U.S. patent application number 10/966495 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-20 for profiled element for establishing tongue and groove connections, and laminate thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to Werzalit AG & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Matthias Schulte.
Application Number | 20060080927 10/966495 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36179275 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060080927 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schulte; Matthias |
April 20, 2006 |
Profiled element for establishing tongue and groove connections,
and laminate thereof
Abstract
The invention relates to profiled elements (P) for the interior
and exterior mounting, each element comprising at its lateral edges
connection portions (10, 20) for establishing tongue and groove
connections, and the connection portions (10, 20) comprising
co-ordinated bulges (14, 24, 25) and recesses (12, 13, 22, 23) to
provide a multi-level engaging of the tongue (10) into the groove
(20). At least the groove (20) is comprising at each of its bottom
and top sides (U, O) two bulges (24, 25) and/or recesses. The
bulges (14, 24, 25) and recesses (12, 13, 22, 23) are symmetrically
formed towards the transverse axis of the profiled element. The
tongue (20) comprises a notch, in particular a V-shaped groove
(27), which takes up the bolt head of a mounting screw (M). Thus
the elements can be assembled and installed more easily and fast.
Laminates or composites made of that elements are very flexible to
compensate material-conditioned dimension changes caused by varying
temperature and dampness.
Inventors: |
Schulte; Matthias;
(Oberstenfeld, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SQUIRE, SANDERS & DEMPSEY L.L.P
600 HANSEN WAY
PALO ALTO
CA
94304-1043
US
|
Assignee: |
Werzalit AG & Co. KG
Oberstenfeld
DE
|
Family ID: |
36179275 |
Appl. No.: |
10/966495 |
Filed: |
October 15, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/592.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 2203/04 20130101;
E04F 15/02161 20130101; E04F 15/10 20130101; E04F 2201/041
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/592.1 |
International
Class: |
E04B 2/08 20060101
E04B002/08 |
Claims
1. Profiled element for the interior and exterior mounting, the
profiled element comprising at its lateral edges connection
portions for establishing tongue and groove connections with
adjacent profiled elements, each profiled element comprising at one
of its lateral edges at least one tongue and at the opposite
lateral edge comprising at least one groove, wherein the tongue of
the adjacent profiled element being insertable, and the connection
portions each with a bottom side and a top side comprising
coordinated bulges and recesses to provide a multi-level engaging
of the tongue into the groove, and at least one of the connection
portions is comprising at each of its bottom and top sides at least
two bulges and/or recesses, characterized in that the bulges and
recesses at the bottom side and at the top side are symmetrically
formed towards the transverse axis of the profiled element, and
that the tongue comprises at its bottom and top side a notch, in
particular a V-shaped groove, which takes up the bolt head of a
mounting screw.
2. Profiled element as cited in claim 1, characterized in that the
V-shaped groove is meeting a straight slot.
3. Profiled element as cited in claim 1, characterized in that the
profiled element is comprising at least inwardly a symmetrically
designed core portion, and that the bulges and recesses at the
bottom side and at the top side are symmetrically formed towards
the transverse axis of the profiled element and that at least the
tongue is having faces tapering off with rising angles towards the
direction of insertion being more plain than the decent angles
towards the opposite direction.
4. Profiled element as cited in claim 1, characterized in that the
entire profiled element is symmetrically designed and is comprising
two equal surfaces.
5. Profiled element as cited in claim 1, characterized in that the
profiled element is inwardly comprising a symmetrically designed
core portion, but is outwardly comprising two different
surfaces.
6. Profiled element as cited in claim 1, characterized in that the
recesses of the tongue and the recesses of the groove are
comprising two faces tapering off and being slopingly truncated,
thus the faces at least in the snap-in position are lying against
to each other and are directly contacting each other.
7. Profiled element as cited in claim 1, characterized in that the
tongue comprises a cone end having a longitudinal slot, whereby the
tongue for the insertion into the groove becomes resilient snapable
within at least two-stages.
8. Profiled element as cited in claim 1, characterized in that the
bulges of the groove and/or of the tongue comprise compressible
desired dents.
9. Profiled element as cited in claim 1, characterized in that when
the tongue is totally inserted into the groove comprises a
remaining excavation and/or a remaining gap joint between the
profiled elements.
10. Profiled element as cited in claim 1, characterized in that the
profiled element is a prolate profiled blank or a rectangular, in
particular quadratic, profiled plate.
11. Tongue and groove connection of profiled elements for the
interior and exterior mounting, the profiled elements having at
their lateral edges attached thereto connecting portions, each
profiled element comprising at one of its lateral edges at least
one tongue and at the opposite lateral edge comprising at least one
groove, thus the tongue of the adjacent profiled element being
insertable therein, and the connecting portions each comprising a
bottom side and a top side with co-ordinated bulges and recesses to
provide a multi-level engaging of the tongue into the groove, and
at least one of the connecting portions is comprising at each of
its bottom and top sides at least two bulges and/or recesses,
characterized in that the bulges and recesses at the bottom side
and at the top side are symmetrically formed towards the transverse
axis of the profiled element, and that the tongue comprises at its
bottom and top side a recess, in particular a V-shaped groove,
which takes up the bolt head of an mounting screw.
12. Laminate of profiled elements, in particular a decking profile
laminate, having profiled elements for the interior and exterior
mounting, the profiled elements having at their lateral edges
designed connecting portions for establishing a tongue and groove
connection with adjacent profiled elements, each profiled element
comprising at one of its lateral edges at least one tongue and at
the opposite lateral edge having at least one groove, thus the
tongue of the adjacent profiled element being insertable therein,
and the connecting portions each comprising a bottom side and a top
side with co-ordinated bulges and recesses to provide a multi-level
engaging of the tongue into the groove, and at least one of the
connecting portions is comprising at each of its bottom and top
sides at least two bulges and/or recesses, characterized in that
the bulges and recesses at the bottom side and at the top side are
symmetrically formed towards the transverse axis of the profiled
element, and that the tongue comprises at its bottom and top side a
recess, in particular a V-shaped groove, which takes up the bolt
head of an mounting screw.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention is related to a profiled element for the
interior and exterior mounting having at its lateral edges attached
thereto connection portions for establishing tongue and groove
connections with adjacent profiled elements according to the
preamble of claim 1.
[0002] Further the invention is related to a mechanical tongue and
groove connection of profiled elements as well as to a laminate or
composite of profiled elements, in particular to a decking profiled
laminate, according to the preamble of one of the independent
claims.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In the field of the profiled elements which are used e.g. as
wall and floor elements for interior and outside applications, it
is well-known to interconnect profiled elements without glue and to
join them to a composite, laminate or group. For example there are
to mention oblong profile boards, planks, panels, but also
rectangular and square profile plates having at their lateral edges
a groove and a tongue respectively which both interlock with each
other and thus establish a connection laminate or composite between
the profiled elements. It is desirable to provide with these tongue
and groove connections fast assembly and reliable adjustment of the
profiled elements. There are modern connections for laminates, in
particular tongue and groove connections for floor laminates, which
are designed as so-called clicking connections. With these clicking
connections the tongue is inserted into the groove, where it then
engages form fit and/or force fit. Thus a joint and stuck press
connection is provided which holds the profiles very strongly
together. This however leads to the consequence that these clicking
connections are also very firm and inflexible in relation to
material-conditioned dimension changes. In particular these
clicking connections can merely compensate material expansions and
tensions which may occur due to variations in temperature and
changes of the material dampness.
[0004] Conventional designed profiled elements are known e.g. from
DE-A-3512206 or from DE-U-29822341. Moreover from DE-A-10051404
there is known a clicking connection having profiled elements,
namely floor and wall panels, comprising a locking device mechanism
formed by a tongue and groove connection. The grooves and tongues
are formed by recesses and bulges having a bottom and a top side.
As being described there with reference to the FIGS. 8 and 10, one
of these sides may even have two recesses and bulges. The
connection portions, i.e. the grooves and tongues, may be designed
such that in the assembled arrangement at they are aligned to each
other by an offset. Once the tongue snaps into the groove there
will be established a very firm and close tongue and groove
connection. However this connection is quite rigidly and therefore
less suitable to absorb and to compensate material tolerances.
[0005] This means that there are well-known profiled elements for
the interior and exterior mounting which have at their lateral
edges attached thereto connection parts to establish tongue and
groove connections with adjacent profiled elements, the respective
profiled element having at one of its lateral edges at least one
tongue and having at the opposite lateral edge at least one groove
which is insertable into the tongue of the adjacent profiled
elements, the connection parts each having a bottom surface and a
top surface with aligned bulges and recesses. However these
well-known profiled elements have the above-mentioned
disadvantages.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Therefore it is an object of the invention to suggest
profiled elements which can be assembled together and can be
installed easily and fast by means of tongue and groove
connections. Laminates or composites being assembled from such
profiled elements may be flexible regarding the
material-conditioned dimension changes which can particularly occur
at varying temperature and material dampness.
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The object of the invention is solved by a profiled element
having the features according to claim 1. Further the object is
solved by a laminate of profiled elements, in particular by a
decking laminate, and also by a tongue and groove connection of
profiled elements with the features according to one of the
independent claims.
[0008] Accordingly a profiled element is presented which provides a
multi-level engaging of the tongue into the groove, the tongue
comprising on its lower side and on its top side bulges and
recesses which are symmetrically designed to the transverse axis of
the profile, and the groove comprising on each of its lower and top
sides a notch, in particular a V-shaped groove, which takes up the
bolt head of a mounting screw.
[0009] Because of this symmetrical and multi-level design a very
fast and easy assembly of the profiled elements is achieved as well
as a multi-step clickwise joining of the profiled elements. Thus
one could also call this connection a "multiple clicking
connection" or "multi-step snap fitting". Among other advantages
the suggested symmetrical structure has the big advantage that the
assembly of the profiled element laminate, in particular the
installation, is very flexible. In addition to this the suggested
laminate is very durable and tolerant in relation to disturbing
material influences by temperature and humidity or similar
effects.
[0010] Some embodiments having further advantages are defined in
the subclaims, i.e.:
[0011] According to one embodiment it is advantageous that the
profiled element is completely symmetrically designed and is having
two identical sides. Thus the assembly can be performed even
faster, since the profiled elements always fit to each other
irrespectively from their adjustment. This is because there is no
orientation to be noticed when assembling the profiled elements, in
particular there is no upper or lower side to which the adjacent
profile element must be aligned.
[0012] Another advantage results if inside the profiled element a
symmetrically designed core is arranged, but outwardly two
different surfaces are provided. Thus the profiled elements can be
joined in any arbitrary orientation. Since the profiled surfaces
can differ according to structure, coating, color or the like, it
is possible to arrange a large variety of laminate assemblies
without complexity and it is possible to vary the appearance of the
laminate as a whole or in sections or even from one profiled
element to the adjacent one.
[0013] It is also advantageous if the tongue and the groove
comprise two corresponding faces both tapering off and contacting
each other within the at least two snap-in positions. Thus two
precisely defined end stop surfaces are created which determine for
each snap-in position a corresponding distance between the
profiles. Therefore a constant stability of the connection is
achieved though the laminate can be assembled and mounted with at
least two different joint widths.
[0014] In this context an outstanding advantage results if the
tongue comprises a cone end having a longitudinal slot whereby the
tongue for insertion into the groove becomes resilient snapable
within at least two stages. Thus the installation is considerably
facilitated and clamping resulting from changes in temperature or
dampness is compensated.
[0015] Moreover it is advantageous if the surface of the tongue
and/or groove comprise compressible desired dents. Thereby further
changes in dimension are compensated throughout the profile width
whereby in the moment of assembling the compressible desired dents
define an exact fixing of the profiles.
[0016] Beyond this an outstanding advantage results if the groove
comprises a remaining cavity when the tongue is completely
introduced, whereby changes in dimension are very well compensated
in longitudinal direction.
[0017] A further advantage results if the groove comprises at both
of its bottom and top side a recess respectively, in particular a
V-shaped groove, for receiving a head of a mounting screw. By this
measure, an invisible fixing of the profiles is provided. And
further mounting elements, like e.g. distance clamps, are not
required.
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0018] These and even more advantages will become more apparent by
the following description of two embodiment of the invention.
Therefore reference is taken to the enclosed schematic
drawings:
[0019] FIG. 1 that shows a cross-section of two cavity-profiled
elements being joint together, whereat the connection parts are
snapped together at a small distance.
[0020] FIG. 2 that shows a cross-section of these two
cavity-profiled elements, whereat the connection parts are snapped
together at a broad distance.
[0021] FIG. 3a that shows in a cross-section two solid-material
profiled elements, whereat the connection parts are snapped
together at a small distance.
[0022] FIG. 3b that shows in a cross-section two solid-material
profiled elements, whereat the connection parts are snapped
together at a broad distance.
DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS
[0023] The FIG. 1 shows the fundamental construction of a laminate
(composite) of two profiled elements P and P' according to the
invention which is advantageously embodied as decking profiled
laminate (to express that the laminate can preferably be used on a
deck or a floor). Each of the profiled elements P and P' have at
their respective side borders, i.e. at their longitudinal edges,
attached thereto connection portions 10 and 20 that serve as tongue
and groove connections. This means that at least one feather or
tongue 10 is provided which has at its longitudinal edge a
cone-shaped tip or cone end 11. At the opposite side, i.e. the
other longitudinal edge, at least a groove 20 is provided to
receive the tongue 10 of the adjacent profiled element P', whereby
bulges and/or recesses are foreseen which are aligned to each
other, so that at least a two-step engagement of the tongue 10 into
the groove 20 is possible. This can be realized e.g. in the form of
distinct groove cheeks or flakes, noses, notches, and the like.
[0024] In the example of the FIG. 1 the tongue 10 has the form of
the cross-section of a dowel profile with tapered of faces 12 and
13 that are equipped with a bump or elevation 14 having defined
rising and descent angles. The rising angle is in the direction of
insertion more flatly designed than the descent angle in the
opposite direction. Thus a click-connection is provided which can
be established easily but also can be closed safely. The feather or
tongue 10 is constructed as tip or cone end 11 at one of its
longitudinal edges of the profiled elements P and has in its center
part an ablong slot 15 which provides an elastic or resilient
effect when the tongue 10 is introduced into the groove 20 of the
adjacent profiled element P'.
[0025] The groove 20 is constructed correspondingly to the
cross-section form of the tongue 10 as a counterpart and has
correspondingly tapered of faces 22 and 23 that serve as leading
and back stop faces. In order to enable an two-step sapping or
engaging there are attached to the faces 22 and 23 of the groove 20
two bulges 24 and 25 in a pre-defined distance, whereby the first
bulge, bump or elevation 25 also serves as a predetermined dent.
Both elevations 24 and 25 in the groove 20 interact with the
depressions or recesses 12 and 13 as well as with the elevation 25
of the tongue 10 and thus fix the assembled profiled elements P and
P' in the desired one of the two snap-in positions. In the drawing
of FIG. 1 this is the second, narrower position, in which a small
gap remains between the profiles P and P', namely a distance joint
Fs of about 2 mm.
[0026] In addition to the above mentioned abut surfaces 22 and 23
the predetermined dent 25 and a further predetermined dent 26 cause
a precise fixing of the profiles thus facilitating the mounting.
The groove-tongue-connection is fully symmetrically designed with
respect to the profile axis. Therefore no differently formed top
and bottom sides exist and thus there is no need to pay attention
to the alignment of the grooves and tongues during the mounting.
This is of high advantage and results when the core part of the
profile is symmetrically designed and when also the surfaces of the
profile are similar on both sides. In this special case any notice
of top and lower side becomes superfluous when mounting the
elements.
[0027] To say it in other words: What is presented by the invention
is a snap fitting for linking decking elements having symmetrical
grip flanges and grooves (10, 20) on the long edges of the
elements. The flanges have two or more grip ridges (14) which
engage corresponding grip grooves (24) inside the connecting
grooves on adjacent elements. The grip flanges are split (15) to
provide a spring effect. The decking elements have different
profiled outer surfaces (O1, O2) and can be laid either way up. The
elements may be secured onto the support structure by threaded
fasteners (M) set through the lower lips of the fitting grooves via
countersunk holes. The decking elements provide an improved fitting
grip without undue increase in manufacturing cost. The elements are
preferably used for wall and floor cladding.
[0028] In the example presented in FIG. 1, each of the shown
profile elements P and P' is indeed constructed symmetrically in
the core part, but is having two surfaces O1 and O2 with different
corrugation. In this example there are shown chequered surfaces,
namely a coarse chequered top side O1 and a fine chequered lower
side O2. Thus a fine chequered as well as a coarse chequered
laminate can be laid by simply turning the profiles when mounting
the elements. Likewise the profile elements can be turned
alternately to get a design of optical special impression. Beside
the possibility to have differently structured surfaces there can
also be used differently arrangements in color or even in surface
coating. The possible field of application is extremely
versatile.
[0029] In addition to this there are further possibilities of very
functional designs which can result from the multi-stage
engagement, i.e. in this example of the two-step engagement and
fixing of the elements. This means that the profiled laminates or
composites can be assembled with different joint widths very easily
and quickly, whereby the whole composite can get a consistent
appearance or can also change alternating from profile to
profile.
[0030] In the FIG. 2 a similar arrangement like that which is shown
in the FIG. 1 is represented here, but being different in that the
profiles P and P' are now connected to each other such that the
first position of engagement is established. That means that a
wider joint or gap Fb of about 10 mm results. Although this wider
gap and thus a larger distance is established, the reached fixing
of the profiles is precise and secure.
[0031] The profile being here described by reference to the FIGS. 1
and 2 provides six different types of laying the elements to a
composite laminate having: [0032] i) a fine corrugation with a wide
gap laying [0033] ii) a fine corrugation with a small gap laying
[0034] iii) a coarse corrugation with a wide gap laying [0035] iv)
a coarse corrugation with a small gap laying [0036] v) a combined
(altering) corrugation with a wide gap laying [0037] vi) a combined
(altering) corrugation with a small gap laying
[0038] Independent of that type of laminate the composite is always
dense because of the inventive construction of the laminate. In
particular there are no gaps left through which objects may drop or
weeds may grow when the composite is used as a floor laminate.
[0039] Further to this the construction may be used as a wall
element as blinds to screen from view and further to protect from
rain and wind etc.
[0040] It is also to mention that the slot 15 being centered in the
middle of the head section provides an elastic effect. This eases
the joining of the elements and compensates any tensions which may
occur because of temperature- or damp-related changes of the
dimension. Further the cavity extending in the longitudinal
direction 21 also serve to absorb dimension changes caused by
temperature or damp.
[0041] And further to this the small gab Fs which remains after the
element are closely joint together can also sufficiently absorb
dimension changes in the laminate plane. The dead stop areas 12 and
13 or 22 and 23 respectively serve to fix the composite and to
guarantee an optimal guidance when connecting the elements in
vertical and horizontal direction. That also applies for the status
when the elements are joint at the more open position, i.e. when
essentially the dead end area 12 of the tongue 10 interacts with
the dead end area 23 of the groove 20.
[0042] Because of the predetermined dents 25 and 26 which are
compressible, again further changes of dimension coming from
variation in temperature or damp and moisture can be compensated,
now along the entire length of the profile. While assembling the
elements the predetermined dents further provide an exact fixing of
the profiles towards each other.
[0043] The angle of the dent areas and the elevations are designed
such that the assembly of the elements is made more easily than the
disassembly. Thus the mounting is eased and the absorption of
tensile stress in the laminate plane is compensated. Therefore any
warping of the profile which could result from partial changes in
dimension is successfully suppressed. However the possibility to
the simple disassembly the elements still remains.
[0044] Because of the V-shaped groove 27 which provides the
reception of mounting screws M the fixing of the elements is kept
invisible and can be realized without the use of other or further
mounting means (e.g. distance clamps). The design of the groove
having a V-shaped form defines an exact mounting point, it eases
the right positioning of the screw, it supports the grip of the
worm without the need to prepare a whole for insertion of the screw
and it receives the head of the screw such that the connecting
elements (fasteners) are not affected. Instead of using a V-form as
shown here, also other forms and designs can be meaningful
depending on the shape of the used mounting screws.
[0045] The tip 15 of the flexible fastener (tongue 10) is formed
such that, while mounting the both elements, the joining is
automatically centered without any jam or stuck.
[0046] The connection is especially meant to be used for profiles
made of composite material containing about 30 or more percent of
cellulose natural fibers or chips as well as containing about 20 or
more percent of thermosetting or thermoplastic binding agents.
[0047] The surfaces of the profile elements can be uncoated, the
core can have natural color or can be dyed, varnished or coated
with thermoplastic or thermosetting surfaces.
[0048] By having provided a center support or bar 30 within the
cavity (hollow chamber) of the profile, the profile element can be
separated very simply in its middle part and thus can be used as
end profile or termination profile, e.g. when being used in the
field of laminate floors. The placing of the elements can be made
without additional mounting means or parts, also when placing the
elements with a larger distance gap.
[0049] In the FIGS. 3a and 3b a corresponding arrangement is
presented, wherein no profiles with hollow chambers are used, but
rather profiles of massive material are used. Moreover these
profiles represented here are having in their outward portions a
groove 20 having differently designed recesses, cut-outs or notches
27' to receive mounting screws M. In this example, the recess 27'
has a V-shaped basic design, but the recess meets a straight slot.
This slot eases the screwing during the mounting and reduces the
risk that material tensions will appear which could cause this
portion of the groove to break away while tightening the screw. In
the narrower snap-in position (see FIG. 3a) a smaller joint gap Fs
of 2 mm remains and the distance interval from one profile front
edge to the next one will be L=146 mm. In the next plug-in position
(see FIG. 3b) a wide joint gap Fb of 10 mm remains and the distance
interval from one profile front edge to the next one will be L'=154
mm.
[0050] The present invention suits both for oblong profile
elements, especially for floor profile planks and wall panels, as
well as for profile plates or slabs which preferably have a
quadratic form. In this case only two of the four side edges,
namely the two opposite side edges, need to have connection means,
i.e. grooves or feather. However all four side edges can be
equipped with connecting means according to the invention, thus
further increasing the belting effect of the profiled laminate.
* * * * *