U.S. patent application number 11/314560 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-17 for panels to be engaged with each other through a locking element.
Invention is credited to Weigang Zhang.
Application Number | 20070107359 11/314560 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36703399 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070107359 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zhang; Weigang |
May 17, 2007 |
Panels to be engaged with each other through a locking element
Abstract
Panels to be engaged with each other through a locking element,
comprising board (1) and locking element (2), adjacent said boards
(1) engaging with each other through said locking element (2); a
groove (3) is formed in the vertical direction at each of the
coupling parts of the adjacent strip boards (1); said locking
element (2) comprises two tenons (4) extending from the bottom
plate of the locking element (2); the positions and the shapes of
the two tenons (4) correspond to the said grooves (3); when
assembling the said boards (1) and said locking element (2), said
tenons (4) are engaged in the grooves (3) respectively, thus the
adjacent boards (1) are connected with each other through the
locking element (2). The panels to be engaged with each other
according to present invention are simple in structure and is easy
to install and remove, and therefore could greatly save
materials.
Inventors: |
Zhang; Weigang; (Beijing,
CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATENT GROUP 2N;JONES DAY
NORTH POINT
901 LAKESIDE AVENUE
CLEVELAND
OH
44114
US
|
Family ID: |
36703399 |
Appl. No.: |
11/314560 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/582.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 2201/0138 20130101;
E04F 15/02 20130101; E04F 2201/0517 20130101; E04F 2201/07
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/582.1 |
International
Class: |
E04B 2/00 20060101
E04B002/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 11, 2005 |
CN |
200510115777.3 |
Claims
1. Panels to be engaged with each other through a locking element,
comprising at least two boards and at least one locking element,
adjacent said boards engaging with each other through said locking
element, wherein a groove is formed in the vertical direction at
each of the coupling parts of the adjacent strip boards; said
locking element comprises two tenons extending from the bottom
plate of the locking element; the positions and the shapes of the
two tenons are corresponding to the said grooves; when assembling
the said boards and said locking element, said tenons are engaged
in the grooves respectively, thus the adjacent boards are connected
with each other through the locking element.
2. The panels according to claim 1, wherein a middle pole is formed
on the locking element; said middle pole is provided between the
two tenons and extends in the same direction of the tenons from the
bottom board of the locking element; when assembled, the two sides
of the middle pole abut against the sides of the two adjacent
boards respectively.
3. The panels according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said grooves can
be formed on the top or bottom surface of the boards, i.e. the
openings of the grooves can faces up or down.
4. The panels according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the grooves on the
two sides of the board are symmetrically provided, the two tenons
on the locking element corresponding to the grooves are
symmetrically provided accordingly.
5. The panels according to claim 4, wherein a hook portion is
provided at the lower end of the outer wall of the groove, a hook
body is accordingly provided at the end of the tenon of the locking
element; said hook portion can be engaged with the hook body.
6. The panels according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said grooves on
the two sides of the boards can be asymmetrically provided, and the
two tenons on the locking element corresponding to the grooves are
asymmetrically provided accordingly.
7. The panels according to claim 6, wherein a hook portion is
provided on the lower end of the outer wall of one side of the
board, a hook body is provided on the end of one tenon; while a
recessed portion is provided on the outer wall of the other side of
the board, and a protruded portion is provided on one side of the
corresponding tenon of the locking element, said protruded portion
engaging with said recessed portion.
8. The panels according to claim 5, wherein the engaging surfaces
of the said hook portion and said hook body are inclined surfaces
or smooth transition surfaces or surfaces with a similar S-shaped
profile.
9. The panels according to claim 7, wherein the engaging surfaces
of the said hook portion and said hook body are inclined surfaces
or smooth transition surfaces or surfaces with a similar S-shaped
profile.
10. The panels according to claim 8, wherein a clearance is
provided between the hook portion and the hook body; and/or a side
surface slot is provided on the lateral surface of the board.
11. The panels according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a gap of 0.1 mm
to 1 mm between the lower end surface of the outer wall of the
board and the surface of the bottom plate of the said locking
element.
12. The panels according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a hollow chamber
is provided in one tenon of the locking element.
13. The panels according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an inclined plane
is formed on the outside of the lateral surface of the board.
14. The panels according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contacting
portions of the surfaces of the board and the locking element are
designed with circular transition.
15. The panels according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one or more rigid
strip-shaped elements are provided within the central portion of
the bottom plate of the said locking element.
16. The panels according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a small inclined
plane is provided at the upper edge of the lateral surface of the
strip board.
17. The panels according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least two
through holes are provided at the bottom plate of the locking
element.
18. The panels according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the top surface
of the middle pole is lower than or in the same level with the
surface of the board; said top surface of the middle pole is a
planar surface or a convex surface, or in a reversed V shape or in
a concave V shape.
19. The panels according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sides of the
locking element contact closely with the boards.
20. The panels according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the grooves
extend along the whole length of the board, or, grooves are formed
at intervals along the length direction of the board.
21. An apparatus comprising: a pair of panels, each of which has a
top surface, a bottom surface, and a side edge portion with a
vertically extending groove; and an installation element configured
to hold the side edge portions of the panels in installed positions
adjacent to each other, including a pair of vertically projecting
tenons configured to be received in the grooves in the panels upon
movement of the side edge portions of the panels into engagement
with the installation element.
22. An apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein the tenons on the
installation element are configured to interlock the panels both
vertically and horizontally when received in the grooves.
23. An apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein the tenons on the
installation element are formed of elastically deflectable material
and are configured to snap into the grooves.
24. An apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein the grooves face
upward.
25. An apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein the installation
element has a bottom surface and is configured for its bottom
surface to be coplanar with the bottom surfaces of the panels when
the panels are in the installed positions.
26. An apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein the panels are
configured for the top surfaces to adjoin along the adjacent side
edge portions when the panels are in the installed positions.
27. An apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein the grooves face
downward.
28. An apparatus as defined in claim 27 wherein the installation
element has a top surface, and is configured for its top surface to
be coplanar with the top surfaces of the panels when the panels are
in the installed positions.
29. An apparatus as defined in claim 27 wherein the panels are
configured for the bottom surfaces to adjoin along the adjacent
side edge portions when the panels are in the installed
positions.
30. An apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein the panels are
rectangular strip-shaped bodies and the grooves extend lengthwise
of the panels.
31. An apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein the grooves extend
the full lengths of the panels.
32. An apparatus as defined in claim 31 wherein the installation
element is an elongated structure extending the full length of each
panel.
33. An apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein the grooves are
formed at intervals along the side edge portions of the panels.
34. An apparatus as defined in claim 33 wherein the installation
element is one of a plurality of installation elements
corresponding to the grooves in the panels.
35. An apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein the installation
element is one of a pair of installation elements that are alike,
and each panel has a pair of opposite side edge portions, each of
which has a vertically extending groove configured to receive a
tenon on an installation element.
36. An apparatus as defined in claim 35 wherein each panel is
symmetrical such that the grooves in each panel are alike, and each
installation element is symmetrical such that the tenons on each
installation element are alike.
37. An apparatus as defined in claim 35 wherein each panel is
asymmetrical such that the grooves in each panel differ from each
other, and the installation elements are asymmetrical such that the
tenons on each installation element likewise differ from each
other.
38. An apparatus as defined in claim 37 wherein one tenon on each
installation element is larger than the other and has a hollow
internal chamber extending along its length.
39. An apparatus as defined in claim 37 wherein one side edge
portion of each panel is configured to overlie a surface of a
respective installation element that is located between the
respective tenons when the panel is in the installed position, and
the other side edge portion of each panel is configured to define a
gap between the panel and the intermediate surface of the
respective installation element when the panel is in the installed
position.
40. An apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein the side edge
portions of the panels and the tenons on the installation element
are configured to define clearance between the panels and the
installation element at locations between the tenons.
41. An apparatus as defined in claim 40 wherein the grooves in the
panel and the tenons on the installation element have arcuate
surfaces configured to define the clearance.
42. An apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein the installation
element has an imbedded strip-shaped rigidifying element.
43. An apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein each panel has an
inclined planar side edge surface configured to define a triangular
space between the adjacent panels.
44. An apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein the installation
element has apertures configured to receive fasteners for fastening
the installation element to a floor surface or a wall surface.
45. An apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein each panel has a
side edge surface with a slot configured to receive glue.
46. An apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein the installation
element further has a vertically projecting post located
horizontally between the tenons.
47. An apparatus as defined in claim 46 wherein the tenons are
configured to snap into interlocked engagement with the side edge
portions of the panels within the grooves, and the post is
configured to adjoin the side edge portions of the panels on its
opposite sides without interlocking with the panels.
48. An apparatus as defined in claim 46 wherein the post has an
upper end surface and is configured for the upper end surface to be
level with the top surfaces of the panels when the panels are in
the installed positions.
49. An apparatus as defined in claim 46 wherein the post has an
upper end surface and is configured for the upper end surface to be
spaced vertically from the top surfaces of the panels when the
panels are in the installed positions.
50. An apparatus as defined in claim 46 wherein the post has an
upper end surface with a concave contour.
51. An apparatus as defined in claim 50 wherein the concave contour
is V-shaped.
52. An apparatus as defined in claim 46 wherein the post has an
upper end surface with a convex contour.
53. An apparatus as defined in claim 52 wherein the convex contour
is bowed.
54. An apparatus as defined in claim 46 wherein each panel has an
inclined planar side edge surface configured to define a triangular
space between the panel and the post on the installation element.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from Chinese Patent
Application Number 200510115777.3, filed on Nov. 11, 2005, and
titled "Panels To Be Engaged With Each Other Through A Locking
Element." The complete disclosure of this prior application,
including drawings, is hereby incorporated into this application by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a construction decoration
material, especially to flat strip flooring, or more particularly,
to panels to be engaged with each other through locking elements,
which panels can be used for various planar places.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Strip flooring is a construction decoration material which
is widely used. Especially in recent years, flooring has been
broadly used in homes and various public places. Most of the
earlier floorings are solid wood floorings, but now laminate
flooring using HDF or MDF (high or medium density fiber) board have
been introduced into homes with the development of technology.
Laminate flooring has obvious advantageous over solid wood
flooring, such as homogeneous material in nature, no tortuousness,
no shrink and easy installation with no need of support assemblies.
At present, laminate flooring is installed through its locking
structure, such as those described in CN1419625A and CN1087056C.
CN1419625A discloses a combination of horizontal connection and
locking element connection, wherein the former is realized through
tenon and groove structure provided at the edges of panels, which
limits the movement and separation of two adjacent panels in
vertical direction, and the latter is realized through a locking
element, which limits the movement, separation and displacement of
two adjacent panels in horizontal direction. The disadvantage by
using such combination is that the clearances between the panels
when in use could not be completely avoided because the panel and
the locking element are made of different materials with different
rigidities and expansion coefficients. CN1087056C has made certain
improvement in comparison with CN1419625A, as in the former, a
limiting structure for limiting the separation of two adjacent
panels in horizontal direction is added to the tenon and groove
structure, which brings the advantage of relatively simple
installation; however, the disadvantages are: deformation tends to
occur during the installation and in actual use; it requires high
manufacturing precision and high uniformity in density, rigidity
and homogeneousness of different panels, which definitely increases
the cost; moreover, the overlapped parts of horizontally engaged
tenon and groove locking structure occupy 6 to 8 percent of the
total breadth of the two connected panels, which causes waste of 6
to 8 percent from the point of view of flooring material use
efficiency. The productivity of laminate flooring within China has
reached hundreds of millions of square meters annually, thus it is
estimated that tens of hundreds square meters of materials will be
wasted based on the annual productivity, which problem needs to be
resolved. Furthermore, the said two kinds of planar materials are
basically used as flooring and cannot be used as covering materials
for walls and tops of constructions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] One purpose of present invention is to provide a kind of
simply structured panel which can achieve efficient use of the
flooring material and can be engaged with another such panel.
[0005] The other purpose of present application is to provide a
planar covering material which can be used in various places.
[0006] To achieve the above mentioned purposes, the present
invention provides a panel to be engaged through a locking element.
Said panel includes a strip board part and locking element part,
wherein adjacent said strip boards can be engaged with each other
through said locking element. There are grooves formed at the
coupling ends of the strip board and in the vertical direction;
said locking element comprises two tenons extending from the bottom
plate of the locking element; the positions and the shapes of the
two tenons correspond to the said grooves. When assembling the said
board and said locking element, said tenons are engaged in the
grooves, thus the adjacent strip boards are connected with each
other through the locking element.
[0007] The panels according to present invention are connected
through the grooves on the board and the tenons on the locking
element. Therefore, the panel has simple structure and is easy to
be installed and removed. Moreover, except the grooves, there is no
need to form tenons on the strip board, which can greatly save
materials.
[0008] Preferably, a middle pole can be formed on the locking
element. Said middle pole, which is provided between the two
tenons, extends from the bottom board of the locking element and in
the same direction of the tenons. When assembled, the two sides of
the middle pole abut against the sides of the two adjacent strip
boards respectively.
[0009] Forming a middle pole on the locking element will not only
increase the structural strength of the locking element but also
make it convenient for installation. Meanwhile, holding the middle
pole between the two sides of the adjacent boards will increase the
elasticity of the installed flooring.
[0010] Preferably, said grooves can be formed on the top or bottom
surface of the strip board, that is to say, the opening of the
groove can face up or down. When the groove faces up, the locking
element can be fitted above the board, which makes the installation
more convenient and makes it possible that the floorings after
installation can present in various appearances.
[0011] Preferably, the grooves on the two sides of the strip board
are symmetrically provided, and the two tenons on the locking
element corresponding to the grooves are symmetrically provided
accordingly.
[0012] When the grooves are symmetrically provided, a hook portion
is provided at the lower end of the outer wall of the groove, and a
hook body is accordingly provided at the end of the tenons of the
locking element; said hook portion can be engaged with the hook
body. The horizontal displacements and the vertical positions
between the boards can be better limited through the engagement of
the hook portion and the hook body.
[0013] On the other hand, said grooves on the two sides of the
strip boards can be asymmetrically provided, and then the two
tenons on the locking element corresponding to the grooves are
asymmetrically provided accordingly.
[0014] When the grooves are asymmetrically provided, a hook portion
is provided on the lower end of the outer wall of one side of the
board, and a hook body is provided on the end of one tenon; while a
recessed portion is provided on the outer wall of the other side of
the board, and a protruded portion is provided on one side of the
corresponding tenon of the locking element, wherein the said
protruded portion can be engaged with the said recessed
portion.
[0015] Preferably, the engaging surfaces of the said hook portion
and said hook body are inclined surfaces or smooth transition
surfaces or surfaces with a similar S-shaped profile. Such engaging
surfaces would smooth the installation and removal of the
boards.
[0016] Preferably, a clearance is provided between the hook portion
and the hook body and/or a side surface slot is provided on the
lateral surface of the strip board so as to receive remained
glue.
[0017] Preferably, there is a gap of 0.1 mm to 1 mm between the
lower end surface of the outer wall of the strip board and the
surface of the bottom plate of the said locking element, which
makes the flooring in use more elastic and enables the flooring to
get better foot feeling.
[0018] Preferably, a hollow chamber is provided in one tenon of the
locking element, which makes the tenon more elastic.
[0019] Preferably, an inclined plane is formed on the outside of
the lateral surface of the strip board. A panel with an inclined
plane formed at the lateral surface will benefit the installation
of the boards and make the surfaces of the boards abut against each
other closely.
[0020] Preferably, the contacting portions of the surfaces of the
strip board and the locking element are designed with circular
transition, which would be convenient for the assembly of the board
and the locking element so as to avoid interference.
[0021] Preferably, one or more rigid strip-shaped elements can be
provided within the central portion of the bottom plate of the said
locking element, which will increase the rigidity of the locking
element.
[0022] Preferably, a small inclined plane can be provided at the
upper edge of the lateral surface of the strip board. After
installation, therefore, a shallow V-shape groove can be formed
between adjacent panels, which will enhance the aesthetic effect of
the flooring.
[0023] In order to realize the second purpose of the invention, at
least two through holes are provided at the bottom plate of the
locking element, which allow the locking element to be fixed to a
wall or to a ceiling through fasteners such as screws. In this way,
the application range of the panels according to present invention
is broadened.
[0024] Preferably, the top surface of the middle pole is lower than
or in the same level with the surface of the strip board; said top
surface of the middle pole is a planar surface or a convex surface,
or in a reversed V shape or in a concave V shape. When the top
surface of the middle pole is lower than the top surface of the
strip board, the middle pole can be hidden under the surface of the
flooring; while when the top surface of the middle pole is in the
same level with the surface of the board, then the top surface of
the middle pole can be designed in different shapes so as to
increase the aesthetic effect of the flooring surface after
installation.
[0025] Preferably, the sides of the locking element contact closely
with the strip boards after installation, which will help to limit
the relative horizontal displacement between the strip boards.
[0026] Preferably, the groove can extend along the whole length of
the board, and locking elements can be correspondingly provided
along the whole length of the board, which will increase the
strength of the connection and give a better impression of the
whole appearance. Or, grooves can be formed at intervals along the
length direction of the board and accordingly, locking elements can
be provided corresponding to the positions of the grooves, so that
the purpose of saving the amount of the locking element can be
achieved.
[0027] The panel according to present invention is simple in
general structure and has comprehensive advantages of being
applicable to various decoration places, moreover, it has
advantages of easy installation and easy use, good performance in
limiting the displacement in both vertical and horizontal
directions, and comfortable foot feeling. Since the laminate
flooring using HDF or MDF board has uniformity in respect of
material and has minor deformation, the space allowing horizontal
expansion of the panel can be ensured after installation and at the
same time, it is almost impossible that the displacement of the
panel in the vertical direction will occur. The present invention
offers a better solution to limit horizontal displacement of the
panels and to save materials.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is a section view of a board of the panel with
symmetrical structure according to the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a section view of a board of the panel with
asymmetrical structure according to the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a section view of the first embodiment of the
installed panel according to the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a section view of a variety of the first
embodiment according to the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 5 is a section view of another variety of the first
embodiment according to the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 6 is a section view of a further variety of the first
embodiment according to the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 7 is a section view of the fourth variety of the first
embodiment according to the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 8 is a section view of the second embodiment according
to the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 9 is a section view of the first variety of the second
embodiment according to the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 10 is a section view of the second variety of the
second embodiment according to the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 11 is a section view of the third variety of the second
embodiment according to the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 12 is a section view of the fourth variety of the
second embodiment according to the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 13 is a section view of the fifth variety of the second
embodiment according to the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 14 is a section view of the sixth variety of the second
embodiment according to the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 15 is a section view of the seventh variety of the
second embodiment according to the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 16 is a section view of the eighth variety of the
second embodiment according to the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 17 is a section view of the ninth variety of the second
embodiment according to the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 18 is a section view of the tenth variety of the second
embodiment according to the present invention; and
[0046] FIG. 19 is a section view of the fifth variety of the first
embodiment according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0047] The panel according to present invention includes strip
board 1 and locking element 2. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are the sectional
views of different boards 1. FIG. 3 shows the section view of the
assembled board 1 and locking element 2 of the first embodiment. It
can be seen that the board 1 according to present invention has a
rectangular strip-shaped board body. A groove 3 in the vertical
direction is provided approaching each of the two sides of one
surface of the strip board 1. The grooves 3 can be provided
symmetrically, as shown in FIG. 1, or asymmetrically, as shown in
FIG. 2. In FIG. 3, the locking element 2, as a separate part, is
used to lock two strip boards 1. Locking element 2 comprises a
bottom plate and tenons 4 extending upwardly from said bottom
plate. The tenons 4 are used to engage with the grooves 3 of the
boards so as to connect two strip boards 1. In the first embodiment
according to present invention, the section of the locking element
2 is in a inversed-.PI.-shape. The locking element 2 is made of
macromolecule materials with certain elasticity or is made of metal
materials. When the locking element 2 is made of macromolecule
materials, it will leave certain room for deformation and
displacement of the strip board 1 in the horizontal direction.
[0048] Said grooves 3 on the board 1 can face either up or down.
When the grooves 3 face down, the top surfaces of the installed
panels are formed by the similar surfaces of the strip boards 1;
when the grooves 3 faces up, however, the top surfaces of the
installed panels are formed by stagger boards 1 and locking
elements 2, which will make it more convenient for flooring
installation, removal and maintenance, and at the same time add the
possibility for variety of the surface appearances of the floorings
and variety of foot feelings.
[0049] Moreover, the grooves 3 can extend along the whole length of
the board 1, and corresponding locking elements 2 can be provided
along the whole length of the board 1 accordingly, which will
increase the strength of the connection and give a better whole
appearance. Or, grooves 3 can be formed at intervals along the
length direction of the board and accordingly, a locking element 2
can be provided corresponding to each position of the grooves, so
that the purpose of saving materials for the locking element can be
achieved.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 3, the grooves 3 on opposite sides of the
strip boards 1 are symmetrically provided, and the corresponding
two tenons of the locking element 2 are symmetrically provided too,
wherein the said tenons 4 and the corresponding grooves 3 engage
with each other. The engagement of the locking element 2 and the
grooves 3 of the strip boards 1 firstly limits the displacement of
the boards 1 in the horizontal direction; locking element 2 makes
the corresponding sides of the two strip boards 1 press closely
against each other, which not only limits the displacement of the
strip boards 1 in the horizontal direction but also limits the
positions in the vertical direction.
[0051] In FIG. 1, a hook portion 302 is provided at the lower part
of the outer wall 301 of the said groove 3, and a hook body 401
(FIG. 3) is provided at the end of the corresponding tenon 4 of the
locking element 2. The hook portions 302 and the hook bodies 401
can engage with each other. Such locking structure can not only
limit the horizontal displacement of the board 1 but also limit the
displacement of the lateral surfaces of the board 1 in the vertical
direction. Since the locking element 2 is made of plastic material
with elasticity, multi-directional deformations will occur at the
upper portion of the locking element 2 during installation, which
depends on the size and shape of the chamber formed by the groove 3
and the direction of forces carried onto the groove 3. Such
multi-directional deformations will make the material of the panels
1 avoid suffering excess inside tension, which will greatly benefit
the panels 1 during long term use.
[0052] If the grooves 3 at both sides of the strip board 1 are
asymmetrically provided, as shown in FIG. 2, the two tenons 4 of
the locking element 2 are asymmetrically provided accordingly,
wherein the said tenons 4 and the corresponding grooves 3 can
engage to form a locking structure as shown in FIG. 5.
Asymmetrically provided grooves 3 will allow better distribution of
the forces applied to the engaged tenons 4 and grooves 3, which
will improve the engagement performance. Asymmetrical structure not
only allows easier installation but also allows more convenient
maintenance and removal of the flooring, which provides convenience
to the after sale service.
[0053] FIG. 4 is the section view of the first variety of the first
embodiment according to the present invention. The grooves 3 of the
board 1 and the tenons 4 of the locking element 2 are
asymmetrically provided. Additionally, a chamber 7 is provided
within one tenon 4 of the locking element 2, which makes the tenon
4 more elastic.
[0054] FIG. 5 is the section view of the second variety of the
first embodiment according to present invention. The grooves 3 of
the board 1 and the tenons 4 of the locking element 2 are
asymmetrically provided, too. A hook portion 302 is provided on the
lower end of the outer wall 301 of the groove 3, a hook body 401 is
provided on the end of one tenon 4; while a recessed portion 304 is
provided on the outer wall 303 of the other side of the groove 3,
and a protruded portion 402 is provided on one side of the
corresponding tenon 4 of the locking element 2. Moreover, there is
a gap of 0.1 to 1 mm between the lower end surface of the outer
wall of the strip board 1 and the surface of the bottom plate of
the said locking element 2, as shown by reference number 10.
Providing a certain gap will allow automatic correction of certain
amount of the error due to installation or slight deformation of
the ground surface during installation and in use. Furthermore, it
will make the whole flooring more elastic and provide more
comfortable foot feeling when in use. When the flooring bears
pressure, the pressure will be firstly passed onto the board 1,
then the end portion of the tenons of the locking element 2 within
the groove 3 will slightly deform due to the pressure, which will
increase the engaging force between the boards and therefore
increase the engaging strength accordingly.
[0055] Preferably, a clearance 5 is provided between the said hook
portion 302 and the hook body 401. The clearance 5, on one hand,
provides the room for deformation of locking element 2, and on the
other hand, receives remained glue when glue is needed under
certain installation conditions. The clearance 5 can properly
overcome the slight banana deformation of the board 1. Moreover, a
side surface slot 6 may be also provided at the lateral surface of
the strip board 1. Side surface slot 6 may be used to receive
remained glue.
[0056] As can be seen from FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the engaging surfaces
of the said hook portion 302 and hook body 401 are inclined
surfaces or smooth transition surfaces or surfaces with a similar
S-shaped profile. Such engaging surfaces would smooth the
installation and removal of the flooring due to small deformation.
Smooth transition surfaces or surfaces with a similar S-shaped
profile of engaging surfaces of the hook portion 302 and hook body
401 make it possible to use various kinds of boards with different
density. Locking element 2 can be made of macromolecule materials
with different elasticity or plastic materials which contain
considerable intensity (or rigidity).
[0057] Furthermore, one or more chambers can be provided in the
bottom plate of the locking element 2, which chamber extends along
the length direction of the locking element 2. A strip-shaped
element 11 is provided within the chamber, which will increase the
rigidity of locking element 2 and facilitate the installation. The
said strip-shaped element 11 may have a flat section. The other
shapes of the section, such as circular or oval, can also be
chosen, depending on the specific requirements on the size and
strength of the locking element 2. The strip-shaped element 11 can
be elastic steel wire.
[0058] FIG. 6 shows the third variety of the first embodiment
according to present invention. In the third variety, a inclined
plane 8 is provided on the outside of the lateral surface of the
strip board 1. Upon installation, a triangular space with a sharp
angle point will be formed. Such space can receive remained glue.
And, in this way, any difficulties for installation and
inconvenience for removal due to various reasons can be avoided,
and the upper parts of the corresponding side of the board 1 can
contact with each other better.
[0059] In the second the third varieties, the contacting portions
of the surfaces of the strip board 1 and the locking element 2 are
designed with circular transition, which would be convenient for
the assembly of the board and the locking element.
[0060] FIG. 7 shows the fourth variety of the first embodiment
according to present invention. In this variety, the grooves of the
board 1 are formed on the top surface of the board 1, i.e. the
grooves face up. The locking element 2 can be fitted at the top
surface of the board. In this way, the top surfaces of the
installed panels are formed by stagger boards 1 and locking
elements 2, which will make it more convenient for installation,
removal and maintenance, and at the same time, obtain the
possibility for diversity of the decoration surface appearances and
variety of foot feelings.
[0061] FIG. 19 shows the fifth variety of the first embodiment
according to present invention. In this variety, multiple through
holes 13 are provided at the bottom plate of the locking element 2.
Such holes can be straight wall through holes or counterbores,
which are used for the passing through of fasteners such as screws.
By using such holes, the panels can be used for a surface other
than a floor surface. During installation, the locking element 2 is
firstly fixed to the straight walls or the top of the constructions
via fasteners such as screws, then the strip board 1 can be engaged
with the locking element 2. Such structure will considerably
broaden the use of the panels according to present invention. The
multiple through holes 13 should be arranged at equal or unequal
intervals along the length direction of the locking element 2,
which depends on the specific application conditions.
[0062] More preferably, a small inclined plane can be provided at
the edge of the upper surface of the strip board 1. After
installation, a shallow V-shape groove can be formed between
adjacent boards. The shallow V-shape grooves may be arranged in the
lateral or length direction or in both directions, which will get
more stereo feeling of the flooring after installation.
[0063] FIG. 8 shows the second embodiment of present invention.
Similarly, the panel according to the second embodiment also
includes a strip board 1 and a locking element 2. The board 1 and
locking element 2 engage with each other through the grooves 3
provided on the board 1 and the tenons 4 provided on the locking
element 2. The difference is a middle pole 12, which is provided in
the middle between the two tenons 4, extending from the bottom
plate of the locking element 2 and in the same direction of the
tenons 4, which makes the section of the locking element 2 in a
-shape. The middle pole 12 can not only increase the structural
strength of the locking element 2 but also make it convenient for
installation. Meanwhile, holding the middle pole 12 between the two
sides of the adjacent boards 1 will increase the elasticity of the
installed flooring. Similarly, the locking element 2 is made of
macromolecule materials with certain elasticity or is made of metal
materials.
[0064] If the locking element 2 is made of plastic materials, then
when the floorings bear pressure, the pressure will be firstly
passed onto the middle pole 12, then the end portion of the tenons
4 of the locking element 2 within the groove 3 will slightly deform
due to the pressure, which will increase the engaging force between
the boards 1 and therefore increase the engaging strength
accordingly. The middle pole 12 will help to avoid damage to the
edges of the panels when two engaged panels press against each
other due to forces applied thereto, thus protecting the
panels.
[0065] FIG. 9 shows the section view of the first variety of the
second embodiment according to present invention. Similar to the
first embodiment, a hook portion 302 is provided at the lower end
of the outer wall 301 of the groove 3, a hook body 401 is provided
at the end of one tenon 4; while a recessed portion 304 is provided
on the outer wall 303 of the other side of the groove 3, and a
protruded portion 402 is provided on one side of the corresponding
tenon 4 of the locking element 2; the recessed portion 304 engages
with the protruded portion 402, the size and shape of the hook body
401 and protruded portion 402 can be different, which makes the
depths of the engaged parts of the hook body 401 and protruded
portion 402 within the grooves 3 different, and therefore makes the
deformation amounts of the elastic plastic different too.
Similarly, in the variety of the second embodiment, a chamber 7 for
elastic deformation and strip-shaped element 11 for increasing the
rigidity can also be provided in the locking element 2.
[0066] FIG. 10 is the section view of the second variety of the
second embodiment according to present invention. The top surface
of the middle pole 12 is lower than the surface of strip board 1,
while in FIG. 9, the said two surfaces are on the same level. In
this way, the middle pole 12 is covered by the two engaged panels
and therefore is hidden within the panels, and the edges of the two
engaged panels hold the middle pole 12 between the two panels.
[0067] In the third variety as shown in FIG. 11, the top surface of
the middle pole 12 is in the same level with the top surface of the
strip board 1. Then, the top surface of the middle pole 12 is
exposed to the flooring surface after installation of the
panels.
[0068] In the fourth variety as shown in FIG. 12, the middle pole
12 is lower than the surface of the strip board 1. At the same
time, a gap 10 is provided between the engaging surfaces of the
board 1 and the locking element 2.
[0069] The top surface of the middle pole 12 can be a planar
surface or a concave V surface of the fifth variety as shown in
FIG. 13, or a reversed V surface of the sixth variety as shown in
FIG. 14; or a convex surface of the seventh variety as shown in
FIG. 15; or a concave surface of the eighth variety as shown in
FIG. 16. The top surfaces, which can be in various shapes, of the
middle pole 12 may not only enhance the stereo feeling of the whole
profile of the flooring after installation but also prolonging the
lifetime of the flooring. The concave V shape of the top surface of
the middle pole 12 will make the installed flooring have more
aesthetic feeling.
[0070] FIG. 17 is the section view of the ninth variety of the
second embodiment according to present invention. Similar as the
variety of the first embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, a inclined
plane 8 is provided at the outside of the lateral surface of the
strip board 1. Upon installation, due to the existence of the
inclined plane 8, a triangular space with a sharp angle point will
be formed between the strip boards 1 and the middle pole 12 of the
locking element 2. Such space can receive remained glue when glue
is used for installation, and, in this way, any difficulties for
installation and inconvenience for removal due to various reasons
can be avoided, and the upper parts of the corresponding side of
the board 1 can contact with each other better.
[0071] In the tenth variety as shown in FIG. 18, the locking
element 2 is provided above the board 1. And, in this variety, the
side surfaces of the locking element 2 closely contact the strip
boards 1; no gap is provided between the side surfaces of the
locking element 2 and the strip boards 1, which can improve the
seal and engaging strength of the tenons and achieve a good effect
against the contracting force in the plane.
[0072] Although it is not shown, but as it can be imaged, several
screw holes can be provided on the bottom of the locking element 2
in the second embodiment. Such holes can be used to install the
locking element 2 to the walls or ceilings of houses, after then,
the board 1 can be fit to the locking element. In this way, the
application range of the panels can be broadened.
[0073] The panel according to present invention only comprises two
parts, i.e. the board and the locking element, which are assembled
through a way of locking. Thus, the panel according to present
invention is simple in general structure and easy in installation
and use. Since the locking element can be fixed to other
construction surfaces besides the floor surfaces, thus the panel
according to present invention is applicable to various decoration
places. Through the engagement of the hook portion and hook body,
the panel according to present invention can achieve good
performance in limiting the displacement in both vertical and
horizontal directions, and get comfortable foot feeling. Since the
laminate flooring using HDF or MDF board has uniformity in respect
of material and has minor deformation, the space allowing the
expansion of the panel in the horizontal direction can be ensured
after installation and at the same time, it is almost impossible
that the displacement of the panel in the vertical direction will
occur. The present invention offers a better solution to limit the
displacement of the panels in the horizontal direction and to save
materials. Moreover, except the grooves, there is no need to form
tenons on the strip board, while the tenons are provided on the
locking elements that can be made of different materials. Thus,
materials for manufacturing the board can be greatly saved.
[0074] Although only the above two embodiments are provided to
describe the present invention, persons skilled in the art would
recognize that certain modifications and changes would come within
the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims
should be studied to determine the scope of this invention.
* * * * *