface 4. Along this contact surface 4, a rib 5, which is formed on the underside of the spring 3, bears against the side wall of a holding channel 6.

The forces acting in opposition to these separating forces, which the two panel elements 1 strive to push against one another, are absorbed by a contact surface 7 on which the two panel elements 1 abut one another and which extend downward from the upper edge of the two panel elements 1.

1, there are four contact points 8a to 8d, the contact point 8c being identical to the contact surface 4. With these four contact points 8a to 8d, the two panel elements 1 are fixed with regard to separating or angling forces _> so that only a parallel displacement of the two panel elements 1 in their longitudinal direction is possible without having to overcome additional holding forces.

In Fig. 1 a glue-free connection of the two panel elements 1 is shown. A recess 9 above the spring 3 and below the upper contact surface 7 can, however, serve as a glue receiving channel in order to receive excess glue if the two panel elements 1 are to be connected to one another with the aid of glue in a permanent and joint-sealing manner.

Fig. 2 shows the two panel elements 1 during the laying. The left panel element 1, of which the Groove 2 is visible, already installed. The second panel element

1 is set with its tongue 3 at an angle to the side edge of the first panel element 1 and the tongue 3 is inserted as far as possible into the groove 2. This is facilitated by the fact that the groove 2 has an upper edge 10 which rises towards the mouth of the groove 2 and in this way forms an insertion channel 11 which can be seen in particular in FIG.

Likewise, the tongue 3 has an underside 12 which is beveled towards the free end of the tongue 3, that is to say it rises, so that the right panel element 1 in its oblique position shown in FIG

2 can be introduced. This insertion movement is limited on the one hand by the contact of the spring 3 with the upper and lower boundary edges of the groove 2 and on the other hand by a contact of the two panel elements 1 in the area of their upper contact surface 7.

In FIG. 3, the right panel element 1 is flatter and less steeply angled than in FIG. 2, so that it could be inserted further into the groove 2. The rib 5 reaches with its rounded lower edge against a section 14 which runs between the holding channel 6 and the side edge of the panel element 1. The transition from this section 14 to the holding channel 6 runs with a comparatively large radius: in the exemplary embodiment shown, the radius of this rounding corresponds approximately to half the width of the holding channel 6 or half the width of the material below the section 14.

This "gentle" rounding between the section 14 and the holding channel 6 builds up when the spring is inserted further 3 into the groove 2 slowly a locking pressure that must be overcome when laying the right panel element 1 until the two panel elements are then arranged in their interconnected form shown in FIG. 1. In this installed state, the two panel elements 1 lie against one another without play, but also without tension, the rib 5 being accommodated in the holding channel 6 without tension. The locking pressure to be overcome again to lift the installed panel element 1 secures the bond between the two panel elements 1. It should be added that the locking contours are designed in such a way that an excess is formed on the spring 3 to be accommodated. In other words, the dimension on the panel which has the tongue 3 between the contact surface 7 and the right edge of the rib 5 according to FIG. 1, that is to say the contact point 8c, is larger than the corresponding dimension on the panel which has the groove , ie the dimension between the contact point 7 and that point of the holding channel 6 at which the third contact point 8c is formed. It should be added that the holding channel is slightly rounded overall and that the underside of the rib 5 is also rounded. However, the third contact point 8c is provided in such a way that the tangent to it is at least largely aligned vertically, so that the panels are thereby positioned with respect to one another in the horizontal direction. The contact point 8d is also formed in the vicinity of the holding channel 6 at a rounded area. However, in the preferred exemplary embodiment shown, the tangent to it is largely horizontal, generally oriented at an angle to the third contact point 8c, so that the panels are positioned in relation to one another in the vertical direction, and loosening and height differences are prevented even on an uneven surface. A purely schematic and perspective representation of FIG. 4 shows a panel element 1, each with a longitudinal groove 2 or tongue 3. The panel element 1 is oriented ready for installation, that is to say with its visible or decorative side facing upwards. This panel element 1 is also provided on the end faces with an end groove 15 and an end tongue 16. The longitudinal groove 2 adjoins the right end of the front groove 15, viewed in the viewing direction “B” from above and outside the panel element 1. In this way, a laying system is made possible while maintaining the usual laying direction of the floor covering, in which, if working with a tapping block, this tapping block is not attached to the side edge of the panel element 1 on which the groove 2 is located. Rather, the tapping block can be attached directly to the spring 3, so that damage to the surface of the panel element 1 can be reliably excluded even when the tapping block is tilted.

The corresponding undercuts of the longitudinal groove 2 or tongue 3, that is to say in particular the design of the rib 5 and the holding channel 6, can optionally be chosen to such an extent that problem-free horizontal sliding into one another in the laying plane is not provided. In contrast, such pronounced undercuts are not provided in the end-side tongue and groove geometry, so that the displacement of two adjacent panel elements 1 alongside one another causes the end face of the displaced panel element 1 to have a further, third Panel element 1 can be connected, as can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6:

In Fig. 5, the front spring 16a of the panel element 1 is shown in more detail in cross section. Here too, a recess 9 is provided as a glue receiving channel above the spring 16a and a rib 17 is provided below the spring 16a, which is rounded on its underside like the longitudinal rib 5. FIG. 6 shows the corresponding front groove 15a with a holding channel 18 for receiving the rib 17. The shape of the rib 17 and holding channel 18 makes it possible to insert the tongue 16a into the associated groove 15a by merely using the panel element 1 having the tongue 16a horizontally against the adjacent panel element 1 having the groove 17. An oversize is also formed on the spring in the context of the end-side locking, so that the rib 17a on the spring is received in the holding channel 18 in the manner of an interference fit, as is also the case with the locking on the longitudinal side.

7 and 8 show an alternative embodiment of the front groove 15 and the front tongue 16: The tongue 16b does not extend downward in the horizontal plane of the panel element 1, but rather approximately perpendicular to this plane. The corresponding groove 15b accordingly opens upwards to receive the spring 16b.

In such a configuration of the front groove 15b and tongue 16b, a laying method can be selected in which the panel element 1 to be laid is attached obliquely to panel elements that have already been laid and is then pivoted downwards in the manner described. Subsequently however, this panel element is no longer moved horizontally. Rather, the end face of the panel element is arranged to overlap from the outset with the end face of a panel element 1 that has already been installed, so that when the panel element to be installed is pivoted down, its end face dips with the spring 16b into the groove 15b of the end face of an already installed panel element 1. Although the movement of the lowered panel element 1 is actually a pivoting movement, the interlocking of the groove 15b and tongue 16b can essentially be described as a lowering movement which takes place transversely to the surface of the panel element 1.

The groove 15b has an undercut and the spring 16b is contoured with corresponding projections, in the purely schematic exemplary embodiment shown by a slightly convex contour, so that after overcoming a locking force with which the spring 16b is pressed into the groove 15b, holding forces can be built up, which secure a laid panel element 1 in its end area against lifting forces and enable a smooth floor surface free of abutting edges also in the area of the separation points on the end edges of two adjacent panel elements.

The purely schematic and spherical contouring of the tongue 16b and groove 15b shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 enables the non-destructive disassembly of the panel elements 1 and the loosening of their end-face connection, while overcoming the corresponding latching forces. In particular, if the tongue 16b diverges comparatively gently on its underside and converges again to a greater extent further upward, provision can be made for a comparatively easy insertion of the tongue 16b into the groove 15b is and, in contrast, considerably higher holding forces, which, however, also complicate disassembly of the two panel elements 1. In this case, provision can be made not to separate the end faces from one another by overcoming the latching forces, but rather by means of a displacement movement in which the groove 15b and tongue 16b are displaced in their longitudinal direction with respect to one another.

The groove 15b advantageously has a larger free cross-section than the cross-section of the spring 16b allows, so that the spring 16b can be held tension-free or with a downward bias within the groove 15b and is also ensured with certain dimensional tolerances of the spring 16b that there can be no pressure points between the tongue 16b and the groove 15b, which push the tongue 16b upwards and could possibly provide a butt edge in the area of the separation point between the two end faces of adjacent panel elements. Instead, only one contact is advantageously provided in the upper area between the groove 15b and the tongue 16b, so that the tongue 16b is reliably held in this groove 15b due to the undercut of the groove 15b.

Claims

claims

Panel element for forming a floor covering from several similar panel elements that can be connected to one another, with the following features:

two first sides of each panel element, referred to as long sides, have a groove formed by two groove cheeks on the one hand and a tongue on the other,

the tongue interacts with the groove of an adjacent, similar panel element in such a way that two interconnected panel elements are secured against separating forces which act in both axes perpendicular to the longitudinal side of the panel elements,

the spring has on its underside a rib running in the longitudinal direction of the spring, and

the groove has a holding channel on its underside for receiving the rib,

Other features include:

the upper edge (10) of the groove (2) rises towards the mouth of the groove (2), so that an insertion channel (11) for the tongue (3) one second panel element (1) attached at an angle to the veriege plane, and

Groove (2) and tongue (3) of two interconnected panel elements (1) have four defined contact points (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d),

a first contact point (8a) is formed on the upper side of the tongue itself and on the upper groove cheek,

a second contact point (8b) is formed on the underside of the tongue itself and on the lower groove cheek,

a third contact point (8c) is formed on the side wall of the holding channel (6), and

a fourth contact point (8d) is formed in the holding channel (6) or in the vicinity thereof at an angle to the third contact point (8c).

2. Panel element according to claim 1, characterized in that the material thickness of the panel element (1) above the tongue (3) or the groove (2) is at least the same size as the material thickness of the panel element (1) below the tongue (3) or the groove (2).

3. Panel element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that two adjacent panel elements (1) above the spring (3) have an up to the top of the panel elements (1) extending upper contact surface (7), above the spring (3) and below the contact surface (7) there is a recess (9) for receiving foreign substances such as glue.

4. Panel element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized gekn Nn that two interconnected panel elements (1) touch both on the upper contact surface (7), which limits a pushing together of the panel elements (1), as well as with the holding channel (6 ) on the one hand and the rib

(5) on the other hand, such that this lower one thus formed

Contact area (4) limits a pulling movement separating the two panel elements (1) in the plane of the floor, where the two contact areas (4, 7) bring about play-free contact between the two panel elements (1).

5. Panel element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized geke nn zeic hn et that the underside of the spring (3) to the free end of the spring (3) increases.

6. Panel element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transition from the holding channel (6) to the section (14) of the lower edge of the groove (2) which is between the holding channel (6) and the side edge of the panel element (1 ) extends, rounded with a comparatively large radius.

7. Panel element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two second, referred to as end faces of the panel elements (1) with holding means such as on the one hand with a groove (15) and on the other hand with a spring (16) which provide an end-face connection form two adjacent panel elements (1).

8. Panel element according to claim 7, characterized in that the end grooves (15a) and springs (16a) can be connected to one another in the verge plane by means of a sliding movement of the two panel elements (1).

9. Panel element according to claim 7, characterized in that the end grooves (15b) and springs (16b) can be connected to one another by means of a lowering movement of the one panel element (1) which is substantially transverse to the verge plane to an already laid panel element (1) ,

0. Panel element according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the groove (2) extending on the long side of the panel element (1) adjoins the right end of the end groove (15).