U.S. patent application number 11/185724 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-17 for flooring material comprising flooring elements which are assembled by means of separate flooring elements.
This patent application is currently assigned to PERGO (EUROPE) AB. Invention is credited to Martensson, Goran.
Application Number | 20050252130 11/185724 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 20412830 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050252130 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Martensson, Goran |
November 17, 2005 |
Flooring material comprising flooring elements which are assembled
by means of separate flooring elements
Abstract
Flooring material comprising board shaped floor elements which
are provided with edges, a lower side and a decorative upper
surface. The floor elements are intended to be joined by means of
separate joining profiles. All four edges are provided with one
notch-like groove each. The grooves are arranged parallel to its
respective edge. The joining profiles are provided with lips
arranged in pairs. The lips are intended to each be received by one
of the grooves so that the floor elements with the grooves at the
adjacent edges will be guided or fixed vertically via the lips of a
joining profile. The lips are joined by a middle section of the
joining profile. The grooves are furthermore provided with an
undercut while the lips are provided with hooks that matches the
undercut whereby adjacent floor elements will be guided or fixed
horizontally via the undercuts and the hooks.
Inventors: |
Martensson, Goran;
(Klagstorp, SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STEVENS DAVIS MILLER & MOSHER, LLP
1615 L STREET, NW
SUITE 850
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Assignee: |
PERGO (EUROPE) AB
Trelleborg
SE
|
Family ID: |
20412830 |
Appl. No.: |
11/185724 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11185724 |
Jul 21, 2005 |
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09802779 |
Mar 8, 2001 |
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6835717 |
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09802779 |
Mar 8, 2001 |
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09806994 |
May 31, 2001 |
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6763643 |
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09806994 |
May 31, 2001 |
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PCT/SE99/01699 |
Sep 27, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/384 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 15/02 20130101;
E04F 15/04 20130101; E04F 2201/0517 20130101; E04F 15/102 20130101;
E04F 2201/0529 20130101; E04F 2201/0115 20130101; E04F 15/02038
20130101; E04F 2201/0138 20130101; E04F 2201/0511 20130101; E04F
2201/028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/384 |
International
Class: |
E04F 013/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 6, 1998 |
SE |
9803379-8 |
Claims
1. Flooring material comprising board shaped floor elements (1)
with a mainly square or rectangular shape, which floor elements (1)
are provided with edges (2), a lower side (5) and a decorative
upper surface (3), whereby the floor elements (1) are intended to
be joined by means of separate joining profiles (10), characterized
in that all four edges (2) of the floor elements (1) are provided
with one notch-like groove (4) each, which grooves (4) are arranged
parallel to its respective edge (2), that the joining profiles (10)
are provided with lips (11) arranged in pairs, which lips (11) are
intended to each be received by one of the grooves (4) so that the
floor elements (1) with the grooves (4) at the adjacent edges (2)
will be guided or fixed vertically via the lips (11) of a joining
profile (10), which lips (11) are joined by a middle section (12)
of the joining profile (10) and furthermore that the grooves (4)
are provided with an undercut (46) while the lips (11) are provided
with hooks (16) that matches the undercut (46) whereby adjacent
floor elements (1) will be guided or fixed horizontally via the
undercuts (46) and the hooks (16).
2. Flooring material according to claim 1, characterized in that
the grooves (4) are provided with a support (42) for the middle
section (12) of the joining profiles (10).
3. Flooring material according to claim 1, characterized in that
the joining profiles (10) are shaped as extended units or rolls
which may be cut to the desired length, and that the length of the
joining profiles (10) has a length, that before cutting,
considerably exceeds the length of a floor element (1).
4. Flooring material according to claim 1, characterized in that
the joining profiles (10) and/or the floor elements (1) are coated
with glue or double-faced adhesive tape.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a flooring material
comprising board shaped flooring elements which are assembled by
means of separate joining profiles.
[0002] Prefabricated floor boards provided with tongue and groove
at the edges are quite common nowadays. These can be installed by
the average handy man as they are very easy to install. Such floors
can, for example, be constituted of solid wood, fibre board or
particle board. These are most often provided with a surface layer
such as lacquer, or some kind of laminate. The boards are most
often installed by being glued via tongue and groove. The most
common types of tongue and groove are however burdened with the
disadvantage to form gaps of varying width between the floor boards
in cases where the installer hasn't been thorough enough. Dirt will
easily collect in such gaps. Moisture will furthermore enter the
gaps which will cause the core to expand in cases where it is made
of wood, fibre board or particle board, which usually is the case.
The expansion will cause the surface layer to rise closest to the
edges of the joint which radically reduces the useful life of the
floor since the surface layer will be exposed to an exceptional
wear. Different types of tensioning devices, forcing the floor
boards together during installation can be used to avoid such gaps.
This operation is however more or less awkward. It is therefore
desirable to achieve a joint which is self-guiding and thereby
automatically finds the correct position. Such a joint would also
be possible to utilise in floors where no glue is to be used.
[0003] Such a joint is known through WO 94/26999 which deals with a
system to join two floor boards. The floor boards are provided with
a locking device at the rear sides. It is, however, shown in the
figures with accompanying description that the floor boards are
provided with profiles on the lower side at a first long side and
short side. These profiles, which extends outside the floor board
itself, is provided with an upwards directed lip which fits into
grooves on the lower side of a corresponding floor board. These
grooves are arranged on the second short side and long side of this
floor board. The floor boards are furthermore provided with a
traditional tongue and groove on the edges. The intentions are that
the profiles shall bend downwards and then to snap back into the
groove when assembled. The profiles are integrated with the floor
boards through folding or alternatively, through gluing.
[0004] The invention according to WO 94/26999 is however burdened
with the disadvantage that the profiles are located in a very
exposed position and will easily be damaged during handling.
According to WO 94/26999, the floor boards may be joined without
the lip having to touch the contact surface of the groove at
tolerances as small as .+-.0.2 mm. The profiles are easily deformed
during manufacturing, transport and installation of the relatively
heavy floor boards since the profiles are located in a very exposed
position. Further deformation of the delicate joining profiles is
probable since the intentions are that it should be possible to
disassemble and reinstall the floor boards according to WO
94/26999. Such deformation will obstruct, and in serious cases even
make assembly of the floor boards impossible.
[0005] It seems, from WO 94/26999 to be desired to have a clearance
between the contact surfaces of the lip and the groove. A tolerance
of .+-.0.2 mm is mentioned in the application. The clearance seems
to be marked .DELTA. in the figures. Such a clearance will
naturally cause undesired gaps between the floor boards. Dirt and
moisture can penetrate into these gaps.
[0006] Another disadvantage is that the tongue, located on two of
the edges, must be tooled from the base material which will loss of
the surface layer. Such a surface layer will most often be
constituted of thermosetting laminate and is normally the most
costly part of a laminate floor. A surface layer of thermosetting
laminate will furthermore cause an extensive wear on the tools used
for milling.
[0007] Another disadvantage becomes clear when performing a
life-cycle analysis on the floor boards according to WO 94/26999.
According to one preferred embodiment of WO 94/26999, the joining
profile is constituted of aluminium. Since it constitutes a part
integrated with the floor board it will be practically impossible
to recycle the floor board without a very labour-intensive process.
The inevitable cutting of the floor board will also be very
difficult, utilising common tools, as both aluminium, thermosetting
laminate and core will have to be cut at the same time.
[0008] It is also known through WO 97/47834 to manufacture a joint
where the floor boards are joined so that they are locked together
in the horizontal direction. According to this invention a
traditional tongue has been provided with heel on the lower side.
The heel has a counterpart in a recess in the groove of the
opposite side of the floor board. The lower cheek of the groove
will be bent away during the assembly and will then snap back when
the floor board is in the correct position. The snap-joining parts,
in.e. the tongue and groove, is in opposite to the invention
according to WO 94/26999 above, where they are constituted by
separate parts, seems to be manufactured monolithically from the
core of the floor board. WO 97/47834 does also show how the tongue
and groove with heels and recesses according to the invention is
tooled by means of cutting machining. This invention does also have
the disadvantage that the tongue, and particularly, the lower cheek
of the groove will easily be damaged during normal handling even
though they protrudes less than in the invention according to WO
94/26999 above.
[0009] Also WO 97/47834 does have the disadvantage that both tongue
and groove will have to be tooled in a way that causes loss of the
costly top surface. This tooling will also cause an extensive wear
on tools used.
[0010] The invention according to WO 97/47834 presumes a certain
amount of resilient properties in the core material. The material
normally used is not very suitable if a resilient property is
desired. MDF (medium density fibre board) or HDF (high density
fibre board) should according to WO 97/47834 be suitable as core
material. The resilient properties of these materials are however,
rather poor, whereby the risk for crack formation, parallel to the
top surface, ought to be great.
[0011] The invention according to WO 93/13280 deals with a form of
clip intended to be used for holding floor boards together. The
floor boards are, besides being provided with a traditional tongue
and groove, with known disadvantages, also provided with a single
groove on the lower side of the floor board. The floor boards rests
on the clip whereby a great number of clips will have to be used as
the floor otherwise will be resilient. The distance formed between
the floor boards and the surface beneath will furthermore cause
acoustic resonance. This will give the floor a noisy character and
a higher sound level. This is not desired.
[0012] The above mentioned problems are solved through the present
invention, whereby a floor that endures handling, demands a minimum
of machining of the decorative top surface and is easy to install
has been achieved. Accordingly, the invention relates to a flooring
material comprising board shaped floor elements with a mainly
square or rectangular shape. The floor elements are provided with
edges, a lower side and a decorative upper surface. The floor
elements are intended to be joined by means of separate joining
profiles. The invention is characterised in that all four edges of
the floor elements are provided with one notch-like groove each.
The grooves are arranged parallel to its respective edge. The
joining profiles are provided with lips arranged in pairs. The lips
are intended to each be received by one of the grooves so that the
floor element, with the grooves at the adjacent edges will be
guided or fixed vertically via the lips of a joining profile. The
lips are joined by a middle section of the joining profile. The
grooves are furthermore provided with an undercut while the lips
are provided with hooks that matches the undercut. Adjacent floor
elements will hereby be guided or fixed horisontally via the
undercuts and the hooks. According to one alternative the lips are
provided with gripping hooks. Such gripping hooks can be used in
grooves without undercut by making them sharp edged.
[0013] The grooves are suitably provided with a support for the
middle section of the joining profiles. It will thereby be possible
to make this embodiment dismountable where it is chosen to install
the floor without using glue.
[0014] The joining profiles are suitably shaped as extended
profiles which suitably are manufactured through extrusion which is
a well known and rational method. The joining profiles are suitably
shaped as extended lengths or rolls which can be cut to the desired
length. The length of the joining profiles considerably exceeds the
length of a floor element, before being cut. An advantage with such
long profiles is that they can be laid over the whole width of the
floor and will thereby reduce the risk for deviations and gaps in
the floor since it bridges the lateral joints of the floor. Such
bridging of the lateral joints can of course be used even if the
joining profiles have the same length as, or is shorter than the
floor elements. Shorter pieces of joining profiles is suitably used
when it comes to the lateral joints of the floor. The floor
elements may alternatively be provided with traditional tongue and
groove in the lateral joint edges.
[0015] The flooring material comprising the floor elements and
joining profiles above is very suited for installations of floors
where no glue is needed. It is, of course possible to use glue or
double-faced adhesive tape in order to make the installation
completely permanent. The glue or tape is then suitably placed on
the surfaces of the joining profile located between the lips and/or
on the edges of the floor element.
[0016] The joining profiles are in the present invention a separate
part in opposite to earlier known and cited flooring materials
where the joining is made through tongue and groove, profiles or
heels. This will give great advantages when handling the floors in
connection to manufacturing, transport and installation as
traditional joining parts normally are very delicate and sensitive
to blows. These parts must, of manufacturing technological reasons,
be made of fibre board, particle board or thin aluminium sheets
which all are easy to either break or deform. This will normally
lead to that the floor elements has to be rejected. Joining
profiles according to the present invention can be made of a
multitude of materials and by means of many different manufacturing
methods. Among the most suitable methods can, however, be mentioned
injection moulding for the plus-shaped embodiment of a joining
profile and extrusion for the extended embodiment of joining
profile. Suitable materials are thermoplastic materials such as
poly olefins, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride or
acrylnitril-butadiene-styrene-copolymer. These can suitably be
filled with for example wood powder or lime in order to increase
the dimension stability as well as increasing the adhesion when
being glued.
[0017] The invention may also relate to a flooring material
comprising board shaped floor elements with a mainly square or
rectangular shape. The floor elements are provided with edges, a
lower side and a decorative upper surface. The floor elements are
joined by means of separate joining profiles. The characterising
features in this embodiment are that the floor elements are
provided with grooves on at least two opposite sides. The grooves
are arranged parallel to its respective edge on the lower side of
the floor element. The joining profiles are provided with lips
arranged in pairs, which lips are intended to each be received by
one of the grooves of the floor elements so that two adjacent floor
elements with the grooves at the adjacent edges are guided or fixed
horizontally via the lips of a joining profile. The lips are joined
by a middle section of the joining profile.
[0018] The grooves are placed on a distance from the closest edge
of less than half, preferably less than one quarter of the width of
the floor element.
[0019] The floor elements are suitably provided with grooves on all
four edges. The distance between each groove and the closest edge
is mainly the same.
[0020] The section located between the edges and its closest groove
is preferably of thickness which is thinner than the largest
thickness of the floor through a recess located on the lower
side.
[0021] The edges are suitably provided with a vertical guiding by
providing a first edge with a preferably V-shaped longitudinal
groove with a depth less than 1.8 times, preferably 0.9 times the
greatest thickness of the floor. An opposite edge, as related to
the first edge, is provided with a matching protruding profile.
[0022] The edges are alternatively provided with a vertical guiding
by providing two adjacent edges with each a preferably V-shaped
longitudinal groove with a depth of less than 1.8 times, preferably
less than 0.9 times the greatest thickness of the floor element.
The two remaining edges are provided with a protruding profile that
matches the longitudinal groove.
[0023] The distance between the, in pairs, arranged lips of the
joining profile is preferably somewhat smaller than the distance
between the grooves placed on each side, and closest to, the joint
between two adjacent floor elements. The joining profile will
hereby exert a tensioning force on the joint.
[0024] The joining profiles are suitably manufactured as extended
lengths, through extrusion which is a well-known and rational
manufacturing method. The joining profiles are shaped as extended
lengths or rolls which can be cut to the desired length. The length
of the joining profiles considerably exceeds the length of a floor
element. One advantage with such long joining profiles is that they
can be laid over the whole width of a floor and will thereby reduce
the risk for deviations and gaps in the floor as it bridges the
lateral joints in the floor. Such bridging of the lateral joints
can of course be used even if the joining profiles have the same
length as, or is shorter than the floor elements. Shorter pieces of
joining profiles is suitably used when it comes to the lateral
joints of the floor. These are suitably installed gradually as
every new floor element is added to a row. The floor elements may
alternatively be provided with traditional tongue and groove in the
lateral joint edges.
[0025] According to one variation of the embodiment above, the
joining profiles are intended to be placed in corner where four
floor elements meets. The joining profiles is shaped as a plus with
four cheeks, as seen from above. The first three cheeks, which
together with the fourth forms the plus-shaped joining profile, are
provided two lips, arranged in pairs, each. The lips are intended
to be placed on each one side of a joint. The fourth cheek is
provided with only one lip placed on one side of the joint.
[0026] The plus-shaped joining profiles are best suited for
installation of square floor elements and will automatically give
an excellent guiding of both the lateral and longitudinal joints.
These are suitably provided with cheeks that are only somewhat
shorter than the half the short side of the floor element. The
cheek length is calculated as, from the centre of the joining
profile to its outer edge. The plus-shaped joining profiles are
also suited for installation of rectangular floor elements in cases
where the lateral joints are to coincide. The length of the cheeks
are hereby somewhat shorter than half the width of the floor
element. Extended profiles can be cut and installed in the
intermediate space on the long side between two plus-shaped joining
profiles to reinforce the long side joint. In cases where the
lateral joints are to be displaced from row to row it is possible
to use a T-shaped joining profile which has three cheeks instead of
four. This profile is suitably also provided with cheeks of length
somewhat shorter than the half the width of the floor element.
Flooring materials comprising the floor elements and joining
profiles above are very suited where it is desired to install
floors without having to use glue. It is of course possible to use
glue or double-faced adhesive tape in order to make the
installation irreversibly permanent. The glue or the tape is then
suitably applied to the surfaces located between the lips, and on
the edges.
[0027] The joining profiles are, unlike earlier known and herein
mentioned flooring materials where the joining is achieved through
tongue and groove, profiles or heels, a separate part. This will
give great advantages when handling the floors in connection to
manufacturing, transport and assembly as the traditional joining
parts are very delicate and sensitive to blows. These parts must,
of manufacturing technological reasons, be made of fibre board,
particle board or thin aluminium sheets which all are easy to
either break or deform. This will normally lead to that the floor
elements has to be rejected. Joining profiles according to the
present invention can be made of a multitude of materials and by
means of many different manufacturing methods. Among the most
suitable methods can, however, be mentioned injection moulding for
the plus-shaped embodiment of a joining profile and extrusion for
the extended embodiment of joining profile. Suitable materials are
thermoplastic materials such as poly olefins, polystyrene,
polyvinyl chloride or acrylnitril-butadiene-styrene-copolymer.
These can suitably be filled with for example wood powder or lime
in order to increase the dimension stability as well as increasing
the adhesion when being glued.
[0028] The invention is described further together with enclosed
figures showing different embodiments of the invention whereby,
[0029] FIG. 1 shows, in perspective view, seen from below, an
embodiment of a floor element 1 to a flooring-material.
[0030] FIGS. 2a-2c shows in exploded view and in cross-section
different embodiments of a flooring material.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a joining profile 10 to a
flooring material.
[0032] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a joining profile 10 to a
flooring material.
[0033] FIG. 5 shows a flooring material according to the invention
where square floor elements 1 and plus-shaped joining profiles 10
shown in FIG. 3 is shown. The floor is only partly installed in
order to facilitate understanding of the function.
[0034] FIG. 6 shows a flooring material according to the invention
where rectangular floor elements 1 and T-shaped joining profiles
10, as shown in FIG. 4 and extended joining profiles 10 are used.
The floor is only partly installed in order to facilitate
understanding of the function.
[0035] FIG. 7a-d shows different preferred embodiments of joints
with floor elements 1 which are joined by means of joining profiles
10 via notch-shaped grooves 4 in the edges 2 of the floor boards
1.
[0036] Accordingly, FIG. 1 shows, in perspective seen aslant from
below, an embodiment of a floor element 1 to a flooring material.
The floor element 1 has rectangular shape and is provided with
edges 2, a lower side 5 and a decorative upper surface 3. The floor
elements 1 are joined by means of separate joining profiles 10
(FIG. 2-6). The floor element 1 is provided with a groove 4 at each
of the edges 2. The grooves 4 are arranged parallel to its
respective edge 2. The joining profiles 10 (FIG. 2-6) are provided
with lips 11 (FIG. 2-6), arranged in pairs, which each are intended
to be received by one of the grooves 4 of the floor element 1. Two
adjacent floor elements 1 with the grooves 4 at the adjacent edges
2 are guided or locked horizontally by means of the lips 11 of the
joining profile 10. The floor elements 1 most often comprises a
core to which an upper decorative layer has been applied. The core
most often consists of wood particle or fibre bonded together by
glue or resin. It might be advantageous to treat the surface
closest to the joint in cases where the floor will be exposed to
moisture, since the wood in the core is sensitive to moisture. This
surface treatment may suitably include resin, wax or some kind of
lacquer. It is not necessary to coat the joint if it is to be glued
since the glue itself will protect the core from moisture
penetration. The decorative upper surface 3 is constituted by a
decorative paper impregnated with melamine-formaldehyde resin. One
or more layers of so-called overlay papers made of
.alpha.-cellulose, impregnated with melamine-formaldehyde resin are
possibly placed on top of this. The abrasion resistance can be
improved further by sprinkling one or more of the layers with hard
particles of for example .alpha.-aluminium oxide, silicon carbide
or silicon oxide in connection to the impregnation. The lower side
5 may suitably be coated with lacquer or a layer of paper and
resin.
[0037] FIGS. 2a-2c shows in exploded view and in cross-section,
different embodiments of a flooring material. The floor elements 1
are provided with edges 2, a lower side 5 and a decorative upper
surface 3. The floor elements 1 are joined by means of separate
joining profiles 10. The floor elements 1 are at two opposite edges
2 provided with one groove 4 each. The grooves 4 are arranged
parallel to its respective edge 2. The grooves 4 are arranged on
the lower side 4 at a distance from the closest edge 2 of the less
than one fourth of the width of the floor element 1. The section
located between the edges 2 and their respective closest groove 4
has a thickness which is smaller than the greatest thickness of the
floor board 1 through a recess 6 located on the lower side 5. The
thickness of the floor is normally between 5 and 15 mm whereby a
suitable difference in thickness at the recess 6 and the main floor
thickness is 1-5 mm. The edges 2 are provided with a vertical
guiding by a providing a first edge with a V-shaped longitudinal
groove 21 (FIG. 2a) with a depth less 0.9 times the greatest floor
thickness. The opposite edge 2 is provided with a matching profile
22 (FIG. 2a). The joining profiles 10 are provided with lips 11
arranged in pairs, which lips each are intended to be received by
each one groove 4 of the floor elements 1 so that to adjacent floor
elements 1 with the grooves 4 at the adjacent edges 2 are guided or
fixed horizontally via the lips 11 of a joining profile 10. The
floor elements 1 may, instead of being provided with V-shaped
grooves 21 with matching profile 22, alternatively be provided with
a notch-like groove 4' (FIGS. 2b-2c) in all four edges 2, which
grooves 4' (FIGS. 2b-2c) are intended to receive each one of the
lips 11 of a second joining profile 10'. The second joining profile
10' may either be a separate part (FIG. 2b) or be joined with the
joining profile 10 via a rib 12' (FIG. 2c). The lips 11 are
connected by a middle section 1' of the joining profile 10. The
distance between the, in pairs, arranged lips 11 of the joining
profile 10 is somewhat smaller than the distance between the
grooves 4 arranged on each one side of, and closest to, the joint
between two adjacent floor elements 1. The floor elements 1 will
thereby be forced together whereby gaps are avoided. The joining
profiles 10 and 10' are manufactured as extended lengths or rolls
which may be cut into the desired length during installation. These
lengths considerably exceeds the length of the floor elements 1.
The embodiments shown in the FIGS. 2a-c all gives a minimum of
machining a minimum of material loss during manufacturing.
[0038] FIG. 3 shows, in perspective view seen from above, an
embodiment of a joining profile 10 to a flooring material. The
floor elements 1 are, as shown in FIG. 1, provided with edges 2, a
lower side 5 and a decorative upper surface 3. The floor elements 1
are joined by means of separate joining profiles 10. The floor
elements 1 are, as shown in FIG. 1, provided with one groove 4
each, at two opposite edges 2. The grooves 4 are arranged parallel
to its respective edge 2. The grooves 4 are placed on the lower
side 5 at a distance from the closest edge 2 of less than one
fourth of the width of the floor element 1. The section located
between the edges 2 and their respective closest groove 4 has a
thickness which is smaller than the greatest thickness of the floor
board 1 through a recess 6 located on the lower side 5. The
thickness of the floor is normally between 5 and 15 mm whereby a
suitable difference in thickness at the recess 6 and the main floor
thickness is 1-5 mm. The edges 2 may, as shown in the FIGS. 2a-c,
be provided with a vertical guiding through a V-shaped groove 21
(FIG. 2a) with matching profile 22 (FIG. 2a) or by a notch-like
grooves 4' (FIG. 2b-c) in all four edges 2 with a matching second
joining profile 10' (FIG. 2b-c). The plus-shaped joining profile 10
(FIG. 3) is provided with lips 11 arranged in pairs, which lips 11
each are intended to be received by one of the grooves 4 of the
floor element 1 so that adjacent floor element 1, with the grooves
at the adjacent edges 2 are guided or fixed horizontally via the
lips 11 of a joining profile 10. The joining profile is intended to
be placed in the corner where four floor elements 1 meet. The
joining profile 10 is, as seen from above shaped as a plus with
four cheeks, where the first three cheeks, which together with the
fourth one forms the plus-shaped joining profile 10, is provided
with two lips 11 arranged in pairs each, which are intended to be
placed at either side of a joint. The fourth cheek is provided with
only one lip 11 arranged on one side of the joint. The reason why
the fourth cheek is provided with only one lip 11 is that the last
floor element 1 joined with such a joining profile 10 must be
slided in from the side in cases where the floor elements 1 are
provided with a vertical guiding as shown in the FIGS. 2a-c. The
joining profile 10 as shown in FIG. 3 is used on floors where both
longitudinal and lateral joints is to coincide.
[0039] FIG. 4 shows in perspective another embodiment of a joining
profile 10 to a flooring material. The joining profile 10
corresponds in the main to the one described in connection to FIG.
3. The joining profile 10 showed in FIG. 4 is however provided with
only three cheeks and can thereby be described as T-shaped. The
joining profile 10 as shown in FIG. 3 is used in floors where only
the longitudinal or lateral joints is to coincide.
[0040] FIGS. 5 and 6 shows a flooring material according to the
invention where square and rectangular floor elements 1
respectively and plus-shaped and T-shaped joining profiles 10
respectively as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are used. The flooring
material is only partly installed in order to facilitate
understanding of the function. The plus-shaped profiles are best
suited when installing square floor elements 1 and will
automatically an excellent guiding of the joints in both
longitudinal and lateral direction. These are suitably provided
with cheeks being somewhat shorter than half the side of a floor
element 1. The length of a cheek is calculated as, from the centre
of the joining profile 10 to its outer edge. The plus-shaped
joining profiles are also suited for installation of rectangular
floor elements 1 in cases where coinciding lateral joints is
desired. The length of the cheeks is here somewhat shorter than the
short side edge of the floor element 1. Extended profiles 10 can be
cut and mounted in the intermediate space between two plus-shaped
profiles 10 in order to reinforce the long side joint of the floor
board 1.
[0041] It is possible to use a T-shaped joining profile which has
three cheeks instead of four in cases where a position of the
lateral joints shifting from row to row (FIG. 6) is desired. This
installation pattern is most often used when installing rectangular
floor elements 1. The length of the cheeks is also here, somewhat
smaller than half the short side of the floor elements 1. The
flooring material comprising the above floor elements 1 and joining
profiles 10 are very suited for installations where it is desired
to avoid use of glue. It is, of course, possible to use glue or
double faced adhesive tape in order to make the installation
completely permanent. The glue or tape is then suitably applied to
the surfaces of the joining profile 10 that are located between the
lips 11 and on the edges 2 (FIG. 2).
[0042] It is also possible to use only extended profiles 10 when
installing floor elements 1. These are then suitably cut to cover
the full width of the floor. The joining profiles 10 will then
extend in the same direction as the rectangular floor elements 1.
Small pieces are cut from joining profiles 10. These small pieces
are placed in the lateral joints as every new floor element 1 is
installed. It is suitable to bring these small pieces from below
into the joint between two assembled floor boards 1.
[0043] FIG. 7a-d shows different embodiments of joints with floor
elements 1 which are joined by means of joining profiles 10 via
notch-shaped grooves 4 in the edges 2 of the floor boards 1. The
floor boards 1 are provided with notch-shaped grooves 4 in all four
edges 2. The grooves 4 are each intended to receive one of the lips
11 of the joining profile 10. The lips 11 are provided with
gripping hooks 16. The floor can be made snap-joinable by providing
the grooves 4 with a undercut 46 (FIG. 7b-c) and by providing the
lips with matching hooks 16 (FIG. 7b-c). In order to make the joint
dismountable, which can be advantageous even if the floor elements
are to be glued, the grooves 4 are provided with a support 42 (FIG.
7b) for the middle section 12 of the joining profile 10. The middle
section 12 can alternatively be provided with a support 42' (FIG.
7c). Such a floor element 1 is then dismounted by lifting it
slightly along the free edge 2, whereby the hook will be disengaged
from the undercut 46. The simplest way to achieve such undercuts 46
are through broaching or laser cutting. The floor elements 1 may
alternatively be joined through a more shallow undercut 47 (FIG.
7d) which can be achieved with traditional methods such as milling.
The embodiments shown in FIG. 7a-d does all give a minimum of
cutting and lost material during manufacturing. The joining
profiles 10 used in the embodiments shown in FIG. 7a-d are also
manufactured in extended lengths or rolls which are cut to the
desired length in connection to the installation of the floor. The
joining profiles 10 and/or the floor elements 1 may, of course, be
coated with glue or adhesive double-faced tape.
[0044] The invention is not limited by the embodiments shown since
they can be varied in different ways within the scope of the
invention.
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