EP4477816A1 - Hard floor panel for floating installation forming a floor panel assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hard floor panel (1) with a core made of a wood-based panel, a wood-based plastic panel or a plastic panel with an upper side (2) and a lower side (3) and with side edges (10, 20; 30, 40) with complementary tongue-groove profiles along the panel sides for floating installation to form a floor panel composite, wherein at least two floor panels are joined together, wherein two opposite side edges of the at least two floor panels each have an (upper) section A and a (lower) section B in relation to the thickness of the floor panel, wherein a tongue (11, 31) is provided in section B of the first side edge (10, 30, 50, 70) and a groove (21, 41) is provided in section B of the second opposite side edge (20, 40), wherein a first joining surface (16, 36) and in section A of the second opposite side edge (20, 40) a second joining surface (26, 46) is provided, wherein the first joining surface (16, 36) of the first side edge (10, 30) and the second joining surface (26, 46) of the second side edge are each inclined away from the vertical line to the top of the panel at an angle α, wherein the angle of inclination α is between 1 and 10°, preferably between 2 and 5°, particularly preferably between 2 and 3°.

Description

The present invention relates to a hard floor panel for floating installation to form a floor panel composite, in particular a laminate floor.

Description

Floor panels with tongue-and-groove profiles on the side edges for laying panel composites, such as laminate flooring, are widely used and conventionally known. The tongue-and-groove profiles enable easy laying of floor panels to floor coverings. Such floor coverings can consist of wood fiber boards or plastic boards, for example. The floor panels are usually provided with a decorative layer and an abrasion-resistant surface layer.

However, the conventionally used tongue and groove profiles have the disadvantage that gaps of different sizes form between the adjacent panels. Dirt and moisture can penetrate these gaps and lead to expansion or swelling of the base plate of the floor panel, especially when wood-based panels are used as base plates. The expansion or swelling of the wood-based base plate causes the surface layer to rise, so that the surface layer is exposed to increased abrasion.

Accordingly, various alternative tongue-and-groove profiles have been developed in the past to reduce the gap size. For example, EP 1026341 B1 a floor panel for the realization of a floor covering is known, wherein coupling parts in the form of a groove and a tongue are provided on the edges of two opposite sides of the panels. The tongue and groove are designed in such a way that when two or more floor panels are joined together, a tension force is exerted on each other, which forces the floor panels together. The tension force is caused by an elastically bendable lip in the groove, which is at least partially bent when joined together and in this way provides the aforementioned tension force.

But this approach also requires a gap on the top of the joined panels, and here in particular at the contact points of the joining surfaces of the two opposite side edges of two joined floor panels, through which moisture and dirt can penetrate between the floor panels.

Laminate floors with so-called V-joints have also proven to be very popular. A V-joint is created when the edges of the wooden panels are provided with a bevel or chamfer. The bevels are slanted millings on the side edges that form a joint with a V-shaped angle when the floor panels are joined together. The formation of the joint serves to reinforce the visual impression of individual panels and to create a visual separation between the panels. Another problem with the V-joint is that moisture can collect in the joint and this moisture can penetrate into the gap between the panels.

To reduce the penetration of moisture into V-joints, for example, WO 2020/200988 A1 It is known to provide the side edges with bevels of different lengths. When joined together, the bevels of different lengths overlap, with the longer bevel being partially covered by the shorter bevel. The shorter bevel forms an overhang or undercut that serves as a contact surface with the longer bevel of the opposite side edge. When joined together, a wedge-shaped gap can be formed between the joining surfaces of the side edges, with the tip of the wedge-shaped gap pointing upwards towards the panel surface.

The disadvantage of the WO 2020/200988 A1 The problem with the approach described is that the side edges of the panels have to be provided with bevels of different lengths, which requires additional production effort and therefore causes higher costs. Laying floor panels designed in this way is also more problematic, as the overhang or undercut of the shorter bevel represents a predetermined breaking point and waste is more common.

It was therefore the object of the present invention to further develop the tongue-and-groove profiles known from the prior art in such a way that, on the one hand, gaps are prevented from forming on the joining surfaces, particularly on V-joints, of the floor panels, in order to prevent the penetration of moisture and dirt and the associated disadvantages. On the other hand, production should be possible in existing production lines without additional technical effort.

This object is achieved with a floor panel having the features of claim 1.

• wobei jeweils mindestens zwei Fußbodenpaneele zusammengefügt bzw. miteinander verbunden werden,
• wobei jeweils zwei gegenüberliegende Seitenkanten der mindestens zwei Fußbodenpaneele bezogen auf die Dicke des Fußbodenpaneel jeweils einen (oberen) Abschnitt A und einen (unteren) Abschnitt B aufweisen,
• wobei im Abschnitt A der ersten Seitenkante eine erste Fügefläche und im Abschnitt A der zweiten gegenüberliegenden Seitenkante eine zweite Fügefläche vorgesehen sind,
• wobei im Abschnitt B der ersten Seitenkante eine Feder und im Abschnitt B der zweiten gegenüberliegenden Seitenkante eine Nut vorgesehen sind,
• wobei die erste Fügefläche der ersten Seitenkante und die zweite Fügefläche der zweiten Seitenkante jeweils weg von dem senkrechten Lot zur Paneeloberseite in einem Neigungswinkel α gleichlaufend geneigt sind,
• wobei der Neigungswinkel α zwischen 1 und 10°, bevorzugt zwischen 2 und 5°, insbesondere bevorzugt zwischen 2 und 3° beträgt.

Accordingly, a hard floor panel with a core made of a wood-based panel, a wood-based plastic panel or a plastic panel with a top and a bottom and with side edges with complementary tongue-and-groove profiles along the panel sides (i.e. along the long sides and transverse sides) is provided for floating installation to form a floor panel composite,

• whereby at least two floor panels are joined together or connected to each other,
• wherein two opposite side edges of the at least two floor panels each have an (upper) section A and a (lower) section B relative to the thickness of the floor panel,
• wherein a first joining surface is provided in section A of the first side edge and a second joining surface is provided in section A of the second opposite side edge,
• wherein a tongue is provided in section B of the first side edge and a groove is provided in section B of the second opposite side edge,
• wherein the first joining surface of the first side edge and the second joining surface of the second side edge are each inclined in the same direction away from the vertical to the top of the panel at an inclination angle α,
• wherein the angle of inclination α is between 1 and 10°, preferably between 2 and 5°, particularly preferably between 2 and 3°.

For the purposes of the present invention, joining surfaces are understood to mean the pair of surfaces on which the joined panels rest against each other in order to form a flat upper surface of the connected and locked panels that is as closed as possible. Accordingly, the technical term joining surface includes the section of the side edges that are actually pressed against each other. The joining surfaces lie directly against each other in order to close the surface. The first joining surface and the second joining surface run parallel to each other at the same time, so that when the floor panels are joined together, the joining surfaces lie against each other along their entire surface and are in contact with each other.

As already indicated, beveling of the joining surfaces or joining edges in the sense of the present invention is to be understood as a bevel or inclination of the joining surfaces or joining edges from the top side of the panel away from the perpendicular or vertical (relative to the top side of the panel).

Usually, the top of the panel and the respective joining surface of the side edges form a right angle (β = 90°). The top of the panel and the joining surface are arranged at right angles to each other, i.e. the first and second joining surfaces usually run parallel at a perpendicular angle β to the top of the panel.

In the panel according to the invention, however, the first and second joining surfaces are inclined at an angle α from the vertical. Since the inclined joining surfaces are concurrent, i.e. run parallel to each other, this means that the first joining surface and second joining surface are inclined in the same direction away from the vertical, so that the angle of inclination α of the two joining surfaces is the same.

Due to the inclination of the joining surfaces, the angle β between the top of the panel and the respective joining surface is no longer 90°, but is greater than 90° in the case of the first joining surface and less than 90° in the case of the second joining surface. An angle β' between the panel surface and the first joining surface can therefore take on values of 90° plus inclination angle α and an angle β" between the panel surface and the second joining surface can take on values of 90° minus inclination angle α; angle β' is thus greater than angle β".

Thus, the β' can be between 91° and 100°, preferably between 92° and 95°, particularly preferably between 92° and 93°. The angle β" can be between 80° and 89°, preferably between 85° and 88°, particularly preferably between 87° and 88°.

When the inclined joining surface of the first side edge of the tongue profile and the inclined joining surface of the second side edge of the groove profile are applied, a linear pressure occurs at the contact points of the joining surfaces when at least two floor panels are joined together along the inclined joining surfaces of the side edges of the tongue profile and the groove profile. This makes it possible to avoid the formation of gaps between adjacent floor panels and thus to reduce the ingress of moisture and dirt into the floor covering. The linear pressure results from the profile geometry and the pressure to be applied. In this case, the The term "line pressure" refers to a pressure that runs linearly along the joining surfaces or locking surface, or essentially linear pressure. In this case, the joining surfaces press against one another in a practically linear manner (along the entire or almost the entire surface).

Due to the parallel bevel or inclination of the joining surfaces, the angle between the line pressure of the joining surfaces and the top of the panel when the floor panels are joined together is 90° minus the angle of inclination α (corresponding to the angle β" defined above). The angle between the line pressure and the top of the panel can thus be between 80° and 89°, preferably between 85° and 88°, particularly preferably between 87° and 88°.

Furthermore, there are advantages in the installation and surface pressure of panels with the angle of inclination defined according to the invention of 2-10° compared to flatter angles (ie angle of inclination of e.g. more than 20° as in the CN 107938992 ). Due to pre-stresses in the profile connection of floor panels, a certain amount of pressure must be built up during installation to prevent liquids from penetrating. The flatter the angle, the less pressure can be built up. On the other hand, the side edge or joining edge according to the invention (at an angle parallel to one another) allows the side edges to be closed under pressure, thus preventing water from penetrating the gap and the profile.

In a preferred embodiment of the present panel, the first side edge and second side edge on the top of the panel (in section A) each have a bevel to form a V-joint. A bevel or chamfer (also referred to as edge break) is thus provided at the transition between the top of the panel and the joining surface.

The (opposite) bevels of the first side edge and the second side edge preferably have the same length, so that there is no overlap of the bevels in the assembled state.

The angles γ', γ" between the bevel (or edge break) and the panel surface are between 20 and 50°, preferably 30 to 40°, ie the bevel is angled or broken off by this angle in relation to the panel surface. The angles γ', γ" can be the same or different. In one embodiment, the angle γ' can be between 20 and 30°, for example. while the angle γ" is between 30 and 40°. Preferably, however, the angles γ', γ" are equal.

When the floor panels are assembled, the opposing bevels form a V-joint, with the V-joint having an opening angle of 90 to 130°, preferably 100 to 120°.

In a preferred embodiment, the floor panels thus form a V-joint when assembled, with the contact point of the opposing bevels representing the tip of the V-shaped joint. From this contact point or tip of the V-joint, the joining surfaces of the opposing side edges run parallel to one another in the line pressure away from the vertical plumb line in the direction of the panel surface with an inclination angle α of between 1 and 10°, preferably between 2 and 5°, particularly preferably between 2 and 3°. The parallel, inclined joining surfaces run over the entire first section A of the opposing side edges up to the second section B of the opposing side edges, i.e. up to the tongue and groove profile.

The distance between the start of the bevel on the top of the panel and the tip of the V-joint is between 0.2 and 0.8 mm, preferably between 0.35 and 0.7 mm. The bevel length can be determined trigonometrically.

The thickness of the panels can be between 4 and 12 mm, preferably between 4 and 10 mm, particularly preferably between 5 and 7 mm, e.g. 5.5 mm or 6.4 mm.

In one embodiment of the present floor panel, the section A with the first and second joining surfaces has a width or thickness of 1 to 3 mm, preferably 1 to 2 mm, particularly preferably 1 to 1.5 mm, i.e. the length of the first and second joining surfaces is in a range between 1 to 3 mm, preferably 1 to 2 mm, particularly preferably 1 to 1.5 mm, e.g. 1.2 mm.

The design of the tongue profiling and the groove profiling are described in more detail below.

The profiles with tongue and groove provided in the present floor panel as coupling parts between two panels are preferably formed in one piece.

In one embodiment, the tongue of the first side edge has an upper side and a lower side; wherein the first joining surface of the first side edge extends from the upper side of the floor panel towards the upper tongue side.

The groove in the second side edge has a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface of the groove being defined by an upper lip and the bottom surface of the groove being defined by a lower lip; the second joining surface of the second side edge extending from the top surface of the floor panel along the upper lip.

In a further embodiment of the floor panel, a projection with a contact surface is provided on the lower side of the tongue of the first side edge; and a recess with a contact surface is provided in the lower lip of the groove of the second side edge. When at least two floor panels are joined together, the projection of the tongue engages in the recess of the lower lip of the groove, so that the contact surfaces of the projection of the tongue and the recess of the lower lip of the groove exert a tension force on one another.

The tongue and groove preferably have shapes that are complementary to each other. The projection on the lower side of the tongue extends along the lower lip of the groove and engages in the recess of the lower lip of the groove when two panels are coupled. The contact surfaces of the projection of the tongue and the recess abut against each other. When the floor panels are joined together, the tongue sits precisely against the upper side and the lower side of the groove, exerting a pressure P on the upper lip of the groove. This pressure is not only absorbed by the upper lip, but by the entire structure, since the pressure can be transmitted through the tongue and the lower lip. The pressing pressure P creates the clamping force by which the panels are joined and held together.

The distance of the top of the spring from the top of the panel and the bottom of the spring from the bottom of the panel can vary depending on the panel thickness.

The thickness of the tongue is preferably equal to the width of the groove, so that the upper lip of the groove is supported by the tongue, and the tongue is in turn supported by the lower lip of the groove.

The upper side of the tongue is flat and horizontal in relation to the top of the panel. The upper side of the groove (or lower side of the upper lip of the groove) is also flat and horizontal so that the tongue and groove can engage or slide into each other without resistance. The top of the tongue and the bottom of the upper lip form contact surfaces that are essentially parallel to the plane defined by the floor panel.

In a further embodiment of the present floor panel, a recess is provided between the joining surface of the tongue profiling and the upper side of the tongue.

It is also intended that the lower side of the spring has a bevel on its edge. This bevel can also be described as a chamfer with an angle between 45-55°.

As described above, the projection provided on the lower side of the tongue extends along the lower lip of the groove. The projection engages in the recess of the lower lip of the groove when two panels are coupled. The angle of the contact surfaces of the projection of the tongue and the recess of the lower lip is between 30 and 70° with respect to the horizontal plane. This angle is ideal for achieving optimal compression of the floor panels while allowing easy engagement and assembly of the floor panels.

When the tongue and groove are joined or coupled, an additional space can form between the projection of the lower tongue side and the recess in the lower lip of the groove, which functions as a dust chamber, for example. The size of the dust chamber can vary, for example, between the profiles in the long sides of the panel (longitudinal profile) and the transverse sides of the panel (transverse profile).

It is also contemplated that the lower lip of the groove may extend beyond the upper lip of the groove. In this case, the recess in the lower lip of the groove is located in the portion of the lower lip that extends beyond the upper lip of the groove.

In one embodiment of the present floor panel, at least one saddle is provided in the recess of the lower lip of the groove. This saddle can be of varying degrees of pronouncedness in the transverse profile and longitudinal profile.

The thickness of the upper lip of the groove may be greater than or equal to the thickness of the lower lip. In case of different thicknesses of upper and lower lips, the center line is arranged through the tongue and groove below the center line of the panel. In this arrangement, the lower lip of the groove is bent when two floor panels are joined together so that the top of the floor panel is not subjected to any changes or deformation.

The upper and lower lips also have rounded edges, which makes it easier to join the panels together. For example, the joining surface of the upper lip can have a rounded edge or bevel. The bevel is provided at the contact point of the upper lip of the groove with the top of the tongue and allows the floor panels to be joined together easily.

In another embodiment, an inclined surface or bevel (or ramp surface) is also provided at the free end of the lower lip of the groove, which allows the tongue-and-groove profiles to be easily pushed into each other.

At the transition from the tongue and groove profile to the underside of the panel, a bevel or chamfer over a length of 0.6 mm with an angle between 20 and 30°, preferably 25°, is provided. The bevel is provided in particular in a counter-pull on the underside of the panel and enables better installation without splintering.

In further embodiments of the present floor panel, it is provided that the tongue-groove profiles have one of the following properties or a combination thereof: roundings at the corners (or edges) of the tongue-groove profiles; dust chambers between all sides of the interlocking floor panels; in particular the above-mentioned dust chamber between the recess of the lower lip of the groove and the projection of the tongue;

The tongue and groove profiles allow two floor panels to fit together by applying a rotating or swiveling movement ("angle-angle"). In this case, a first floor panel is first attached at an angle to a horizontally arranged second floor panel, followed by swiveling the first floor panel in the direction of the installation plane so that the joined floor panels lie in the installation plane. In order for the two floor panels to fit together To be able to engage with a rotary movement, the edges or curves are preferably rounded or circular.

The present floor panel preferably has a rectangular shape, with tongue-and-groove profiling being provided on the longitudinal side edges and on the transverse side edges.

The longitudinal profile used to connect the panels along the longitudinal side edges may have the same or a different tongue-and-groove profile than the transverse profile used to connect the panels along the transverse side edges.

The main differences between the longitudinal profile and the transverse profile concern the formation of a saddle in the recess of the lower lip, which also requires a larger space or chamber between the tongue projection and the groove recess when the floor panels are assembled. In the case of the transverse profile, the lower lip of the groove also has a ramp surface at the end of the groove, which is not provided for in the longitudinal profile.

The present panels preferably have a core made of a wood-based panel, preferably an HDF or MDF panel, a wood-based plastic panel, preferably a WPC panel, or a plastic carrier panel, preferably a PVC carrier panel or SPC carrier panel. If plastic is used, the core can have at least one filler in an amount of up to 70% of the total weight of the core of the carrier panel, preferably calcium carbonate or materials with comparable properties. In a preferred embodiment, a panel or board made of a core made of a wood fiber or chipboard with an increased adhesive content (12-60%) is used.

• Verlegen eines ersten Fußbodenpaneels, und
• Anfügen eines zweiten Fußbodenpaneels an das erste Fußbodenpaneel, wobei die Feder des zweiten Fußbodenpaneels in die Nut des ersten Fußbodenpaneels eingefügt wird, wobei die untere Lippe der Nut-Profilierung in dem zusammengefügten Zustand nach außen gebogen ist, so dass die untere Lippe eine Kraft bereitstellt durch welche die Paneele permanent zueinander gezwungen werden.

As mentioned above, these floor panels are used for floating installation of floor panels. The installation procedure includes the following steps:

• Laying a first floor panel, and
• Attaching a second floor panel to the first floor panel, whereby the tongue of the second floor panel fits into the groove of the first floor panel, the lower lip of the groove profiling being bent outwards in the assembled state so that the lower lip provides a force by which the panels are permanently forced together.

The prestress caused by the interaction of tongue and groove is optimally transferred to the upper side of the floor panel, whereby the joining surfaces of the tongue and groove profiles are pressed together in the engagement direction in such a way that a linear pressure occurs at the contact point of the joining surfaces, forming an angle between the joining surfaces.

Figur 1A

ein schematischer Querschnitt eines Fußbodenpaneels mit einer Dicke von 6,4 mm mit einer Feder-Profilierung gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform (Querprofil);

Figur 1B

ein schematischer Querschnitt eines Fußbodenpaneels mit einer Dicke von 6,4 mm mit einer Nut-Profilierung gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform (Querprofil);

Figur 1C

ein schematischer Querschnitt von zwei zusammengefügten Fußbodenpaneelen mit der in Figur 1A gezeigten Feder-Profilierung und der in Figur 1B gezeigten Nut-Profilierung;

Figur 2A

ein schematischer Querschnitt eines Fußbodenpaneels mit einer Dicke von 6,4 mm mit einer Feder-Profilierung gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform (Längsprofil);

Figur 2B

ein schematischer Querschnitt eines Fußbodenpaneels mit einer Dicke von 6,4 mm mit einer Nut-Profilierung gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform (Längsprofil);

Figur 2C

ein schematischer Querschnitt von 2 zusammengefügten Fußbodenpaneelen mit der in Figur 2A gezeigten Feder-Profilierung und der in Figur 2B gezeigten Nut-Profilierung;

Figur 3A

ein Fußbodenpaneel gemäß Figur 1A mit einer Fase;

Figur 3B

ein Fußbodenpaneel gemäß Figur 1B mit einer Fase;

Figur 3C

zwei zusammengefügte Fußbodenpaneele gemäß Figur 1C mit einer V-Fuge;

Figur 4A

ein Fußbodenpaneel gemäß Figur 2A mit einer Fase;

Figur 4B

ein Fußbodenpaneel gemäß Figur 4B mit einer Fase;

Figur 4C

zwei zusammengefügte Fußbodenpaneele gemäß Figur 2C mit einer V-Fuge.

The present invention is explained in detail below using the following embodiments with reference to the figures. They show:

Figure 1A

a schematic cross-section of a floor panel with a thickness of 6.4 mm with a spring profiling according to a first embodiment (cross profile);

Figure 1B

a schematic cross-section of a floor panel with a thickness of 6.4 mm with a groove profiling according to a first embodiment (cross profile);

Figure 1C

a schematic cross-section of two joined floor panels with the Figure 1A spring profile shown and the one in Figure 1B shown groove profiling;

Figure 2A

a schematic cross-section of a floor panel with a thickness of 6.4 mm with a spring profiling according to a second embodiment (longitudinal profile);

Figure 2B

a schematic cross-section of a floor panel with a thickness of 6.4 mm with a groove profiling according to a second embodiment (longitudinal profile);

Figure 2C

a schematic cross-section of 2 joined floor panels with the Figure 2A spring profile shown and the one in Figure 2B shown groove profiling;

Figure 3A

a floor panel according to Figure 1A with a bevel;

Figure 3B

a floor panel according to Figure 1B with a bevel;

Figure 3C

two joined floor panels according to Figure 1C with a V-joint;

Figure 4A

a floor panel according to Figure 2A with a bevel;

Figure 4B

a floor panel according to Figure 4B with a bevel;

Figure 4C

two joined floor panels according to Figure 2C with a V-joint.

The invention is explained for rectangular floor panels which can be connected to each other on their long sides as well as on their short sides or even on one side only.

So the ones in the Figures 1A , 3A Spring profiling shown and the one in Figure 1B , 3B The groove profiling shown in the first embodiment is provided in the transverse sides of the floor panels, ie in the shorter sides, while the groove profiling shown in the Figures 2A , 4A and 2B , 4B shown profiles according to the second embodiment are inserted into the long sides of the floor panels.

The side edges shown in the figures each have an (upper) section A and a (lower) section B based on the thickness of the floor panel, with first joining surfaces 16, 36 and second joining surfaces 26, 46 being provided in section A of the side edges. Tongues 11, 31 and grooves 21, 41 are provided in section B of the side edges.

The present floor panels have a rectangular shape with side edges 10,20 which extend along the long sides and short sides of the panel and are suitable for floating installation to form a floor panel.

The floor panels typically have a length of one to two meters. The thickness of the panels can also vary, but is in the Figures 1A-C and 2A-C described embodiments 6.4 mm.

Each floor panel has the tongue and groove profiles described in detail below on the opposite edges 10, 20, which allow two adjacent floor panels to be joined together. A tongue 11 is provided in a first side edge 10 and a groove 21 is provided in the second opposite side edge 20.

Figure 1A shows a first tongue profile which is intended for a transverse side of the floor panel. The tongue 11 of the tongue profiling of the first side edge 10 has an upper side 12 and a lower side 13.

The distance of the spring upper side 12 from the panel upper side or panel surface 2 and the distance of the spring lower side 13 from the panel lower side 3 can vary depending on the panel thickness.

The upper side 12 of the tongue 11 has a flat surface 19 which is arranged horizontally in relation to the panel top. The length of the tongue top can be measured in the cross section ( Figure 1A ) and longitudinal profile ( Figure 2A ) must be equal, while the length of the lower spring side in the transverse profile is greater than the length of the lower spring side in the longitudinal profile.

The lower side of the spring 11 has a bevel or chamfer 17 on its edge with an angle between 45-55°.

On the lower side 13 of the spring, the projection 14 is provided with a contact surface 15. The projection 14 has an inclination between 10° (transverse profile) and 44° (longitudinal profile) with respect to the flat, horizontal section of the underside 13 of the spring.

The length and height of the projection 14 also vary depending on the design of the spring as a transverse profile or longitudinal profile.

The spring profile of the Figure 1A has a joining surface 16 on the side edge, which runs from the top side 2 of the floor panel to the upper tongue side 12 and has a bevel or inclination from the top side of the floor panel towards the upper spring side. The bevel or inclination of the joining surface 16 runs at an angle α of 3° away from the perpendicular or vertical (relative to the top of the panel). The angle β' between the top of the panel and the inclined first joining surface 16 is 93°.

in relation to the perpendicular to the top of the floor panel. Thus, the joining surface 16 has a bevel towards the plumb line or perpendicular.

A recess 16a is provided at the transition of the joining surface 16 of the spring profiling to the upper side 12 of the spring.

According to the presentation of the Figure 1B The groove 21 provided in the second side edge 20 of the floor panel 1 has an upper side and a lower side, the upper side of the groove 21 being delimited by an upper lip 22 and the lower side of the groove being delimited by a lower lip 23. The width of the groove formed by the upper lip 22 and the lower lip 23 corresponds to the thickness of the tongue 11, so that the tongue 11 can be inserted into the groove 21.

The lower side of the upper lip 23 of the groove with surface 29 is, like the surface 19 of the tongue top, flat and horizontally arranged, so that the tongue and groove can engage or slide into each other without resistance. Surface 19 of the tongue top and surface 29 of the underside of the upper lip 23 form contact surfaces that run essentially parallel to the plane defined by the floor panel.

The thickness of the upper lip 22 and the lower lip 23 differ, whereby the upper lip 22 can be thicker than the lower lip 23. Due to a smaller thickness of the lower lip 23, it serves as an elastically bendable projection.

In the lower lip 23 of the groove, a recess 24 with a contact surface 25 is provided, whereby recess 24 interacts with contact surface 25 in a complementary manner to the spring 11 with contact surface 15. A saddle 27 is formed in the recess 24. The formation of the saddle 27 in the cross profile ( Fig. 1B ) and the saddle 47 longitudinal profile ( Fig. 2B ) varies in intensity, which is due to the technical profile geometry and the associated pre-tensioning effect.

The groove profiling of the Figure 1B has a joining surface 26 on the side edge that runs along the upper lip 22. The joining surface 26 is bevelled - like the joining surface 16 of the tongue - whereby here too the bevel of the joining surface 26 runs at an angle α of 3° away from the vertical or perpendicular (relative to the top of the panel). The angle β' between the top of the panel and the inclined second joining surface 26 is 87°.

Joining surface 16 and joining surface 26 are therefore inclined at an angle α of 3° away from the perpendicular or vertical (relative to the top of the panel).

A bevel or chamfer 26a is provided at the transition of the joining surface 26 to the underside of the upper lip 23 with the surface 29.

At the free end of the lower lip 23 of the groove, a ramp surface 28 is provided, which simplifies the engagement of the short transverse sides. The corresponding ramp surface 48 in the longitudinal profile ( Fig. 2B ), on the other hand, is less pronounced and is intended to be more of a curve. This geometric difference is due to the different behavior of the cross profile and the longitudinal profile when the profiles are angled during installation. The ramp surface 28 enables easier positioning of the cross profiles. In addition, installation with tapping wood without damaging the profiles is guaranteed.

When assembled (see Figure 1C ), the projection 14 of the spring 11 engages in the recess 24 of the lower lip 23 of the groove, so that the contact surface 15 of the projection 14 and the contact surface 25 of the recess 24 of the lower lip exert a clamping force or preload on each other.

When the bevelled joining surface 16 of the tongue profile and the bevelled joining surface 26 of the groove profile are placed in the assembled state of two floor panels, a linear pressure occurs at the contact of the joining surfaces 16, 26 along the bevelled, parallel joining surfaces 16, 26. The joining surfaces 16, 26 are thus pressed together to form an almost continuous surface.

Due to the geometric design of the tongue-groove profiles, dust chambers are formed between all sides of the interlocking floor panels. Special attention should be paid to the chamber that is visible in the cross-section between the recess 24 of the lower lip 23 of the groove 20 and the projection 14 of the tongue 11 ( Figure 1C ).

In the longitudinal profile (see Figure 2C ), this cavity or dust chamber between recess 44 and projection 34 is smaller. This is related to the selected spring mechanism of the groove profiles in the transverse profile and longitudinal profile, whereby the spring deflection in the transverse profile is greater than in the longitudinal profile. In addition, the transverse profile also has a greater profile spacing compared to the longitudinal profile (ie lower lip 23 of the transverse profile is longer than the lower lip 43 of the longitudinal profile). This allows the groove cheek of the transverse profile to spring, which in combination with the ramp surface 28 and the cavity makes installation in the transverse profile easier. The slightly varying profile dimensions and geometry of the transverse profile and longitudinal profile are due in particular to the different behavior of the transverse profile and longitudinal profile when the profiles are angled during installation using different lever arms.

In the assembled state of the Figure 1C In the floor panels shown, a gap can also be seen between the lower lip 23 and the lower tongue edge at the transition to the underside of the panel, which occurs particularly when HDF panels are installed.

The Figures 2A to 2C The second embodiment of the tongue-and-groove profiling shown is, as already mentioned, provided as a longitudinal profile in the long sides of the floor panel.

The spring profiling of the Figure 2A essentially corresponds to the spring profiling of the Figure 1A , whereby the length of the lower spring side 13 in the transverse profile differs from the length of the lower spring side 33 in the longitudinal profile. In particular, the length of the lower spring side 13 in the transverse profile is longer than in the longitudinal profile of the Figure 2 A .

In addition, the geometry of the projection 14 in the cross profile differs from the geometry of the projection 34 in the longitudinal profile. The projection 14 in the cross profile is weaker than the projection 34 in the longitudinal profile, i.e. the height of the projection 14 in the cross profile is smaller than the height of the projection 34 in the longitudinal profile. This geometric difference is also due to the different behavior of the cross profile and the longitudinal profile when the profiles are angled during installation using different lever arms.

When assembled (see Figure 2C ), a linear pressure occurs along the bevelled joining surfaces 36, 46. The joining surfaces 36, 46 are thus pressed together along the longitudinal edges, forming an almost continuous surface.

Also, the length of the lower lip 23 of the transverse profile differs from the length of the lower lip 43 of the longitudinal profile, with the lower lip 23 of the transverse profile being longer than the lower lip 43 of the longitudinal profile.

The Figures 3A-C and 4A-C The embodiments shown differ from the embodiments of the Figures 1A-C and 2A-C in that the first side edge 10, 30 and the second side edge 20, 40 each have a bevel at the transition from the top of the panel to the joining surface, which results in a V-joint when joined together.

The angles γ', γ" between the bevel (or edge break) and the panel surface are the same size in these embodiments and are each between 30 and 40°.

The opening angle of the V-joint in the joined panels of the Figures 3C and 4C is between 100-120°. The distance between the apex or tip of the V-joint and the start of the bevel on the top of the panel is between 0.35-0.7 mm. The bevel length can be calculated trigonometrically using sin (opening angle/2). This results in a bevel length of between 0.46 - 0.91 mm for an opening angle of 100° and a distance of 0.35 mm and a bevel length of 0.4-0.8 mm for an opening angle of 120° and a distance of 0.35 mm.

NALFA test and ISO 4760

Test surfaces according to ISO 4760 were produced from the planks manufactured according to the design variants described in the figures. Comparison samples were also provided from planks without any angle of inclination.

The assembled panels were subjected to a NALFA test, which examines the penetration of water into the profile.

100 ml of colored water was poured into the ring glued to the surface. The water remained on the surface for 24 hours. After that, an assessment was carried out in accordance with the standard. This not only included determining the amount of water still present in the ring but also determining the swelling of the test specimens in the test area.

It was found that in the case of the comparison samples, only 36% passed the Nalfa test, while the success rate for the samples according to the invention was 90%. An angle of inclination of the joining surfaces therefore leads to a significant improvement in the Nalfa test.

list of reference characters

1

floor panel

2

top of the floor panel

3

underside of the floor panel

10, 30

first side edge of a panel with a thickness of 4.5 mm with spring profiling

11.31

Feather

12, 32

top of the spring

13, 33

underside of the spring

14, 34

projection

15, 35

contact surface of the projection 14, 34

16, 36

beveled joining surface

16a, 36a

Recess in joining surface 16, 36

17.37

chamfer

19, 39

contact surface on the top 12, 32

20, 40

second side edge with a thickness of 4.5 mm with groove profiling

21.41

Nut

22, 42

upper lip

23, 43

lower lip

24, 44

recess in the lower lip 23.43

25, 45

contact surface of the recess 24, 44

26.46

beveled joining surface

26a, 46a

chamfer

27, 47

saddle in the recess 24, 44

28, 48

ramp area

29.49

Contact surface on the underside of the upper lip 22.42

α

Inclination angle of the first joining surface 16, 36 and the second joining surface 26, 46 away from the vertical

β'

Angle β' between panel top 2 and the inclined first joining surface 16, 36

β"

Angle between panel top 2 and the inclined second joining surface 26, 46

Claims (15)

Hard floor panel (1) with a core made of a wood-based panel, a wood-based plastic panel or a plastic panel with a top side (2) and a bottom side (3) and with side edges (10, 20; 30, 40) with complementary tongue-and-groove profiles along the panel sides for floating installation to form a floor panel composite, whereby at least two floor panels are joined together, wherein two opposite side edges of the at least two floor panels each have an (upper) section A and a (lower) section B relative to the thickness of the floor panel, wherein a tongue (11, 31) is provided in section B of the first side edge (10, 30, 50, 70) and a groove (21, 41) is provided in section B of the second opposite side edge (20, 40), wherein a first joining surface (16, 36) is provided in section A of the first side edge and a second joining surface (26, 46) is provided in section A of the second opposite side edge (20, 40), characterized in that the first joining surface (16, 36) of the first side edge (10, 30) and the second joining surface (26, 46) of the second side edge are each inclined away from the vertical line to the top of the panel at an angle α, wherein the angle of inclination α is between 1 and 10°, preferably between 2 and 5°, particularly preferably between 2 and 3°. Floor panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second side edges in section A on the top of the panel each have a bevel to form a V-joint. Floor panel according to claim 2, characterized in that the respective bevel has an angle γ', γ" between bevel (or edge break) and panel surface between 20 to 50°, preferably 30 to 40°. Floor panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the section A with the first joining surface (16, 36) and second joining surface (26, 46) has a width or thickness of 1 to 3 mm, preferably 1 to 2 mm, particularly preferably 1 to 1.5 mm. Floor panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongue (11, 31) of the first side edge (10, 30) has an upper side (12, 32) and a lower side (13, 33); wherein the first joining surface (16, 36) of the first side edge (10, 30) runs from the upper side (2) of the floor panel (1) towards the upper tongue side (12, 32). Floor panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the groove (21, 41) in the second side edge (20, 40) has an upper side and a lower side,
wherein the top of the groove (21, 41) is delimited by an upper lip (22, 42) and the bottom of the groove is delimited by a lower lip (23, 43); wherein the second joining surface (26, 46) of the second side edge (20, 40) runs from the top (2) of the floor panel (1) along the upper lip (22, 42). Floor panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a projection (14, 34, 54, 74) with a contact surface (15, 35, 55, 75) is provided on the lower side (13, 33, 53, 73) of the tongue of the first side edge; and a recess (24, 44, 64, 84) with a contact surface (25, 45, 65, 85) is provided in the lower lip (23, 43, 63, 83) of the groove (21, 41, 61, 81) of the second side edge;
wherein, in the assembled state of at least two floor panels, the projection (14, 34) of the tongue (11, 31) engages in the recess (24, 44) of the lower lip (23, 43) of the groove (21, 41), so that the contact surfaces (15, 35; 25, 45) of the projection (14, 34) of the tongue (11, 31) and the recess (24, 44) of the lower lip (23, 43) of the groove (21, 41) exert a clamping force on one another. Floor panel according to claim 7, characterized in that the recess (24, 44) in the lower lip (23, 43) of the groove (21, 41) is provided in the section which is located in the part of the lower lip (23, 43) of the groove (21, 41) extending beyond the upper lip (22, 42) of the groove (21, 41). Floor panel according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that at least one saddle (27, 47) is provided in the recess (24, 44) of the lower lip (23, 43) of the groove (21, 41). Floor panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongue-and-groove profiles have one of the following properties or a combination thereof: - Roundings at the corners (or edges) of the tongue-and-groove profiles; - dust chambers between all sides of the interlocking floor panels; in particular dust chamber between recess (24, 44) of the lower lip (23, 43) of the groove (21, 41) and the projection (14, 34) of the tongue (11, 31); - ramp surface (28, 48) at the free end of the lower lip (23, 43) of the groove (21, 41); - contact surfaces (19, 29; 39, 49) formed by the upper side (12, 32) of the tongue (11, 31) and the lower side of the upper lip (22, 42) which run substantially parallel to the plane defined by the floor panels (1). Floor panel according to one of the preceding claims , characterized by a rectangular shape, wherein the tongue-and-groove profiles are provided on the longitudinal side edges and on the transverse side edges. Floor panel according to claim 11, characterized in that the tongue-and-groove profiles in the longitudinal side edges and in the transverse side edges are the same or different from one another. Floor panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the panels comprise a wood fiber or wood chipboard with an adhesive content of 12 to 60%, a WPC board, a PVC carrier board or an SPC carrier board. Method for floating installation of floor panels according to one of the preceding claims to form a floor panel assembly comprising the following steps: - Laying a first floor panel, - Attaching a second floor panel to the first floor panel, wherein the tongue of the second floor panel is inserted into the groove of the first floor panel, wherein the lower lip of the groove profiling is bent outwards in the assembled state so that the lower lip provides a force by which the panels are permanently forced towards each other. Floor panel composite producible by a method according to claim 14.

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