EP1242701B1 - Joint - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a joint for two flat construction elements, especially floor panels. According to the invention, a feather and groove joint is configured functionally separately from a locking part. Said locking part is in the form of a lock pin of a construction element, said lock pin (30) being located at a distance from the feather and groove joint (16, 28) and engaging in a corresponding engaging element (24) of the other construction element. The inventive joint is preferably configured on both the longitudinal edges and the front edges of a rectangular construction element, for example a floor panel. The locking part enables the floor panels to be joined in a flat position, i.e. without tilting.

Description

The invention relates to a connection for components, especially for floor panels according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a connection for floor panels is for example disclosed in EP 0 698 162 B1. In the known, so-called "glueless" connection will be the adjacent peripheral edges of the panels with a Tongue and groove connection executed. The lower one, to the support surface facing groove cheek of one panel is included extended and has beyond the vertical parting plane at its end portion a locking projection which in a corresponding recess in the spring of the other Immersed floor panels. To lay the panels too facilitate the connection in the area of engagement elongated groove cheek with the tongue executed with a game, so that the panels move along the Longitudinal edges are possible.

In WO97 / 47834 A1 there is a generic connection shown in the similar to that described above Solution, the lower groove cheek of a floor panel extended beyond the vertical parting plane and with is provided with a projection which is in an associated Spring recess engages. In contrast to The solution described at the beginning is the intervention between the extended groove cheek and the associated recess the spring so designed that by this Locking a force is applied to the two Floor panels perpendicular to the vertical plane against each other suppressed.

With both of the above solutions Tongue and groove connection a double function. Via the tongue and groove connection on the one hand is the precise positioning of the two floor panels to each other, so that no gaps and protrusions occur and the required installation quality is guaranteed. The second Function is this predetermined relative position due to the non-positive or positive locking between Extended groove cheek and tongue even under loads of the soil or fluctuations in temperature and humidity sure.

The problem with the known solutions is that the elongated groove cheek must be elastically deformed, to bring about the engagement between the locking elements. In unfavorable conditions, for example with excessive load on the elastic lower groove cheek or when swelling due to moisture and temperature influences it can happen that in the connection area the lower groove cheek to the associated floor panel Cracks occur, so that the groove cheek is no longer the one described above Can perform locking function. To comes that with such cracks in the connection area the groove cheek also the fit of the tongue and groove connection deteriorates in quality so that the one required for proper floor laying Accuracy is no longer guaranteed.

In contrast, the invention is based on the object a connection for components, especially floor panels to create, with minimal device technology Effort ensures a precise relative position is.

This task is accomplished through a connection with the Features of claim 1 solved.

According to the fit and the lock taken over by two separate components. The Fitting takes place in a conventional manner via a tongue and groove connection, while locking over one Locking pin takes place at a distance from the tongue and groove connection trained and therefore functionally independent of this is.

According to the invention Bolt pin and the spring an end recess formed, the Depth with respect to the vertical parting plane the elasticity of the deadbolt. That means that from Locking pin applied clamping forces and the pulling forces to take apart the components on simple way by changing the depth of this groove different environmental conditions or materials be adjusted.

According to the invention, the The locking pin runs at a distance from the spring and dips in a recess on the lower, support-side groove cheek one that, in contrast to the prior art is elastic. That is, according to the invention penetrate both the spring and the locking pin the vertical parting plane between the components in the horizontal direction and dive into the corresponding one Recesses of the opposite component. Especially The advantage here is that the material removal compared to the solutions described at the beginning is significantly less, so that the milling process for Machining the end faces is simplified.

A particularly reliable locking with simple Producibility is obtained if the deadbolt is carried out with a recess into which a projection engages on the underside of the lower groove cheek. The contact area between the groove cheek and the locking pin is preferably carried out as an inclined surface, so that even with relatively large tolerances a predetermined, the two components on top of each other preload force is guaranteed.

The locking pin advantageously extends along the bottom of the device so that a high-quality visible and treading surface can be produced.

The invention can be used, for example, in laminate floors with a carrier board made of HDF or MDF wood fibers deploy. In principle, the invention glue-free connection also for other floors, for example Parquet floors can be used.

Another advantage of the compound of the invention consists in pushing it along the Support level can be connected and locked can. In the prior art mentioned at the beginning, it is on the other hand, one component is required over the other First bend the component to get the spring into the Insert groove and then by swiveling in the flatness to bring about the locking. This means, through the formation of floor panels with the invention Locking can be done by laying the floor perform much easier and faster.

The ramp surfaces along which the components slide against each other when the lock is made, are preferably designed as inclined surfaces.

When the components are placed flat against one another preferably both the longitudinal edges and the side edges of the components with the connection according to the invention executed.

In addition to the lock described above the components are also glued.

Other advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of further subclaims.

Fig. 1 den Verbindungsbereich zweier Fußbodenpaneele;

Fig. 2 die Fußbodenpaneele aus Fig. 1 im verbunden Zustand und

Figur 3 eine Darstellung zur Erläuterung des Verlegevorgangs.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of schematic drawings. Show it:

1 shows the connection area of two floor panels;

Fig. 2 shows the floor panels of Fig. 1 in the connected state and

Figure 3 is an illustration for explaining the laying process.

The invention is based on a laminate floor explained.

Such a laminate flooring is of a variety made of floor elements, of which only in Fig. 1 the connection area of two adjacent floor panels 2, 4 is shown. Each floor panel 2, 4 one Laminate flooring has a carrier plate 6 - also a core called - made of high density wood fibers (HDF, MDF) consists. Such a carrier plate 6 is a good one Dimensional stability and high compressive strength guaranteed.

The bearing surface of each floor panel 2, 4 is through a backing laminate 8 formed on the lower large area every floor panel is applied. For special Applications can still use a moisture insulation sheet (not shown) can be installed. With this backing laminate 8, the dimensional stability of the flooring continues elevated. As indicated by dash-dotted lines in FIG. 1 is on the underside of each floor panel 2, 4 one Insulation layer 11 for structure-borne noise insulation, attached his. The insulation layer can be made from conventional insulation materials, such as PU foam etc. are formed.

The visible surface of the floor panels 2, 4 is by a Decorative laminate 10 and a cover layer applied thereon 12 formed. The decorative laminate 10 is produced by printing and gives the floor a look that the Structure of natural wood floors comes very close. The Cover layer 12 provides the required robustness and Durability of the flooring.

End face 14 of the floor panel shown in FIG. 1 4 is a rectangular groove 16 formed by an upper groove cheek 18 and a lower groove cheek 20 is limited.

The lower region of the groove cheek, which is removed from the groove 16 20 is provided with a recess 22, the Depth T is greater than the depth t of the groove 16. The remaining one Wall thickness of the groove cheek 20 is so large that their elastic deformation during assembly the panels are practically negligible. On the bottom the groove cheek 20 has a projection 24, which is directed towards the bearing surface of the floor panel 4 extends. The side surfaces (perpendicular to the drawing plane) of the projection 24 are formed by inclined surfaces.

The end face 26 of the adjacent floor panel 2 has a corresponding structure. Accordingly protrudes from the End face 26 a tongue 28 corresponding to groove 16 out. The tongue / groove connection formed by the groove 16 and the tongue 28 corresponds to the connection more conventional Laminate floors, for example, only by gluing together get connected. In the area of the contact surface of the floor panel 2, a locking pin 30 is formed, which is separated from the spring 28 via an end recess 32 is. That is, the side walls of the front recess 32 are on the one hand by the locking pin 30 and on the other limited by the spring 28. The depth S of the forehead recess 32 is greater than the length s of the spring - i.e., the bottom of the groove is opposite the end face 26 offset inside. By varying the depth S, the Adjust the elasticity of the locking pin 30 so that the Extraction forces for dismantling the floor are adjustable.

The large area removed from the front recess 32 of the locking pin 30 extends in extension of Contact surface of the floor panel 2. On the front recess 32 facing surface of the locking pin 30 is a Notch 34 formed, which - as in the following even closer is described - in engagement with the projection 24 of the Recess 22 can be brought and approximately below the end face the spring 28 is formed.

The end face of the locking pin 30 is with a Thrust bevel 36 provided that the joining of the floor panels 2, 4 in cooperation with the neighboring one Inclined surface of the projection 24 facilitated.

To join the floor panels 2, 4 runs Projection 24 on the ramp surface 36 and the spring 28 dips into the groove 16. In this relative position the lower groove cheek 20 in turn dips into the front recess 32 a.

When moving the floor panel 4 with reference to the floor panel 2, the locking pin 30 is due to transverse force introduced via the oblique ramp surface 36 deflected elastically downwards (see dash-dotted lines Representation in Fig. 2). The ramp surface 36 slides on Protrusion 24 along until the latter snaps into the notch 32. In this state, the locking pin engages behind 30 the projection 24, the attachment between these two components only along that in FIG. 2 inclined surfaces formed on the right, while the left inclined surfaces spaced from each other are.

The position of the protrusion 24 and the notch 32 is chosen such that the two in the locked state End faces 14, 26 are pressed flat against one another, so that the gap in the end face area between the two floor panels 2, 4 is minimal. The face the locking pin 30 is at a distance from the neighboring one End face of the recess 22. Since the depth S of the End recess 32 greater than the length s of the spring 28 is, the bottom of the front recess 32 is at a distance to which the parting plane 38 (dash-dotted line in Fig. 2) predetermined end face 14 of the floor panel 4.

The orientation of the floor panels 2, 4 in the height direction takes place solely through the tongue and groove connection 28, 16, while locking and pressing the floor panels 2, 4 interacting solely through the locking pin 30 with the projection 24 and thus from the Elasticity of the locking pin 30 depends. This leaves by varying the depth S of the front recess 32 (dashed lines in Fig. 1 change so that the elastic deflection of the locking pin 30 and the locking force depending on the choice of material and easily adaptable to the conditions of use of the floor are.

Even if it is in adverse conditions, for example if the locking pin 30 is overloaded a crack in the area indicated by reference numeral 40 comes, there is no fear of a height offset as the Fit between groove 16 and tongue 28 unaffected is, while at most the locking forces are reduced become.

The conventional solutions are based on the double function the tongue and groove connection in the event of a break the lower groove cheek both the locking and the Removed fit between the floor panels. The invention thus represents a significant improvement over conventional ones glueless connections, so that even at the highest Loads and also in the case of misplacement Laying the floor is guaranteed.

The method for laying the constructed according to the invention Floor panels 2, 4 will be based on Figure 3 explains. It is assumed that on one dash-dotted bottom 42 already one or several floor panels 2 (4) are laid, wherein in figure 3 only the spring 48 and the locking pin 30 load-bearing long side of the panels is shown. That new Floor panel 4 to be added is also flat placed on the floor 42 and then in the X direction (arrow in Figure 3) until the inclined surface 36 on the Projection 24 runs up. Then a tapping block 44 placed, which has an approximately L-shaped cross section and the one with its longer leg on the top the floor panel 4 rests while this short Leg the right end face of the floor panel in Figure 3 encompasses at least in sections, so that this short leg abuts the spring 28.

By light blows with a hammer 46 on the Tapping block 44 in the direction of the floor panel already installed 2 becomes the engagement of the locking elements brought about as shown in Figure 2.

The panels are aligned lengthways then by placing the tapping block 44 on the narrow side. The floor element 4 can be knocked along the long side of the already installed panels until the narrow sides are locked together.

It is essential that it is the inventive concept allows the floor panels 2, 4 to lie flat, i.e. can be connected without screwing in. On such screwing was in the described above State of the art required. By the invention Measures can thus be made to the laying essential simplify so that the laying work by a Laypeople are feasible.

For a particularly reliable connection of the floor panels 2, 4, in addition to the shown locking another connection Glueing done. This sizing is preferably carried out in Tongue / groove area.

Another particular advantage of the invention Construction is that the locking pin 30 is flush with the Underside of the floor panels 2, 4 is formed, so that a flat support is guaranteed. Because the tongue and groove connection and the lock independently are trained, the two floor panels 2, 4 exactly during the locking process through the tongue and groove connection. In the aforementioned State of the art is the lower cheek, the at the same time the locking element forms during of the locking process deflected elastically, so that the precise, inventive management of the locking process not possible.

Since there is no pivoting in the locking according to the invention it is up to the publisher whether he first the long sides or the narrow sides of the floor panel. With interlocks, those that require swiveling in, had to neighboring floor panels first along the narrow sides be connected and then this long, Board consisting of several individual floor panels in the already installed floor panels can be swung in. This is much more cumbersome because of the alignment such long planks are much more difficult than the successive one Laying short floor panels is.

In the above-described embodiment, the Locking pin 30 on the same floor panel 2 as the spring 28 trained. In kinematic reversal one could also the locking pin 30 on the bottom panel provided with the groove 16 4 train, but a little more material removal is required to cut the face free.

Instead of locking over sloping surfaces other geometries, such as rounded surfaces, Vertical surfaces, etc. can be used. in principle It is also conceivable that the locking pin 30 from one to manufacture other material and to the panel too Fasten.

A connection for two flat components is disclosed, especially floor panels with a tongue and groove connection functionally separated from a lock is executed. This locking is done by a locking pins spaced from the tongue and groove connection of a component, which in a correspondingly trained Engagement element of the other component engages. The connection is preferably both to the Longitudinal edges as well as on the front edges of a rectangular one Component, for example a floor panel educated. The lock allows assembly the floor panels in a flat position, i.e. without swiveling.

Claims (9)

1. A joint for plate-shaped structural members, for instance floor panels, comprising a groove and tongue joint (16, 28) passing a parting plane (38) between two adjacent structural members (2, 4) and a pertinent locking for fixing the relative position determined by said groove and tongue joint, characterized in that the locking comprises a twistlock (30) formed at a structural member (2, 4) and separated functionally from said groove and tongue joint (16, 28), said twistlock (30) being frictionally or positively engageable with an engaging element (24) at the other structural member (2, 4), wherein said twistlock (30) is formed at a distance to the tongue (28) at one structural member (2), and said engaging element (24) is formed at a distance to the groove (16) at the other structural member (4), and wherein a front recess (32) is formed between twistlock and tongue, whereby the elasticity of said twistlock may be adjusted.
2. The joint according to claim 1, wherein said twistlock (30) is formed on the side of the floor face.
3. The joint according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a notch (34) is formed at the face of said twistlock (30) facing said tongue (28), said notch (34) having a correspondingly formed projection (24) of the engaging element as a counterpart.
4. The joint according to claim 3, wherein said notch (34) and said projection (24) both are limited by inclined faces.
5. The joint according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement between twistlock (30) and engaging element (24) is chosen such that a tension force is acting, pressing together said floor members (2, 4).
6. The joint according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the joint is provided at longitudinal and front sides of a floor panel (2, 4).
7. The joint according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the depth (S) of said front recess (32) is chosen as a function of the desired extraction force for separating the structural members (2, 4).
8. The joint according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein glue joining of the structural members (2, 4) is performed in addition to the frictional or positive engagement.
9. The joint according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a dead-sounding layer is provided at the floor face.

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