WO2004053258A1

WO2004053258A1 - Floor panel and method for coupling and uncoupling them

Info

Publication number: WO2004053258A1
Application number: PCT/EP2003/013075
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernard Paul Joseph Thiers; Mark Gaston Maurits Cappelle
Original assignee: Flooring Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2002-12-09
Filing date: 2003-11-19
Publication date: 2004-06-24
Also published as: AU2003292066A1; BE1015239A3

Abstract

Floor panel consisting of a hard panel with coupling parts with which a floor covering (2) can be formed, whereby such floor panels (1A-1B) can be removed from in between adjoining floor panels (1C-1D). The method relates to different techniques for coupling, uncoupling, respectively, such floor panels (1).

Description

FLOOR PANEL AND METHOD FOR COUPLING AND UNCOUPLING THEM

This invention relates to a floor panel, as well as to a method for coupling, uncoupling, respectively, such floor panels, more particularly in respect to similar adjoining floor panels.

More particularly, it relates to floor panels of the type consisting of hard panels.

In particular, it relates to laminate panels, whereby a decorative layer, whether having the appearance of parquetry or not, is present at the upper side, however, more in general, it also relates to other floor panels, for example, of solid wood or synthetic material.

In the case of laminate panels, it is known that they can have a different layer structure. Mostly, the floor panels are formed of wood-based boards, such as particle board or fibreboard, more particularly MDF or HDF, whereby at least at the upper side one or more layers, amongst which a decorative layer, are provided. The decorative layer may be a printed paper layer, but in certain embodiments it may also be a layer of wood, more particularly veneer. Also, such floor panels may be realized of other materials, for example, from a wood-based basic layer, such as particle board, MDF or HDF or such, on top of which, instead of a printed paper layer or veneer, another material is provided, such as cork, thin parquetry strips and the like. It is also known to couple such floor panels, when installing them, at two or more of their edges, for example, as described in the international patent application No. 97/47834.

Further, it is also known from WO 01/98603 that such floor covering, at least at two opposite edges, can be provided with integrated coupling parts, as a result of which several such floor panels can be coupled to each other in order to form a floor covering, whereby these coupling parts provide for a locking according to a direction perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering, as well as in a direction perpendicular to said edges and parallel to the plane of the floor covering, and whereby these coupling parts are realized at least partially in the form of a tongue and a groove and are configured such that, on one hand, two coupled floor panels, starting from a flat, more particularly plane-parallel condition, can be turned with their lower sides over at least a certain angle towards each other, and, on the other hand, this turning movement thereby preferably also allows for that said two floor panels thereby can be removed from in between further adjoining floor panels.

The present invention aims at further particular forms of embodiment of floor panels allowing this technique, which offer particular advantages, as well as at a number of methods for installing and dismounting floor panels.

To this aim, the present invention, according to a first aspect, relates to a floor panel consisting of a hard panel which, at least at two opposite edges, is provided with integrated coupling means, as a result of which several such floor panels can be coupled to each other in order to form a floor covering, whereby these coupling parts provide for a locking according to a direction perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering, as well as in a direction perpendicular to said edges and parallel to the plane of the floor covering, and whereby these coupling parts are realized at least partially in the form of a tongue and a groove and are configured such that, on one hand, two coupled floor panels, starting from a flat condition, can be turned with their lower sides over at least a certain angle towards each other and, on the other hand, such turning movement allows for that said two floor panels thereby can be removed from in between further adjoining floor panels, characterized in that the groove is bordered at the lower side by a lip which at least partially is formed of the material of the actual floor panel, whereby this material, at the location of the lip, extends maximum up to a distance beyond the upper lip which is smaller than half the thickness of the floor panel.

As the actual material of the floor panel at the lower lip does not extend further than said distance, it is obtained that this material does not form a disturbing factor when the panels are turned with their lower sides towards each other and/or this material does not have to be made extra thin in order to allow for such turning movement, as a result of which the damage risk would increase.

According a preferred characteristic, the lip bordering the lower side of the groove is shorter than the lip bordering the upper side of the groove. According to another preferred characteristic, the locking in horizontal direction substantially is formed by portions engaging behind one another, said portions being provided at the upper side of the tongue and the lower side of the lip cooperating therewith.

According to a particular form of embodiment, the lower lip has a portion which extends beyond the upper lip, at which portion a locking portion is formed by which the locking in horizontal direction is obtained, whereby this portion is realized of a strip-shaped elastic material other than that of the actual floor panel, preferably metal, and more particularly aluminium. Thereby, a locking part is obtained which is easy to bend elastically over a relatively large distance, as a result of which the floor panels are easy to dismount.

Also the characteristic that the lip bordering the lower side of the groove, as well as the characteristic that use is made of a flexible lower lip, or anyhow at least a flexible prolongation of this lower lip, is advantageous in combination with the fact that the floor panels can be removed by turning them with their lower sides towards each other. As becomes clear from the accompanying claims, these combinations thus also form a second and third aspect of the invention.

According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a floor panel consisting of a hard panel which, at least at two opposite edges, is provided with integrated coupling parts, as a result of which several of such floor panels can be coupled to each other in order to form a floor covering, whereby these coupling parts provide in a locking according to a direction perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering, as well as in a direction perpendicular to said edges and parallel to the plane of the floor covering, and whereby these coupling parts are realized at least partially in the form of a tongue and groove and are configured such that, on one hand, two coupled floor panels, starting from a flat condition, can be turned with their lower side towards each other over at least a certain angle, and, on the other hand, this turning movement allows for that said two floor panels thereby can be removed from in between further adjoining floor panels, characterized in that said coupling parts are configured such that, during turning, when being turned with their lower sides towards each other, end up in a mutual abutment position, whereby these floor panels, starting from this position, only can be turned from in between the adjoining floor panels by first forcing said adjoining floor panels further apart from each other.

Hereby, amongst others, the feature is created that the floor panels which are removed from in between the adjoining floor panels will not come loose in a single motion, such that, during removal, the pull-away movement is decelerated and it is avoided that the floor panels would be drawn away too briskly when being pulled at too hard.

According to a fifth aspect, the invention provides a method for coupling, uncoupling, respectively, of floor panels, whereby these floor panels are of the type consisting of a hard panel which, at least at two opposite edges, is provided with integrated coupling means, as a result of which several such floor panels can be coupled to each other, whereby these coupling parts provide for a locking according to a direction perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering, as well as in a direction perpendicular to said edges and parallel to the plane of the floor covering, whereby said coupling parts substantially are realized in the form of a tongue and groove and are configured such that, on one hand, two coupled floor panels, starting from a flat or thus plane- parallel condition, can be turned with their lower sides towards each other over at least a certain angle, and, on the other hand, this turning movement allows to remove said two floor panels thereby from in between further adjoining floor panels, characterized in that during mounting and/or dismounting, in a combined manner a turning movement of said two floor panels is provided for, as well as a shifting or turning of at least one of the adjoining floor panels. Due to these combined movements, the installation, dismounting, respectively, can take place more smoothly.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, when mounting two rows of floor panels in an existing floor covering, the floor panels of at least one row, either one by one or as a group, are systematically provided between the adjoining rows, at a distance to the floor panels situated in the same row, after which they are shifted towards each other in the same row. This offers the advantage that the floor panels can be provided much more smoothly in the existing floor covering than in the case that two rows are installed at the same time. According to the seventh aspect, the invention relates to a method for installing floor panels, whereby these floor panels are of the type consisting of a hard panel which, at least at two opposite edges, is provided with integrated coupling parts, as a result of which several such floor panels can be coupled to each other, whereby these coupling parts provide for a locking according to a direction perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering, as well as in a direction perpendicular to said edges and parallel to the plane of the floor covering, whereby said coupling parts substantially are realized in the form of a tongue and groove and are configured such that, on one hand, two coupled floor panels, starting from a plane-parallel condition, can be turned with their lower sides towards each other over at least a certain angle, whereby a well- defined floor panel must be installed, characterized in that this method consists in that said well-defined floor panel is installed by providing between an already installed portion of the floor covering and said floor panel at least two floor panels which can take a position in mutual respect in which the lower sides are turned towards each other, by coupling these floor panels, before of after they have been connected to each other, also with said floor panel to be installed and the last floor panel of the already installed portion of the floor covering, and by subsequently pressing the coupled and inserted floor panels downward. This method allows a smooth installation of such floor panels beneath projecting elements, such as radiators, cupboards, skirtings and the like.

With the intention of better showing the characteristics of the invention, hereafter, as an example without any limitative character, several preferred forms of embodiment are described, with reference to the accompanying drawings , wherein :

Figure 1 schematically represents a floor panel according to the invention; figure 2 schematically represents a portion of a floor covering with floor panels according to figure 1 ; figure 3 , at a larger scale, represents a cross-section according to line I I I-III in figure 1 ; figure 4 represents a cross-section according to line

IV- IV in figure 1 ; figure 5, at a larger scale, represents a view of the part indicated by F5 in figure 4; figures 6, 7 and 8 represent views analogous to that of figure 4, however, during the removal of two rows of floor panels, such for several steps; figures 9 and 10 at a larger scale represent views of the parts indicated by F9 and F10 in figures 6 and 8, respectively; figure 11 represents a view analogous to that of figure

4, however, for a variant; figure 12, at a larger scale, represents the part indicated by F12 in figure 11; figure 13 represents a view analogous to that of figure

11, however, during the removal of two rows of floor panels; figure 14, at a larger scale, represents the part indicated by F14 in figure 13; figures 15 to 17 represent another possibility for removing two rows of panels from the floor covering of figure 11, wherein figure 16 at a larger scale represents the part indicated by F16 in figure 15; figure 18 in cross-section represents another floor covering consisting of floor panels according to the invention; figures 19 and 20 represent how two rows of floor panels can be removed from the floor covering of figure 18; figure 21 represents a variant for removing two rows of floor panels from the floor covering of figure 18; figures 22 to 24 represent a method according to the invention, for the re-installing floor panels; figures 25 to 30 represent another method according to the invention, for installing floor panels.

As represented in figure 1, the invention relates to a floor panel 1, with which, as illustrated in figure 2, a floor covering 2 can be composed by coupling such floor panels 1 to each other.

The floor panel 1 consists of a hard panel that, as represented in figure 3, is provided with integrated coupling parts 5-6 at least at two opposite edges 3-4, as a consequence of which several such floor panels 1 can be mutually coupled, as illustrated in figures 4 and 5.

The coupling parts 5-6 provide for a locking according to a direction Dl perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering 2, as well as in a direction D2 perpendicular to the edges 3-4 and parallel to the plane of the floor covering 2. Further, these coupling means 3-4 are realized at least partially in the form of a tongue 7 and a groove 8, which are configured such that, on one hand, two coupled floor panels, which in the following are specifically indicated by 1A and IB, starting from a flat condition, as in figure 4, can be turned with their lower sides 9 over at least a certain angle towards each other and, on the other hand, the turning movement R1-R2 realized hereby allows that the floor panels 1A-1B can be removed from in between the adjoining floor panels, hereafter indicated by 1C and ID, as represented in figures 6 to 10.

This technique is in itself known from the international patent application WO 01/98603.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, however, particular coupling parts 5-6 are applied, which results in the advantages mentioned in the introduction.

The particularity of the coupling parts 5-6 in the embodiment of figures 1 to 10 consists in that the groove

8 is bordered at its lower side by a lip 10 which is at least partially formed of the material of the actual floor panel, whereby this material, at the location of this lip 10, extends maximum up to a distance beyond the lip 11 bordering the upper side of the groove 8, said distance being smaller than half the thickness of the floor panel 1.

In other words, according to the first aspect of the invention, the extremity 12 represented in figure 3 shall not extend further than the plane Pi situated at a distance A from the extremity of the upper lip 11 which is equal to half the thickness T of the floor panel 1.

More particularly, it is preferred that, as represented, the lower lip 10 is shorter than the upper lip 11.

From figure 9, it is clear that, as the lower lip 10 is shorter than the upper lip 11, the floor panels 1A-1B can smoothly be turned with their lower sides 9 towards each other. Moreover, this can be realized with a rather sturdy tongue and groove coupling.

It is noted that the locking in vertical direction, more particularly the direction Dl, hereby is obtained in a traditional manner by means of the cooperation of the tongue 7 and the groove 8, however, that the locking in horizontal direction, more particularly the direction D2, substantially is formed by portions 13-14 engaging behind one another, which portions are provided at the upper side of the tongue 7 and the lower side of the lip 11 cooperating therewith. In that at least at the upper side a locking in the direction D2 is realized, the advantage is created that the lower side of the tongue 7 can be designed freely, such in respect to the optimization of a coupling which, as described in the aforegoing, allows a turning of the panels with their lower sides 9 towards each other at least over a certain angle.

The fact that the floor panels 1A-1B can be removed from in between the floor panels 1C and ID by means of the rotational movements Rl and R2, does not mean that this must only be possible by means of such movements. Depending on the shape of the coupling parts 5-6, it is not excluded that other movements have to be performed, too, for example, that the adjoining floor panels 1C and/or ID must be shifted somewhat apart. It is noted that of course, the floor panel 1 can also be provided with coupling parts 17-18 at the other edges 15- 16. Hereby, these coupling parts 17-18 can be realized such that they create a locking in horizontal and/or vertical directions . They do not have to be of the same kind as the above-described coupling parts 5-6. It is clear that within the scope of the present invention, the coupling parts 5-6 and/or 17-18 can have various forms, and that in function thereof different coupling techniques for coupling the floor panels 1 to each other can be applied, more particularly by turning them into each other and/or shifting them into each other.

In figures 11 to 16, a variant is represented whereby the lower lip 10 has a part 19 which extends beyond the upper lip 11, at which a locking part 20 is formed, as a result of which the locking in horizontal direction D2 is obtained, with the particularity that this part 19 is realized out of a strip-shaped elastic material, more particularly a material which differs from the material of the actual floor panel 1. Preferably, to this end an aluminium strip is used which, for example, extends continuously along the respective edge 4, said strip being attached to the lower side of the actual floor panel 1 in any manner.

Said locking part 20 hereby borders a recess or free space 21 in which the locking part 22, which is situated at the tongue 7, can be located during the angling downward, as illustrated in figure 14. The locking part 20 is elastically deformable in such a manner that the coupling parts can be disengaged in a smooth manner. To this end, preferably, as illustrated, use is made of a locking part 20 extending upward in an inclined manner, preferably at an angle B in respect to the plane of the floor panel which is smaller than 60 degrees, such that this locking part 20 can be turned down smoothly, more particularly can be bent down, as indicated by arrow R3.

Moreover, it is preferred that, as represented, the locking part 20 at the lower directly adjoins to a rigid point 23, such that this locking part 20, during bending, so to speak rotates around this point 23. As this point 23 is situated rather close to the free extremity of the locking part 20, it is obtained that this locking part 20, with a certain deformation, immediately offers a lot of space to disengage the tongue 7 from the groove 8.

The floor panels 1 of figures 11 to 17 allow for that two of such floor panels, more particularly 1A-1B, or in any case at least two, or several when two rows are concerned, can be removed from in between the adjoining floor panels 1C-1D in two manners.

The first manner is represented in figures 13 and 14. Hereby, the floor panels 1A-1B, as represented, are pulled upward at their mutually coupled edges, for example, by means of a handle 24 which is attached on the floor panel 1A and/or IB by suction cups 25. As a result, the tongue 7 of the floor panel 1A disengages from the groove 8 of the floor panel 1C, after which the whole assembly of floor panels 1A and IB, as indicated in figure 13, can be removed.

The second manner is represented in figures 15 to 17 and is based upon the fact that first the floor panels 1A and IB are disengaged at their coupled edges 3-4, which in this form of embodiment is possible as a consequence of the flexibility of the locking part 20.

In figures 18 to 21, a floor covering 2, consisting of floor panels 1-lA-lB-lC-lD according to the invention, is represented, whereby these floor panels also comprise coupling parts 5-6 which allow to remove two floor panels 1A-1B, or rows of floor panels 1A-1B, from in between the adjoining floor panels IC-lD, with as a characteristic that these coupling parts 5-6 are configured such that the floor panels 1A-1B, when being turned with their lower sides 9 towards each other, end up in a mutual abutment position, and whereby these floor panels 1A-1B, starting from this position, can be removed from in between the adjoining floor panels IC-lD by means of a turning movement only, after those floor panels IC-lD first have been moved further apart from each other and/or after at least one of the floor panels IC-lD has been angled down over a certain distance.

This is represented in figures 19 to 21. Figure 19 shows the floor panels 1A and IB in an abutment position, in other words, in a position whereby the lower sides 9 can not be turned further towards each other. Hereby, it is still impossible to turn the whole of floor panels 1A and IB freely from in between the floor panels 1C and ID towards the outside, as the turning circle 26 of the tip of the tongue 7 of floor panel 1A passes through the upper lip 11 of floor panel 1C.

By now subjecting floor panel 1C, too, to a small rotation, according to the possibility of figure 20, it is indeed possible to disengage the floor panels 1A-1B. Another possibility is that, as represented in figure 21, the distance between the floor panels 1C and ID is somewhat enlarged by somewhat shifting one or both, and of course the other floor panels 1 connected thereto, for example, as indicated by arrow X. In most cases, the latter does not pose a problem with a floating flooring.

In figures 22 to 24, a particular method of the invention is represented for re-installing floor panels 1, which have been removed from an existing floor covering 2, at their place, or to provide other similar floor panels 1 instead.

The particularity hereby consists in that with the renewed mounting of two rows of floor panels 27-28 to be installed, the floor panels of at least one row, in this case the floor panels 1A, either one by one, or as a group, for example, two by two, are systematically provided between the adjoining rows 1C and IB, such at mutual distances Z, after which these floor panels 1A are shifted towards each other and preferably also are locked at their edges 15-16.

Hereby, preferably first one row of floor panels, in this case the row of floor panels 28, is installed, after which, as illustrated in figure 22, a first floor panel 1A is provided in its place, with a turning-in movement as opposed to the removal movement described in the aforegoing, for example, by means of figures 6 to 8, or also already described in the Belgian patent No. 1.013.569.

Subsequently, as represented in figure 23, a subsequent floor panel 1A is provided in a similar manner between the rows of floor panels 1C and IB, such at a distance Z from the already previously installed floor panel 1A.

In this manner, all floor panels 1A can be provided. After providing such floor panel 1A, or after providing all such panels, they are interconnected at the edges 15-16, in this case, the short sides, by shifting them towards each other, as represented in figure 24, for example, by means of a mounting block 29 and a hammer 30 or in any other manner. Preferably, coupling parts are situated at the edges 15-16, which parts can be engaged into each other with a "snap- effect". Embodiments thereof are in their turn sufficiently known from the state of the art.

It is known that the floor panels 1, and thus 1A-1B, too, are somewhat flexible, which allows for that, when installing the second floor panel 1A and turning the rows 27 and 28 upward, the couplings at the first floor panel 1A do not really disengage, as the floor panels 1A-1B are somewhat twisted due to said flexibility.

The method of figures 22 to 24 allows a systematic installation of the floor panels 1A, which is much easier than in case two rows 27-28 are provided between the adjoining floor panels 1C and ID in a single operation. It often happens that one or both of the parts 31-32 of the still installed floor covering 2 are somewhat displaced in mutual respect. With such systematic construction, it then is possible to pull one of the parts, in the figures part 31, systematically somewhat straighter by means of a tool, for example, a handle 33 which can be attached to the respective part 31 of the floor covering 2 by means of suction cups 34. '

It is clear that various variants to the method set forth in the aforegoing by means of figures 22 to 24 are possible. The floorer, for example, may stand on the part 31, attach the handle 24 on the floor part 1A to be installed and possibly exert a force on the part 32 with the handle 33 by placing this handle 33 on one of the floor panels ID. By placing the handle 24 respectively on the floor parts 1A which have to be inserted systematically, it is sometimes somewhat easier to keep the floor panel 1A under control during installation.

In figures 25 to 30, a particular method for installing floor panels 1 is represented. This method is particularly useful for installing one or more floor panels which must be pushed under an object and whereby there is no possibility of coupling them to an already previously installed row of floor panels by means of a turning movement. In figures 25 to 30, hereby the floor panel ID is concerned, which, in the represented example, is situated under a radiator 35, as well as under an existing skirting board 36. The method consists in that the floor panel ID is placed by providing, between an already placed portion 37 of the floor covering 2 and the floor panel ID, at least two floor panels 1A-1B which can assume a mutual position in which the lower sides 9 are turned towards each other, by coupling these floor panels 1A-1B, before or after they are interconnected, also with the floor panels 1C and ID, and by subsequently pressing the coupled floor panels 1A and IB downward, which is systematically illustrated in figures 25 to 30.

The present invention is in no way limited to the forms of embodiment described by way of example and represented in the figures, on the contrary may such floor panel and the method for coupling them, uncoupling, respectively, be realized according to various variants, without leaving the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims .

1.- Floor panel consisting of a hard panel which, at least at two opposite edges (3-4), is provided with integrated coupling means (5-6) , as a result of which several such floor panels (1) can be coupled to each other in order to form a floor covering (2) , whereby these coupling parts (5- 6) provide for a locking according to a direction (Dl) perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering (2) , as well as in a direction (D2) perpendicular to said edges (3- 4) and parallel to the plane of the floor covering (2), and whereby these coupling parts (5-6) are realized at least partially in the form of a tongue (7) and a groove (8) which are configured such that, on one hand, two coupled floor panels (1A-1B) , starting from a flat condition, can be turned with their lower sides (9) towards each other over at least a certain angle, and, on the other hand, this turning movement allows that said two floor panels (1A-1B) thereby can be removed from in between further adjoining floor panels (IC-lD) , characterized in that the groove (8) is bordered at the lower side by a lip (10) which is formed, at least partially, of the material of the actual floor panel (1), whereby this material at the location of this lip (10) maximum extends up to a distance beyond the upper lip (11) which is smaller than half the thickness (T) of the floor panel (1) .

2.- Floor panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the lip (10) bordering the lower side of the groove (8) is shorter than the lip (11) bordering the upper side of the groove (8) .

3.- Floor panel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking in the direction (D2) of the plane of the floor covering substantially is formed by portions (13-14) engaging behind one another which are situated at the upper side of the tongue (7) and the lower side of the lip (11) cooperating therewith.

4.- Floor panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower lip (10) comprises a portion (19) which extends beyond the upper lip (10) , at which portion a locking part

(20) is formed by which a locking in horizontal direction

(D2) is obtained, whereby this portion (19) is realized of a strip-shaped elastic material other than the material of the actual floor panel (1) .

5.- Floor panel according to claim 4, characterized in that said portion (19) consists of metal, more particularly aluminium.

6.- Floor panel according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said locking part (20) borders a recess (21) in which a locking part (22) situated at the tongue (7) can be located during turning.

1 . - Floor panel according to any of the claims 4 to 6, characterized in that said locking part (20) is elastically deformable, such that the coupling parts (5-6) can be disengaged by the elastic deformation of this locking part (20), when two of such floor panels (1A-1B) are turned with their lower sides (9) towards each other.

8.- Floor panel according to any of the claims 4 to 7, characterized in that said locking part (20) consists of a portion which is directed upward in an inclined manner and preferably forms an angle (B) with the plane of the floor panel (1) which is smaller than 60 degrees.

9.- Floor panel consisting of a hard panel which, at least at two opposite edges (3-4), is provided with integrated coupling parts (5-6) , as a result of which several such floor panels (1) can be coupled to each other in order to form a floor covering (2) , whereby these coupling parts (5- 6) provide for a locking according to a direction (Dl) perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering (2) , as well as in a direction (D2) perpendicular to said edges (3- 4) and parallel to the plane of the floor covering (2), and whereby these coupling parts (5-6) are realized at least partially in the form of a tongue (7) and a groove (8) which are configured such that, on one hand, two coupled floor panels (1A-1B) , starting from a flat condition, can be turned with their lower sides (9) towards each other over at least a certain angle, and, on the other hand, this turning movement allows to remove said two floor panels

(1A-1B) thereby from in between further adjoining floor panels (IC-lD) , characterized in that the locking in horizontal direction (D2) substantially is formed by portions (13-14) engaging behind one another, which are situated at the upper side of the tongue (7) and the lower side of the lip (11) cooperating therewith, more particularly the lip (11) bordering the upper side of the groove (8) .

10.- Floor panel, consisting of a hard panel which, at least at two opposite edges (3-4), is provided with integrated coupling parts (5-6) , as a result of which several such floor panels (1) can be coupled to each other in order to form a floor covering (2), whereby these coupling parts (5-6) provide for a locking according to a direction (Dl) perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering (2), as well as in a direction (D2) perpendicular to said edges (3-4) and parallel to the plane of the floor covering (2) , and whereby these coupling parts (5-6) are realized at least partially in the form of a tongue (7) and a groove (8) which are configured such that, on one hand, two coupled floor panels (1A-1B) , starting from a flat condition, can be turned with their lower sides (9) towards each other over at least a certain angle, and, on the other hand, this turning movement allows to remove said two floor panels (1A-1B) thereby from in between further adjoining floor panels (IC-lD) , characterized in that the groove (8) is bordered by a lower lip (10) and an upper lip (11) , and that the lower lip (10) comprises a portion (19) which extends beyond the upper lip (11) , at which a locking part

(20) is formed, as a result of which the locking in horizontal direction (D2) , or thus in the plane of the floor covering (2) is performed, whereby this portion (19) is realized from a strip-shaped elastic material other than the material of the actual floor panel (1) .

11.- Floor panel consisting of a hard panel which, at least at two opposite edges (3-4), is provided with integrated coupling parts (5-6), as a result of which several such floor panels (1) can be coupled to each other in order to form a floor covering (2) , whereby these coupling parts (5- 6) provide for a locking according to a direction (Dl) perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering (2), as well as in a direction (D2) perpendicular to said edges (3- 4) and parallel to the plane of the floor covering (2), and whereby these coupling parts (5-6) are realized at least partially in the form of a tongue (7) and a groove (8) and are configured such that, on one hand, two coupled floor panels (1A-1B) , starting from a flat condition, can be turned with their lower sides (9) towards each other over at least a certain angle, and, on the other hand, this turning movement allows to remove said two floor panels

(1A-1B) thereby from in between further adjoining floor panels (IC-lD) , characterized in that said coupling parts

(5-6) moreover are configured such that, when being turned with their lower sides towards each other, they end up in a mutual abutment position, whereby these floor panels (1A- 1B) , starting from this position, can be turned only from in between the adjoining floor panels (IC-lD) by first forcing these adjoining floor panels (IC-lD) further apart from each other.

12.- Method for coupling, uncoupling, respectively, floor panels, whereby these floor panels (1) are of the type consisting of a hard panel, which, at least at two opposite edges (3-4) , is provided with integrated coupling means (5- 6), as a result of which several such floor panels (1) can be coupled to each other, whereby these coupling parts (5- 6) provide for a locking according to a direction (Dl) perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering (2) , as well as in a direction (D2) perpendicular to said edges (3- 4) and parallel to the plane of the floor covering (2), whereby said coupling parts (5-6) substantially are realized in the form of a tongue (7) and a groove (8) and are configured such that, on one hand, two coupled floor panels (1A-1B) , starting from a flat condition, can be turned with their lower sides (9) towards each other over at least a certain angle, and, on the other hand, this turning movement allows to remove said two floor panels

(1A-1B) thereby from in between further adjoining floor panels (IC-lD) , characterized in that during mounting and/or dismounting, in a combined manner a turning movement of said two floor panels (1A-1B) is provided for, as well as a shifting or turning of at least one of the adjoining floor panels (IC-lD) .

13.- Method according to claim 12, characterized in that, when removing floor panels (1A-1B) , at least one of the adjoining floor panels (IC-lD) is displaced in order to make more room for removing the turned floor panels (1A-1B) from in between the adjacent floor panels (IC-lD) .

14.- Method according to claim 12, characterized in that, when re-inserting floor panels (1A-1B) , at least one of the adjoining floor panels (IC-lD) is displaced in order to shift the latter during the turning into each other of two floor panels (1A-1B) towards the floor panels (1A-1B) to be turned into each other and thereby facilitate the coupling of all respective floor panels (1A-1B-1C-1D) .

15.- Method for coupling floor panels, whereby these floor panels (1) are of the type consisting of a hard panel, which, at least at two opposite edges (3-4), is provided with integrated coupling parts (5-6), as a result of which several such floor panels (1) can be coupled to each other, whereby these coupling parts (5-6) provide for a locking according to a direction (Dl) perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering (2), as well as in a direction (D2) perpendicular to said edges (3-4) and parallel to the plane of the floor covering (2) , whereby said coupling parts .(5- 6) substantially are realized in the form of a tongue (7) and a groove (8) and are configured such that, on one hand, two coupled floor panels (1A-1B) , starting from a flat condition, can be turned with their lower sides (9) towards each other over at least a certain angle, and, on the other hand, this turning movement allows to remove said two floor panels (1A-1B) thereby from in between further adjoining floor panels (IC-lD) , characterized in that during the reinsertion of two rows (27-28) of floor panels (1A-1B) in an existing floor covering (2) , the floor panels (1A) of at least one row, either one by one, or as a group, are systematically provided between the adjoining rows, at a distance (Z) from the floor panels (1A) situated in the same row, after which they are shifted in the same row (27) towards each other, more particularly after the floor panels (1A-1B) have been brought into a flat condition.

16.- Method for installing floor panels, whereby these floor panels (1) are of the type consisting of a hard panel, which, at least at two opposite edges (3-4), is provided with integrated coupling parts (5-6) , as a result of which several such floor panels (1) can be coupled to each other, whereby these coupling parts (5-6) provide for a locking according to a direction (Dl) perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering (2) , as well as in a direction (D2) perpendicular to said edges (3-4) and parallel to the plane of the floor covering (2) , whereby said coupling parts (5-6) substantially are realized in the form of a tongue (7) and a groove (8) and are configured such that, on one hand, two coupled floor panels (1A-1B) , starting from plane-parallel condition, can be turned with their lower side towards each other over at least a certain angle, whereby a well-defined floor panel (ID) must be installed, characterized in that this method consists in that said well-defined floor panel (ID) is installed by providing, between an already installed portion (37) of the floor covering (2) and said floor panel (ID) , at least two floor panels (1A-1B) which can assume a position in respect to each other in which the lower sides (9) are turned towards each other, by coupling these floor panels (1A-1B) , before or after they have been connected to each other, also with said floor panel (ID) to be installed and the floor panel (1C) of the last row of the already installed portion (37) of the floor covering (2) , and by subsequently pressing the coupled and inserted floor panels (1A-1B) downward.