U.S. patent application number 09/988014 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-22 for process for sealing of a joint.
Invention is credited to Sjoberg, Ake.
Application Number | 20030094230 09/988014 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27624657 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030094230 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sjoberg, Ake |
May 22, 2003 |
Process for sealing of a joint
Abstract
A process for installation of surface elements (1), the surface
elements (1) comprising a core, a decorative upper surface (3) and
edges (2) provided with joining means for mechanically locking the
surface elements (1) together. Predetermined portions of the edges
(2) are provided with a glue which is present on the edges (2) of
the surface elements (1) in a passive dry form and which may be
activated by applying a liquid. The surface elements (1) are joined
to each other by use of the joining means wherein a unit of a
plurality of surface elements (1) is formed.
Inventors: |
Sjoberg, Ake; (Lund,
SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STEVENS, DAVIS, MILLER & MOSHER, L.L.P.
Suite 850
1615 L. Street, N.W.
Washington
DC
20036-5622
US
|
Family ID: |
27624657 |
Appl. No.: |
09/988014 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
156/91 ;
156/304.5; 156/308.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 2201/026 20130101;
E04F 2201/0523 20130101; E04F 2201/05 20130101; E04F 2201/0115
20130101; E04F 15/107 20130101; E04F 2201/0146 20130101; E04F 15/04
20130101; E04F 2201/023 20130101; E04F 15/02 20130101; E04F
2201/0517 20130101; E04F 2201/0138 20130101; E04F 2201/0153
20130101; E04F 15/02038 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
156/91 ;
156/304.5; 156/308.8 |
International
Class: |
B29C 065/00; B32B
007/04 |
Claims
1. A process for installation of surface elements (1), the surface
elements (1) comprising a core, a decorative upper surface (3) and
edges (2) provided with joining means for mechanically locking the
surface elements (1) together wherein predetermined portions of the
edges (2) are provided with a glue which is present on the edges
(2) of the surface elements (1) in a passive dry form and which may
be activated by applying a liquid, whereby the surface elements (1)
are joined to each other by use of the joining means wherein a unit
of a plurality of surface elements (1) is formed.
2. A process according to claim 1 wherein the glue is a PVA
glue.
3. A process according to claim 2 wherein the glue is applied on
the edges (2) as an emulsion which then is allowed to dry before
the joining of the surface elements (1).
4. A process according to claim 1 wherein the liquid is water.
5. A process according to claim 1 wherein the liquid is a mixture
of water and alcohol.
6. A process according to any of the claims 1-5 wherein a thin coat
of the liquid is applied on the upper surface (3) of the installed
surface elements (1) wherein small amounts of the liquid will
pentetrate into the joints thereby moisturising and activating the
glue whereas the glue will expand and merge over the edges (2) of
the joint and will act as sealant against further penetration of
liquid.
7. A process according to any of the claims 1-5 wherein small
amounts of liquid accidently spilt on the upper surface (3) of the
installed surface elements (1) will pentetrate into the joints
thereby moisturising and activating the glue whereas the glue will
expand and merge over the edges (2) of the joint and will act as
sealant against further penetration of liquid.
8. A process according to any of the claims 1-5 wherein the joining
means comprises lower joining lips (10) at two adjacent edges (2)
while the two remaining edges (2) are provided with upper joining
lips (20), whereas the lower joining lips (10) are provided with
intrinsically vertical lower lip surfaces (11) arranged parallel to
the closest edge (2), the lower lip surfaces (11) being adapted to
interact with mainly vertical upper lip surfaces (21) arranged on
the upper joining lips (20) so that two joined adjacent surface
elements (1) are locked together in a horizontal direction and that
the joining lips (10 and 20 respectively) furthermore are provided
with at least one heel (31) adapted to snap join with recesses (32)
which, by being provided with intrinsically horizontal locking
surfaces, limits vertical movement between two joined adjacent
surface elements (1), whereby surface elements (1) are assembled by
being pressed downwards once the edges (2) are vertically
aligned.
9. A process according to any of the claims 1-5 wherein the surface
elements (1) comprises a combination of at least two different
types of surface elements (1), which types comprises female surface
elements (1.sup.I) and male surface elements (1.sup.II), whereby,
a) the female surface element (1.sup.I) is provided with a female
joining member (210) on at least half of the number of its edges
(2) and a male joining member (220) on less than half of the number
of its edges (2) and that, b) the male surface element (1.sup.II)
is provided with a male joining member (220) on at least two thirds
of the number of its edges (2) and a female joining member (210) on
less than one third of the number of its edges (2), and that, c) an
optional joining profile (50) possibly constitutes a junction
between two adjacent male joining members (220) of two adjacent
surface elements (1).
10. A process according to claim 9 wherein; a) the female joining
member (210) comprises an upwards protruding lip (211), being
parallel to the edge (2), with a guiding surface (212), the guiding
surface (212) facing the edge (2) and a locking groove (213), being
parallel to the edge (2), having a locking surface (214) facing
downwards, which locking surface (214) terminates in a locking edge
(2), that an angle .alpha.I between the guiding surface (212) and
vertical plane is in the range 0-30.degree. and that an angle
.alpha.II between the locking surface (214) and a horizontal plane
is in the range 0-30.degree. as seen in a perpendicular
cross-section, and that, b) the male joining member (220) comprises
a groove (221), being parallel to the edge (2), on the lower side
with a guiding face (222), the guiding face (222) facing away from
the edge (2) and a locking heel (223), being parallel to the edge
(2), having a locking face (224) facing upwards, that an angle
.beta.I between the guiding face (222) and a vertical plane is in
the range 0-30.degree. and that an angle .beta.II between the
locking face (224) and a horizontal plane is in the range
0-30.degree. as seen in a perpendicular cross-section and that, c)
the possible joining profile (50) comprises two upwards protruding
rims (511), being parallel to each other and distanced from each
other by a centre section (506), the two upwards protruding rims
(511) being provided with guiding areas (512), the guiding areas
(512) facing inwards and that the joining profile (50) furthermore
is provided with two locking cheeks (513) placed on an extension,
the locking cheeks (513) having locking areas (514) facing
downwards, which locking areas (514) terminates in a locking edge
(515), that an angle .psi.I between the guiding area (512) and a
vertical plane is in the range 0-30.degree. and that an angle
.psi.II between the locking area (514) and a horizontal plane is in
the range 0-30.degree. as seen in a perpendicular cross-section
whereby, the angles .alpha.I and .beta.I are mainly the same, the
angles .alpha.II and .beta.II are mainly the same and the angles
.psi.I and -II are also mainly the same.
11. A process according to any of the claims 1-5 wherein the
surface elements (1) are joined by means of joining members (200),
the edges (5) being separated into a first and a second edge
(2.sup.I and 2.sup.II respectively), which first and second edges
(2.sup.I and 2.sup.II respectively) are arranged on opposite sides,
and a third and a fourth edge (2.sub.III and 2.sup.IV respectively)
being adjacent to the first and the second edge (2.sup.I and
2.sup.II respectively) and which third and fourth edges (2.sup.III
and 2.sup.IV respectively) are arranged on sides opposite to one
another, whereby the surface elements (1) are provided with male
joining members (220) on the first edge (2.sup.I) while the second
edge (2.sup.II) of the surface elements (1) are provided with a
female joining member (210), that the male joining member (220) is
provided with a tongue (110) and a lower side (5) groove (12),
while the female joining member (210) is provided with a groove
(13) and a cheek (14), the cheek (14) being provided with a lip
(15), whereby the surface elements (1) are joined together via the
male and female joining members (220 and 210 respectively) by
tilting the surface element (1) to be joined with an already
installed surface element (1) or a row of already installed floor
elements (1), with the male joining member (220) of the surface
element (1) angled downwards, that the first edge (2.sup.II) is
positioned mainly parallel to the second edge (2.sup.II) of the
already installed surface element (1) or row of surface elements
(1), whereupon the tongue (110) of the tilted surface element (1)
is inserted into the groove (13) of the female joining member (210)
of the already installed surface element (1) or row of floor
elements (1), whereby the tilted surface element (1) is turned
downwards, with its lower edge (2) as a pivot axis, so that the lip
(15) eventually snaps into the lower side (5) groove (12) where the
decorative upper layer (3) of the surface elements (1) are mainly
parallel, and that the third and fourth edges (2.sup.III and
2.sub.IV respectively) of the surface elements (1) are joined by
means of joining members (200) selected from the group consisting
of; a) wherein the surface elements (1), on the third edge
(2.sup.III), are provided with a male vertical assembly joining
member (220.sup.I) while the fourth edge (2.sup.IV) is provided
with a female vertical assembly joining member (210.sup.I), the
fourth edge (2.sup.IV) being arranged on a side opposite to the
third edge (2.sup.III), and, b) wherein the surface elements (1) on
the third edge (2.sup.III), are provided with a male vertical
assembly joining member (220.sup.I) while the fourth edge
(2.sup.IV) also is provided with a male vertical assembly joining
member (220.sup.I), the fourth edge (2.sup.IV) being arranged on a
side opposite to the third edge (2.sup.III), which adjacent male
vertical assembly joining members (220.sup.I) are joined by means
of a separate vertical assembly joining profile (50), whereby two
adjacent edges (2) of a surface element (1) at the same time, and
in the same turning motion is joined with a surface element (1)
adjacent to the first edge (2.sup.III) and a surface element
(2.sup.III) adjacent to the third or fourth edge (2.sup.III and
2.sup.IV respectively).
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to sealing of a joint
comprising mechanical locking.
[0002] Prefabricated surface elements which at their edges are
provided with groove and tenon are well known nowadays. As these
are very easy to install it is possible for the normal handy man to
achieve this. Such elements can be constituted of massive wood,
fibre board or particle board. These are often provided with a
surface layer, such as lacquer or some sort of laminate. The boards
are most often installed by gluing them together via their groove
and tenon. It is desired to join the separate elements so closely
that the joint becomes practically invisible, which increases the
moisture resistance radically. The usable life of the installed
elements are hereby also increased. It is essential that glue is
used excessively in order to achieve a tight joint. Any gaps will
lead to that moisture may penetrate the joint with subsequent
swelling of the core material closest to the joint. The glue do
also have to be used to an amount that it is spill out trough the
joint on the decorative side of the surface elements. The
superflous glue will of course have to be wiped off before
beginning to set, which is rather time consuming. One way of
solving the problem is available on the market for some time now
through different types of so-called click or snap-lock floor
boards where no glue is to be used. The installation of such floor
boards has become much swifter as no glue is required. The problems
with these type of surface elements are that relativelly small
spills of fluids like water may cause great damage on the installed
surface elements as well as subwalls and especially subfloors as
the fluid will run through the joints rather rapidly due to the
capillary effect. It is, of course, possible to use glue on these
snap-lock type of elements as well although the problem with the
time consuming cleaning during installation would remain.
[0003] It has, through the present invention, been made possible to
solve the above mentioned problems so that self sealing surface
elements can be achieved. Accordingly the invention relates to a
process for installation of surface elements. The surface elements
comprising a core, a decorative upper surface and edges provided
with joining means for mechanically locking the surface elements
together. The invention is characterised in that predetermined
portions of the edges are provided with a glue which is present on
the edges of the surface elements in a passive dry form and which
may be activated by applying a liquid. The surface elements are
hereby joined to each other by use of the joining means wherein a
unit of a plurality of surface element is formed. The glue is
suitably a PVA glue. The glue is suitably applied on the edges as
an emulsion which then is allowed to dry before the joining of the
surface elements. The liquid used for reactivating the glue is
suitably water. The water is advantageously mixed with alcohol
since this reduces the surface tension of the liquid as well as the
evaporation rate increases. A thin coat of the liquid is suitably
applied on the installed surface elements wherein small amounts of
the liquid will pentetrate into the joints thereby moisturising and
activating the glue. The glue will hereby expand and merge over the
edges of the joint and will act as sealant against further
penetration of liquid. It is not necessary to activelly activate
the glue by applying the liquid over the installed surface elements
as small amounts of liquid accidently spilt on the installed
surface elements will pentetrate into the joints thereby
moisturising and activating the glue so that the glue expands and
merges over the edges of the joint thereby acting as a sealant
against further penetration of liquid.
[0004] According to one embodiment of the invention the joining
means comprises lower joining lips at two adjacent edges while the
two remaining edges are provided with upper joining lips. The lower
joining lips are provided with intrinsically vertical lower lip
surfaces arranged parallel to the closest edge. The lower lip
surfaces are adapted to interact with mainly vertical upper lip
surfaces arranged on the upper joining lips so that two joined
adjacent surface elements are locked together in a horizontal
direction. The joining lips are furthermore are provided with at
least one heel adapted to snap join with recesses which, by being
provided with intrinsically horizontal locking surfaces, limits
vertical movement between two joined adjacent surface elements. The
surface elements are hereby assembled by being pressed downwards
once the edges are vertically aligned.
[0005] According to another embodiment of the invention the surface
elements comprises a combination of at least two different types of
surface elements, which types comprises female surface elements and
male surface elements, whereby:
[0006] a) The female surface element is provided with a female
joining member on at least half of the number of its edges and a
male joining member on less than half of the number of its
edges.
[0007] b) The male surface element is provided with a male joining
member on at least two thirds of the number of its edges and a
female joining member on less than one third of the number of its
edges.
[0008] c) An optional joining profile possibly constitutes a
junction between two adjacent male joining members of two adjacent
surface elements.
[0009] The female joining member comprises an upwards protruding
lip, being parallel to the edge, with a guiding surface. The
guiding surface faces the edge. The female joining member also
comprises a locking groove, being parallel to the edge. The locking
has a locking surface facing downwards, which locking surface
terminates in a locking edge. An angle .alpha.I between the guiding
surface and vertical plane is in the range 0-30.degree. while an
angle .alpha.II between the locking surface and a horizontal plane
also is in the range 0-30.degree. as seen in a perpendicular
cross-section.
[0010] The male joining member comprises a groove, being parallel
to the edge, on the lower side with a guiding face. The guiding
face faces away from the edge. The male joining member is also
provided with a locking heel, being parallel to the edge. The
locking heel has a locking face facing upwards. An angle .beta.I
between the guiding face and a vertical plane is in the range
0-30.degree. while an angle .beta.II between the locking face and a
horizontal plane is also in the range 0-30.degree. as seen in a
perpendicular cross-section.
[0011] The possible joining profile comprises two upwards
protruding rims, being parallel to each other and distanced from
each other by a centre section. The two upwards protruding rims are
provided with guiding areas, the guiding areas facing inwards. The
joining profile is furthermore provided with two locking cheeks
placed on an extension. The locking cheeks has locking areas facing
downwards, which locking areas terminates in a locking edge. An
angle .psi.I between the guiding area and a vertical plane is in
the range 0-30.degree. while an angle .psi.II between the locking
area and a horizontal plane is in the range 0-30.degree. as seen in
a perpendicular cross-section. The angles .alpha.I and .beta.I are
mainly the same, the angles .alpha.II and .beta.II are mainly the
same and the angles .psi.I and .psi.II are mainly the same.
[0012] According to yet another embodiment of the invnetion the
surface elements are joined by means of joining members. The edges
are separated into a first and a second edge, which first and
second edges are arranged on opposite sides, and a third and a
fourth edge being adjacent to the first and the second edge and
which third and fourth edges are arranged on sides opposite to one
another. The surface elements are provided with male joining
members on the first edge while the second edge of the surface
elements are provided with a female joining member. The male
joining member is provided with a tongue and a lower side groove,
while the female joining member is provided with a groove and a
cheek, the cheek being provided with a lip. The surface elements
are joined together via the male and female joining members by
tilting the surface element to be joined with an already installed
surface element or a row of already installed floor elements, with
the male joining member of the surface element angled downwards.
The first edge is positioned mainly parallel to the second edge of
the already installed surface element or row of surface elements.
The tongue of the tilted surface element is then inserted into the
groove of the female joining member of the already installed
surface element or row of floor elements, whereby the tilted
surface element is turned downwards, with its lower edge as a pivot
axis, so that the lip eventually snaps into the lower side groove
where the decorative upper layer of the surface elements are mainly
parallel. The third and fourth edges of the surface elements are
joined by means of joining members selected from the group
consisting of,
[0013] a) The third edge of the surface elements are provided with
a male vertical assembly joining member while the fourth edge is
provided with a female vertical assembly joining member. The fourth
edge is arranged on a side opposite to the third edge.
[0014] b) The third edge of the surface elements are alternatively
provided with a male vertical assembly joining member while the
fourth edge also is provided with a male vertical assembly joining
member. The fourth edge is arranged on a side opposite to the third
edge. The adjacent male vertical assembly joining members are
joined by means of a separate vertical assembly joining
profile.
[0015] Two adjacent edges of a surface element are at the same
time, and in the same turning motion joined with a surface element
adjacent to the first edge and a surface element adjacent to the
third or fourth edge.
[0016] Particular embodiments of the invention is described further
in connection to enclosed drawings whereby;
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a part of a surface element 1 according to a
first embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 2a-b show a part of a surface element 1 according to a
second embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 3a-f show a part of a surface element I according to a
third embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 1 shows parts of a surface element 1. The surface
elements 1 are provided with edges 2, a horizontal lower side 5,
and a horizontal upper decorative surface 3. The surface elements 1
are at two adjacent edges 2 provided with lower joining lips 10
(only one shown) while the two remaining edges 2 are provided with
upper joining lips 20 (only one shown). The lower joining lips 10
are provided with mainly vertical lower lip surfaces 11 arranged
parallel to the closest edge 2. The lower lip surfaces 11 are
intended to interact with mainly vertical upper lip surfaces 21
arranged on the upper joining lips 20 so that two joined adjacent
surface elements 1 are locked together in a vertical direction. The
joining lips 10 and 20 respectively are furthermore provided with
each one heel 31 with a matching recess 32. A vertical movement
between two joined adjacent surface elements 1 is limited since the
recess 32 and heel 31 respectively are provided with essentially
horizontal locking surfaces. The joining surfaces are also provided
with fitting surfaces 3.sup.I in order to avoid unintended gaps in
the joint. The geometry of the joining edges are only shown
schematically and may, of course, be changed in many ways within
the scope of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 2a shows, in cross-section, a first and a second edge
2.sup.I and 2.sup.II respectively, during assembly. The figure
shows parts of surface elements 1 with a mainly rectangular shape.
The surface elements 1 are provided with edges 2, a lower side 5
and an upper decorative layer 3. The surface elements 1 are
intended to be joined by means of joining members 200. The surface
elements 1 are provided with male joining members 220 on a first
edge 2.sup.I while a second edge 2.sup.II of the floor elements 1
are provided with a female joining member 210. The second edge
2.sup.II is arranged on a side opposite to the first edge 2.sup.I.
The male joining member 220 is provided with a tongue 110 and a
lower side 5 groove 12. The female joining member 210 is provided
with a groove 13 and a cheek 14, the cheek 14 being provided with a
lip 15. The surface elements 1 are intended to mainly be joined
together by tilting the surface elements 1 to be joined with an
already installed surface elements 1 or a row of already installed
surface elements 1, with the male joining member 220 of the surface
elements 1 angled downwards and that the first edge 2.sup.I is
allowed to be mainly parallel to the second edge 2.sup.II of the
already installed surface element 1 or elements 1. The tongue 110
of the tilted surface element 1 is then inserted into the groove 13
of the female joining member 210 of the already installed surface
element 1 or elements 1, whereby the tilted surface element 1 is
turned downwards, with its lower edge 2 as a pivot axis, so that
the lip 15 eventually falls into the lower side 5 groove 12 where
the decorative upper layer 3 of the surface elements 1 are mainly
parallel. The lip 15 and lower side 5 groove 12 are further
provided with a cam 16 and a cam groove 17 which provides a snap
action locking during the turning motion.
[0022] FIG. 2b shows, in cross-section, a third and a fourth edge
2.sup.III and 2.sup.IV respectively, of a surface element 1
according to the invention. The surface elements 1 are provided
with a male vertical assembly joining member 220.sup.I on a third
edge 2.sup.III while a fourth edge 2.sup.IV is provided with a
female vertical assembly joining member 210.sup.II. The fourth edge
2.sup.IV is placed on a side opposite to the third edge 2.sup.III.
The male vertical assembly joining members 220.sup.I are provided
with mainly vertical lower cheek surfaces 21 arranged parallel to
the closest edge 2. The lower cheek surfaces 21.sup.I are intended
to interact with mainly vertical upper cheek surfaces 22.sup.II
arranged on the female vertical assembly joining members 210.sup.II
so that two joined adjacent surface elements 1 are locked against
each other in a horizontal direction. The male vertical assembly
joining members 220.sup.II are moreover provided with two snapping
hooks 23.sup.I while the female vertical assembly joining members
210.sup.II are provided with matching under cuts 24.sup.II, which
by being provided with mainly horizontal locking surfaces limits
the vertical movement between two joined adjacent surface elements
1.
[0023] The joint between a third and a fourth edge 2.sup.III and
2.sup.IV respectively of two joined surface elements 1 further
comprises contact surfaces which are constituted by the mainly
horizontal locking surfaces of the under cut 23.sup.I and hook
24.sup.II, the mainly vertical upper cheek surfaces 22.sup.II lower
cheek surfaces 21.sup.I as well as upper mating surfaces 25. The
joint between two joined surface elements 1 also comprises cavities
60.
[0024] FIG. 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d show in exploded view and in
cross-section an embodiment of joining members 210 and 220
respectivly to surface elements 1 according to the invention,
before the assembly. The surface elements 1, which are assembled
vertically, has a rectangular shape, as seen from above. The
surface elements 1 are provided with edges 2 which are provided
with joining members 200. The surface elements 1 are further
provided with a lower side 5 and a decorative top surface 3. The
surface elements 1 comprises a combination of at least two types of
surface elements 1, which types comprises female surface elements
1.sup.I and male surface elements 1.sup.II.
[0025] The female surface elements 1.sup.I is provided with a
female joining member 210 on at least half of the number of its
edges 2 and a male joining member 220 on less than half of the
number of its edges 2. The female joining member 210 comprises an
upwards protruding lip 211, being parallel to the edge 2. The
upwards protruding lip 211 is provided with a with a guiding
surface 212, the guiding surface 212 facing the edge 2, and a
locking groove 213, being parallel to the edge 2. The locking
groove 213 has a locking surface 214 facing downwards, which
locking surface 214 terminates in a locking edge 215. An angle
.alpha.I between the guiding surface 212 and a vertical plane is
10.degree., while the angle .alpha.II between the locking surface
214 and a horizontal plane is 15.degree. as seen in a perpendicular
cross-section.
[0026] The male surface elements 1.sup.II is provided with a male
joining member 220 on at least two thirds of the number of its
edges 2 and a female joining member 210 on less than one third of
the number of its edges 2.
[0027] The male joining member 220 comprises a groove 221, with a
guiding face 222, being parallel to the edge 2, on the lower side
5. The guiding face 222 is facing away from the edge 2. The male
joining member 220 is also provided with a locking heel 223, being
parallel to the edge 2. The locking heel 223 has a locking face 224
facing upwards. An angle .beta.I between the guiding face 222 and
vertical plane is 10.degree., while an angle .beta.II between the
locking face 224 and a horizontal plane is 15.degree. as seen in a
perpendicular cross-section.
[0028] Accordingly, the angles .alpha.I and .beta.I are the same
and the angles .alpha.II and .beta.II are also the same.
[0029] An optional joining profile 50 (see FIGS. 3e and 3f) may
possibly constitute a junction between two adjacent male joining
members 220 of two adjacent surface elements 1.
[0030] The section placed between the edges 2 and the grooves 221
has a thickness which is less than the maximum surface element
thickness by a recess 6 on the lower side 5 of the surface elements
1. The thickness of the surface elements 1 is normally between 5
and 15 mm whereby a suitable depth of the recess 6 is 1-5 mm.
[0031] The width of the locking face 224 is depending on aspects
like the thickness of the surface element 1, the material used in
the core, the dimensions of the part between the locking groove 213
and the lower side 5 and the angles .alpha.I and .beta.I chosen.
The width of the locking face 224 is typically less than 30% of the
thickness of the surface element which normally is between 5 and 15
mm whereby the width is less than 4.5 mm for floors with 15 mm
thickness and 2.1 mm for a common surface element with a thickness
of 7 mm. It has, however shown to be fully sufficient with a width
between 0.2 mm and 1 mm.
[0032] FIGS. 3e and 3f show, in cross-section, an embodiment of a
joining profile 50 to a surface element 1 according to the
invention. The joining profile 50 is intended to be used as a
junction between two male joining members 220. The joining profile
50 comprises two upwards protruding rims 511, being parallel to
each other and distanced from each other by a centre section 506.
The two upwards protruding rims 511 are provided with guiding areas
512. The guiding areas 512 are facing inwards. The joining profile
50 is furthermore provided with two locking cheeks 513 placed on an
extension 507. The locking cheeks 513 has locking areas 514 facing
downwards, which locking areas 514 terminates in a locking edge
515. An angle .psi.I between the guiding area 512 and the vertical
plane is 10.degree. and the angle .psi.II between the locking area
514 and a horizontal plane is 15.degree. as seen in a perpendicular
cross-section.
[0033] Accordingly, the angles .alpha.I, .beta.I (FIGS. 3a-3d)
.psi.I and are the same and the angles .alpha.II, .beta.II (FIGS.
3a-3d) .psi.II are also the same.
[0034] The invention is not limited by the embodiments shown since
these can varied in different ways within the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *