SK9252003A3 - Floorboards and processes of their manufacture and installation - Google Patents

Abstract

In a locking system for mechanical joining of floorboards having a core (30) and opposite joint edge portions (4a, 4b), one being formed as a tongue groove (36) defined by upper (39) and lower (40) lips and a bottom end (48), the other being formed as a tongue (38) with an upwardly directed portion (8) at its free outer end (69), the tongue groove (36) having the shape of an undercut groove with an opening, an inner portion (35) and an inner locking surface (45), and at least parts of the lower lip (40) being formed integrally with the core (30) of the floorboard, and the tongue (38) having a locking surface (65) which is formed to coact with the inner locking surface (45) of an adjoining floorboard, it is foreseen that the inner locking surface (45) is formed on the upper lip (39) within the inner portion (35) for coaction with the locking surface (65) of the tongue, said locking surface being formed on the upwardly directed portion (8) to counteract pulling-apart of two boards in a horizontal plane, that the lower lip (40) has a supporting surface (50) for coaction with a supporting surface (71) on the tongue, said supporting surface being intended to coact to counteract a relative displacement of two boards in a vertical plane, that all parts of the portions of the lower lip (40) which are connected with the core (30) are located outside a plane (LP2) which is positioned further away from the joint than a locking plane (LP1) which is parallel therewith and which is tangent to the coacting locking surfaces (45, 65) where these are most inclined relative to the surface plane (HP), that all parts of the portions of the lower lip (40) connected with the core (30) are shorter than the upper lip (39) and terminate at a distance from the joint plane (VP), that the lower lip (40) is flexible, the upper lip (39) being relatively more rigid, that the supporting surface (50) is positioned at a distance from, and closer to the joint plane (VP) than the inner part (47) of the undercut groove, and that the upper and lower lips of the joint edge portions (4a, 4b) enable connection of a laid floorboard with a new floorboard by a pushing-together motion with one floorboard in a slightly upwardly angled position for snapping together the parts of the locking system during downward bending of the lower lip (40) of the tongue groove, and that the locking element formed by the upwardly directed portion (8) and the locking groove formed by the undercut groove are provided with guiding parts (66, 44), cooperating during said pushing together motion.

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to a locking system for mechanical joining of floorboards, to boards with such a locking system, to methods of their installation and manufacture, and to tools used to install floorboards.

In particular, the invention is intended for wood-based floorboards which normally have a wood core and are intended for mechanical joining. The following description of the state of the art, the object of the invention and the main features of the invention will therefore be directed to the field of application, in particular to floors of rectangular parquet, which are joined on both the long and short sides. The invention is particularly intended for floating floors, i. for floors that can move against the foundation. It should be emphasized, however, that the invention can be applied to all kinds of hardwood floors, such as wood flooring, laminated or chipboard wood flooring, veneered surface and wood fiber core, laminate flooring, plastic core flooring and the like. Obviously, the invention can be applied to other types of floorboards which are machined with cutting tools, such as plywood flooring or particle board. Even in cases where installation is not considered after joining the floorboards to the foundation.

In the short time, mechanical joining has achieved wide application especially due to its excellent laying properties, strength and joining quality. Even floors according to WO 9426999, as detailed below, and floors sold under the Alloc® brand have greater advantages compared to traditional glued floors, but further improvements are desirable.

Mechanical bonding systems are very advantageous for bonding not only laminate floors, but also wood and composite floors. These floorboards can be composed of a variety of different surface, core and back materials. As will be described below, these materials can be contained in various parts of the fastening system, such as the tape, the locking member and the tongue. A solution comprising a connecting tape that is shaped e.g. according to WO 9426999 or WO 9747834 and which provides a horizontal joint, and further comprising a tongue that provides a vertical joint, however, results in costs in the form of waste material that is generated when machining the board material.

For optimal function eg. 15 mm thick parquet flooring, the tape should have a width approximately equal to the floor thickness, i. about 15 mm. With a tongue of approximately 3 mm, the waste will be 18 mm. The floorboard has a normal width of approximately 200 mm. The waste material will therefore be 9%. Generally, the cost of waste material will be large when the floorboards are made of expensive material, if they are thick or their size is small, so the number of running meters' joints per square meter of flooring is large.

Undoubtedly, the amount of waste is reduced if the tape used is in the form of a separately manufactured aluminum tape which is already attached to the floorboards in production. In addition, aluminum tape can have many uses that will be a more convenient and cheaper joining system than tape, machined and molded from the core. Aluminum is a tape, but disadvantageous if reconstitution is required and the major investment cost of reconstructing an existing traditional production line mechanical coupling system. The advantage of the current aluminum tape is that the initial format of the floorboards need not be changed.

If the tape produced by machining the floorboard material is damaged, it may be reversed. Therefore, the format of the floorboards must be adapted so that there is sufficient material for shaping the tape and tongue. For laminate floors it is often necessary to change the width of the decorative paper used. All these modifications and changes also require costly adaptation of the production equipment and a large adaptation of production.

In addition to the aforementioned problems related to unwanted waste of material, production costs and production adaptation, the tape has the disadvantage that it is susceptible to damage during transportation and installation.

In summary, it is necessary to ensure a mechanical connection at a low production cost, while at the same time endeavoring to maintain the present excellent properties regarding the placement, lifting, quality and strength of the joint. With an existing solution, it is not possible to achieve low cost without simultaneously reducing standard strength and / or placement. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution for reducing costs while maintaining strength and function.

The invention is based on known floorboards having a core, a front side, a rear side and opposed connecting edges, one of which is shaped as a joint groove defined by an upper and a lower edge and which has a lower end, and the other connecting edge is a tongue with upwards part at its free outer end. The coupling groove has the form of a tooth groove with an opening, an inner part and an inner locking surface. At least portions of the lower edge are formed together with the core of the floorboard, and the tongue has a locking surface that is designed so. to cooperate with the inner locking surface in the groove of an adjacent floorboard, whereby two such floorboards are mechanically joined so that their front sides are in the same surface plane HP- and meet in a joint plane -VP- which is exactly perpendicular to it. This technique has been disclosed in DE-A-3041781 and will be further discussed below.

However, the general technique for floorboards will be described above. Locking systems for mechanical locking of floorboards will be described as the basis of the present invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention as well as the problems prior to the invention, both the basic structures and functions of the floorboards according to WO 9426999 and WO 9966151 are now described with reference to Figures J-17 in the accompanying drawings. An embodiment of the present invention, as described below, has also been used in suitable portions of the disclosure.

Figures 3a and 3b show the floorboard 1 according to WO 9426999 from above and below. The plate 1 is rectangular with an upper side 2, a lower side 3, two opposite long sides with connecting edges 4a, 4b, and two opposite short sides with connecting edges 5a and 5b.

The connecting edges 4a, 4b of the long sides as well as the connecting edges of the short sides 5a. 5b can be mechanically bonded without adhesive in the direction D2 in FIG. 1c such that they meet on the connection plane VP. As shown in Figure 2c, in the laid-down state there must be common tops on the common surface plane HP shown in Figure 2c.

In the illustrated embodiment, which is an example of floorboards according to WO 9426999, in Figs. 1-3 in the accompanying drawings, the board 1 has a factory-fitted flat strip 6 which extends along the entire long side 4a and is made of resilient, tough aluminum sheet. . The strip 6 extends outward beyond the joint plane VP at the joint edge 4a. The tape 6 may be attached mechanically according to the illustrated embodiment or by means of an adhesive or some other method. As mentioned in the documents, other tape materials such as sheet metal of other material, aluminum or plastic profiles can also be used for the factory-attached tape. As also stated in WO 9426999 and described and illustrated in WO 9966151, the tape 6 may be shaped simultaneously with the plate 1. e.g. suitably machining the core of the board L

The present invention is applicable to floorboards, wherein the tape or at least a portion thereof is shaped together with the core, the invention solves special problems that arise with these floorboards and the article thereof. The floorboard core need not be made of a homogeneous material, but it is preferable. The tape 6 is integral with the plate 1, i. it should be molded on a plate or mounted at the factory.

In the known embodiments of the above-mentioned WO 9426999 and WO 9966151, the width of the tape 6 can be about 30 mm and the thickness about 0.5 mm.

Similarly, if the shorter tape & is inserted along the short side 5a of the plate L The portion of the tape 6 beyond the joint plane VP is formed with a locking element 8 that is along the entire tape 6. The locking element 8 has a working lock in its shorter part a surface 10 lining the joint plane VP of height e.g. 0.5 mm. In the laid state, this locking surface 10 is in contact with the locking groove 14, which is formed on the underside 3 of the connecting edge 4b of the opposite long side of the adjacent plate 1 /. The tape ' along the short side has a corresponding locking element 8 'and the connecting edge 5b of the opposite short side has a corresponding locking groove 14'. The edge of the cam groove 14, 14 'facing away from the joint plane VP forms a working cam surface 10' for cooperation with the working cam surface 10 of the cam element.

For mechanical connection of both long and short sides also in the vertical direction, i. direction D1 in FIG. 1c, also the plate 1 along one long side - the connecting edge 4a - and one short side - the connecting edge 5a - is formed on the side by an open recess or tongue groove 16. This is determined by the upper projection on the connecting edge 4a, 5a and bottom by strips 6. and &. At the opposite edge 4b, 5b there is an upper recess 18 which defines a tongue 20 which cooperates with the recess or tongue groove 16 - see FIG. Fig. 2a.

Figures 1a to 1c depict as two long sides 4a and 4b of two such plates 1, U on base U, they can be connected obliquely downward by pivoting about a center C that is close to the cross-section between the HP plane and the joint plane VP while holding the plates in contact with each other.

Figures 2a to 2c show how the short sides 5a, 5b of the plates 1, 1 'can be joined by clamping. Long sides 4a. 4b can be connected in both ways, joining the short sides

5a. 5b after laying the first row of floorboards is normally done only by clamping after the long sides 4a have been joined first. 4b.

If the new plate Γ and the previously laid plate 1 are joined by the edges 4a and 4b of their long sides according to figures 1a-1c. the edge 4b of the new plate 11 is pressed against the long edge edge 4a of the previously laid plate 1 of Figure 1a, so that the tongue 20 is inserted into the recess or tongue groove 16. The plate 1 'is then folded down against the substrate U of Figure 1b. The locking tongue 20 fills the recess or the locking groove 16 and at the same time the locking element 8 of the tape 6 fits into the locking groove 14. During this downward movement, the upper part 9 of the locking element 8 can act and apply the new plate 1 'to the previously laid plate L

In this coupled position of Figure 1c, the plates 1a1 / are locked in the direction D1 as well as in the direction D2 along the joint edges 4a and 4b of their long sides, but the plates 1 and 1 'can slide relative to each other in the longitudinal direction joined along the long side. in direction D3.

Figures 2a-2c illustrate how the edges 5a and 5b of the short sides of the plates 1 and 1 'can be mechanically joined in the direction D1 as well as D2 by moving the new plate 1' horizontally towards the previously laid plate 1. This can be done after the long side of the new board 1 'is applied, namely by tilting the new board 1' inwardly according to FIGS. 1 a to 1c, and connected to the previously laid board 1 in a row. In the first step in Figure 2a, the beveled areas of the recess 16 and the lock tongue cooperate so that the tape 16 is pressed down as a direct result of the approaching edges of the short sides 5a, 5b. Toward the end of the approach, the tape 6 engages when the lock element 8] fits into the lock groove 14 ', so that the working lock surfaces 10, 10' on the lock element 8] lock the lock groove 14 'into each other.

By repeating the operations shown in Figures 1a-c and 2a-c, the entire floor can be laid without glue along all the connecting edges. Thus, existing floorboards of the above type can be mechanically joined, as a rule, they fold down long side or short side, when the long side is locked, are clamped together by horizontally moving the new board 1 'along the long side of the previously laid board 1 in the direction D3. The plates 1, 1 'can be disassembled without damaging the joint in the reverse order of laying and repositioning. Parts of these laying principles are also applicable in connection with the present invention.

In order to optimize the function and to facilitate laying and disassembling, the present boards should, after joining along their long sides, assume a position where there is minimal freedom of movement between the locking surface 10 'and the locking surface 10' of the locking groove 14: on the plane of the joint VP closed by the top of the plates, ie in the plane of the HP surface, no play is permitted. For such a position, one plate must be pushed against the other, if necessary. A more detailed description can be found in WO 9426999. This clearance can be in the range of 0.01-0.05 mm between the working lock surfaces 10, 10 'when the long sides of adjacent plates are pressed against each other. This free movement facilitates the entry of the lock element 8 into the lock groove 14, 14 'and vice versa. As already noted, no play is desirable in the joint between the slabs, in the cross-sectional plane of the HP plane and in the plane of the joint VP on the floorboard surface.

The joining system allows displacement along the joining edge in the locked position after attaching any side. Laying can therefore take place in different ways, but they are all based on three basic principles:

• Lowering the long side and lowering the short side.

• Long Side Lock - Short Side Lock.

• Tilt the short side, tilt the two boards up, move the new board along the edge of the short side of the original board, and finally tilt both boards down.

The most common and safest way of laying is when the long side is first folded down and locked with another floorboard. Subsequently, the displacement is performed in the locked position with respect to the short side of the third floorboard, and the short side is clamped. The laying can also be carried out with one side, long or short, which is clamped together with the other plate. The stream is moved in the locked position until the next side is pinched with the third plate. These two methods require fitting on at least one side. But laying can also be done without gripping. A third alternative is that the short side of the first plate is tilted first inside the short side of the second plate, which is already connected by the long side with the third plate. After this connection, the first and second plates are slightly tilted upwards. The first plate is moved upwardly along the short side until the upper joining edges of the first and third plates are in contact with each other, after which the two plates are folded down together.

The floorboards described above and their locking system have been very successful on the market in conjunction with laminate floors having a thickness of approximately 7 mm and an aluminum strip 6 of 0.6 mm thickness. Similar commercial variants of floorboards according to WO

The figures shown in Figures 4a and 4b are successful. However, it has been found that this technique is not particularly suitable for fiber-based materials, in particular for solid wood materials or glued laminate wood materials for parquet floors. One of the reasons why this technique is not suitable for this type of product is the large amount of waste material that increases due to the machining of edge portions to form a tongue groove with the necessary depth.

To partially overcome this problem, it would be possible to use the technique shown in Figures 5a and 5b in the accompanying drawings and described and illustrated in DEA-3343601. i that it would be possible to shape the two connecting edges of the individual elements which are attached to the edges of the long sides. This technique also has a high cost of aluminum parts and the considerable machining that is necessary. Moreover, it is difficult to attach the modular elements along the edge in an economical manner. The geometry shown does not allow assembly and disassembly without significant downward and upward free movement, as the components will not fit freely into each other during these movements as long as they are made for precision fit - see Figure 5b.

Another known design of floorboards with a mechanical locking system is shown in Figures 6a-d in the accompanying drawings and described and shown in CA-A0991373. If this mechanical locking system is used, all forces that try to pull the long sides of the plates apart lift the locking element at the outer end of the tape - see. Figure 6a. If the floor is laid and closed, the material shall be resilient to allow the tongue to rotate about two centers simultaneously. The tight fit between all surfaces does not allow rational production and relocation in the locked position. The short side 6c does not have a horizontal lock. However, this type of mechanical lock results in a large waste of material due to the construction of the large lock elements.

Another known design of mechanical plate locking systems is shown in GB-A-1430429 and Figures 7a-7b in the accompanying drawings. This system is based on a tongue-and-groove connection, has a special retaining hook on the extended edge of one side of the tongue-groove and has a corresponding retaining groove on the upper side of the tongue. The system requires considerable flexibility of the hook edge and disassembly is not possible without destroying the joining edges of the boards. Precise fitting requires difficult manufacturing and the joint geometry results in large waste of material.

Another known design of mechanical locking systems for floorboards is disclosed in DE-A-4242530. This locking system is also shown in Figures 8a-b in the accompanying drawings. This known locking system also has some disadvantages. Not only does it cause a large waste of material in production, but it is also difficult to economically produce high quality joints for floors where high quality is required. The undercut groove forming the tongue groove can only be produced by using a face milling cutter that moves along the joint edge. It is not possible to use large disc cutting tools to work the board from the edge.

For mechanical joining of various types of boards, especially floorboards, there are a number of improvement designs where there is little waste of material and where production is economical even when using boards on chipboard and wood base. WO 9627721, Figures 9a-b in the accompanying drawings, and JP 3169967, Figures 10a-b in the accompanying drawings, show two types of snap joints where there is little waste of material but have the disadvantage that they do not allow removal of the floorboards by tilting upwards. It is true that these fastening systems can be produced efficiently using large disc cutting tools, but they have the serious drawback that disassembly upwards causes such severe damage to the lock system that the plates can no longer be repositioned and mechanically locked.

Another known system is described in DE-A-1212275 and shown in Figures 1a-b in the accompanying drawings. This known system is suitable for sports flooring made of plastic materials and cannot be manufactured using large disc cutting tools for shaping a sharp cut groove. Also, this system cannot be disassembled by tilting upwards, although the materials have high elasticity, the lower and upper edges are rounded and the groove greatly deforms during tensile separation. This type of connection is therefore not suitable for chipboard-based floorboards when high quality joints are required.

The tongue-and-groove connection with the slope and tongue was designed according to US-A1124228. The type of connection shown in Figures 12c-d in the accompanying drawings gives the possibility to mount a new board by pushing it downward through an inclined upwardly directed tongue on a previously laid board. Nails can be used to secure the new plate to be inserted, which are pushed diagonally down through the plate above an inclined tongue. In the embodiment of Figures 12a-b, this technique cannot be used because the dovetail connection is used. This technique certainly has little waste of material, but it is not at all suitable for floating floors with individual floorboards that can be assembled and dismantled in a simple manner without being damaged, and which have high quality joints.

DE-A-3041781 discloses and illustrates a lock system for joining plates, in particular when forming a circuit for roller skating and roller coaster made of plastic material.

This coupling system is also shown in Figures 13a-d in the accompanying drawings. The system includes a longitudinal groove at one edge of the plate and an upwardly curved tongue along the length of the opposite edge of the plate. In sectional view, the formed groove has a first portion which is defined as a portion having a parallel surface and is parallel to the main plane, and a second inner portion which is trapezoidal or polygonal, Figures 13a-b and Figures 13c-d in the accompanying drawings. In cross-section, the tongue has two parallel portions inclined to each other, wherein the portion closest to the center of the plate is parallel to the main plane of the plate and wherein the outer free portion is deflected upwards and corresponds to a respective surface portion of the trapezoidal groove portion.

The tongue and groove design and also the board edges are such that when such two boards are mechanically joined, a bond is obtained between the tongue surface portions and the corresponding surface of the cut groove along the entire upper side and the outer end of the tongue and along the lower side of the inner tongue part. which is parallel to the main plane as well as between the marginal surfaces of the joined plates above and below the tongue and groove. When the new plate is attached to a previously laid plate, the new plate is swung upward at a suitable angle to insert the inclined outer portion of the tongue into the outer parallel portion of the groove of the previously laid plate. Then the tongue is inserted into the groove, and the new plate is tilted down. Due to the angular shape of the tongue, some play in the first groove portion is necessary to allow insertion. Likewise, a certain degree of elasticity of the flooring material is necessary, which according to the documentation should be plastic. In the laid down position, most of the tongue surface and the cut groove are contacted except for the lower, upwardly facing outer part of the tongue.

A serious drawback of the mechanical locking system according to DE-A-3041781 is its difficult manufacture. The manufacturing method proposes to use a milled foot-shaped end of the sponge with an outer portion that forms a trapezoidal inner portion of the tongue groove in cross-section. This manufacturing method is not very rational and, moreover, creates major tolerance problems if the manufacturing method should be used for floorboards or other wood panels to form wall panels or floor parquets with high quality joints.

As mentioned above, the disadvantage of this present mechanical locking system is that the insertion of the inclined tongue into the groove requires considerable clearance between the tongue and the groove to be placed at an angle downwards, unless there is considerable flexibility in the plate material, cf. Figure 5 in DE-A-3041781 and Figure 13b in the accompanying drawings. In addition, this oblique downward movement cannot be performed if the new board and the previously placed board touch each other near the upper edge of the board on the tongue and groove so that the pivot point at an angle downward is located at this point.

A further disadvantage of this present mechanical locking system according to DE-A3041781 when coupled to a fairly thick board of wood material is that moving a new board along a previously laid board in a laid or raised position is much more difficult to do with the boards interlocked in portions long parties. Even with very precise machining of wood or chipboard, these surfaces are not naturally smooth enough to have protruding fibers which greatly increase friction. When laying parquet floors and the like. the floorboards are mostly of natural materials, which are usually 2 - 2.4 m long and 0.2 - 0.4 m wide, damaged. This type of long boards is buckling and will therefore often deviate from the overall floating shape; banana shape. In these cases, it will be even more difficult to move the newly laid boards along the previously laid ones, if a mechanical locking connection of the boards on the short side is also required.

A further disadvantage of this present mechanical locking system according to DE-A3041781 is that it is not very suitable for high-quality floors made of wood or chipboard materials and which therefore require a tight fit in the vertical direction between tongue and groove to avoid creaking.

WO 9747834 discloses floorboards with various types of mechanical locking systems. The locking systems considered for locking the long sides of the plates, Figures 2 - 4, 11, 22 - 25 in the document, are designed so that they can be mounted and dismounted by fitting and tilting, while most interlocks with short sides of the plates, Figs. 5-10 is designed such that the interlocking occurs when pushed against each other for a latch connection, but these locking systems on the short sides of the plates cannot be dismantled without damage, often destruction.

Some of the boards of the invention WO 9747834, which are designed for joining and dismounting by angular movement, figures 2-4 in WO 9747834 and figures 14a-c in the accompanying drawings, have at one end a groove and a strip below the groove that is below a joint plane where the upper sides of the two boards to be joined meet. The tape is designed to cover a substantial portion of the post-formed portion at the opposite edge of the plate so that two similar plates can be joined. A common feature of these floorboards is that the upper side of the tongue of the board and the corresponding upper end surface of the groove are planar and parallel to the upper side or surface of the floorboards.

The joining of the plates is intended to prevent tension through the joint plane and is achieved solely by means of the locking surfaces', on the underside of the tongue, as well as on the upper side of the lower edge or strip below the groove. These locking systems also have the disadvantage that they require a portion of the tape to extend below the joint plane, which also causes waste of material at the joint edge where the groove is formed.

WO 9747834 also discloses mechanical fastening systems which comprise a circular arc-shaped tongue and a correspondingly shaped groove at the opposite edge of the floorboard - Figures 14d-14e in the accompanying drawings. When such a locking system is connected, the upper part of the tongue is opposite to the opening of the arch groove, after which it slides down. With this downward inclination, there is a large contact surface between all round surfaces of the groove and tongue. When this type of fastening system is used for long wood panels or wood-based material, it is very difficult to achieve a smooth and easy connection. Friction between the round faces, between the end of the tongue and the bottom of the groove, would require considerable force to move the plate along the next plate in their joined state. This present technique is certainly more appropriate than that disclosed in the above-mentioned DE-A3041781, but suffers from many drawbacks of this technique.

US-A-2740167 - see U.S. Pat. also Figures 15a-b in the accompanying drawings disclose parquet boards or squares that are of wood and are formed at the opposite ends by end portions that hook into each other when several parquet squares are laid in a row. One end portion has a downwardly curved hook and the opposite end portion has an upwardly curved hook. In order to insert a new parquet board, the lower part of the upwardly directed hook is bevelled. Parquet boards that are connected in a vertical joint plane are secured only in a horizontal direction across the joint plane. An adhesive layer is also used for securing in the direction perpendicular to the top of the parquet boards, which is sprayed on the base on which the parquet floor is then laid. The hasty parquet board can then only be lifted before the adhesive layer adheres. Practically, such a parquet floor is permanently attached to the foundation after laying.

CA-A-2252791 shows and describes floorboards that are shaped with specially designed grooves along one long side and an additionally shaped tongue along the other long side. As shown in the patent specification and also in Figures 16a-b in the accompanying drawings, the tongue and groove are rounded and facing upwards to allow the board to be joined to the next new board by placing it close to the laid and then simultaneously lifting and tilting as the groove contracts down through the upward pointing tongue while simultaneously joining and tilting down. From the moment the tongue and groove engage, it is difficult to reconnect the joined plates. Deviation from plane. a banana shape is another obstacle to joining two such plates. The risk of tongue damage is therefore great and the design causes high frictional forces between tongue and groove surfaces.

US-A-5797237 discloses a latch locking system for joining parquet boards. In the accompanying drawings, Figure 17a is a cross-sectional view of two joined plates, Figure 17b shows how floorboards cannot be dismantled by xycloning the plate upwardly to another laid plate. Instead, as shown in Figure 4B of the patent specification, both the plate to be removed and the plate to be joined and remaining must be lifted to pull the tongue out of the groove. The system is very similar to the aforementioned US-A-2740167, Figures 15a-b in the accompanying drawings, but with the difference that the short lower edge is formed below the upper hook-like projection or edge. However, this short lower edge has no joining effect as long as there is a gap between the lower side of the tongue and the upper side of this edge when joining the plates. In addition, this clearance is required for the dismantling method as shown in Figure 17c. It is certain that the coupling system is latching, but first the laid plate is inclined slightly upward to release the tongue under the hook-shaped edge of the plate. This mechanical locking system can, as also stated in the patent specification, be manufactured using large disk cutting tools. There is no undercut groove whose upper and lower edges would fit against the inserted tongue and lock it vertically and horizontally with this locking system. Thus, the groove has a larger vertical space than the corresponding part of the tongue. The laid floor will therefore be able to move relative to the foundation, which can cause cracks in the joints and undesirable vertical movement. Nor can a good connection be achieved due to insufficient locking.

FRA-A-2675174 discloses a mechanical joining system for ceramic panels having additionally shaped opposed edge portions, in which case separate tongue clips are used that mount at certain distances apart and that form a firm grip on the edge of the adjacent panel. The pivot coupling system is not designed for disassembly, as is apparent from Figure 18a and in particular from Figure 18b in the accompanying drawings.

Figures 19a and 19b show floorboards which are shaped according to JP 7180333 and are made by extrusion of a metallic material. After assembly, it is virtually impossible to dismantle such floorboards with respect to the joint geometry, as shown in Figure 19a. Final Figures 20a and 20b illustrate another known fastening system disclosed in GB-A-2117813 for large insulated wall panels. This system is very similar to the above-mentioned system of CA-A-2252791 and the system of WO 9747834. As shown in Figures 14d and 14e in the accompanying drawings. The system suffers from the same drawbacks as the latter two systems and is not suitable for efficient production of wood or chipboard floorboards, especially when high joint quality and floor quality are required. The construction according to said British publication uses the metal part as fasteners and is not openable by tilting upwards.

Other current systems are disclosed e.g. in DE 20013380U1, JP 2000179137A, DE 3041781. DE 19925248. DE 20001225, EP 0623724, EP 0976889, EP 1045083.

As can be seen from the above, the present systems have disadvantages as well as advantages. However, no locking system is entirely suitable for the rational production of floorboards with a locking system that is optimal in terms of production technology, waste material, laying and lifting, and which can additionally be used for floors with the required high quality, strength and functionality in laid state.

It is an object of the present invention to satisfy this need and to provide such an optimal locking system for floorboards and such optimal floorboards. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a rational method of manufacturing floorboards with this locking system. It is a further object of the invention to provide a new installation method that allows easier and more rational installation than current products. Another object of the invention is to provide a tool for facilitating laying of floorboards by tilting up and joining floorboards. Other objects of the invention will be apparent from what has already been described, as well as from the following description.

Summary of the invention

The floorboard and the openable locking system therefore comprise a cut groove on one long side of the floorboard and a raised tongue on the opposite long side of the floorboard. The milled groove has a corresponding upwardly facing inner locking surface at a distance from its end. The tongue and milled groove are shaped to cooperate in a rotational movement having a center near the intersection between the surface planes and the common joint plane of two adjacent floorboards. The groove milling of such a locking system is made using disc cutting tools, each rotating shaft being at a different angle, to form the first inner portion of the incised groove portion and then positioning the locking surface closer to the slot opening. The method of laying a floor of such boards consists of the following steps: laying a new board adjacent to a previously laid board, moving the tongue of the new board into the hole of the carved groove of the already laid board, swiveling the new board up simultaneously with the inserting the tongue into the groove and position.

What is characteristic of the locking system, the floorboard and the laying method according to the invention is contained in the independent claims. The dependent claims define in particular the most suitable embodiment of the invention. Other advantages and features of the invention are also apparent from the following description.

Before describing the most suitable embodiments of the invention, the basic concept of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the requirements for strength and function.

The invention is applicable to rectangular floorboards having a first pair of parallel sides and a second pair of parallel sides. To simplify the description, the first pair will be called long sides and the second pair will be short sides. It should be noted, however, that the invention can also be applied to square plates.

High quality joint

The high quality of the joint means the tight fit between the floorboards in the locked position, both vertically and horizontally. The joint should be free of visible gaps or level differences between the joined edges in both unloaded and normally loaded condition. On a high-quality floor, the joint should not be greater than 0.2 mm and the level difference should not be greater than 0.1 mm.

Inclination downwards with rotation on the joint edge and guides

As will be apparent from the following description, it should be possible to lock down at least one side, preferably the long side, by tilting downwards. The downward tilt should be done by rotating about a center close to the intersection between the planes of the floorboard surface and the joint plane, i. just at the "upper joining edges of the boards when they touch each other." In other words, it is not possible to provide a joint that has tight joint edges in the locked position.

It should be possible to determine the rotation in a horizontal position where the floorboards are locked vertically without any play, as the play may cause undesirable differences in levels between the joint edges. The inclination should be carried out in such a way that the floorboards are simultaneously guided relative to each other by tightly joining the edges and leveling any banana shape, i. deviations from the straight flat shape of floorboards. The locking element and the locking groove should have a guide, that is, they should cooperate in folding inwards. Folding down should be done with great care, without moving or squeezing the plates, so as not to damage the locking system.

Tilt upwards around the joint edge

It should be possible to tilt the long side up so that the floorboards can come loose. Since the plates in the initial position are joined by a tight joint between the edges, the upward inclination must therefore also be in contact with the upper joint edges and rotate on the joint edge. The possibility of tilting up is very important not only when changing floorboards or moving floors. Many floorboards are laid for testing, they do not fit correctly on doors, corners, etc. when installed. This is a serious drawback if the floorboard cannot easily detach without damaging the joint system. Also, the plate will not always be able to tilt inwards, so it must be tilted again. In connection with the folding down, the tape is usually easily bent so that the locking element bends back and down and opens. If the joining system is not made up of suitable angles and radii, the board may be locked after laying in such a way that lifting is not possible. The short side can be opened by tilting upwards after joining the long sides, usually it is pulled around the joint edge, but it is preferred that the short side can also be opened by tilting upwards. This is particularly advantageous if the boards are e.g. 2.4 m, making it difficult to pull short pages. The upward deflection is carried out carefully without pushing or squeezing the plates, which could cause damage to the locking system.

engagement

It should be possible to lock the short sides by horizontal locking. This requires that the parts of the joint system be flexible and flexible. Even if the inclination inwardly of the long sides is much easier and faster than the engagement, it is preferable that also the long sides can engage. a hinged door requires the boards to be connected horizontally.

Price of material for long and short sides

If the floorboard is e.g. 1.2 x 0.2 m, each square meter of floor surface will have six times more joints of long sides than short sides. There is then a large amount of waste material, and expensive fasteners therefore do not have as important a role on the short side as on the long side.

Horizontal strength

In order to achieve high strength, the locking element must generally have a high locking angle so that the locking element cannot be plucked. The locking element must be high and wide to prevent it from breaking if it is subjected to a high tensile force such as floor shrinkage in winter due to the relative low humidity this time of year. This also applies to the material at the interlocking groove of the next plate. The short side of the joint should have a higher strength than the long side of the joint. Because the tensile load during winter shrinkage of the material is transmitted more to the shorter connecting length on the short side than on the long side.

Vertical strength

Even under vertical loads, the plane of the slab should be maintained. In addition, there should be no movement in the joints, since the surfaces move under pressure when subjected to pressure, and, for example, the upper joint edges may cause a crack.

Relocation and compensation

Creating the possibility to lock all four sides must allow the newly laid boards to be moved in a locked position along the previously laid board. This is accomplished using a force e.g. vigorously using a stone and a hammer without damaging the joint edges and creating a visible horizontal or vertical play on the existing joint system. Interchangeability is more important on the long side than on the short side. Because the friction is substantially greater here due to the longer joint.

Production

There should be the possibility of rational production of the fastening system by using large rotary cutting tools that have extremely high precision and capacity.

measurement

Good function, manufacturing tolerance and quality require that the joint profile be continuously measured and checked. The critical parts of the mechanical coupling system should be designed in such a way that manufacture and measurement are easy. It should be manufactured with tolerances to one hundredth of a millimeter, measured with high accuracy, for example, so-called. profile projector. If the joining system is produced by linear cutting, the joining system will have the same profile along the entire edge, in addition to certain manufacturing tolerances. Therefore, the fastening system can be measured with great precision by cutting a sample from the floorboard and measuring it with a profile projector or measuring microscope.

However, rational production requires that the fastening system can be measured quickly and easily in a non-destructive manner, for example by using templates. It will be easier if the lock has as few critical parts as possible.

Optimization of long and short sides

For floorboards to be produced in an optimal manner and with minimum waste, both the long and short sides should be adapted to their different characteristics, as stated above. For example, the long side should be adapted to tilt down and up, for positioning and relocation, while the short side should be adapted for snap and high strength. An optimally designed floorboard should have other fastening systems for the long and short sides.

Possibility of transverse movement of the connecting edge

Wood-based floorboards and, in general, floorboards containing wood fibers swell and contract due to varying humidity. Swelling and shrinkage usually begin from above, and the surface layers may therefore acquire a larger volume than the core, that is, the part that forms the joint system. In order to prevent the surface layer from lifting or rupture in the case of a high degree of swelling or joint slots upon excessive drying, the joint system should be designed to allow movement that will compensate for swelling and contraction.

Disadvantages of current systems

Figures 4a and 4b illustrate current Alloc® original and Alloc® Horne systems with a designed tape that can deflect and clamp together.

The current fastening systems of Figures 9-16 can produce mechanical junctions with less waste than mechanical locking systems having protruding and machined tapes. However, none of these systems fully satisfies the above requirements and does not solve the problems that the present invention seeks to solve.

The sunken joints of Figures 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 18, 19 cannot be locked or opened by rotary motion around the top of the joint edge and the joint of Figures 8,

11. 19 cannot be produced in a rational manner by machining sheet materials with large diameter rotary tools.

The floorboards of Figures 12a-b cannot be folded or clamped, but must first be inserted and pushed parallel to the joint edge. The connection of Figures 12c d cannot be a pinch. They may be inclined inwards, but in this case they must be manufactured with great play in the coupling system. The strength in the vertical direction is low because the upper and lower gripping surfaces are parallel. The joint is also difficult to manufacture and lock into position because it has no loose surfaces. In addition, it is proposed to attach the carnations to the base by using carnations which hammer obliquely into the floorboards above the tongue facing obliquely upwards.

The connection systems of Figures 6c-d, 15a-b, and 17a-b are examples of a connection that does not have a vertical lock, i.e., allows movement perpendicular to the top of the floor.

The chamfered inward connection of Figures 14d-e has many drawbacks because it is made and constructed according to the principle of tight fit and its upper and lower tongue and grooves follow a circular arc having a center at the upper joint edge, i. at the intersection of the joint plane and the surface plane. This connection does not have the necessary guide parts, the connection is difficult because of the angles because the construction is unsuitable and has large gripping surfaces. The result is disfigurement and the joint suffers drawer effect when inserting. The strength in the horizontal direction is too small because it depends on the small upper lock angle and the too small angular difference between the upper and lower gripping surfaces. In addition, the front and top upward-facing portion of the tongue groove is too small to sustain the forces required for high-quality systems. Too large joints between the tongue and groove, the absence of the necessary free surfaces without contact and the requirement for tight seating throughout the joint makes it difficult to laterally move the floorboard along the joint edge, and also rational production with good tolerances is very difficult. And even horizontal interception is not possible.

The fastening system of Figures 16a-b has a structure that does not allow co-rotation without a considerable degree of material deformation, which is difficult to achieve with normal materials suitable for floorboards. Here again, all key and groove parts are in contact with each other. This makes it difficult to move the board laterally in the locked position or does not allow it at all. Rational working is also not possible since all surfaces are in contact. Nor is it possible to grip.

The coupling system of Figures 6a-b cannot be rotated together because it is so constructed. so that it can rotate around two pivot points simultaneously. It has no horizontal lock in the keyway. All surfaces are in contact with each other and close to each other. In practice, the coupling system cannot be moved and manufactured in a rational manner. It is contemplated for use with the locking system shown in Figures 6c-d and is formed on an adjacent perpendicular edge and does not require lateral displacement to engage the connection.

The coupling system of Figures 8a-b has a tongue groove that cannot be produced by large diameter rotary cutting tools. It cannot clamp and be designed to prevent lateral displacement at the initial tension and close contact with the outer vertical portion of the tape.

The connection system of Figures 5a-b has two aluminum sections. It is not possible to produce the keyway with large diameter rotary cutting tools. The joining system is formed such that it is not possible to incline the new board inward at its upper joining edge when it is in contact with the upper joining edge of the previously laid board so that the inward inclination takes place around a pivot center at the intersection between the joining plane and the plane. In order to use the internal bevel in this present system, it is necessary to select a significant clearance that exceeds that acceptable for floors with high aesthetic and high quality requirements. The coupling system of Figures 13a-d is difficult to manufacture because it requires contact over a large portion of the tongue surface and the tongue groove. It also makes lateral displacement in the locked position more difficult. The geometry of the joint makes it impossible to rotate upwards around the upper joint edge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the first recognition that suitable manufacturing methods, essentially machining, and tools whose diameter significantly exceeds the thickness of the board are used to allow the production of improved shapes in a rational manner with high accuracy for wood, wood-based and plastic materials. and that this machining method can be performed in a tongue groove remote from the joint plane. This form of fastening system should be adapted to rational production, which should be made with very precise tolerances. However, such adaptation must not be to the detriment of other important characteristics of the floorboards and the locking system.

The invention is also based on the second note, which is based on the knowledge of the requirements which must satisfy the optimal function of the mechanical coupling system. This knowledge is able to satisfy the requirements in a way that was previously unknown, namely the combination of a) the construction of the coupling system e.g. with certain angles, radii, clearances, free surfaces and ratios between different parts of the system; and (b) making optimal use of the core or core material properties such as compressibility, elongation, bending, tensile strength and compressive strength.

The invention is further based on the third recognition that it is necessary to provide a manufacturing system with a low manufacturing cost, while maintaining function and strength or even in some cases improved by combining manufacturing technology, joint design, material selection and long and short side optimization .

The invention is based on the fourth knowledge that the connection system, manufacturing technology and measurement technology must be developed and modified so that critical parts requiring strict tolerances are as small as possible and also designed to allow measurement and control during continuous production.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is a locking system and a floorboard with such a locking system for mechanically connecting all four sides of the floorboard in the first vertical direction D1, the second horizontal direction D2 and the third direction D3 in a direction perpendicular to the second horizontal direction boards with identical locking system.

The floorboard may have a removable mechanical fastening system of known type on two sides, which can be laterally displaced in a locked position and locked by pivoting inward around the upper fastening edges or by horizontal clamping. The floorboard has a locking system according to the invention on two other sides. The floorboard may also have a locking system according to the invention on all four sides.

At least two opposing sides of the floorboard have a connection system of the construction of the invention having a tongue and tongue groove defined by an upper and lower edge, wherein the tongue on its outer and upper part has an upward facing portion and wherein tongue groove is undercut on its inner and upper part . The plunger-facing portion of the tongue and the undercut of the tongue groove at its upper edge has locking surfaces that resist and prevent horizontal separation in the direction D2 across the joint plane. The tongue and tongue groove also have cooperating support surfaces which prevent vertical separation in the direction D1 parallel to the joint plane. These support surfaces are located at least on the lower part of the tongue and on the lower edge of the tongue groove. The upper locking surfaces cooperating in the upper part may serve as upper supporting surfaces, but the upper edge of the tongue groove and the tongue may also preferably have separate upper supporting surfaces. The tongue, tongue groove, lock element and undercut are designed so that they can be machined using tools that have a larger tool diameter than the floorboard thickness. The tongue may be inserted with its upward facing portion into the tongue groove and undercut by moving it diagonally inward with the center of rotation just at the intersection between the joint plane and the surface plane, and the tongue may also leave the tongue groove if the floorboard is rotated or inclined by its upper contact with the upper connecting edge of the adjacent floorboard. In order to facilitate production, measurement, folding in, tilting up, lateral displacement in the longitudinal direction of the joint, avoiding cracks and reducing any problems associated with swelling and shrinking of the floor material, the joint system is formed by surfaces not in contact with others during folding in and in the locked position.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the floorboard has two edge portions with a connection system according to the invention, wherein the tongue with its upwardly raised portion can be inserted into the tongue groove and its undercut and can leave the tongue groove by successively swiveling down and upwards. the upper joint edge just at the intersection of the joint plane with the plane of the surface, so that rotation occurs around the center of rotation near this point. In addition, the locking system may engage together with the horizontal displacement, the substantially lower portion of the tongue groove is bent and the tongue locking element fits into the lock holder. Alternatively or in addition, the tongue may be resilient to accommodate such a snap on the short side after the long sides of the floorboards have been attached. The invention therefore also discloses a clamping connection which can be released by deflecting the upper joining edges when they contact each other upwards.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the floorboard has two edge portions with a connection system formed in accordance with the invention where the tongue can engage the tongue groove while the board is held in a tilted up position, then tilts down by rotating around the upper joint edge. In the upwardly deflected position, the tongue may be partially inserted into the tongue groove, the plate moving in this position towards the tongue groove until the upper connecting edges are in contact with each other, then tilting down for the final tongue-groove connection and joint locking. The lower edge may be shorter than the upper edge so that a higher degree of freedom is achieved in the design of the undercut of the upper edge.

A plurality of aspects of the invention are also applicable to known systems, without these aspects being combined with the preferred locking systems described herein.

The invention also describes the basic principles that can make a tongue-and-groove connection by inwardly angling with the upper joining edges in contact with each other and where there is minimal bending of the joining components. The invention also describes what properties the material used should have in order to achieve high strength and low cost when combined with rotation and clamping, and also describes laying methods.

Various aspects of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate various embodiments of the invention. The portions of the board according to the invention which correspond to the current boards of Figure 1-2 have the same reference numbers.

Figures 3a-c

Figures 4a-b

Figures 5a-b

Figures 6a-d

Figures 7a-b

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures 1 a - show in three steps the method of mechanically connecting the long sides of the floorboards according to WO 9426999 by tilting downwards.

Figures 2a-c show in three steps the engagement method for mechanically joining the short sides of floorboards according to WO 9426999.

show a floorboard according to WO 9426999 from above and below.

show two different embodiments of floorboards according to WO 9426999. They show a floorboard according to DE-A-3343601.

show mechanical locking systems for long sides and short sides according to CA-A-0991373.

show mechanical locking systems according to GB-A-143 042 9.

Figures 8a-b show floorboards according to DE-A-4242530.

Figures 9a-b show the clamping connection according to WO 9627721.

Figures 10a-b show a clamping connection according to JP 3169967.

Figures 11a-b show the clamping connection according to DE-A-1212275.

Figs 12a-d show various embodiments of the tongue and groove key system according to US-A-1124228.

Figures 13a-d show a mechanical fastening system for sports flooring according to DE-A-3041781.

Figures 14a-e show one of the locking systems as shown in WO 9747834. Figures 15a-b show a parquet floor according to US-A-2740167.

Figures 16a-d show a mechanical locking system for floorboards according to CAA-2252791.

Figures 17a-b show a parquet flooring system according to US-A5797237.

Figures 18a-b

Figures 19a - b

Figures 20a-b

Figures 21 a-b

Figure 22

Figures 23 a- b

Figures 24a-b

Figure 25

Figure 26

Figures 27a - c

Figures 28a-c

Figures 29a-b

Figure 30

Figures31a-b

Figures 32a - d

Figure 33

Figure 34

Figure 35

Figure 36

Fig. 37 shows a joint system for ceramic panels according to FR-A-2675174. show a joining system for floorboards which are described in JP 7180333 and are made by extrusion of a metallic material.

show a connection system for large wall panels according to GB-A-2117813. show schematically the coupling parts of a first preferred embodiment of a floorboard according to the present invention.

schematically illustrates the basic principles of downward rotation about the upper joint edge of the present invention.

show schematically the manufacture of a joint edge of a floorboard according to the invention.

show a manufacturing variant of the invention.

shows a variant of the invention of engagement and upward rotation in combination with bending of the lower edge.

shows a variant of the invention with a short edge.

show a method with up and down swivels.

show an alternative rotation method.

show the method of snapping.

shows how the long sides of two plates are joined with the long side of the third plate when the two plates are joined together by the short sides.

show two connected floorboards with a combination combination according to the invention.

show the inward rotation of the combined joint.

shows an example of shaping the long side of a parquet floor.

shows an example of shaping a short side of a parquet floor, showing in detail an example of forming a long side joint system for a parquet floor.

shows an example of a floorboard according to the invention, wherein the joint system is designed to be folded by bending and compression in the joint material.

shows a floorboard according to the invention.

Figures 38- d

Figure 39

Figure 40

Figure 41

Figures 42 a - b

Figures 43 a - c

Figure 44

Figures 45a - b

Figures 46a - b

Figures 47a - b

Figures 48a - b

Figure 49

Figure 50

Figures 51a-f

Figures 52a - b

Figure 53

Figures 54a - b

Figure 55

Figures 56a - e

Figures 57a-e show a four-step production process where the production method of the invention is used.

illustrates a fastening system that is suitable for compensating for swelling and shrinkage of floorboard surface layers, showing a variant of the invention with a rigid, rigid tongue.

It shows a variant of the invention where the locking surfaces form the upper contact surfaces.

illustrate a variant of the invention with a long tongue, folding and pulling out, illustrating how a coupling system adapted to be snapped should be designed.

shows engagement in rotated position.

illustrate a coupling system according to the invention with a flexible tongue, show a coupling system according to the invention with a double and flexible tongue.

show a connection system according to the invention with a lower edge partly made of a material other than the core material.

show a connection system that can be used as a snap-fit connection to a floorboard that is locked on all four sides.

shows a coupling system that can be used, for example, on the short side of a floorboard.

shows another example of a fastening system that can be used, for example, on the short side of a floorboard.

display the laying method.

display layouts using specially designed tools.

shows a short page connection.

show a snap on the short side.

shows a variant of the invention with a flexible tongue that facilitates snapping on the short side.

shows the engagement of the outer corner of the short side.

shows the engagement of the inner corner of the short side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first preferred embodiment of a floorboard LΓ having a mechanical locking system according to the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 21a and 21b. For better understanding, the coupling system is shown schematically. It will be appreciated that better functionality will be achieved with other preferred embodiments described below.

Figures 21a, 21b show a schematic sectional view of the connection between the edge portion of the long side 4a of the plate 1 and the opposite edge portion of the long side 4b of the other plate K

The tops of the plate are substantially on a common surface plane HP, and the upper edge of the joint 4a and 4b abut each other in the vertical plane of the joint VP. The mechanical locking system allows the plates to be locked to one another, both in the vertical direction D1 and in the horizontal direction D2, which is perpendicular to the joint plane VP. However, during the laying of the floor with the plates arranged side by side, one plate 1 'may be displaced along another plate 1 in the direction D3 along the plane of the joint VP - see FIG. Figure 3a. Such a displacement may, for example, be used to ensure mutual locking of floorboards which are laid in the same row.

To ensure the connection of the two portions of the joint edges perpendicular to the vertical plane VP and parallel to the horizontal plane HP, the floorboards at one edge have a tongue groove 36 at the board edge 4a inward from the plane of joint VP and tongue 38 formed at the other joint edge 4b and joint plane.

In this embodiment, the plate 1 has a wood core 30 which supports the surface layers of wood 32 at the front and a balancing layer 34 at the bottom. The plate 1 is rectangular and has a second mechanical locking system on two parallel short sides. In some embodiments, the second locking system may have the same design as the locking system on the long sides, but the locking system on the short sides may be of a design other than that of the invention or one of the prior art locking systems may be used.

By way of illustration, the floorboard may be of parquet type 15 mm thick, 2.4 m long and 0.2 m wide. However, the invention can also be used for square parquet or boards of other dimensions.

The core 30 may be of the lamella type and consist of narrow wooden blocks of wood species that are not expensive. The surface layer 32 may have a thickness of 3-4 mm and consists of a decorative type of hardwood and is painted. The bottom side balancing layer 34 may consist of a 2 mm thick veneer layer. In some cases, different types of wood materials can advantageously be used in different parts of the floorboard for optimal properties in the individual parts of the floorboard.

As mentioned above, the mechanical locking system of the invention comprises a tongue groove 36 at one joint edge 4a of the floorboard and a tongue 38 at the opposite joint edge 4b of the floorboard.

The tongue groove is defined by the upper and lower projections 39, 40 and has the shape of a carved groove with an opening between the two projections 39, 40.

The various portions of the tongue groove 36 are best seen in Figure 21b. The tongue groove is formed in the core 30 and extends from the edge of the floorboard. Above the tongue groove is the upper edge portion or the surface of the joint edge 41 that terminates on the surface plane HP. Inside the keyway opening there is an upper balancing or support surface 43, which in this case is parallel to the plane of the surface HP. This balancing or support surface passes into an inclined locking surface 45 having a locking angle A with the horizontal plane HP. Inside the locking surface is a portion of the surface 46 that forms the upper boundary surface of the incised tongue groove portion 35. The tongue groove further has a lower end 48 which faces downwardly to the lower projection 40. On the upper side of this projection there is a balancing and support surface 50. The outer end of the lower projection has a connecting edge surface 52 which in this case slightly extends beyond the joint plane VP.

The shape of the tongue is also best seen in Figure 21b. The tongue is made of core material or core 30 and extends beyond the joint plane VP when this joint edge 4b is mechanically connected to the joint edge 4a of the adjacent floorboard. The connecting edge 4b also has an upper connecting portion or an upper connecting surface 61 that extends downwardly along the joint plane VP down to the tongue root 38. The upper side of the tongue root has an upper gripping or support surface 64 which in this case reaches the chamfered locking surface 65 upwards. the pointing portion 8 just to the tip of the tongue. The locking surface 65 passes into the guide surface 66, which terminates in the upper surface 67 of the upwardly directed tongue portion 8. The surface 67 is followed by a bevel which can serve as a guide surface 68. This is directed towards the tongue top 69. At the lower end of the apex 69 there is another guide surface 70 that faces obliquely downwardly to the lower edge of the tongue and the gripping or abutment surface 71. The gripping surface 71 is intended to cooperate with the abutment surface 50 of the lower projection to mechanically connect the two floorboards so the sides are on the same surface plane HP and meet in the plane of the joint perpendicularly so that the upper joining edge surfaces 41 and 61 of the plates are joined together. The tongue has a lower connecting surface 72 that extends to the lower side.

In this embodiment, the gripping and abutment surfaces 43, 64 are separated in the tongue groove and on the tongue, which, in the locked state, engage with each other and act together with the lower abutment surfaces 50 and 71 on the lower tongue protrusion to lock in D1 direction perpendicular to the surface. HP plane. In a further embodiment, described below, the locking surfaces 45 and 65 act to lock together in a direction D2 parallel to the HP plane and as support surfaces for movements acting in the opposite direction in a direction D2 perpendicular to the surface plane. In the embodiment of Figures 21a and 21b, the locking surfaces 45.65 and 43.64 cooperate as the upper support surfaces of the system.

As shown in the drawing, the tongue 38 projects beyond the plane of the joint VP and has an upwardly facing portion U at the free end or apex 69. The tongue also has a locking surface 65 that is shaped to cooperate with the inner locking surface 45 of the tongue groove 36 of an adjacent floorboard. when two such plates are mechanically joined such that their front sides are on the same surface plane HP and are in contact with the plane of the joint VP which is perpendicular thereto.

As shown in Figure 21b, the tongue 38 has a surface portion 52 between the locking surface 51 and the joint plane VP. When the two floorboards are joined, the surface portion 52 engages the surface portion 45 of the upper projection 8. To facilitate insertion of the tongue into the cut groove by rotating inward or snaps, the tongue, as shown in Figures 21a and 21b, may have a bevel 66 between the locking surface 65 and In addition, the bevel 68 may be positioned between a portion of the surface 57 and the tip of the tongue 69. The bevel 66 may assist as a guide at a lower inclination angle to the surface plane than the angle A of the locking surfaces 43 and 51.

The tongue support surface 71 in this embodiment is substantially parallel to the surface plane HP. The tongue has a bevel 70 between this support surface and the tip of the tongue 69.

According to the invention, the lower projection 40 has a support surface 50 for interacting with a corresponding support surface 71 of the tongue 36 at a distance from the lower end 48 of the cut groove. If the two plates are connected to each other, the connection is between the abutment surfaces 50 and 71 and the abutment surfaces 43 of the upper projection 39 and the corresponding retaining or abutment surface 64 of the tongue. In this way, the plates are locked in the direction D1 perpendicular to the HP plane.

According to the invention, at least a major part of the lower end 48 of the cut groove must be analogous to the surface plane HP. it must be laid further from the plane of the joint VP than the outer end or apex 69 of the tongue 36. In such a construction, production is greatly simplified and the displacement of the floorboard relative to the other boards along the joint plane is facilitated.

Another important feature of the mechanical locking system of the invention is that all the core-engaging portions of the lower protrusion 40, viewed from point C where the surface plane HP and the joint plane VP intersect, are outside the plane LP2. This plane extends further from said point C as the locking plane LP1, which is parallel to the plane LP2 and is tangent to the interlocking interlocking surfaces 45, 65 of the cut groove 36 and the tongue 38, which interlocking surfaces are inclined relative to the HP plane. Due to such a construction, the groove, which will be described in more detail below, can be shaped by rotary cutting tools for machining parts of the floorboards.

Another important feature of the mechanical locking system according to the invention is that the upper and lower projections 39 and 40 and the tongue 38 in the connecting edges 4a and 4b are designed to be able to disconnect two mechanically connected floorboards by rotating one plate upwardly against the other. around a pivot point near the intersection point C between the surface plane HP and the plane of the joint VP so that the tongue of this floorboard is pivoted from the cut groove of the next floorboard.

In the embodiment of Figures 21a and 21b, such disengagement is accomplished by gently bending downwardly toward the lower projection 40. In other, more preferred embodiments of the invention, no bending of the lower projection is required when joining and uncoupling the floorboards.

In the embodiment of Figures 21a and 21b, the joining of two floorboards according to the invention can be carried out in three different ways.

One method is to place the plate 1 'on the foundation and move against the previously laid plate 1 until the narrow apex 69 of the tongue 38 is inserted into the slot of the cut groove. Then, the floorboard 1 'is swung upwards until the upper portions 44 and 61 of the boards on both sides of the plane of the joint touch each other. While this contact is maintained, the plate is folded down by pivoting about the center of rotation C. Insertion is effected by a taper 66 of the tongue, sliding along the locking surface 45 of the upper protrusion 39 and at the same time the taper 70 of the tongue 38 slides against the outer edge of the upper side of the lower protrusion 40. the system can then be opened so that the floorboard 1 'swings upward about the center of rotation C near the intersection of the surface plane HP and the joint plane VP.

The second locking method is accomplished by moving the new board with its tongue edge 4a with the tongue groove formed opposite the tongue edge 4b of the previously laid tongue plate. Then, the new plate is rotated upwards until the plates contact the upper portions 41 and 61 tightly at the intersection between the surface plane and the joint plane, then the plate is pivoted down to join the tongue and tongue groove until the final position is reached. According to the following description, the floorboard can also be connected with one board slid in an upward position relative to the other board.

A third way of joining the floorboards in this embodiment of the invention is that the new board 1 'is displaced horizontally over the previously laid board 1 by inserting the tongue 38 with its locking element or the upwardly directed portion into the tongue groove 36. lower the flexible projection 40 gently bends downwardly so that the locking element 8 engages in the cut-out portion 35 of the tongue groove. Also in this case, the lift-up disconnection can be performed as described above.

On engagement with the engagement, there may be a slight bending of the upper projection 39 as well as some small compression of all the parts in the groove 36 and the tongue 38 which are in contact with each other during the pivoting. This facilitates engagement and can be used to create an optimum coupling system.

In order to facilitate the production of internal chamfers, upward chamfers, engagement and disassembly in the locked position and to minimize the risk of rupture, when locked together, and not even during locking and unlocking, all surfaces that are not critical to the tight joining of the upper joining edges and to form a vertical and horizontal connection. This allows production without requiring high tolerances in these joint portions and reduces friction on lateral displacement along the joint edge. Examples of surfaces or parts of the joint system that should not be in contact with each other in the locked position are 46-67, 48-69, 50-70 and 5272.

The bonding system according to the preferred embodiment may comprise several different combinations of materials. The upper protrusion 39 may be made of a rigid and hard top surface layer 32 and a softer lower portion that is part of the core 30. The lower protrusion 40 may be of an equally soft upper portion 30, and also the lower soft portion 34 may be of another type of wood. The fiber direction of these three types of wood may vary. This material is used to secure the fastening system and is intended to facilitate it by its properties. The locking element according to the invention is therefore placed closer to the upper hard and rigid part, which is therefore resilient and compressible only to a certain extent, while the clamping function is formed in the soft and resilient lower part. It should be emphasized that the joining system can also be made in a homogeneous floorboard.

Figure 22 schematically illustrates the basic principles of inward rotation about a point C at the upper joint edge using the present invention. Figure 22 schematically illustrates how a locking system could be constructed to allow inward rotation about the upper joint edge. In this inward rotation, portions of the joint system rotate in a known manner along a circular arc with the center C just at the intersection between the surface plane HP and the plane of the joint VP. If a large clearance is allowed between all parts or a significant deformation is possible during inward rotation, the groove and tongue can be formed in various ways. If, on the other hand, the fastening system must have contact surfaces that prevent vertical and horizontal separation without any play between the gripping and support surfaces and if material deformation is not possible, then the fastening system must be designed according to the following principles.

The upper portion of the joint system is formed as follows: C1B is a circular arc with a center C at the top of the upper joint edges 41, 61 and in this preferred embodiment intersects the contact point between the upper projection 39 and the upper portion of the tongue 38 at point P2. All other contact points between P2, P3, P4 and P5 between the upper projection 39 and the upper part 8 of the tongue 38 and between this intersection of P2 and the vertical plane VP are located on or within this circular arc C1B while all other contact points from P2 to P1 between the upper projection 39 and the upper part of the tongue 38 and between this intersection P2 and the outer part of the tongue 38 are located on or on the outside of this circular arc C1B. These conditions can be met for all contact points. In relation to the contact point P5 and the circular arc CIA, all other contact points between P1 and P5 are located outside the circular arc CIA, in relation to the contact point P1 all other contact points between P1 and P5 are located inside the circular arc CIC.

The lower part of the coupling system is formed according to corresponding principles. C2B is a circular arc that is concentric to the circular arc CIA and, in this preferred embodiment, intersects the contact point between the lower projection 40 and the lower part of the tongue 38 at point P7. All other contact points between P7, P8 and P9 between the lower projection 40 and the lower part of the tongue 38 and between this intersection of P7 and the vertical plane are located on or outside the circular arc C2B and other contact points between P6, P7 and between the lower projection 40 and the lower the tongue portion 38 and between this intersection point P7 and the outer tongue portion 38 are located on or within this circular arc C2B. The same applies to the contact point P6 with the circular arc C2A.

The coupling system designed according to this preferred embodiment may have good inward rotation properties. It can easily be combined with the upper gripping and abutment surfaces 43, 64, which can be parallel to the horizontal plane HP and which therefore can provide excellent vertical locking.

Figures 23a, 23b show how the coupling system of Figures 21a, 21b can be manufactured. Typically, the prior art floorboard 1 is positioned with its surface 2 down on a ball bearing cutter chain that transports the board with extremely high precision through a plurality of milling cutters, for example having a tool diameter of 80-300 mm, which can be assembled at an optimum angle k horizontal plane of the plate. However, for easier understanding and comparison with other figures in the drawings, the floorboard is shown with its HP surface plane directly up. Figure 23a shows how the first tool in the TP1 position carves a traditional tongue groove. In this case, the tool operates at an angle of the tool TA1 which is 0 °, i. is parallel to the horizontal plane. The axis of rotation of the RA1 is perpendicular to HP. The undercut is performed by a second tool, wherein the position of TP2 and the design of the tool are such that the undercut 35 is formed without breaking the lower i; ,. In this case, the tool has an angle TA2 that is equal to the angle of the locking surface 45 in the undercut 35. This manufacturing method is possible because the locking plane LP1 is positioned at a distance from the joint plane that the tool can be inserted into a preformed tongue. groove. Therefore, the thickness of the tool cannot be greater than the distance between the two planes LP1 and LP2, as mentioned with reference to Figures 21a and 21b. The manufacturing technology is as in the prior art and is not part of the manufacturing method of the present invention, as described below.

Figures 24a and 24b show another variant of the invention. This embodiment is characterized in that the joint system is formed entirely according to the basic principle of inward rotation around the upper joint edge as described above. The locking surfaces 45, 65 and the lower abutment surfaces 50, 71 are planar in this embodiment, but may have different shapes. C1 and C2 are two circular arcs with a center C at the upper end of the joint edges 41, 61. The smaller circular arc C1 touches the lower contact point closest to the vertical plane between the locking surfaces 45, 65 at point P4 having a tangent TL1 coincident with the locking LP1 plane. The locking surfaces 45, 65 have the same slope as this tangent. The larger circular arc C2 touches the upper contact point between the lower abutment surfaces 50, 71 closest to the inner tongue groove 48 at point P7 having a tangent TL2. The support surfaces 50, 71 have the same slope as this tangent.

All contact points between the tongue 38 and the upper projection 39 which lie between the points P4 and the vertical plane VP satisfy the condition that they lie inside or on the circular arc C1, while all the contact points which lie between P4 and the inner part of the tongue groove - v In this embodiment, only the locking surfaces 45, 65 satisfy the condition that they lie on or on the outside of C1. Similar conditions are met for the contact surfaces between the lower projection 40 and the tongue 38. All contact points between the tongue 38 and the lower projection 40 that lie between the point P7 and the vertical plane VP - in this case only the lower support surfaces 50, 71 from the outside of the circular arc C2, while all the contact points lying between the point P7 and the inner tongue groove 48 lie on or within the circular arc C2. In this embodiment, there are no contact points between P7 and the inner tongue groove 48.

In particular, this embodiment is characterized in that all the contact surfaces between the contact point P4 and the plane of the joint VP, in this case point P5 and the inner groove part 48, respectively, lie inside and outside the circular arc C1, respectively. and thus are not on the circular arc C1. The same applies to the contact point P7, where all the contact points between P7 and the vertical plane VP, in this case P8 and the inner groove portion 48, respectively, lie from the outside and inside, respectively, the circular arc C2 and thus are not on the circular arc C2. As can be seen from the dashed line portion of Figure 24a, the coupling system, if this condition is met, may be designed such that the inward rotation is performed freely during the entire rotational movement determined by the plates tightly locked or by pressure when they assume their final horizontal position. Thus, the invention allows a combination of in-and-out rotation without resistance and high-quality locking. If the lower abutment surfaces 71, 50 are made with a slightly smaller angle, the joining system has only the two aforementioned contact points P4 on the upper projection and P7 on the lower tongue between the tongue groove 36 and tongue 38 during the entire inward rotation until complete locking. , and throughout the upward rotation until the plates are free from each other. Locking with clearance or only direct contact is a considerable advantage, since the friction will be small and the plates can easily rotate inwards and upwards without having to push and push each other at risk of damaging the coupling system. Precise and tight fit, especially in the vertical direction, is very important for strength. If there is clearance between the gripping or abutment surfaces, the plates will slide on the locking surfaces under tensile load until the lower gripping or abutment surfaces assume a tight fit position. Therefore, the clearance will result in both a gap and a different plane between the upper joint edges. As a treasure, a tight fit with high strength is achieved when the locking surfaces have an angle of about 40 ° to the HP surface plane and the lower engagement and support surfaces have an angle of about 15 ° to the HP surface plane.

The locking plane LP1 has a locking angle A with a horizontal HP plane of 39 ° in Figure 24a, while the support plane TL2 along the support surfaces 50, 71 has an angle. VLA 14 °. The angle difference between LP1 and the support plane TL2 is 25 °. A large locking angle and a large angle difference between the locking angle and the supporting angle is desirable because it results in a large horizontal locking force. The locking surface and the support surface can be made arched, stepped with several angles, etc., but this makes production difficult. As mentioned above, the locking surfaces also have upper abutment surfaces or are completed with separate upper abutment surfaces.

Even if the locking surfaces and support surfaces have contact points that deviate slightly from these basic principles, they can rotate inwards at their upper joint edges if the joint system is modified such that their contact points or surfaces are small relative to the floor thickness and so that the compression, elongation and bending properties of the flooring material are maximally utilized in combination with very small clearances between the contact surfaces. This can be used to increase the locking angle and the difference between the locking angle and the supporting angle.

The basic principle of inward rotation therefore suggests that the critical parts are the locking surfaces 45, 65 and the lower abutment surfaces 50, 71. It also points out that the degree of freedom is large with respect to the construction of other parts, for example the upper abutment surfaces 43, 64. , a guide groove 44, a guide 67 of a lock element 8, the inner parts 48, 49 of the tongue groove 36 and the lower projection 40, the guide and the outer parts 51 of the lower projection as well as the outer / lower parts 69, 70, 72 of the tongue. These should deviate from the shape of the two circular arcs of Cla C2 and there may be free space between all the parts except the upper abutment surfaces 43, 64, so that these parts are not in contact with each other in the locked position as well as during inward and upward rotation. This greatly facilitates manufacturing because these parts can be formed without great tolerance requirements, it helps to gently rotate in and up and also reduces the friction in the joint as the joint plates are laterally moved along the joint plane VP - in the direction D3.

By clearance is meant connecting parts that are not intended to provide vertical or horizontal displacement and displacement along the joint edge in the locked position. Thus, loose wood fibers and easily deformable contact points should be considered equivalent to free surfaces.

Rotation around the upper joint edge can be facilitated, as noted above, if the joint system is designed such that there is little play above all said locking surfaces 45 when pressing the joint edges of the plates together. The design clearance also facilitates lateral displacement in the locked position, reduces the risk of creaking and gives a greater degree of manufacturing freedom, allows rotation inwardly of locking surfaces that tend to be more inclined than the LP1 tangent, and promotes leveling of the ripples of the upper joint edges. The clearance yields significantly less joint gaps on the top of the plates and significantly less vertical displacement than the clearance between the gripping and abutment surfaces, which due to this clearance is small due to the fact that sliding in the tensile position will follow the angle of the lower abutment surface. an angle that is substantially less than the lock angle. This minimum clearance, if any, between the locking surfaces can be very small, for example only 0.01 mm. In the normal coupled position, it also need not be; is equal to 0, the joining system can be designed so that play occurs only when the joining edges of the boards are pressed together. It has been found that even greater clearance, about 0.05 mm, results in high joint quality, since the joint gap that is detected on the HP surface plane and which can increase in the tensile position is barely visible.

It should be emphasized that the connection system can be constructed without any play between the locking surfaces.

The clearance and compression of the material between the locking surfaces and the bending of the coupling parts in the locking surfaces can be easily measured indirectly when the coupling system is tensile, the joint gap at the upper joining edges 41, 61 is measured at a predetermined load that is less than the strength of the joining system. It is understood by strength that the fastening system does not disconnect or fail to engage. A suitable tensile load is about 50% strength. A non-limiting standard value for the long side of a joint is considered to be a strength exceeding 300 kg per common meter of joint. The short side of the joint should have even greater strength. A parquet floor with a suitable joint system according to the invention can withstand a tensile load of 1000 kg per meter of joint. The high-quality joint system should have a joint gap between the upper joint edges 41 of about 0.1-0.2 mm at a tensile load of approximately half the maximum strength.

The joint gap should be reduced when the load ceases. The design clearance and material deformation can be determined under varying tensile loads. In the case of a lower tensile load, the joint gap is the basic-measure of the design clearance. In the case of higher loads, the joint gap increases due to material deformation. The connection system may also be designed with a bias and a press fit between the locking surfaces and the support surfaces so that the above connection gap is not visible in the case of the above-mentioned load.

The geometry of the joint system, the gap between the locking surfaces in combination with the material compression by rounding the upper joint edges 41, 61 can also be measured by the joint seen across the joint edge. Because the joint system is manufactured by linear machining, it will have the same profile along the entire joint edge. The only exception is the manufacturing tolerance in the form of non-parallelism due to the fact that the board can be inverted or moved vertically or horizontally when passing through different milling machines of the machine. Normally, however, two samples from each joint edge give a very reliable picture of the appearance of the joint system. After the samples have been ground and cleaned of the remaining fibers so that the joint profile is clearly visible, they can be analyzed for joint geometry, material compression, bending, etc. For example, the two connecting portions may be compressed by a non-damaging force, in particular all upper connecting edges 41, 61. The clearance between the locking surfaces and the joint geometry may be measured with a measuring microscope to an accuracy of 0.01 mm or less, according to the instrument. If stable and modern machines are used in production, it is usually sufficient to determine the average clearance, joint geometry and the like. measuring the profile on two small parts of the floorboard.

All measurements can be made at a normal relative humidity of about 45%.

Also in this case, the lock element or the upwardly directed tongue portion 8 has a guide portion 66. The guide portion of the lock element comprises portions having a slope less than the slope of the lock surfaces, and in this case also the slope of the tangent TL1. A suitable degree of inclination of the tool forming the locking surface 45 is given by TA2, which in this embodiment is identical to the tangent TL1.

Also, the tongue groove locking surface 45 has a guide portion 44 which, while rotating inwardly, interacts with the tongue guide portion 66. Also, this guide portion 66 comprises portions that have less inclination than the locking surface.

At the front of the lower projection 40 there is a rounded guide portion 51 which cooperates with a radius in the lower portion of the tongue with the lower gripping surface 71 at point P7 and which facilitates the inward rotation.

The lower projection 40 may be resilient. Along with the inward rotation, a small compression at the contact points between the lower portions of the tongue 38 and the lower lip can be used. As a rule, this compression is considerably less than it may be in the case of lock systems, because the lower projection 40 has significantly better resilient and tenacity properties than the upper projection 39 and the tongue 38. Upon and downward twisting, the projection may bend downwards. The bending capacity of only one-tenth of a millimeter or a little more, together with material compression and small contact surfaces, provides suitable conditions for forming, for example, lower abutment surfaces 50, 71, so that they may have a slope less than tangent TL2. The elastic projection should be combined with a relatively large locking angle. At a small lock angle, a greater tensile load will push the projection downwards, creating an undesired joint gap and level differences between the joint edges.

The tongue groove 71 and tongue 38 have guide portions 42, 51 and 68, 70 which insert the tongue into the groove and facilitate the engagement and rotation inwards.

Figure 25 shows variants of the invention where the lower projection 40 is shorter than the upper projection 39 and is therefore located further away from the vertical plane VP. The advantage is that there is a higher degree of freedom in designing the cam groove 45 with a large tool angle TA, while at the same time relatively large tools can be used. To facilitate engagement by pivoting the lower projection 40 downwardly, a tongue groove 36 may be made deeper than the required space for the tongue tip 38. The dotted connecting edge 4b shows the relative position of the system portions relative to each other when coupled by rotating inward about the upper joint edge. 4b illustrates the relative position of the portions when engaged by engaging the tongue in the tongue groove when moving the joint edge 4b directly opposite the joint edge 4a.

Figure 26 shows another variation of the above basic principle. The joining system is here formed by locking surfaces that have a 90 ° inclination to the HP surface plane and that are significantly more chamfered than the tangent TL1. However, this preferred locking system is openable by rotating upwardly the locking surfaces, which are extremely small and the locking connection is essentially only direct contact. If the core is hard, then this locking system provides high strength. The design of the locking element and the locking surfaces allows for engagement only by a very small bending of the lower projection downwards, as shown in the drawing in dotted lines.

Figures 27a-c show a method of laying inwards. For ease of description, one plate is called a grooved plate and the other a tongue plate. Practically the two boards are the same. The laying method assumes that the tongue plate lies flat on the floor base either as a loose plate or connected to other boards by one, two or three sides, depending on where it is situated in the subassembly / row. The groove plate is positioned with its upper projection 39 partly above the outer portion of the tongue 38 so that the upper joint edges contact each other. Thereafter, the groove plate is pivoted downward to the flooring base while pressing against the tongue connecting edge until the final locking according to Figure 27c occurs.

The sides of the floorboards sometimes have some bending. The groove plate is then pressed and rotated downwardly so that portions of the upper protrusion 39 are in contact with portions of the upwardly directed portion or tongue locking element 8 and portions of the lower protrusion 40 contact with a portion of the lower portion of the tongue. In this way, the bending of the sides is straightened and then the plates can be rotated to their final position and locked.

Figures 27a-c show that the inward rotation can be performed with clearance or alternatively only by contact between the upper part of the tongue groove and the tongue or by direct contact between the upper and lower parts of the tongue and tongue groove. Direct contact in this embodiment is made at points P4 and P7. The inward rotation can be easily accomplished without any particular resistance and can be characterized by a very tight connection and locking of the floorboards to the final position with high quality vertical and horizontal connections.

In summary, the downward rotation is practiced in the following manner. The groove plate moves at an angle relative to the tongue plate until the tongue groove is threaded over a portion of the tongue. The groove plate is pushed against the tongue plate and the glass is gradually lowered using, for example, pressure on the center of the plate and then on both edges. When the upper joining edges of the entire board are close to or touch each other and the board has an angle to the flooring, a final folding down is performed.

When the plates are joined, they can be disengaged in a locked position in the direction of connection, i. parallel to the joint edge.

Figures 28a-c show how a corresponding position can be made by sliding the tongue plate diagonally into the groove plate.

Figures 29a-b show a snap connection. If the plates move horizontally relative to each other, the tongue is inserted into the groove. During continuous pushing, the lower projection 40 is bent and the locking member 8 engages in the cam groove or undercut 35. It should be noted that the preferred coupling system illustrates the basic principles of engagement with the resilient lower projection. Of course, the fastening system must be adapted to the material bending possibilities and the depth of the tongue groove 36, the height of the locking element 8 and the thickness of the lower projection 40 and should be dimensioned so as to engage. The basic principle of the joining system of the invention, which is more suitable for the use of materials with a lower degree of elasticity and flexibility, will be clear from the following description and Figure 34.

The described methods can be arbitrarily used on all four sides and can be combined with each other. After laying on one side, side shifting is usually performed in the locked position.

In some cases, for example, in the case of a swiveling inward of the short side as the first action, usually the two plates are rotated upwards. Figure 30 shows a first plate 1 and an upwardly facing second plate 2a and an upwardly facing new third plate 2b, which by its short side is already connected to the second plate 2a. After the new plate 2b has been laterally moved along the short side of the second plate 2a in an upturned and short side locked position, the two plates 2a and 2b are folded down joined and locked on the long side to the first plate L For this method to work in order for the new plate to be inserted with its tongue into the tongue groove, then the board is moved parallel to the second board 2a and when the second board has a portion of the tongue partially inserted into the tongue groove and its upper joint edge is in contact with the upper joint edge of the first board L 30 shows that the coupling system can be made with such a tongue groove, tongue and lock element design that it is possible.

All laying methods require relocation in the locked position. The only exception for lateral movement in the locked position is the case where some boards are joined on their short sides and then a number of stacks are laid simultaneously. But this is not a very rational method of laying.

Figures 31a, 31b show part of a floorboard with a combined joint. The tongue groove 36 and tongue 38 may be shaped according to one of the above embodiments. The groove plate has on its underside a locking strip 6 with a locking element 8b and a locking surface W. The tongue side has a locking groove 35 according to a known embodiment. In this embodiment, the locking element 8b will operate with the relatively long guide portion 9 as a separate guide during the first inward rotation part, which greatly facilitates this first inward rotation part during insertion and aligns all banana shapes. The locking element 8b causes the automatic placement and compression of the floorboards until the tongue guiding portion is caught by the locking groove 35, and the final locking is performed. Laying is greatly facilitated and the connection will be very strong by joining two lock systems. This joint is very suitable for connecting large floor areas, especially in public rooms. In this illustration, the tape 6 is attached to the groove side but can also be attached to the tongue side. The location of the tape 6 is therefore optimal. In addition, the joint can be made snap-in when turned up and then laterally displaced in the locked position. This joint can optionally be used in various variants on both the long and short sides and can be arbitrarily combined with all joint variants described herein and with other known systems.

A convenient combination is the short-side snap system without aluminum tape. This may in some cases facilitate production. The tape that attaches after fabrication also has the advantages of being able to form part or even of the entire lower protrusion 40. This allows a large degree of freedom for forming with cutting tools such as the upper protrusion 39 and shaping lock surfaces with large lock angles. The locking system according to this embodiment can of course be made for snap fit and can be. made with an optional tape width, such as tape 6, which does not protrude beyond the outer portion of the upper projection 39, as in the embodiment of Figure 50. The tape need not be continuous along the length of the joint but may consist of several small parts that are attached spaced on both the long and short sides.

The locking element 8b and its locking groove 35 can be shaped by various angles, heights and radii, which can be arbitrarily selected so that they either prevent separation and / or facilitate rotation inward or snap-in.

Figures 32a-d show four steps of inward rotation. The wide tape 6 allows the tongue 38 to be easily laid on the tape at the beginning of the inward rotation. The tongue can then automatically lower into the tongue groove 36 while folding downwards. Similar layering can be done with a tape 6 inserted under the tongue plate. All the laying functions described above can be used on floorboards in combination with this preferred system.

Figures 33 and 34 show a production-specific and optimized joining system for all wood core floorboards. Figure 33 shows how the long side can be shaped. In this case, the joining system is optimized in particular with regard to inward rotation, upward rotation and low waste of material. Fig. 34 shows how a short side can be shaped. In this case, the coupling system is optimized in particular with respect to snap-fit and high strength. The differences are as follows. The tongue 38 and the locking element of the short side 5a are longer when measured in the horizontal plane. This provides a higher shear strength of the locking element 8. The tongue groove 36 is deeper on the short side 5b, which helps the lower projection more to bend downwards. The locking element 8 is lower on the short side 5a in the vertical direction and thus reduces the requirements for bending down the lower projection when snapped. The locking surfaces 45, 65 have a larger locking angle and the lower gripping surfaces have a smaller angle. The guide portions of the long side 4a, 4b in the locking element and the locking groove are larger for optimum insertion, and at the same time the contact surfaces between the locking surfaces are smaller because the strength requirements are smaller than the short side. The long and short side fasteners can be composed of different materials or material properties in the upper, lower, and tongue and these features can be adjusted to contribute to the optimization of the different properties required for the long and short side with respect to function and strength.

Figure 35 shows in detail how the floorboard joint system is formed on the long side. Of course, the principles described herein can be applied to both the long and short sides. Parts which have not been discussed in detail will now be described.

The locking surfaces 45, 65 have an angle HLA that is greater than the tangent of the tangent TL1. This gives greater horizontal locking strength. This large bending should be adapted to the wood core material and optimized for bending stiffness so that it can be rotated inwards and upwards. The contact surfaces of the locking surfaces should be minimized and adapted to the core properties.

When the plates are joined, small portions, preferably less than half the surface of the lock element in the vertical direction, form the contact surfaces of the lock element 8 and the lock groove M. Most are formed by rounded, beveled or bent guide portions which are not in the connected position during rotation. in and up in contact with each other.

The inventor has discovered that very small contact surfaces in relation to the floor thickness T between the locking surfaces 45, 65, for example several tenths of a millimeter, provide very high locking strength and shear strength of the locking element in a horizontal plane, i. in the HP surface plane. This can be used to provide locking surfaces with an angle exceeding the tangent of TL1.

In this case, the locking surfaces 45, 65 are planar and parallel. This is advantageous in relation to the locking surface 55 of the locking groove. If the tool is moved parallel to the locking surface 45, the vertical distance to the joint plane VP will not be affected and the high quality of the joint will be easier to assure. But even small deviations from the plane can give equivalent results.

Similarly, the lower abutment surfaces 50,. they may be substantially planar with an angle VLA2, which in this case is greater than the tangent line TL2 to the point P7, which is located on the abutment surface 71, closest to the bottom of the tongue groove. This allows for inward rotation with play during the entire angular movement. Also, the abutment surfaces 50, 71 are relatively small in relation to the thickness of the floor T. These abutment surfaces may also be substantially planar. Plane support surfaces facilitate production according to the principles described above.

The support surfaces 50, 71 can be produced with an angle that is less than the inclination angle of the tangent TL2. In this case, the rotation is performed in part by some compression of the material and bending down the lower projection 40. If the bearing surfaces 50, 71 are small relative to the floor thickness T, the possibility of shaping surfaces with angles greater and smaller than the tangents TL1 and TL2 is increased. , respectively.

Figure 36 illustrates an upturned plate having the geometry of Figure 35 and whose locking surfaces therefore tend to have a greater slope than tangent TL1 and whose abutment surfaces have less inclination than the tangent TL2 and at the same time these surfaces are relatively small. The overlap at points P4 and P7 in conjunction with inward and upward rotation will then be extremely small. The point P4 may be rotated depending on the material combination when compressed at the upper joining edges ΚΙ, K2 and at the points P4, K3, K4, while at the same time the upper projection 39 and the tongue 38 may bend in the directions B1 and B2 from the contact point P4. The lower projection may bend downward from the contact point P7 in the direction B3.

The top abutment surfaces 43, 64 are preferably perpendicular to the plane of the joint VP. Production is clearly facilitated if the upper and lower abutment surfaces are parallel planes and preferably horizontal.

Returning to Fig. 35. For example, the circular arc C1 shows when the upper abutment surfaces can be formed in many different ways within this circular arc C1 without compromising the possibility of rotation and clamping. It also shows the circular arc C2 that the inner parts of the tongue groove and the outer parts of the tongue according to the above principles can be formed in many different ways without compromising the possibilities of rotation and clamping.

The upper projection 39 is larger in its entire area than the lower projection 40. This is advantageous in terms of strength. In addition, this is advantageous in connection with parquet floors, which can thus be produced with a thicker hardwood surface layer.

S1-S5 shows areas where the joining surfaces on both sides cannot be in contact with each other, neither in the joined positions, but also during inward rotation. The contact between the tongue and the tongue groove in these spaces S1-S2 contributes marginally to improving the locking in the direction D1 and hardly to improving the locking in the direction D2. However, the contact prevents inward rotation and lateral displacement, causes unnecessary manufacturing tolerance problems and increases the risk of rupture and undesirable effects such as backflow.

The tooling angle TA, designated TA4 in Figure 38d, forms the locking surface 44 of the undercut 35 and operates at the same angle as the locking surface angle, the portion of the tool that is within the vertical plane opposite the keyway having a width TT perpendicular to the tooling angle. TA. The angle TA and the width TT partly determine the possibilities of shaping the outer portions 52 of the lower projection 40.

Many radii and angles are important for optimum manufacturing processes, function, cost and strength.

Contact area size should be minimized. This reduces friction and makes it easier to slide in the locked position, turning in and out, simplifying production and reducing the risk of swelling and cracking. In a preferred example, less than 30% of the tongue surface portion 38 comprises tongue groove contact surfaces 36. The contact surfaces of the cam surfaces 65, 45 in this embodiment are only 2% of the floor thickness and the lower abutment surfaces have a contact surface that is only 10% of the floor thickness. T. As mentioned above, in this embodiment, the locking system has a plurality of S1-S5 portions that determine free surfaces without contact with each other. The space between these free surfaces and the remainder of the joint system within the scope of the invention can be filled with sealant, gasket, impregnation of various kinds, lubricating oil and the like. By free surfaces is meant here the shape of the surface in the joint system, which is obtained in connection with the machining of the necessary cutting tools.

If the fastening system abuts tightly, the locking surfaces 65, 45 prevent horizontal separation even if they have an angle HLA relative to the horizontal plane HP greater than zero. The tensile strength of the joining system increases significantly when this locking angle increases and when there is an angle difference between the locking angle HLA of the locking surfaces 65, 45 and the gripping angle VLA2 of the lower abutment surfaces 50, 71, provided that this angle is smaller. If high strength is not required, the locking surfaces can be formed with small angles and small differences in angle to the lower gripping surfaces.

For good joint quality in floating floors, the locking angle HLA and the difference in angle to the lower supporting surfaces HLA-VLA2 must generally be 20 °. Even better strength is obtained when the locking angle HLA and the angle difference to the lower abutment surfaces HLA-VLA2 are, for example, 30 °. In the preferred treasure of Figure 35, the lock angle is 50 ° and the angle of the abutment surfaces is 20 °. As can be seen in the previous embodiments, the coupling system according to the invention can be formed with even greater locking angles and differences in ⁷ angles.

A large number of tests have been carried out with different locking angles and catch angles. These tests have shown that it is possible to create a high quality joint system with locking angles between 40 ° and 55 ° and support surface angles between 0 ° and 25 °. However, it should be added that other ratios may also have satisfactory results.

The horizontal dimension of the PA tongue should exceed 1/3 of the floor thickness, preferably around 0.5 T. As a rule, this is necessary to create a solid locking element 8 with a guide and for a suitable available material in the upper projection 39 between the locking surface 65 and the vertical plane VP .

The horizontal dimension P1 of the tongue 38 should be divided into two substantially equal parts PA1 and PA2, where PA1 should form the locking element and the greater part P2 should form the support surface 64. The horizontal dimension P1 of the locking element should not be less than 0.2 floor thickness. The upper abutment surface 64 should not be too large, especially on the long side of the floorboard. Otherwise, the friction during side shifting will be too great. To allow for rational production, the groove depth G should be 2% deeper than the overlap of the tongue PA from the joint plane VP. The smallest distance of the upper projection to the floor surface adjacent to the cam groove 35 should be greater than the smallest distance of the lower projection between the lower abutment surface 71 and the underside of the floorboard. The TT tool width should be 0.1 floor thickness T.

Figures 37a-c show a floorboard according to the invention. In particular, this embodiment shows that the short side joint system may comprise different materials and material combinations 30b and 30c and that these may differ from the long side joint material 30. For example, the tongue groove portion 36 of the short side may be comprised of a harder and more flexible wood material than, for example, the tongue part 38, which may be harder and stiffer and have different properties than the long side core. On the short side with the tongue groove 36, for example, the type of wood 30b can be selected. which is more flexible than the type of wood 30c on the other short side where the tongue is formed. This particularly suits parquet floors with a laminated core, where the upper and lower sides are composed of different types of wood and the core forms blocks that are glued together. This design offers great possibilities to create composite materials to optimize function, strength and cost.

It is also possible to alternate the materials on one side of the length. Thus, for example, blocks that are located between two short sides may be of different types of wood or materials, some of which may be selected with regard to their beneficial and appropriate properties to improve laying, strength, etc. Different properties can also be obtained by different fiber orientation on the long and short sides, and also plastic materials can be used on the short side and, for example, on different parts of the long side. If the floorboard or parts of its core consist, for example, of plywood with several layers, these layers may be selected such that the upper projection, the tongue and the lower projection on the long side and the short side may have all parts of different materials, with different fiber orientation etc. which can provide different properties in terms of strength, flexibility, machinability and the like.

Figures 38a-d show production methods according to the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, manufacturing the joint edge and tongue grooves has four steps. The tools used have a diameter which exceeds the floor thickness. The tools are used to form an undercut groove at a large locking angle in a tongue groove with a lower projection that extends to the other side of the undercut groove.

For ease of understanding and for comparison with the previously described joint systems, the joint edges are drawn with the floor surface up. Usually, however, the sheets are turned downside during processing.

The first TP1 tool is a contour milling cutter that operates at an angle of TA1 to the horizontal plane. The second TP2 tool can operate horizontally to form upper and lower abutment surfaces. The third TA3 tool can operate substantially vertically, but also at an angle, forming the upper connecting edge.

The decisive tool is the TP4 tool which forms the outer part of the cam groove and its cam surface. TA4 corresponds to the TA of Figure 35. As can be seen from Figure 38d, this tool removes only a minimal amount of material and forms a substantially large angle locking surface. To prevent the tools from breaking, they must be shaped with a wide section that extends beyond the outer vertical plane. However, the amount of material removed must be kept to a minimum to avoid unnecessary wear and tear on the tool. This is achieved by a suitable angle and design of the TP1 contour milling machine.

This production method is characterized mainly in that. This means that at least two different angles are required to form the undercut cam groove 35 in the upper part of the tongue groove 36. The tongue groove can be made by using other tools which are used in different order.

The description is now focused on details in a method of forming a tongue groove 36 in a floorboard having an upper side 2 in the surface plane HP and a joint edge 4a with a plane of the joint VP perpendicular to the upper side. The tongue groove extends from the plane of the joint 4a and is defined by two protrusions 39 and 40. each has a free outer end. The tongue groove has at least one of them a undercut 35 having a locking surface 45 which is located further from the plane of the joint VP than the free outer end 52 of the second projection. According to the method, it is machined using several rotary cutting tools with a larger diameter than the thickness T of the floorboard. In the method, the cutting tools and the floorboard are designed to perform relative movement to each other and parallel to the joining edge of the floorboard. Characteristic of the method is 1) that the undercut is formed by means of at least two such cutting tools which have their rotating shaft inclined at different angles to the top side 2 of the floorboard; 2) that the first of these tools is directed to form part of the undercut farther from the joint plane VP than the locking surface 45 of the planned undercut; 3) that the other of these tools is intended to provide a locking surface 45 of the undercut. The first of these tools is designed by its rotary shaft to create a greater angle to the top side 2 of the floorboard than the latter. The lower projection 40 is shaped to extend beyond the plane of the joint VP. The lower projection 40 may also be shaped so as to reach the plane of the joint. Alternatively, the lower projection 40 may be shaped such that its end is further from the plane of the joint VP.

The first of the tools according to the embodiment may be determined by its rotary shaft to create an angle of at most 85 ° to the surface plane HP. The other of the tools may be directed according to the embodiment with its rotary shaft to create an angle of at most 60 ° to the surface plane HP. In addition, floorboard tools may be aligned according to the angle of their rotary shaft to the HP surface plane, so that tools with a larger rotary shaft angle are designed to machine the floorboard in front of tools with a smaller rotary shaft angle.

Further, a third of the tools may be guided to form the lower portions of the tongue groove 36. This third tool may be in contact with the floorboard between said first and said second tools. The third tool can be designed with its rotary shaft to create an angle of almost 90 ° to the HP surface plane. Further, the first of the tools may be designed to machine a wider portion of the floorboard joint edge surface 4a than the second of the tools. The second tool may be shaped such that its surface towards the HP surface plane is profiled by reducing the thickness of the tool from a view parallel to the rotary shaft, without the radial outer portions of the tool. In addition, at least three of the tools can be guided by varying their rotary shafts to form undercut portions of the tongue groove. The tools are used for machining floorboards made of wood or chipboard.

Fig. 39 shows a coupling system that is capable of compensating for backwater. Since the relative humidity increases as the cold and warm weather changes, the surface layer 32 is swollen and stresses occur in the floorboards 4a and 4b. If the joint is not resilient, the joint edges 41 and 61 may crush or the lock element 8 may break. This problem may be solved by a joint system that is designed to achieve the following characteristics that alone or in combination support the reduction of the problem.

The joint system may be formed such that the floorboards have little play when the joint edges are pressed horizontally together, for example during manufacture and at normal relative humidity. The will of a few hundredths of a millimeter supports the reduction of the problem. Negative clearance, i. Initial voltage can cause the opposite effect.

If the contact surface between the locking surfaces 45, 65 is small, the joining system may be formed so that it is more easily compressed than the upper joining edges 41 and 61. The locking element 8 may be formed with a groove 64a between the locking surface and the upper horizontal support surface 64 By a suitable design of the tongue 38 and the locking element 8, the outer tongue part 69 can bend outwardly to the inner tongue groove part 48 and act as a resilient element in connection with the swelling and shrinking of the surface layers.

In this embodiment, the lower abutment surfaces of the coupling system are shaped parallel to the horizontal plane for maximum vertical locking. It is also possible to obtain extensibility by using compressible materials, for example, between two locking surfaces 45, 65 or by selecting compressible materials to produce a tongue or tongue groove.

Figure 40 shows a coupling system according to the invention that is optimized for high stiffness in the tongue 38. In this case, the outer tongue part is in contact with the inner tongue groove part. If the contact surface is small and if the contact occurs without too much compression, the coupling system may be moved in the locked position.

Fig. 41 shows a joint system wherein the lower abutment surfaces 50, 71 have two angles. A portion of the support surfaces outside the joint plane is parallel to the horizontal plane. Within the joint plane closest to the inner portion of the tongue groove, the planes have an angle corresponding to a tangent to the circular arc 32 that is tangent to the innermost edge of the interconnected portions of the abutment surface. The locking surfaces have relatively small locking angles. The strength may still be sufficient because the lower projection 40 can be made hard and rigid, and because the difference between the angles on the parallel portion of the lower abutment surfaces 50, 71 is large. In this embodiment, the locking surfaces 45, 65 also serve as upper abutment surfaces. The joining system does not have additional upper abutment surfaces in addition to the locking surfaces which prevent vertical separation.

. Figures 42a and 42b show a coupling system that is suitable for locking short sides and which can have high tensile strength even on softer materials, since the locking element 8 has a large horizontal shear damping surface. The tongue 38 has a lower part which is on the outside of the circular arc C2 and which thus does not participate in the above-described basic principle of inward rotation. As can be seen from Figure 42b, the coupling system can still be released by pivoting upwardly around the upper coupling edge, since the tongue locking element 8 '* of the tongue 38 after the first pivoting upward operation can be disengaged from the tongue groove by horizontal withdrawal. The previously described principles for inward rotation and upward rotation around the upper joining edges should therefore allow upward rotation until the joined system is released in another way, for example by pulling or combining the release of the clamp when bending the lower projection 40.

Figures 43a-c illustrate the basic principles of shaping the lower tongue in relation to the lower projection 40 and to facilitate horizontal engagement according to the invention in a locking groove connection system in the rigid upper projection 39 and the resilient lower projection 40. In this embodiment, the upper projection 39 is significantly stiffer , inter alia due to the fact that it may be stronger or may be composed of harder or stiffer materials. The lower protrusion 40 may be weakened and softer and bending is not important when engaged. The snap will be greatly facilitated by the maximum bending of the lower projection 40 relative to the maximum limit B1, which is characterized in that when the tongue 38 is inserted as far as possible into the tongue groove 36, the rounded guide parts come into contact with each other. If the tongue 38 is inserted even further, the lower projection 40 is bent back until the engagement is complete and the locking element 8 is fully inserted into the final position in the slot groove. The lower and front portions 49 of the tongue 38 should be designed so as not to bend down the lower projection 40, which should be downwardly compressed by the lower abutment surface 50. This tongue portion 49 should have a shape that either touches or freely passes at maximum bent level of the lower projection 40, when the lower projection 40 is bent by the rounded outer portion of the lower gripping surface 50 of the tongue 38. If the tongue 38 has a shape that interferes with the lower projection 40 in this position, as shown in phantom in FIG. according to Figure 43b may be significantly larger. This can cause a high friction in connection with the engagement and the risk that the joint will be damaged. Figure 43b shows that the maximum bend may be limited by the tongue groove 36 and tongue 38, which are designed such that there is a gap S4 between the lower and outer tongue portions 49 and the lower lip 40.

Horizontal engagement is typically used when joining the short side after locking the long side. In the case of a long side engagement, it is also possible to perform the engagement according to the invention with a single plate in a low upward slope. This upwardly twisted clamping position is shown in Figure 44. The guide portion 66 of the lock element requires only a small bend B3 of the lower projection 40 to come into contact with the guide portion 44 of the slot groove, so that the locking element can then be inserted down into the slot groove. 35th

Figures 45-50 show various variants of the invention that can be used on the long or short side and which can be produced using large rotary cutting tools. With modern production technology it is possible to create complex shapes according to the invention by machining plate materials at a low cost. It should be emphasized that most of the geometry shown in these and earlier preferred assemblies may of course be formed by extrusion, but this method is usually significantly more expensive than machining and is not suitable for shaping most board materials that are commonly used for floors.

Figures 45a and 45b illustrate a locking system according to the invention wherein the outer portion of the tongue 38 is formed to be bendable. This bending ability is obtained by bifurcating the tongue top. When engagement occurs, the lower projection 40 is bent down and the outer lower portion of the tongue 38 is bent up.

Figures 46a and 46b illustrate a lock system according to the invention with a bifurcated tongue.

During engagement, the two portions of the tongue bend together, while the two projections bend apart.

The two connection systems are such that they allow rotation in and out when locked and dismounted.

Figures 47a and 47b show a combined connection where the separate piece 40b forms an overlapping portion of the lower projection and the piece may be resilient and resilient. The coupling system is capable of turning. Lower projection, which forms part of the core. it is shaped with its own abutment surface in such a way that the engagement takes place without the projection having to be bent. Only the protruding part, which can be made of aluminum sheet, is flexible. The coupling system can also be designed such that both parts of the projection are resilient.

Figures 48a and 48b show the snap-fit of a combination joint with a lower projection having two portions where only a separate projection forms a support surface. This coupling system can be used, for example, on the short side together with some other coupling system according to the invention. An advantage of this coupling system is that, for example, the cam groove 35 can be formed rationally with a large degree of freedom and large cutting tools can be used. After machining, the outer projection 40b is attached and its shape will not affect the machining possibilities. The outer protrusion 40b is resilient and has no locking element in this embodiment. Another advantage is that the joining system allows the joining of extremely thin core materials, since the lower projection can be made very thin. For example, the core material may be a thin compact laminate, and the top and bottom layers may be relatively coarse layers, for example, of cork or a soft plastic material, which may form a soft and sound absorbing floor. Using this technology, it is possible to combine core materials having a thickness of about 2 mm compared to normal core materials, which are usually not thinner 7 mm. The saving of thickness can be used to increase the thickness of other layers. However, it is clear that this kind of joint can also use thicker materials.

Figures 49a and 50 show two variants of combination joints that can be used, for example, on the short side in combination with other preferred systems. The combination joint of Figure 49 may be in an embodiment where the tape forms an overlapping spring portion of the tongue and the system will then have a function similar to Figure 45. Figure 50 shows that the combination joint may be formed by a locking member 8b at the outer lower projection 40b which is located within the joint plane.

Figures 51a-f illustrate a laying method according to the invention which can be used to join floorboards in combination with horizontal zoom, upward rotation, upwardly snapped position and downward folding. This laying method can be used for the floorboards according to the invention, but can also be used for optimal mechanical floor fastening systems having properties that the laying method can be applied. In order to simplify the description, the laying method will be shown on one plate, called a grooved plate, which is to be joined to the other plate, called a tongue plate. The boards are practically the same. It will be appreciated that the entire laying procedure can also be performed from the tongue side, which is connected in the same way to the groove side.

The tongue plate 4a with tongue 38 and the tongue plate 4b with tongue groove 36 lie in the initial position on the floor substrate according to figure 51a. The tongue 38 and tongue groove 36 have lock elements which allow vertical and horizontal separation. Gradually, the groove plate 4b is moved horizontally in the direction F1 relative to the tongue plate 4a until the tongue 38 is in contact with the tongue groove 36 and until the upper and lower portions of the tongue are partially inserted into the tongue groove of Figure 51b. This first operation forces the joint portions of the plates to assume a relatively equal vertical position over the entire length of the plate and all arc-shaped differences have been aligned.

If it moves the groove plate against the tongue plate, the connecting edges of the groove plate will slightly lift. The groove plate 4b is then rotated upward by moving S1 at an angle while being held in contact with the tongue plate or alternatively pressed in the direction F1 relative to the tongue plate 4a of Figure 51c. When the groove plate reaches an angle SA to the floor base corresponding to the upwardly angled clamped position as described above and as shown in Figure 44, the groove plate 4b will move relative to the tongue plate 4a so that the upper joint edges 41, 61 reach into contact with each other so that the tongue locking elements are partially inserted into the tongue groove locking elements.

This clamping function in the upturned position is characterized in that the outer parts of the tongue groove widen and spring back. The extension is substantially smaller than required when engaged in a horizontal position. The clamping angle SA depends on the pressure at which the plates are pressed together when the groove plate 4b is turned upwards. If the pressure in the F1 direction is high, the plates are clamped at a smaller angle SA than at a lower pressure. The gripping position is therefore characterized in that the guide parts of the locking elements are in contact with each other so that they can form a grip. If the boards have a banana shape, they are aligned and locked when clamped. The groove plate 4b can now combine the angular movement S 2 with the pressure against the joining edge by rotating downwards according to Figure 51e and locked against the tongue plate in the final position. This is shown in Figure 51 f.

Depending on the design of the joint, the clamping angle SA can be determined with great accuracy. which is the best parameter with regard to the requirement that the clamping must be effected with a reasonably high force and that the lock guide parts should have such engagement that they keep any banana shapes connected so that the final clamping will be done without the risk of the joint being damaged.

The floorboards can be laid without any preparations according to the preferred laying method. In some cases, the installation will be facilitated by the use of suitable formulations of Figures 52a and 52b. A preferred device according to the present invention will be a punching or pressing block 80 which is designed to have a front and bottom portions 81 that rotate the groove plate upward when inserted below the edge of the floorboard. It has an upper abutting edge 82 which, in an upward-facing position, is in contact with an edge portion of the groove plate. When the impact block 80 is to be inserted under the groove plate so that the abutment edge 82 is in contact with the floorboard, the groove plate will have a predetermined clamping angle. The tongue groove of the groove plate 4a can now be firmly connected to the tongue of the tongue plate by pressing or striking against the impact block. The impact block can of course also be used on other parts of the board. Obviously, this is done in combination by pressing against other parts of the board, by the possibility of doubling the impact block or some other jig that provides a similar result when, for example, one jig rotates the jaw to the clamping angle and the other jig is used for pressing. The same method is used to turn up the groove side of the new board and connect it to the side with the tongue of the previously laid board.

The description will now focus on various aspects of the floorboard laying tool. Such a floorboard laying tool by interlocking the tongue and tongue groove may be designed as a block 80 with a gripping surface 82 for engaging the joining edge 4a, 4b of the joining edge of the floorboard. The tool may be shaped like a wedge for insertion under the floorboard and have its gripping surface 82 positioned closer to the thin end of the wedge. The gripping surface 82 of the tool may be concave curved to at least partially engage the joining edges 4a, 4b of the floorboard. In addition, the wedge angle S1 and the position of the gripping surface 82 on the thin side of the wedge can be adjusted to a predetermined lifting angle of the floorboard that is raised by the wedge 80. The joining edges of the floorboard contact the gripping surface 82. The contact surface 82 of the wedge 80 may be shaped to contact the joining edge 4b having the tongue 38 facing obliquely upwardly to connect the undercut tongue 36 formed on the opposite joining edge 4a of the floorboard with the tongue 38 previously laid floorboard. Alternatively, the wedge contact surface 82 may be shaped to contact with a joint edge 4a having an undercut groove 36 to connect the tongue 38 facing obliquely upwardly and formed at the opposite joint edge 4b of the floorboard.

The tool described above is used for mechanically joining floorboards by lifting one floorboard to another and joining and locking the mechanical floorboard systems. The tool may also be used to mechanically connect such floorboards to other such floorboards by clamping the mechanical locking systems of the floorboards together when the board is in the raised position. Further, the tool may be used such that the wedge gripping surface 82 is made to protect against the joining edge 4b having a tongue 38 angled upwardly to connect the undercut groove 36 formed at the opposite joining edge 4a of the floorboard to the tongue 38 of the previously laid floorboard. Alternatively, the tool can be used such that the wedge gripping surface 82 is made to protect against the joining edge 4a having an undercut groove 36 facing obliquely upwardly to join the tongue 38 formed at the opposite joining edge 4b of the floorboard with the undercut groove 36 of the previously laid floorboard. .

Fig. 53 illustrates how two plates 2a and 2b, after being joined to an adjacent plate along the edge of the long side, can be moved in a locked position in the direction F2 so that the other two sides are joined together by a horizontal horizontal clamping.

The engagement in the upward-facing position can take place on both the long and short sides. If the short side of one plate is first attached, its long side may also be clamped in an obliquely upward position so as to assume its clamping angle. This then engages in an obliquely upward position and at the same time relocates in a locked position along the short side. Upon engagement, the board folds down and is locked on both sides, long and short.

Figures 53 and 54 illustrate a problem that occurs in connection with the engagement of two short sides of two boards 2a and 2b that have already been joined on their long sides to another first board 1. When the floorboard 2a is clamped into the floorboard 2b of the inner corner portion 91 and 92 closest to the long side of the first plate 1 are located on the same plane. This is due to the fact that the boards 2a and 2b are connected with their long sides to the same floorboard L. Referring to Fig. 54b, showing section C3-C4, the tongue 38 cannot be inserted into the tongue groove 36 to start bending down the lower projection 40. the outer corner portions 93, 94 on the other long side in section C1-C2 shown in Figure 54a. For example, the tongue 38 may be inserted into the tongue groove to begin bending down the lower projection 40 with the plate 2b. which automatically moves upwards correspondingly to the height of the locking element 8.

The inventor has discovered that there may be problems with the engagement of the inner corner portions in lateral displacement in the same plane, and that these problems may cause a high resistance to engagement and the risk of rupture of the coupling system. The problem can be solved by suitable joint design and material selection that allow material deformation by bending many connecting parts.

When engagement occurs in such a specially designed coupling system, the following is performed. In the lateral displacement, the outer tongue guide portions 42, 68 cooperate and the upper projection pushes the tongue lock element 8 below the outer part of the upper projection 39. The tongue is bent down and the upper projection is bent up. This is indicated by the arrows in Figure 54b. The corner portion 92 in Figure 53 is pushed upward by the lower projection 40 on the long side of the plate 2b that bends and the corner portion 91 is compressed down by the upper projection on the long side of the plate 2a that bends upwards. The coupling system should be designed such that the sum of these four deformations is so large that the locking member can slide along the upper projection and fit into the locking groove. It is known that this could be the case of the tongue groove 36, which would widen in connection with the engagement. However, it is not known that a pen that would normally be rigid and constructed so that it can be bent in connection with the engagement could be advantageous. Such an embodiment is shown in Figure 55. The groove or equivalent thereof 63 may be formed in the upper and lower parts of the tongue within the vertical plane VP. The entire length PB of the tongue from its inner part relative to its outer part may be extended and may, for example, be greater than half the thickness of the floor T.

Figures 56 and 57 illustrate how portions of the joining system are bent by engagement on an inner corner portion 91, 92 in Fig. 57 and outer corner portions 93, 94 in Fig. 56 of two floorboards 2a and 2b. Therefore, only a thin projection and bending of the tongue is required to simplify production. Of course, all parts subjected to pressure will be compressed and bent to varying degrees depending on the thickness, flexibility, material composition, and the like.

Figures 56a and 57a show the position where the edges of the plates come into contact with each other. The coupling system is designed in such a way that even in this position the farthest tip of the tongue 38 will not be located inside the outer portion of the lower projection 40. When the plates are further moved relative to each other, the tongue 38 in the inner corner 91.

56b, 57b. The tongue is bent down and the plate 2b is rotated upwards at the outer corner 93, 94. Figure 57c shows that the tongue 38 will be bent down in the inner corner 91, 92. At the outer corner 93 < 94 of Figure 56c, the tongue 38 is bent up and the lower lip 40 is bent down. Referring to Figures 56d, 57d, this bending continues as the plates continue to move relative to each other, and now the lower projection in the inner corner 91, 92 of Figure 57d is also bent. Figures 56e, 57e show the position of the engagement. The engagement may be significantly facilitated if the tongue 38 is flexible and if the outer portion of the tongue 38 is located within the outer portion of the lower projection 40 when the tongue and the groove come into contact with each other as plates that are located in the same plane when engaged by the engagement that This is done after the floorboards have locked on their other two sides.

The invention may be varied within its scope. The inventor has produced and developed a large number of variants by making different parts of the joining system with different width, length, thickness, angles and radii, from many different board materials, homogeneous plastics and wood panels. All fastening systems were tested in the up and down pivot position, with the spline and tongue plate clamping and pivoting relative to each other, and various combinations of the systems described herein, as well as the known long and short side systems. The locking system has been made such that the locking surfaces are also the upper abutment surfaces when the tongue and groove had many locking elements and where also the lower projection and the upper part of the tongue were formed by horizontal locking means in the form of the locking element and the locking groove.

Claims (132)

A lock system for mechanically joining floorboards (1, 1 ') in a joint plane (VP) of said floorboard having a core (30), a front side (2, 32), a rear side (34) and opposing connecting edges ( 4a, 4b), one of which (4a) is shaped as a tongue groove (36), which is defined by the upper and lower projections (39, 40) and has a lower end (48) and the other connecting edge (4b) is shaped as a tongue (38) with an upwardly facing portion (8) and a free outer end, the tongue groove (36), seen from the joint plane (VP), has the shape of an undercut groove (36) with an opening, an inner part (35) and an inner locking surface ( 45) and at least portions of the lower projection (40) integrally formed with the floorboard core (30) and the tongue (38) has a locking surface (65) which is formed to cooperate with the inner locking surface (45) in the tongue groove (36) of the adjacent floor boards, when such two floorboards (1, 1 ') are mechanically connected such that they are in front of them The sides (4a, 4b) are located in the same surface plane (HP) and meet on a joint plane (VP) which is perpendicular to it, characterized by at least a major part of the lower end (48) of the tongue groove. parallel to the surface plane (HP), it is located farther from the joint plane (VP) than the outer end (69) of the tongue (38) that the inner locking surface (45) of the tongue groove (36) is formed on the upper projection (39) with an undercut tongue groove portion (35) to cooperate with a corresponding locking surface (65) of the tongue (38), wherein the locking surface is formed with the upwardly facing portion (8) of the tongue (38) so as to prevent the two (D2) perpendicular to the plane of the joint (VP) that the lower projection (40) has a support surface (50) to cooperate with a corresponding support surface (71) of the tongue (38) further from the lower end (36) of the undercut groove with said support surface it is supposed to be a complicity to move the two mechanically connected floorboards in a direction (D1) perpendicular to the surface plane (HP) relative to each other. that all portions of the lower protrusion (40) that are connected to the core, viewed from point (C) where the surface plane (HP) and the plane of the joint (VP) intersect, are located outside the plane (LP2) which is located further from said point than the locking plane (LP1) parallel to it and tangent to the cooperating locking surfaces (45, 65) of the tongue groove (36) and the tongue (38) when said locking surfaces are most inclined to the surface plane ( HP), and that the upper projection (39) and the lower projection (40) and tongue (38) of the connecting edges (4a, 4b) are designed to allow the disconnection of two mechanically coupled floorboards by rotating one floorboard relative to the other upward about the center of rotation. (C) just at the intersection point between the surface plane (HP) and the joint plane (VP) to disconnect the tongue (38) of the floorboard (1 ') and the tongue groove (36) of the next floorboard (1). Lock system according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper projection (39) and the lower projection (40) and the tongue (38) of the connecting edges (4a, 4b) are designed to allow the joining of two floorboards (1, 2). (l) one floorboard, when the two floorboards are in contact with each other, rotating one relative to the other downward about a pivot center (C) close to the intersection point between the surface plane (HP) and the joint plane (VP) to connect the tongue of one floorboard with tongue groove of another floorboard. Lock system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the undercut groove (36) and tongue (38) are designed such that the floorboard (1, 1 ') which is mechanically connected to a similar board is displaceable in the direction (D3) along the joint plane (VP). Lock system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the undercut groove (36) and tongue (38) are designed to allow the connection and disconnection of one plate from the other plate by turning one plate relative to the other. by contact between the plates at point (C) at the joint edges just adjacent the intersection between the surface plane (HP) and the plane of the joint (VP). Lock system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the undercut groove (36) and the tongue (38) are designed to allow the plates to be joined and uncoupled by rotating one plate to the other in contact between the plates at a point at the joining edges of the boards, close to the intersection between the surface plane (HP) and the joint plane (VP) without. substantial contact between the side of the tongue (38) facing away from the surface plane (HP) and the lower projection. Lock system according to one of Claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the undercut groove (36) and the tongue (38) are designed to allow the plates (1, 1 ') to be joined and disconnected by rotating one boards relative to each other between the boards at a point on the joining edges of the boards close to the intersection between the surface plane (HP) and the joint plane (VP) and in direct contact between the tongue sides (38) towards the surface plane (HP) and from the plane (HP) and upper (39) and lower (40) projections respectively. Locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance between the locking plane (LP2) and the plane (LP1) which are parallel and externally to which all parts of the lower projection (40) are connected to the core ( 30) is at least 10% of the floorboard thickness (T). Lock system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking surfaces (45, 65) of the upper projection (39) and the tongue (38) form an angle with a surface plane (HP) of less than 90 ° but at least 20 °. °. Lock system according to claim 8, characterized in that the locking surfaces (45, 65) of the upper projection (39) and the tongue (38) form an angle with the surface plane (HP) of at least 30 °. Lock system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the undercut groove (36) and the tongue (38) are constructed such that the outer end (69) of the tongue (38) is spaced from the undercut groove (36) to the entire length from the locking surfaces (45, 65) touching each other, the upper projection (39) and the tongue (38) to the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the lower projection (40) and the tongue (38). Lock system according to claim 10, characterized in that any contact portion between the outer end (69) of the tongue (38) and the undercut groove (36) has a smaller area in the vertical plane than the lock surfaces (45, 65) when these two plates (1.1 ') mechanically connected. Lock system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the edge portions (4a, 4b) with their tongue (38) and tongue groove (36) are designed such that when the two floorboards are connected, the contact the areas between the edge portions (4a, 4b) of not more than 30% of the surface of the tongue-supporting edge portion (4b) measured from the top of the floorboard to the bottom thereof. Lock system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue (38) and the lower projection (40) are parallel to or at an angle to the surface plane (HP). which is equal to or smaller than the tangent of the arc, which touches the abutment surfaces supporting each other at a point closest to the lower end (48) of the undercut groove and which has a center at the point (C) where the surface plane (HP) and plane joint that is seen on the cross section of the plate. Lock system according to claim 13, characterized in that the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue (38) and the lower projection (40) are at an angle of 0 ° - 30 ° to the surface plane (HP). Lock system according to claim 14, characterized in that the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue (38) and the lower projection (40) are at an angle of at least 10 ° to the surface plane (HP). Lock system according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue (38) and the lower projection (40) are at an angle of at most 20 ° to the surface plane (HP). Lock system according to claim 13, characterized in that the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue (38) and the lower projection (40) are substantially at the same angle to the surface plane (HP) as the tangent to the circular arc, which it touches the abutment surfaces (50, 71) and has its center at the point where the surface plane (HP) and the joint plane (VP) intersected by the plate intersect. Lock system according to claim 13, characterized in that the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue (38) and the lower projection (40) are at a greater angle to the surface plane (HP) than the tangent to the circular arc that touches the supporting surfaces supporting each other at a point closest to the lower portion of the undercut groove and has a center at the point where the surface plane (HP) and the joint plane (VP) intersect. Lock system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supporting surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue (38) and the lower projection (40) that are designed to cooperate are at a smaller angle to the surface plane (HP). ) than the interlocking surfaces of the upper projection (39) and the tongue (38) cooperate. Lock system according to claim 19, characterized in that the supporting surfaces of the tongue (38) and the lower projection (40) that are designed to cooperate are inclined in the same direction but at a smaller angle to the surface plane (HP) than the cooperating locks. the surfaces (45,65) of the upper projection (39) and the tongue (38). Lock system according to any one of claims 13-20, characterized in that the support surfaces (50, 71) form an angle at least 20 ° greater than the surface plane (HP) than the lock surfaces (45, 65). Lock system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: wherein the portion of the locking surface (45) of the upper projection (39) is located closer to the lower portion (48) of the tongue groove than the portion of the abutment surfaces (50, 71). Lock system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that. The locking surfaces (45, 65) of the upper projection (39) and the tongue (38) are substantially planar and with at least portions of the surface that are intended to cooperate when the two plates are joined. Lock system according to claim 23, characterized in that the tongue (38) has a guide surface which is located outside the lock surface of the tongue (38), from the side of the joint plane (VP) and which has a smaller angle to the surface plane than this locking surface. Lock system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper projection (39) has a guide surface (42) which is located closer to the opening of the tongue groove (36) than the locking surface (45) of the upper projection and which has a smaller angle to the surface plane (HP) than the locking surface (45) of the upper projection. A locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower projection (40) extends to or preferably ends distant from the plane of the joint (VP). Lock system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower projection (40) is shorter than the upper projection (39) and ends further from the plane of the joint (VP). and that at least portions of the abutment surfaces (50, 71) of the lower projection (40) and the tongue (38) are located at a greater distance from the joint plane (VP) than the inclined locking surfaces (45, 65) of the upper projection (39) and the tongue (38). ). Lock system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking surface (65) of the tongue (38) is located at least 0.1 of the thickness (T) of the plate (1, 1 ') from the tongue top (69) (38). Lock system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vertical surface of the cooperating locking surfaces (45, 65) is less than half the vertical surface of the undercut (35) as viewed from the joint plane (VP) and parallel to the surface plane. (HP). Lock system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking surfaces (45, 65), viewed from a vertical section through the floorboard, have an area which is at most 10% of the floorboard thickness (T). Lock system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of the tongue (38) when viewed perpendicular to the plane of the joint (VP) is at least 0.3 of the floorboard thickness (T). Lock system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting system. the tongue supporting edge (4b) and / or the tongue groove supporting tongue (4a) has / have a recess (63) that is located above the tongue and ends at a distance from the surface plane (HP). Lock system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper projection (39) and the tongue (38) have contact surfaces (43, 64) which cooperate in the locked state and which are located in the region between the plane the joint (VP) and the key lock surfaces (45, 65) of the tongue and the upper lip (39), which cooperate with each other in the locked state. Lock system according to claim 33, characterized in that the contact surfaces (43, 64) are substantially planar. Lock system according to claim 33 or 34, characterized in that the contact surfaces (43, 64) are inclined upwards in relation to the surface plane (HP) in the direction of the plane of the joint (VP). Lock system according to claim 33 or 34, characterized in that the contact surfaces (43, 64) are substantially parallel to the surface plane (HP). Lock system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower projection (40) of the tongue groove (36) is resilient. Lock system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed as a clamp lock which can be opened by rotating one plate (1 ') with respect to the other (1) upwards. 39. A locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is configured to connect a previously laid floorboard to a new floorboard by pressing substantially parallel to the surface plane (HP) of the previously laid floorboard to clamp together. parts of the locking system. Lock system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the undercut groove (36), seen in cross section, has an outer open portion which is tapered inwardly. Lock system according to claim 40, characterized in that the upper projection (39) has a chamfer (42) at its outer edge furthest from the surface plane (HP). Lock system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongue (38), when viewed in cross-section, has a peak (69) which is tapered at the end. Lock system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongue (38), when viewed in section, has a split apex with an upper (38a) and a lower (38b) portion of the tongue. Lock system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper (38a) and lower (38b) parts of the tongue are made of different materials having different material properties. Lock system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongue groove (36) and tongue (38). are created simultaneously with the floorboard (1, 1 ') Locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking surfaces (45, 65) have a greater angle to the surface plane (HP) than the tangent to the circular arc that touches the locking surfaces (45, 65) which they bond to each other at a point closest to the lower portion (48) of the undercut groove and which has its center at the point where the surface plane (HP) intersects with the plane of the joint (VP). Lock system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper projection (39) is thicker than the lower projection (40). Lock system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the minimum thickness of the upper projection (39) adjacent to the undercut (35) is greater than the maximum thickness of the lower projection (40) at the abutment surface (50). Lock system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface of the abutment surfaces (50, 71) is at most 15% of the thickness (T) of the floorboard. Lock system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vertical surface of the tongue groove (36) between the upper (39) and lower (40) projections, measured parallel to the plane of the joint (VP) and at the outer end of the support surface (43) is at least 30% of the floorboard thickness (T). Lock system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the depth of the tongue groove (36) measured from the plane of the joint (VP) is at least 2% greater than the corresponding dimension of the tongue (38). Lock system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongue (38) has different material properties than the upper (39) and lower (40) projections. Lock system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper projection (39) is stiffer than the lower projection (40). Lock system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper projection (39) and the lower projection (40) are made of materials of different properties. 55. A locking system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in characterized in that the locking system also comprises a ^r a second mechanical lock, which consists of a locking groove (14) which is formed on the underside of the joint edge portion (4b) of the supporting tongue ( 38) and is parallel to the plane of the joint (VP) and the interlocking tape, which is fully attached to the joint edge (4a) of the plate below the tongue groove (36) and is substantially along the entire length of the joint edge and has a lock element (6) it extends from the tape and which, when two such plates are mechanically joined, is released in the locking groove (14) of the adjacent plate. . * Lock system according to claim 55, characterized in that the lock strip (6) extends beyond the joint plane. A lock system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is formed in a board having a core of fibreboard. A locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is formed in a board having a wood core. A floorboard having a core (30), a front side (2), a bottom side (34), and two opposing parallel edges (4a, 4b) that are shaped as parts of a mechanical locking system, wherein one edge is shaped like a tongue a groove (36) which is provided by the upper (39) and lower (40) projections and has a lower end (48), and the second edge is shaped as a tongue (38) having an upwardly facing portion (8) and a free outer end ( 69), tongue groove (36). when viewed from the plane of the joint (VP), it has the shape of an undercut groove with an opening, an inner portion (35) and an inner locking surface (45) and at least a portion of a lower projection (40) formed concurrently with the floorboard core (30) and tongue (38) has a locking surface (65) that is adapted to cooperate with an internal locking surface (45) in a tongue groove (36) of an adjacent floorboard when two such floorboards are mechanically joined such that their front sides (4a, 4b) ) are on the same surface plane (HP) and meet in the plane of the joint (VP) exactly perpendicular thereto, characterized in that at least a major part of the lower end (48) of the tongue groove, when viewed parallel to the surface plane (HP) further from the plane of the joint (VP) than the outer end (69) of the tongue (38) that the inner keyway surface (45) of the tongue groove is formed on the upper projection (39) with the undercut keyway part (35) to cooperate with the corresponding lock the interlocking surface (65) of the tongue (38), said locking surface being formed on the upwardly directed portion (8) of the tongue (38) to prevent the pulling of two mechanically connected plates in a direction (D2) perpendicular to the plane of the joint (VP) having an abutment surface (50) for cooperating with a corresponding abutment surface (71) of the tongue (38) at a distance from the lower end (48) of the undercut groove, said abutment surfaces (50, 71) being adapted to cooperate to prevent mutual displacement of two mechanically connected plates in the direction (D1), perpendicular to the surface plane (HP) that all parts of the parts associated with the core (30) of the lower projection (40), viewed from the point where the surface plane (HP) intersects with the plane of plane (VP) ) are located outside of a plane (LP2) which is further from said point than the locking plane (LP1), is parallel thereto, touching the cooperating locking surfaces (45, 65) of the tongue groove (36) and the tongue (38), wherein said locking surfaces are more inclined to a surface plane (HP), and that the upper and lower projections (39, 40) and the tongue (38) of the connecting edges (4a, 4b) are designed to allow disengagement of the two mechanically connected floorboards (1, 1 ') by rotating up one floor the plate relative to the other about the pivot center (C) just adjacent the point of intersection of the surface plane (HP) and the joint plane (VP) to disconnect the tongue (38) of one floorboard from the tongue groove (36) of the other floorboard. 60. A floorboard according to claim 59, characterized in that the upper (39) and lower (40) projections and the tongue (38) of the connecting edges are designed to allow the connection of two floorboards with one floorboard, when the two floorboards are in contact with each other, by rotating down one board relative to the other about the pivot center (C) just at the point of intersection of the surface plane (HP) and the joint plane (VP) to connect the tongue of one floorboard to the tongue groove of the other floorboard. Floorboard according to claim 59 or 60, characterized in that the undercut groove (36) and tongue (38) are designed such that the floorboard, which is mechanically connected to a similar board, is displaceable in the direction (D3) along the plane joint (VP). A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 61, characterized in that the tongue (38) and the undercut groove (36) are designed to allow connection and disconnection of one board to the other board and from the other board by rotating one board to the other at permanent contact between the plates at (C) at the joint edges of the plates just adjacent the intersection of the surface plane (HP) and the joint plane (VP). A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 62, characterized in that the tongue (38) and the undercut groove (36) are designed to allow the boards to be joined and uncoupled by rotating one board to the other with constant contact between the boards at ( C) at the joining edges of the plates just adjacent the intersection of the surface plane (HP) and the joint plane (VP) substantially without contact between the side of the tongue (38) facing away from the surface plane (HP) and the lower projection. A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 62, characterized in that the tongue (38) and the undercut groove (36) are designed to allow the boards to be joined and disconnected by rotating one board to another while maintaining a constant contact between the boards at ( C) at the joining edges of the plates just adjacent the intersection of the surface plane (HP) and the joint plane (VP) on contact between the tongue side (38) facing away from the surface plane or facing the surface plane (HP) and the upper (39) projection or lower spur (40). Floorboard according to one of Claims 59 to 64, characterized in that the distance between the locking plane (LP2) from the outside of which all the parts of the parts connected to the lower projection core (30) and the plane (LP1), which is parallel is at least 10% of the thickness (T) of the floorboard. A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 65, characterized in that the locking surfaces of the upper projection (39) and the tongue (38) have an angle with the surface plane (HP) of less than 90 ° but at least 20 °. A floorboard according to claim 66, characterized in that the locking surfaces of the upper projection (39) and the tongue (38) have an angle with the surface plane (HP) of at least 30 °. A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 67, characterized in that the tongue (38) and the undercut groove (36) are designed such that the outer end (69) of the tongue is spaced from the undercut groove (36) all over. a length from the locking surfaces (45, 65) of the upper projection (39) and the tongue (38) contacting each other to the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the lower projection (40) and the tongue (38). A floorboard according to claim 68, characterized in that any surface portion with contact between the outer end (69) of the tongue (38) and the undercut groove (36) has a smaller area in the vertical plane than the locking surfaces (45, 65) at mechanical connection of two boards. Floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 69, characterized in that the edge portions with their tongue (38) and tongue groove (36) are designed such that when the two boards are joined, the surface contact between the edges is at most 30% the surface of the tongue supporting edge (4b) measured from the top of the board to its bottom. Floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 70, characterized in that the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue (38) and the lower projection (40) point to the surface plane (HP) at such an angle, that they are parallel to it or at an angle equal to or less than the tangent to the circular arc that touches the support surfaces (50 71) and has its center at the point where the surface plane (HP) and the plane of the plane intersect ( VP) when viewed in section through the plate. Floorboard according to one of claims 59 to 71, characterized in that the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue (38) and the lower projection (40) form an angle of 0 ° to 30 ° with the surface plane (HP). A floorboard according to claim 72, characterized in that the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue (38) and the lower projection (40) form an angle of at least 10 ° to the surface plane (HP). Floorboard according to claims 72 or 73, characterized in that the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue (38) and the lower projection (40) form an angle of at most 20 ° to the surface plane (HP). Floorboard according to claim 71, characterized in that the cooperating support surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue (38) and the lower projection (40) form substantially the same angle with the surface plane (HP) as the tangent to the circular arc, which It touches the abutment surfaces and has its center at the point where the surface plane (HP) and the plane of the joint (VP) intersect when viewed in section through the plate. Floorboard according to claim 71, characterized in that the cooperating abutment surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue (38) and the lower projection (40) form a larger angle with the surface plane (HP) than the tangent to the circular arc which touches the abutment surfaces (50,71) resting against each other and positioned as close as possible to the lower part of the undercut groove and having its center at the point where the surface plane (HP) and the plane of the joint (VP) intersect. Floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 76, characterized in that the supporting surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue (38) and the cooperating lower projection (40) form a smaller angle with the surface plane (HP) than the cooperating surfaces. the locking surfaces (45, 65) of the upper projection (39) and the tongue (38). Floorboard according to claim 77, characterized in that the supporting surfaces (50, 71) of the tongue (38) and the lower projection (40) to be cooperated have the same inclination but with a smaller angle towards the surface plane (HP) than cooperating locking surfaces (45, 65) of the upper projection (39) and the tongue (38). The floorboard according to any one of claims 71 to 78, characterized in that the support surfaces (50, 71) have an angle of at least 20 ° to the surface plane (HP) than the locking surfaces (45,65). A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 79, characterized in that the upper projection reaches the plane of the joint (VP) and that at least portions of the inclined locking surface (45) of the upper projection (39) are located away from the plane a joint (VP) than a support surface (50) of the lower projection. A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 80, characterized in that the locking surfaces of the upper projection (39) and the tongue (38) are planar and at least a portion of the surface is adapted to cooperate with each other to connect the two boards together. A floorboard according to claim 81, characterized in that the tongue (38) has a guide surface (68) which is located outside the lock surface (65) of the tongue (38) as viewed from the plane a joint (VP) and having a smaller angle to the surface plane than this locking surface. A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 82, characterized in that the lower projection (40) has a guide surface (51) which is located closer to the tongue groove hole than the support surface of the lower projection (40) and which has a smaller angle to a surface plane (HP) than the support surface of the lower projection (40). The floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 83, characterized in that the lower projection (40) reaches or more preferably ends at a distance from the plane of the joint (VP). A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 84, characterized in that the lower projection (40) is shorter than the upper projection (39) and terminates at a distance from the plane of the joint (VP), and that at least a portion of the abutment surfaces (50, 71) of the lower projection (40) and the tongue (38) are located at a greater distance from the joint plane (VP) than the inclined locking surfaces (45, 65) of the upper projection (39) and the tongue (38). A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 85, characterized in that the locking surface (65) of the tongue (38) is located at a distance of at least 0.1 of the floorboard thickness (T) as viewed from the tongue top (38). The floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 86, characterized in that the locking surface (65) of the tongue (38) is located at least 0.1 of the floorboard thickness (T) from the top (69) of the tongue (38). Floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 87, characterized in that the vertical surface of the locking surfaces (45, 65) cooperating with each other is less than half of the vertical surface of the undercut (35), viewed from the joint plane and parallel to the surface plane. . Floorboard according to one of Claims 59 to 88, characterized in that the locking surfaces (45, 65), viewed in vertical section through the floorboard, have an area which is at most 10% of the floorboard thickness. A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 89, characterized in that the length of the tongue (38). viewed perpendicularly from the plane of the joint (VP), there is at least 0.3 plate thickness (T). Floorboard according to one of Claims 59 to 90, characterized in that the tongue-supporting connecting edge (4b) and / or the tongue-like connecting edge (4a) has / have a recess (63, 63a) which is located above the pen and ends at a distance from the surface plane (HP). Floorboard according to one of Claims 59 to 91, characterized in that the upper projection (39) and the tongue (38) have contact surfaces (43, 64) which cooperate in a locked state and which are located between the plane of the joint (VP). ) and the locking surfaces (45, 65) of the tongue (38) and the upper projection (39) which cooperate in the locked position. The floorboard of claim 92, wherein the contact surfaces (43, 64) are substantially planar. Floorboard according to claims 92 or 93, characterized in that the contact surfaces (43, 64) are beveled upwards to the surface plane (HP) in a direction opposite to the plane of the joint (VP). Floor board according to claim 92 or 93, characterized in that the contact surfaces (43, 64) are substantially parallel to the surface plane (HP). Floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 95, characterized in that the lower tongue groove (40) is flexible. 97. A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 96, characterized in that it is shaped as a clamp lock, which is openable by rotating one board upward with respect to the other. 98. A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 97, characterized in that it is shaped to join a previously laid floorboard to a new floorboard by pressing together substantially parallel to the surface plane of the previously laid floorboard to clamp to one another. parts of the locking system. The floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 98, characterized in that the undercut groove (35), seen in cross section, has an outer open portion that tapers inwardly funnel-shaped. 100. The floorboard according to claim 99, wherein the upper projection has a chamfer (42) at its outer edge furthest from the surface plane (HP). Floorboard according to one of Claims 59 to 100, characterized in that the tongue (38), when viewed in cross-section, has a tapered apex (69). Floor board according to one of Claims 59 to 101, characterized in that the tongue (38). when viewed in section, it has a split peak with an upper (38a) and a lower (38b) portion of the tongue. A floorboard according to claim 102, characterized in that the upper part of the tongue (38a) and the lower part of the tongue (38b) are made of different materials with different material properties. The floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 103, characterized in that the tongue groove (36) and tongue (38) are formed simultaneously with the floorboard (1, 1 '). A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 04, characterized in that the locking surfaces (45, 65) have a greater angle to the surface plane (HP) than the tangent to the circular arc that touches the locking surfaces (45, 65). which bind to each other at a point closest to the lower portion (48) of the undercut groove and which has a center at the point where the surface plane (HP) intersects with the plane of the joint (VP). A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 105, characterized in that the upper projection (39) is thicker than the lower projection (40). Floorboard according to one of Claims 59 to 106, characterized in that the minimum thickness of the upper projection (39) at the undercut (35) is greater than the maximum thickness of the lower projection (40) at the abutment surface (50). A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 107, characterized in that the area of the abutment surfaces (50, 71) is at most 15% of the thickness (T) of the floorboard. Floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 08, characterized in that the vertical surface of the tongue groove (36) between the upper (39) and the lower (40) projection, measured parallel to the plane of the joint (VP) and at the outer end (50) the support surface is at least 30% of the floorboard thickness (T). A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 109, characterized in that the depth of the tongue groove (36), measured from the joint plane (VP), is at least 2% greater than the corresponding tongue dimension (36). 38). A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 110, characterized in that the tongue (38) has different material properties than the upper (39) and lower (40) projections. 112. A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 111, characterized in that the upper projection (39) is stiffer than the lower projection (40). A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 12, characterized in that the upper projection (39) and the lower projection (40) are made of materials with different properties. 114. A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 113, characterized in that the locking system also comprises a second mechanical lock comprising a locking groove (14) formed on the underside of the tongue supporting edge (4b). (38) and is parallel to the plane of the joint (VP) and the interlocking tape, which is integrally connected to the joint edge (4a) of the plate below the tongue groove (36) and is connected nearly ρσ to the entire length which extends from the tape and which, when two such plates are mechanically connected, is released in the locking groove (14) of the adjacent plate (1). A floorboard according to claim 114, characterized in that the locking strip (6) extends beyond the plane of the joint (VP). A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 15, characterized in that it is formed in a board having a core (3) of wood-fiber material. 117. A floorboard according to claim 116, characterized in that it is formed in a board having a wood core. 118. A floorboard according to any one of claims 59 to 17, characterized in that it is quadrangular and has sides that are parallel in pairs. 119. The floorboard of claim 118, having mechanical locking systems at all four side edges thereof. 120. The floorboard of claim 119, having mechanical clamp locking systems at two opposing side edges. 121. A floorboard according to claim 110, characterized in that the mechanical locking system on two opposite short sides of the board has an undercut groove (36) and a tongue (38) formed to be clamped together. 122. A floorboard according to any one of claims 118 to 121, characterized in that the connecting edge (4b) with the tongue (38) and / or the connecting edge (4a) with the tongue groove (36) on one pair of parallel connected edges is are formed with material properties other than the tongue and / or tongue groove on the second pair of parallel tongue edges. 123. A method of joining floorboards based on having a core (30), a front side (2), a bottom side (34), and two opposing parallel edges (4a, 4b) that are shaped as parts of a mechanical locking system wherein one edge is formed as a tongue groove (36), which is defined by an upper (39) and a lower (40) projection and has a lower end (48), and the second edge is formed as a tongue (38) having an upwardly directed portion (8); the free outer end (69), the tongue groove (36) having the shape of an undercut groove with an opening, an inner part (35) and an inner locking surface (45), the tongue (38) having a locking surface (65) adapted to cooperate with an inner locking surface (45) in a tongue groove (36) of an adjacent floorboard when two such floorboards are mechanically connected so that their front sides (2) are located on the same surface plane (HP) and so that the tops of their the connecting edges (4a, 4b) with p the new floorboard is connected to a previously laid board by assembling the joint edges of these floorboards together, characterized in that, with the new board, it moves one connecting edge (4b) to the other connecting edge (4b); 4a) of a previously laid board until the board tongue (38) is partially inserted into the tongue groove (36) of the second board, then the new board is rotated upwards relative to the previously laid floor board to receive the outer end (69) of the tongue (38). formed on one floorboard and having, at a distance from its apex, its locking surface (65) formed on the upwardly directed tongue portion (8), into the tongue groove (36) of the other board while contacting the upper and lower sides of the tongue groove ( 36) and tongue (38) until the top of the joining edges of the floorboards comes into contact with each other, then the new board is turned downwards to the final half the insertion of the tongue (38) into the tongue groove (36) in a position in which the abutment surface (71) formed on the underside of the tongue (38) joins with a corresponding abutment surface (50) formed at the lower projection (40) of the second plate, so that the plates lock to each other both horizontally and vertically. 124. The method of claim 123, wherein during installation the new board is moved with its tongue (38) relative to the tongue groove of a previously laid board. 125. The method of claim 123, wherein during installation, the new plate is moved with its tongue groove (36) relative to the tongue (38) of the previously laid plate. 126. A method according to any one of claims 123 to 125, characterized in that the upward rotation of the new board is carried out at the same time by pressing against the previously laid board. 127. A method according to any one of claims 123 to 126, characterized in that the downward rotation of the new board is performed during contact between the upper joining edges (4a, 4b) of the new board and the previously laid board. 128. The method of any one of claims 123 to 127, wherein the new plate is pressed against the previously placed plate during the downward rotation. 129. The method of any one of claims 123 to 128, wherein the upward rotation is completed when the tongue (38) is clamped in the tongue groove (36). 130. The method of claim 129, wherein the engagement is in principle accomplished by delaying the upper (39) and lower (40) projections of the tongue groove. 131. The method of claim 130, wherein the engagement is accomplished by gently bending the lower tongue groove (40) downward. 132. A method according to any one of claims 123 to 131, characterized in that, after installation, the new board is displaced along the previously laid board in order to secure the mechanical locking also along adjacent connecting edges (4a, 4b).