EP1601843B1 - Covering panel - Google Patents

Abstract

A cladding panel for floors has a groove (12) along at least one edge or end face (17) and a tongue (6) along at least one other edge or end face (17). The cross-sections of the tongue (6) and the groove (12) are matched to one another and the panels (1, 2) being connectable by inserting the tongue (6) into the groove (12). On at least one wall surface (5) of the groove (12) and/or on at least one tongue surface (7), at least one bead (8) of cement is applied. On the tongue surface (7) there is a bead (8) that faces the wall surface (5) of the groove (12), the wall surface is also provided with a bead (9). The two beads (8, 9) are locked to one another after insertion of the tongue (6) into the groove (12). In other embodiments there may be additional beads (8) and (9) on the surfaces of the tongue (6) or groove (12), or positioned within recesses (10).

Description

The invention relates to a cladding panel for floors, walls or ceilings or similar purposes according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such plates have grooves and springs on their side surfaces in order to be able to lay these plates in association. In order to achieve a stable association as possible, can also be provided that the plates are glued together.

DE-U-20216584 describes a cladding panel for floor or walls, which is formed of wood material, which cladding panel has along one end face a groove and along another edge a spring, wherein plates to be joined together by inserting the spring into the groove in the course of a displacement that takes place substantially in the plane of the plate or in the course of pivoting, and wherein on at least one wall surface of the groove and / or on at least one spring surface, a bead of adhesive is applied at the factory.

The primary object of the invention is to be able to produce plates of the type mentioned as simple and inexpensive, further allow their storage for longer periods without interference and space saving and finally the laying and possibly disassembly plate-friendly as possible, quickly and easily. Another goal is to create a stable, durable and solid surface from the interconnected plates; When laying, however, an alignment of the plates over a certain period of time should be possible.

These objects are achieved in a cladding panel of the type mentioned above with the features mentioned in the characterizing part of claim 1.

According to the invention, at least one bead or web is applied in the groove or on at least the inner surface of one of the legs of the groove and / or on at least one surface of the spring, for latching to the respective associated, and in particular applicable surface of the spring and / or Groove another bead or web is applied. In this way, the caterpillars act in the course of laying the cladding panels or in the course of their joining together as locking devices; the caterpillar and the further caterpillar act together as latching or locking elements. In an embodiment of at least one of the two beads with an adhesive, an adhesive connection between the groove and the spring can be achieved. The beads of plastic and / or adhesive are applied in a simple and rapid procedure factory, e.g. sprayed.

A material processing operation, e.g. Milling, to form a locking element is eliminated.

It is only more necessary to form one of the caterpillars associated further bead in the wall surface of the groove and / or in the spring surfaces. This type of bonding and possibly bonding technique is for cladding panels of any materials, Wood, wood materials, especially MDF, HDF, chip, etc. can be used.

A number of plastics are known which can be applied to the surfaces of the groove and / or the spring as a corresponding bead or web or further bead or web. In particular, silicone plastics, plastics based on polyalkylene, in particular PVC, PE, PP and hot melt adhesives based on neoprene are suitable for this purpose. Such plastics should be hot-moldable or hot-tacky and be extrudable or formable in the form of a caterpillar, and be attached to the respective material of the plate can solidify adhering. In use, they should have the appropriate elasticity and viscosity to act as a locking element can.

In particular, thermoplastics, elastomers or thermoplastic elastomers come into question as thermoformable plastics. As thermoplastics polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polyamides, polyesters, polyurethane and ionomers can be used. As elastomers, various types of rubber can be used. As thermoplastic elastomers are mainly TPE, TPR, TPO, PLC, TP-Q, TP-U in question. As plastics it is also possible to use hot-melt adhesives or hot-seal adhesives based on ethylene vinyl chloride, PA, PU, EVA. Other plastics can be used.

There are known a number of adhesives that have sufficient strength to not be worn away or damaged in their Oberflächengestaft when inserting the spring into the groove, but due to penetrating humidity and / or by applying water in the course of laying or Use sufficiently activated to fully develop their adhesive effect. After hardening of the adhesive of the adhesive bead (s) they act on the one hand due to the adhesive effect and on the other hand due to the unfolded locking effect; the caterpillars either act together in terms of their adhesive effect and / or interact with the material of the spring or groove. The adhesives and plastics used should be able to be applied with a nozzle to the respective material of the plate and adhere well there.

Such cladding panels have the advantage that the handles and manipulation steps when laying the panels on site are substantially reduced; it is only necessary to introduce water into the groove with a suitable means and / or apply it to the spring in order to activate the glue, if that is desired at all. If it is due to the existing moisture in the air curing adhesive, so this procedure is not required.

A particular advantage is that by the mass of adhesive specified in the adhesive bead factory a properly sized or sufficient amount of adhesive is present and handling or removal of any excess applied adhesive or leakage of the adhesive from the groove -Federverbindung deleted.

In order to achieve the locking and / or adhesive connection, relatively small amounts of adhesive are sufficient. In particular, the largest possible contact between tongue and groove should be achieved.

Particularly suitable adhesives are glues consisting of water-soluble, animal (glutin, casein), vegetable (starch, dextrin, cellulose ether) or synthetic (eg polyacrylic acid derivatives, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone) polymers and water as solvent. These belong to the class of one-component cold-setting adhesives, in which the solvent (water) during the process of Adhesive is sucked up or escapes. These glues solidify on cooling, in particular gelatinous, and usually dry to a transparent mass, which dissolves on contact with water to a gel with high bond strength.

It is preferred if a water-treated or a water-dispersed adhesive or a glue is applied as adhesive bead and dried in situ or at the factory. By applying water to the consumer directly to this dried adhesive layer or by an indirect, intensive contact with the water applied to a panel or its tongue or groove or by penetrating moisture is activated after joining the panels of the dried adhesive and in the active adhesive state returned. The application of the aqueous activator can be done by spraying or by sponge application or the like.

In an advantageous procedure, the adhesive beads are first moistened with water or applied to the springs and / or in the grooves of the plates a Kleberaupe at least wetting film of water as an adhesive activator or sprayed and then the plates joined together. The open time of the reactivated adhesive is chosen such that there is sufficient time for the plates to be joined together.

If the bead or track is formed of plastic, then this embodiment has the advantage that the groove and the spring are easily locked together; If the bead or web is formed from an adhesive, a locking can take place accompanied by a bond.

It is advantageous if the features of claim 3 are realized. With such a spring and groove design, the cohesion of two trim panels to be assembled is improved and a substantially substantial rigidity-bearing floor covering is achieved. In this case, the adhesive of the adhesive beads can support the particularly intimate connection between the groove and the spring.

It is advantageous if the features of claim 5 are met. In this way, the risk of damage or a shearing off of the adhesive beads or plastic beads when inserting the spring is lowered into the groove or their hold on the surface to which the bead adheres increased. Also in this context, it is advantageous if the adhesive bead firmly adheres in its recess and / or on the wall surfaces of the groove and / or the spring surfaces. This solid adhesion should not be completely lost even upon activation of the adhesive by contact with water, in particular, this adhesion should be as strong as possible. The beads must advantageously protrude only slightly from the recess.

Advantageously, it is provided that the groove and the spring are each formed longitudinally or in a longitudinal side and / or along or in a transverse side of a plate, wherein optionally the spring and / or the groove and / or the beads or webs over the entire length of the respective side surface extend. This will be on all sides of the Cladding panels when laying with the cladding panels to be joined achieves optimum connectivity and optimum cohesion.

Connecting panels to be joined becomes easy when the features of claim 5 are employed; the joining of the flat surfaces is possible with little effort; it is only necessary to overcome the raised by the applied beads increases to insert them into the recesses. For this purpose, the invention provides that at least one leg, preferably the lower, the groove during insertion of the spring is elastically expandable or elastically bendable and / or the plastic and / or adhesive used corresponding (s) has elastic behavior or viscosity.

A made elastic expansion of the legs of the groove by latching adhesive beads is partially, largely or completely undone in the course of activation of the softening adhesive; thus, the cross sections of the adhesive beads may overlap to some extent. In this regard, the features of claim 13 are advantageous.

According to the invention, it is provided that the adhesive of the adhesive beads or webs is water-soluble or dissolvable and / or activatable on contact with or supply of water and / or moisture and / or of water-soluble glue, e.g. White glue, and / or is formed by a pressure-sensitive adhesive or an adhesive which unfolds or can be activated by pressure when applying pressure.

According to the invention it is further provided that the plate of wood material, MDF, HDF, plastic, recycled plastic, with resin or bonded chips (chipboard) is formed and optionally on its front or use surface and / or on its back each with at least one Edition, eg a decorative overlay, in particular made of plastic, decorative paper, wood or the like., Is provided.

The cross-sectional shape of the bead can be varied; It is advantageous if the caterpillar or web and / or the recess in cross-section semicircular, lenticular, elliptical or elongated rectangular shape, wherein the transitions from the flat surfaces to the caterpillars rounded or beveled.

A good cohesion of two plates to be joined or of tongue and groove results when the features of claim 10 are realized. In such an embodiment, the adhesive bead is in good contact with the parts to be joined, namely tongue and groove of two plates to be joined.

It is particularly advantageous if according to the invention the features of the characterizing part of claim 7 are met. In this way, the beads fulfill a dual function, namely, they act as a locking element and as an element for connecting two plates.

The features of claim 19 are advantageous. With such a component, referred to as a foreign spring, it is only necessary to mill grooves on the circumferential surfaces of a plate; the components can be produced quickly in large quantities; the connection of the components with the plates is partially factory or remains the consumer.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention according to claim 22, the grooves and springs are not aligned perpendicular to the side surfaces of the plates, but are perpendicular to the surface of the plates. Thus, a locking of the tongue and groove when laying the plates can be done by a perpendicular to the plate surface movement. Regardless, all the advantages of the previously described spring-groove connection options can be used or provided.

In the following the invention with reference to the drawings, which illustrate, for example and schematic embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail.

Figures 1, 1a, 2 to 8 and 8a show schematic sections through cladding panels; Fig. 9 shows schematically the joining of two cladding panels; Figs. 10 and 10a show sections of caterpillars; Fig. 11 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the spring is in the form of a "fringe spring" and is inserted in grooves of adjacent plates to be joined; Fig. 12 shows a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention. Fig. 13 shows the dimensions of a bead. Figs. 14 and 15 show further embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 9 shows schematically two cladding panels 1, 2, which are to be moved towards each other in the direction of the arrow 20 and connected to each other. This connection by means of displacement can or should take place as the last connection step only in the plane spanned by the two plates 1, 2. The two plates each have on one of its longitudinal sides and / or narrow side a protruding from the end face 17 spring 6 and on the opposite longitudinal side and / or narrow side formed in the end face 17 groove 12. The same conditions can be present on the end faces 17 of the narrow sides; Each of the plates 1, 2 may have a groove 12 and a spring 6 on the end face 17 of these narrow sides.

The shape of the groove and the spring is adapted to each other to ensure a good connection between the groove and the spring. This shape allows insertion of the spring 6 into the groove 12 when the plates 1, 2 are aligned in the plane of the plate. It is possible to connect the plates 1, 2 in a checkerboard or staggered manner. Both the connection on the longitudinal sides and on the narrow sides is effected by displacement substantially in the plane spanned by the plates 1, 2. The type of connection according to the invention could also be provided only on the transverse or narrow sides of plates, which are connected on the longitudinal side in a different manner, eg by locking or swiveling in the plate to be connected.

Fig. 1 shows schematically a section through two plates 1, 2, which are to be joined together. The plate 1 has a spring 6 which is inserted into a groove 12 of the plate 2 until the end faces 17 in the upper region or in the area which is close to the surface 18 of the plates 1, 2 abut each other. The boundary edges of the groove 12 and / or the spring 6 may be rounded or chamfered.

On at least one spring surface, in the present case of the near-surface spring surface 7, a bead 8 is applied or in particular adheres firmly to the spring surface 7. At an associated with associated plates or associated location of the near-surface wall surface 5 of the groove 12 and the leg 3 is adapted to the position of the bead 8 further bead 9 in the otherwise preferably flat wall surface 5 is formed. When connecting the two plates 1, 2, or when inserting the spring 6 into the groove 12, the bead 8 comes to rest in the area behind the bead 9 or can lock with this further bead 9.

Advantageously, it is provided that the adhesive of at least one of the adhesive beads or webs 8, 9 is water-soluble or dissolvable and / or activatable on contact with or supply of water and / or moisture and / or of water-soluble glue, e.g. White glue, and / or is formed by a pressure-sensitive adhesive or an adhesive which unfolds or can be activated by pressure when applying pressure. The activation of the adhesive of the adhesive beads 8, 9 can be done by the adhesive beads 8, 9 are wetted with water or placed in the groove 12 and / or on the spring 6 water before joining the plates 1, 2. Depending on the choice of adhesive can also be provided that after the locking of the adhesive bead 8 with the bead 9 by in use of the plates 1, 2 penetrating humidity beading the adhesive crawler 8, 9 activated and thus an adhesive bond between the spring 6 and the Leg 3 of the groove 12 is made. In principle, adhesives could also be used which can be activated with substances other than water.

For the assembly of the plates 1, 2, in the present case for the introduction of the provided with the bead 8 spring 6 in the groove 12, the invention provides that at least one leg 3, 4 of the groove 12 during insertion of the spring 6 elastically expandable or is elastically bendable.

In principle, it is possible to form on one or both spring surfaces 7 or on one or both wall surfaces 5 of the groove 12 at least one or more parallel adjacent caterpillar (s) 8 and 9 respectively. It is only necessary to ensure that each bead 8 is assigned a corresponding further bead 9 at the corresponding location in the wall opposite it, so that these two beads 8, 9 can latch, as shown in Fig. 1a.

Accordingly, in FIG. 2, two beads 8 applied to the spring 6 are formed; with these beads 8 correspond at the appropriate place on the wall surface 5 of the groove 12 two more beads 9. In this way, the bonding and / or locking tongue and groove can be improved.

In one embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 3, it is provided that both spring surfaces 7 converge toward the free end of the spring 6 and that the wall surfaces 5 of the groove 12 are inclined at the same angle as the spring surfaces 7 and converge inwards.

For this and for all other Ausfuhrungsforrnen may apply that in an advantageous manner, the spring 6 and the groove 12 at least over a part of, optionally over the entire insertion area (es) of the spring 6 are positively or snugly connected and / or in that the region of the spring 6 located in front of the bead or web 8 towards the free end of the spring 6 can be inserted into the groove 12 in a form-fitting or snug fit. In all embodiments, it may be provided that the spring 6 and / or the groove 12 and / or the beads 8 and 9 extend over the entire length of the respective side surface 17, and / or that the beads 8 and 9 and optionally the recess 10 (Fig. 8) extend continuously over the length of the groove and / or the spring 6 or are applied or formed in the form of individual successive sections.

As a material for the plates according to the invention is advantageously provided that the plate 1, 2 made of wood, wood material, MDF, HDF, plastic, recycled plastic, resin or bonded chips (chipboard) is formed and optionally on its front or use surface and / or on its back in each case with at least one support 13, 14, for example a decorative cover, in particular made of plastic or decorative paper is provided. Furthermore, it can be advantageously provided that the groove 12 and the spring. 6 are formed from the material of the plate 1, 2 or milled out of this, or that the spring 6 is formed integrally with the material of the plate 1, 2. In all embodiments and also in the embodiment according to FIG. 3 it can be provided that the bead (s) or web (s) 8 with the (n) associated further bead (s) 9 in the spring 6 and / or in the Groove 12 are latched and the bead (s) or web (s) 8 and the other bead (s) 9 cooperate as locking elements.

In an embodiment according to FIG. 4, it is provided according to the invention that on a wall surface 5 of the groove 12 an approximately rectangular cross-section having bead 8 is formed; at a corresponding position on the spring surface 7, a lens-shaped bead 9 is formed. Thus, both a locking and a bonding of the two plates 1, 2 to be joined together is possible.

In an embodiment according to FIG. 5, provision is made for a bead 9 to be formed on the near-surface spring surface 7 and for a bead 8 to be applied to the spring surface 7 remote from the surface of the surface. Accordingly, on the surface near wall surface 5 of the leg 3 of the groove 12 is a bead 8 and on the Wall surface 5 of the leg 4 a betting caterpillar 9 is formed. As can also be seen from FIG. 5, in each case the bead 8 and a further bead 9 are assigned to each other in terms of location, in order to enable a corresponding latching and possibly bonding.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 6 it is provided that on each spring surface 7 two further beads 9 are formed at a distance from the end face 17 of the plate 1: correspondingly on both wall surfaces 5 of the legs 3 and 4 two beads 8 in a corresponding distance or at a corresponding distance from the end face 17 of the plate 2 is formed.

According to the invention, it may be provided that a part of the bead or web 8 or 9 is recessed in a recess 10, which is formed in the wall surface 5 of the groove 12 and / or in the spring surface 7. The recess 10 helps that the applied bead 8 or 9 is firmly connected to the respective wall surface and is not sheared off when inserting the spring 6 into the groove 12. As shown in FIG. 10, the beads 8, 9 can also extend over the recess 10 onto the surfaces 5 or 7. As shown in Fig. 13, the recesses 10 may also have regions 20 which are free of caterpillar material and possibly filled with caterpillar material, if this softens during the bonding process.

The plates 1.2 may be provided with supports 13 and 14, e.g. wooden. Plastic, paper od. Like. Be provided to make the floor space or the floor area accordingly. However, these requirements have no influence on the connection technology according to the invention.

The selected cross sections of the beads 8 and 9 and the recesses 10 are selectable; the protruding from the recess 10 and the wall surface 5 of the groove 12 and the spring surface 7 superior portion of the bead 8 and 9 is particularly recorded during bonding or softening of the recess 10 and comes into contact with their surfaces and optionally glued the spring 6 with the legs 3,4 of the groove 12. The cross-sectional shape of the recess 10 may be elongated rectangular, triangular, lenticular, triangular elliptical od. Like., Be.

In principle, at least, as shown in FIG. 8a, the bead 8 could also be formed by a series of individual beads directly adjacent to one another. In this case, a corresponding shape of the beads 8, 9 and / or a corresponding application of water for the adhesive bead 8, 9 provided or these adhesive bead are solved accordingly, so that they can soften sufficiently.

It should usually be avoided that the legs 3, 4 of the groove 12, which are elastically expanded during insertion of the spring 6 in the groove 12, remain in the expanded position, in expanded state could the shock - 16 between the surfaces 18 of the two Plates 1.2 form a step, which increased wear would be subject to sofeme not only the lower leg remains elastically expanded. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the near-surface leg 3 of the groove 12 is formed stronger or less elastic, in particular inelastic, and only the ground-level or lower leg of the groove is designed elastically deflectable. This can be avoided that by larger or less deformable beads 8, 9 a bending of the upper near-surface leg 3 takes place, but only the lower weaker or thinner leg 4 of the groove 12 is bent. Advantageously, to avoid the bending of the upper leg 3 of a groove 12 may also be provided that the bead (s) 8, 9 is formed only on the downwardly directed spring surface 7 and on the wall surface 5 of the lower leg 4 of the groove 12 ( are). In this way, both the spring 6 and the upper leg 3 of the groove 12 would counteract buckling of the joint, if the extent or the volume of the bead is too large or this is not sufficiently softened when using an adhesive and / / or the volume specified for him between tongue and groove is not sufficiently dimensioned.

The shape of the recess 10 may be lenticular, triangular, semi-elliptical or oblong rectangular. It is provided that this recess 10 is formed as a recess in the otherwise flat spring surface 7 or the flat wall surface 5 of the groove 12. This is intended to define or limit the application of adhesive or the amount of plastic for the beads 8, 9 to certain areas.

In an embodiment according to the invention according to FIG. 8, it is provided that in the spring surfaces 7 of the spring 6 recesses 10 are formed, each receiving a bead 8. The two beads 8 can have different cross sections. It is quite possible, the caterpillars, which are in the two wall surfaces 5 a. Groove 12 or on the two spring surfaces 7 of a spring 6 are to make different. In the case of FIG. 8, the bead 9 formed in the leg 3 is larger than the recess 10 formed in the leg 4.

Advantageously, the caterpillars 8, 9, as shown in Fig. 10a, in cross-section triangular shape with rounded edge to be good aufeinander to each other. The flank angles are between 30 and 60 °, in particular between 40 and 50 °. Sofeme or as long as no adhesion occurs, a disconnection of the connection is possible.

It may be advantageous if the front edge regions of the spring 6 curves or bevels 19, as shown in Fig. 1, 3 or 7 and 8, to the insertion of the spring 6 in the groove 12, the legs third , 4 or the caterpillars 8, 9 as gently as possible to crowd apart.

The spring 6 may in principle or in all embodiments directly in front of the caterpillars 9 have a curve 19. This also makes it possible to make the spring 6 shorter and the groove 12 less deep. The impact 16 in the near-surface region of the plates 1, 2 is formed such that the near-surface regions of the end face 17 abut each other and a gap is avoided as much as possible. In the surface-distant or near-bottom region of the plates 1, 2 it is provided that the end faces 17 do not touch each other or that a gap 15 is formed therebetween. This is achieved in particular by the fact that the bottom-near leg 4 of the groove 12 is formed slightly shorter than the near-surface leg. 3

It is generally advantageous if the beads or webs 8, 9 are applied approximately centrally or in the middle region on the spring surface 7 or on the wall 5 of the groove 12 or the legs 3, 5.

In Fig. 13, various dimensions of the beads, in particular an adhesive bead 8, 9 and the groove 12 are entered. Based on this figure, some information regarding advantageous embodiments of caterpillars, in particular adhesive beads are given.

According to the invention, it can be provided that the width B of the bead or web 8 or 9 is one to nine times, preferably one to seven times, in particular two to five times, the same as the height H. According to the invention, in that the adhesive bead or web 8, 9 comprises an adhesive-latent adhesive material, preferably a water-emulsifiable polymer adhesive, wherein the adhesive material can be converted into the ready-for-adhesive or water-soluble state by moistening with water, and / or in that the plastic or by means of Water or water moisture (re) activatable adhesive material of the adhesive bead or web 8 or 9 with a substantially uniform layer thickness of 0.1 to 0.6 mm, in particular from 0.2 to 0.5 mm, with thickness tolerances in the range from ± 0.05 to 0.1 mm, and / or that the adhesive of the adhesive bead 8 is from a polyvinyl acetate-based quick release fastener such as Dorus MDO 55 of U.S. Pat Henkel, or a commercial wood glue, e.g. based on starch and / or protein. It may be advantageous if the width B of the adhesive caterpillar or web 8 5 to 25%, preferably 9 to 21%, in particular 12 to 17%, the thickness D of the groove 12 corresponds.

It should be noted that the attachment of the beads 8, 9 on the corresponding surfaces 5, 7 can be done either directly on these surfaces 5, 7 or in the recesses 10, which were formed in the particular flat surfaces 5, 7. Advantageously, the applied beads 8, 9 project about 0.1 to 0.2 mm above the respective surface 5, 7.

Advantageously, the spring 6 carries on each spring surface 7 a bead 9 and on each leg 3, 4 of the groove 12 is optionally applied in a recess 10, an adhesive caterpillar 8.

The essential effect of the applied beads 8, 9 consists in their locking effect, which is used in particular in the course of laying and adaptation of plates to be joined together.

With a corresponding rounding of the edges of the free end of the spring 6 and / or rounding of the inner edges of the wall surfaces 5 of the legs 3, 4 of the groove 12, it is possible when laying the plates to be joined 1, 2 for the time being also at a certain angle to each other to achieve entry of the spring 6 into the groove 12 to a certain extent. The final locking of spring 6 and groove 12 or the last locking step, which ends with the contact of the end surfaces 17 in the near-surface region, however, is only possible if the plates 1, 2 are displaced relative to one another in the plane of the plate.

Care should be taken that the adhesive is correspondingly softened or softened, so that no irregularities are formed in the abutting region of the plates 1, 2 to be joined together. The amount of adhesive to be applied in the adhesive beads 8, 9 depends on the geometrical conditions between the spring 6 and the groove 12 or on the size of the recesses 10 and in particular also on the viscosity of the reactivated adhesive.

Fig. 11 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the spring construction is allowed such that the side surfaces 17 at which a plate 1, 2 should have a spring which is intended to cooperate with a groove of a plate to be connected, are designed such that for the time being Also there, a groove 12 is formed, in which a spring 6 'of an independent component can be used. This spring 6 'occurs as a separate component instead of the described in the figures and the description or claims spring 6 and is connected to one of the plates 1, 2, optionally factory, or connectable. The spring 6 'is along its two sides formed as a spring 6 and is executed on both sides, as described in connection with the description, the drawings and the claims for a spring 6. It can be provided that the spring is mirror-inverted. With one side, the spring 6 'is inserted into a groove of the plate 1 and with its other side (when laying) in a groove of the plate 2. The caterpillars 8 and 9 on the spring surface 7 engage with caterpillars 8 and 9 in the legs 3, 4 of the respective grooves 12.

The component 6 'represents a double spring 6. The advantage of this so-called foreign spring is that the plates 1, 2 are to be executed only with corresponding grooves 12 on their side surfaces around and factory or only when laying the Fremdfedem 6' in the grooves 12th are to be inserted. The introduction of a foreign spring 6 'takes place in the plane of the respective plate 1, 2. The connection of the plates 1, 2 takes place even when using foreign springs 6' at least in the last assembly step by moving in the plane of the plate.

All embodiments for the springs 6 apply to both the left part and the right part of the component 6 'shown in FIG. 11.

Fig. 12 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the grooves 12 are not formed perpendicular to the side surfaces 17, but perpendicular to the surface of the plates 1, 2, i. twisted by 90 °. The groove area A is constructed and formed in the same way as are the grooves 12 which are described in FIGS. 1 to 11 and the associated description and the associated patent claims. With this groove 12, a spring 6 cooperates, which also corresponds to the springs 6, as they have been described in the previous Fig. 1 to 11 and in the previous description and the claims. The spring 6 can also be regarded as rotated by 90 °. The region A thus represents nothing else than the previously described connection region of a groove 12 with a spring 6, except that in the present case, the groove 12 and the spring 6 are perpendicular to the surface of the plate 2. Thus, there is a connection of the plates 1, 2 not by a shift in the plane of the plate, but by a displacement perpendicular to the surface of the plates 1, 2. A pivoting of the plates is not well possible; in the final step of the assembly takes place a linear movement perpendicular to the plate plane.

As already described above in connection with FIGS. 1 to 11, beads 9 and beads 8, in particular adhesive beads, are formed on the wall surfaces 5 of the groove 12 and / or on the spring surfaces 7, in order to lock the groove 12 to the tongue 6 in mutual engagement and at most to cause mutual sticking.

Furthermore, the region B can also be understood as a 90 ° twisted groove region in the sense of the preceding description or FIGS. 1 to 11 and the claims, which is formed in the plate 2. The leg 4 of this Nutenbereiches B acts on the one hand as a spring 6 with the groove 12 of the region A together; On the other hand, however, the leg 4 also forms with the body 31 of the plate 2 a groove 12 'into which the leg 4 of the region A can be inserted. One or both sides of the leg 4 may be provided with caterpillars 8 and 9, which cooperate with caterpillars 8 and 9 formed in or on the wall surfaces 5 'of the groove 12'. The formation of such beads 8 and the other beads 9 in the groove 12 and / or on the spring 6 has already been described in detail in the foregoing description.

If it is provided that the plate 2 ends in its lateral end region with a boundary surface 30 at a distance from the outer leg 4 of the groove 12 to facilitate assembly of the plates 1, 2, then corresponding beads 8 and 9 only on the spring. 6 provided, which can be inserted into the groove 12 of the region A of the plate 1.

The leg 3 of the groove 12 in the plate 1 is integrated in the plate body of the plate 1 and is represented by the plate body.

The beads 8 and 9 can also be arranged in recesses 10 here; in Fig. 12, however, such recesses 10 are not shown. For the beads 8 and 9, the adhesives and / or plastics described above are used.

The grooves 12, springs 6 and recesses 10 are preferably made by milling.

The shape of the grooves 12 and springs 6 is advantageously adapted to each other, but this is not absolutely necessary. Also, not formally matched to each other grooves and springs can be held together with the inventively provided caterpillars 8, 9.

The beads 8 and / or 9 can also be applied in the form of successive sections, i. optionally applied intermittently.

It is advantageous if at least one bead extends parallel to or along the edge of the end face 17 or in the longitudinal direction of the plate 1, 2. In principle, the course of the bead, possibly due to production or intended, may deviate from a parallel course with respect to the longitudinal extent of the plate.

In Fig. 14 facing panels 1, 2 are shown, which can be interconnected by pivoting and by a simultaneous approach. According to FIG. 14 below, a plate 1 has on at least one side surface a groove 12 whose inner surfaces are curved. The spring 6 of the plate 2 to be connected has spring surfaces whose curvature is adapted to the curvature of the groove side surfaces 5. Furthermore, the thickness of the spring 6 corresponds to the width of the groove 12 or falls slightly below this.

The spring carries in the present case on its spring surfaces at least one bead or web 8, which is latched with at least one further bead 9 on the Nutseitenflächen 5, as shown in Fig. 15.

The mutual connection of the plates 1, 2, as shown in Fig. 14 below, takes place, as shown in Fig. 14 above. The plate 2 to be connected is attached obliquely to an already laid plate 1 and the end portion of the spring 6 is inserted into the groove 12. This is followed by a lowering or pivoting of the attached plate 2 down, wherein the spring 6 is inserted into the groove 12. At the same time, an approximation of the plates 1, 2. In the final stage of the connecting movement lock the caterpillars 8 with the other caterpillars 9 and give the connection created stop. In Fig. 14, three positions of the plate 2 to be connected are shown schematically. In the uppermost position, which is executed hatched, the plate to be connected is in a position in which the spring 6 is inserted into the groove 12 to a certain extent. In a further pivoting of the attached plate 2 down, as can be seen from the center position shown, the spring 6 penetrates deeper into the groove 12, at least in the connected position surface-side Stimbereiche.der plates 1, 2 lie against each other and the spring 6 is received so far from the groove 12 that the beads 8 with the other beads 9 cooperate or latch, as shown schematically in Fig. 15

It is advantageous if the radii of curvature of the inner surfaces of the groove 12 and the surfaces of the spring 6 are the same size or the thickness of the spring 6 corresponds to the width of the groove 12 or is kept slightly lower

Quite generally, it is advantageous if the beads 8 and 9 with respect to the spring 6 and the groove 12 directly opposite each other.

It is possible to form on the curved spring surfaces and on the curved groove side surfaces a plurality of mutually interacting beads 8 and other beads 9.

It is also possible that the spring surfaces and the side surfaces of the groove 12 have straight and curved portions, wherein the straight portions do not hinder pivoting of the attached plate 2 at a compound of two plates 1, 2.

In general, the caterpillars 8 and the other caterpillars 9 engage behind one another or the caterpillars 8 on the springs 6 engage behind the further caterpillars 9 in the groove 12. The position of the caterpillars 8 and the further caterpillars 9 on the spring surfaces and the side wall surfaces of the grooves 12 is chosen accordingly. The caterpillars 8, 9 engaging behind each other abut each other or can connect to each other.

The other beads 9 on the wall surfaces of the groove 12 hold the beads 8 on the spring surfaces and thus in the groove 12th

At the. Inserting the spring 6 in the groove 12, the groove legs can be slightly, if necessary, widened or bent.

The locking function of the beads 8 and the other beads 9 during insertion and when swinging in is substantially the same.

In particular, in Figs. 1a, 12 and 15, the beads 8, 9 and the locking gap between the spring 6 and the Nutwandfläche were oversized or not to scale, but only schematically illustrated to explain the latching.

All features relating to the plates, which can be connected by moving in a plane, can also be realized in plates which are connectable by pivoting. This applies in particular to the materials as well as the shape and position of the caterpillars.

Claims (27)

1. Covering panel for floors, walls or ceilings, formed preferably of wood, wood material, MDF, HDF, plastic material, recycled plastics, chips with artificial resin or bonded chips, the covering panels comprising a groove (12) along at least one edge or front surface (17) and/or a tongue (6) along at least one different edge or front surface (17),

   - wherein panels (1, 2) to be joined together are interconnectable by inserting the tongue (6) into the groove (12) in the course of a displacement which substantially takes place in the panel plane or substantially perpendicularly to the panel plane and/or in the course of pivoting, and

   - wherein at least one bead or web (8) of an adhesive and/or of plastic material is applied or bonded, particularly at the factory, onto at least one wall surface (5) of the groove (12) or on their legs (3, 4) and/or onto at least one tongue surface (7),
   characterised in

   - that at least one further bead or web (9) of an adhesive and/or of plastic material is applied or bonded, particularly at the factory, onto the tongue (6) on that tongue surface (7), which faces that wall surface (5) of the groove (12) provided with said bead or web (8) and/or in the groove (12) or on their legs (3, 4) on that wall surface (5), which faces the tongue surface (7) provided with said bead or web (8) for catching the bead or web (8),

   - so that the bead (8) and the further bead (9), after insertion of the tongue (6) into the groove (12), may be interlocked and/or interconnected or, in joined condition of two adjacent panels (1, 2), are interlocked and/or interlocked and interconnected.
2. Panel according to claim 1, characterised in

   - that the groove (12) and the tongue (6) are each formed on a longitudinal side and on a transverse side of a panel (1, 2) in or on a front side (17) thereof or in the edge region, and/or

   - at least one tongue surface (7) converges towards the free end of the tongue (6) or extends parallel to the surface (18) of the panel (1, 2), and/or

   - at least one wall surface (5) of the groove (12) is inclined under the same angle as the associated or engaging tongue surface (7) and converges towards the exterior or extends parallel to the surface (18) of the panel (1, 2).
3. Panel according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in

   - that the tongue (6) and the groove (12) may be interconnected, at least over part of the insertion region of the tongue (6), optionally over the entire insertion region, in a positive way or with a snug fit, and/or

   - that at least that area of the tongue (6), which is situated before the bead or web (8) or the further bead (9) towards the free end of the tongue (6), may be positively inserted into the groove (12) or with a snug fit.
4. Panel according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the tongue (6) and/or the groove (12) and/or the bead or web (8) and/or the further bead or web (9) extend over the entire length of the respective lateral surface (17) or edge, or that the bead (8) and/or the bead (9) extend in the form of successive, spaced bead segments along the lateral surface (17) or edge.
5. Panel according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in

   - that part of the bead or web (8) and/or of the further bead or web (9) is countersunk in a recess (10) formed in the respective wall surface (5) of the groove (12) and/or in the respective tongue surface (7), and/or

   - that the wall surface (5) of the groove (12) and/or the tongue surfaces (7) are plane, wherein the recesses (10) constitute depressions in these plane surfaces (5, 7).
6. Panel according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in the bead or web (8) and/or of the further bead or web (9) and, optionally, the recess (10) extend continuously over the length of the groove and/or of the tongue (6) or are formed or applied in the shape of individual subsequent segments.
7. Panel according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in

   - that the adhesive of the bead or web (8) and/or of the further bead or web (9) is water-soluble or can be partially dissolved and/or activated upon contact with or supply of water and/or moisture, and/or is formed by a water-soluble glue, e.g. white glue, and/or by a pressure adhesive or an adhesive, which develops an adhesive action when pressure is applied, or is a pressure-activated adhesive, and/or

   - that the adhesive of the bead or web (8) and/or of the further bead or web (9) has such a hardness or tenacity or viscosity, that it stands insertion of the tongue (6) into the groove (12) or widening of the groove (12) during insertion of the tongue (6) and sliding of the free end of the tongue (6) over it, without a substantial remaining change of shape, and that it acts as a locking element against escaping of the tongue (6) from the groove (12) after insertion of the tongue (6), optionally as long up to the moment where an adhesive effect occurs.
8. Panel according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in

   - the legs (3, 4) of the groove (12) have an equal length and/or

   - that that leg (4) of the groove (12), which is at the back of the panel (1, 2), is insignificantly shorter than that leg (3), which is near the front surface of the panel (1, 2) and/or

   - that at least one leg (3, 4) of the groove (12), preferably the lower leg (4), may elastically be widened or may be elastically bent up, when the tongue (6) is inserted, and/or

   - that the panel (1, 2) is formed of wood, wood material, MDF, HDF, plastic material, recycled plastics, chips with artificial resin or bonded chips (particle board), and that optionally its front surface or surface of use and/or on its back side is provided with a coat (13, 14), e.g. a decorative coat, particularly of plastic material, and/or

   - that the groove (12) and the tongue (6) are formed of the material of the panel (1, 2) or are milled from it, or

   - that the tongue (6) is formed integrally with the material of the panel (1, 2), and/or

   - that in the region of the upper surfaces or surfaces of use (18) of two interconnected panels (1, 2), the regions of the front surfaces engage each other, and that optionally a gap (16) is formed between the front surfaces (17) in the region of the back side (15) of the interconnected panels (1; 2).
9. Panel according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the bead or web (8) and/or the further bead or web (9) and/or the recess (10), in cross-section, have a semi-circular, lenticular, semi-elliptic or elongated rectangular shape.
10. Panel according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the bead or web (8) applied within a recess (10) and/or the further bead or web (9) projects beyond the respective tongue surface (7) or the respective wall surface (5) of the groove (12) or surmounts these surfaces, and that the surmounting portion of the bead or web (8) or (9) acts as a catching or locking element and, optionally, as an element developing an adhesive action.
11. Panel according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that, with locked panels, the cross-section of the bead or web (8) and the cross-section of the further bead or web (9) would overlap so that wall regions of the beads or webs (8) or (9) contact each other, particularly under the action of pressure.
12. Panel according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterised in

    - that the bead or web (8) and/or the further bead or web (9) are applied about in the middle of the tongue surface (7) or on the wall (5) of the groove (12) or the legs (3, 4), and/or are applied spaced from the front surface (17) of the panel (1, 2), and/or

    - that the bead or web (8) and/or the further bead or web (9) are raised above the plane of the wall surface (5) of the groove (12) or above the plane of the tongue surface (7) or surmount these plane surfaces (5, 7) and have rounded cross-sectional contours or outer surfaces or flanks.
13. Panel according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the adhesive of an applied bead or web (8) is deformable, particularly deformable under the action of water and/or moisture and/or under continuous pressure, adapting itself to the cross-sectional shape of the recess (10), particularly while simultaneously developing its adhesive effect, and filling the free space of this recess (10), if an over-measure of adhesive mass exists.
14. Panel according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterised in

    - that the width (B) of the bead or web (8) or (9) is the two-fold up to the nine-fold, preferably the two-fold to the seven-fold, particularly the three-fold to the seven-fold, of its height (H) and/or

    - that the width (B) of the bead or web (8) and/or of the further bead or web (9) corresponds to 5 to 25%, preferably 9 to 21 %, particularly 12 to 17%, of the thickness (D) of the groove (12).
15. Panel according to any of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the bead or web (8) and/or the further bead or web (9) adheres firmly to the recess (10) and/or to the surfaces (5) of the groove (12) and/or to the tongue surfaces (7).
16. Panel according to any of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that the bead (8) and the further bead (9), in locked or caught position of the groove and the tongue, are located side-by-side, and are, in particular, in an engaging or pressure exerting position to one another.
17. Panel according to any of claims 1 to 16, characterised in

    - that the adhesive bead or web (8), and/or the further bead or web (9) comprises an adhesive-latent adhesive, preferably a polymer adhesive which can be emulsified in water, the adhesive material being able to be converted into a condition ready-for cementing or of adhesiveness by moistening with water, and/or

    - that the adhesive of the adhesive bead or web (8) and/or the further bead or web (9) is formed by a quick-setting or a mounting glue based on polyvinyl acetate, or by a commercial wood glue, e.g. based on starch and/or protein.
18. Panel according to any of claims 1 to 17, characterised in that that region of the tongue (6), which is situated before the bead or web (8) and/or before the further bead or web (9) towards the free end of the tongue (6), is formed as a rounding or chamfering (24), which optionally joins directly the bead or web (8) and/or the further bead or web (9).
19. Panel according to any of claims 1 to 18, characterised in that an elongated, ledge-shaped component is provided as a tongue (6') which, on its two opposite narrow sides or in this marginal regions, is formed in the manner of tongues (6) as described in the description and in claims 1 to 27, and comprises at least one longitudinally extending or parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the component extending bead (8), wherein on at least one leg (3, 4) of the grooves (12) formed in the panels (1, 2) at least one further adhesive bead (9) is applied, whose position is associated.
20. Panel according to claim 19, characterised in

    - that the ledge-shaped component is symmetric at least with respect to on of its longitudinal centre planes, and is preferably symmetric with respect to that centre plane, which is perpendicular to its surface or to the panel plane, and/or

    - that the component or this foreign tongue is inserted into a groove (12) in a longitudinal side and, optionally, into a groove (12) of a narrow side of a panel (1, 2).
21. Panel according to any of claims 1 to 20, characterised in that that leg (3) of the groove (12), which is near the upper surface, is stronger or thicker and/or less elastically flexible than the lower leg (4), and/or that beads (8) or (9) are only formed on the downwards directed tongue surface (7) and on the wall surface (5) of the lower leg (4) of the groove (12).
22. Panel according to any of claims 1 to 21, characterised in

    - the groove (12) and the tongue (6) are formed to extend perpendicularly to the surface of the panel (1, 2) and at least one bead (8), applied to at least one tongue surface (7) and/or at least one wall surface (5) of the groove (12), may be locked and/or cemented to at least one further bead (9), applied to at least one wall surface (5) of the groove (12) and/or at least one tongue surface (7) by a movement perpendicular to the panel plane, wherein optionally the outer leg (4) of the groove (12'), that extends perpendicularly to the panel surface, of one panel (1, 2) may be inserted into a groove (12), which is formed between the tongue (6) of a joining panel (2, 1) and its panel body (31) by a movement perpendicular to the panel plane, and wherein at least one bead (8), applied to at least one tongue surface (7) and/or at least one wall-surface (5) of the groove (12), may be locked and/or cemented to at least one further bead (9), applied to at least one wall surface (5) of the groove (12) and/or at least one tongue surface (7) and/or to a recess (10), and/or

    - that an upwards open groove (12) is formed, preferably milled, on one panel (1, 2) at least along one longitudinal side and, optionally, along a narrow side, while a downwards directed tongue (6) is formed, preferably milled, along a longitudinal side and, optionally, along a narrow side.
23. Panel according to any of claims 1 to 22, characterised in

    - that the bead (8) and the further bead (9) grip behind one another and/or

    - that the beads (8, 9) in locked position are under a pressure or force bias by at least one groove leg (3, 4), widened or bent up during insertion of the tongue (6) into the groove (12).
24. Covering panel for floors, walls or ceilings, formed preferably of wood, wood material, MDF, HDF, plastic material, recycled plastics, chips with artificial resin or bonded chips, particularly according to any of claims 1 to 23, the covering panel comprising a groove (12) along at least one edge or front surface (17) and/or a tongue (6) along at least one different edge or front surface (17),

    - wherein panels (1, 2) to be joined together are interconnectable by inserting the tongue (6) into the groove (12) in the course of a displacement which substantially takes place in the panel plane or substantially perpendicularly to the panel plane and/or in the course of pivoting, and

    - wherein at least a locking projection is formed on the tongues (6) and/or on the grooves (12),

    characterised in that,

    - that at least one bead or web (8) of an adhesive and/or of plastic material is applied or bonded as a projection which, in particular, extends parallel or along the edge or front surface (17) or in longitudinal direction of the covering panel, and is particularly applied in the factory, on at least one wall surface (5) of the groove (12) or on their legs (3, 4) and on at least one tongue surface (7), and

    - that at least one further bead (9) is formed as a projection on the tongue (6) on that tongue surface (7), which faces the wall surface (5) of the groove (12) provided with the bead or web (8), and/or in the groove (12) or on their legs (3, 4) for locking with the bead or web (8), when two adjacent panels (1, 2) are in joined condition.
25. Panel according to any of claims 1 to 24, characterised in that the at least one bead (8) and the at least one further bead (9) extend parallel to and along the edge or front surface (17) or in longitudinal direction of the panel (1, 2).
26. Covering panel according to any of claims 1 to 25, characterised in

    - that the groove (12) comprises curved lateral or inner groove surfaces and the tongue (6) comprise curved tongue surfaces, and/or

    - that the tongue surfaces and the groove surfaces are each curved in the same direction or possess radii of curvature which point to the same side of the covering panel, and/or

    - that the two curved tongue surfaces and the two curved lateral surfaces of the groove extend each parallel to one another, and/or

    - that the tongue surfaces and the groove surfaces extend parallel to each other.
27. Covering panel according to any of claims 1 to 26, characterised in

    - that the tongue (6) and the groove (12) have a uniform thickness over their course, or that the groove (12) in the direction towards the groove's ground, and the tongue (6) in the direction towards the tongue end have a decreasing thickness, and/or

    - that the beads and/or webs (8) arranged on the tongue (6) and/or in the groove (12) are directly opposite to each other, and/or

    - that the cross-sections of the tongue (6) and of the groove (12) are adapted to each other, and/or

    - that the thickness of the tongue and the height of the groove are chosen in such a manner, that insertion of the tongue is enabled with simultaneous passage and locking of the bead(s) (8) and of the further bead(s) (9).

Images