U.S. patent application number 12/063265 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-03 for flush profiled expansion element.
Invention is credited to Ralf Schrader.
Application Number | 20090217611 12/063265 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36091598 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090217611 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schrader; Ralf |
September 3, 2009 |
FLUSH PROFILED EXPANSION ELEMENT
Abstract
The present invention relates to a profiled expansion element
for floor or wall panels as well as an associated laying method
wherein on the one hand the expansion join is integrated as well as
possible into the floor covering and on the other hand the laying
of the expansion join is simple.
Inventors: |
Schrader; Ralf; (Uslar,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RENNER OTTO BOISSELLE & SKLAR, LLP
1621 EUCLID AVENUE, NINETEENTH FLOOR
CLEVELAND
OH
44115
US
|
Family ID: |
36091598 |
Appl. No.: |
12/063265 |
Filed: |
August 8, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
August 8, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2005/053889 |
371 Date: |
October 6, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/394 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 2201/0115 20130101;
E04F 13/08 20130101; E04F 15/02 20130101; E04F 15/02005
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/394 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/68 20060101
E04B001/68 |
Claims
1. An expansion element (1, 2) which is provided in such a manner
that it can be arranged between two opposite distanced edges of
floor or wall panels composed of wood material (3, 4) wherein the
expansion element (1, 2) has two profiled elements, characterized
in that means for mounting the respective profiled element (1, 2)
at the respective floor or wall profile (7, 8) are provided and
that the profiled elements (1, 2) are provided in such a manner (5,
6) that in the aforementioned arrangement said profiled elements
(1, 2) are at least partially slidable against each other along a
direction which is perpendicular to the edges wherein the profiled
elements (1, 2) are provided in such a manner that the opened
surface of the laying underground and the herewith joined floor or
wall panel top side forms basically a plane.
2. An expansion element (1, 2) according to claim 1, characterized
in that the expansion element (1, 2) is provided in such a manner
that it does not overtop the edge of the floor or wall panel which
remotes of the floor respective of the wall.
3. An expansion element (1, 2) according to claim 1, characterized
in that the profiled elements (1, 2) are detachable joined with
each others.
4. An expansion element (1, 2) according to claim 1, characterized
in that one of the profiled elements (2) is provided with a tongue
(5) and the other profiled element (1) with a groove (6) which
cooperates together with the tongue (5) in order to achieve the
slidability of the profiled elements (1, 2).
5. An expansion element (1, 2) according to claim 1, characterized
in that the means for mounting the respective profiled element on a
respective floor or wall profile correspond to the mounting means
(7, 8) on one of the edges of the floor or wall panel (3, 4).
6. An expansion element (1, 2) according to claim 1, characterized
in that means for limiting the slidability (12, 13) of the profiled
elements (1, 2) are provided.
7. An expansion element (1, 2) according to claim 6, characterized
in that the means for mounting comprise at least one tongue
respective groove (7, 8).
8. An expansion element (1, 2) according to claim 6, characterized
in that the means for mounting further comprise latching elements
(9, 10).
9. An expansion element (1, 2) according to claim 1, characterized
in that the means for mounting the respective profiled element at
the respective floor or wall profile (7, 8, 9, 10) are provided in
such a manner that by pivoting the profiled element (1, 2)
respective the floor or wall panel (3, 4) a mounting between the
respective profiled element (1, 2) and floor respective wall panel
(3, 4) is achieved.
10. An expansion element (1, 2) according to claim 1, characterized
in that the profiled elements (1, 2) partially or completely
consist of a wood material like MDF or HDF.
11. An expansion element (1, 2) according to claim 1, characterized
in that the profiled element at least partially consists of metal
in particular of aluminum.
12. An expansion element (1, 2) according to claim 1, characterized
in that the side which remotes from the floor or wall is provided
with a metal coating.
13. A laying method for an expansion element wherein in a first
step a pre-laid floor or wall panel is joined with a first profiled
element of an expansion element according to claim 1 wherein in a
second step the first profiled element is joined with the second
profiled element wherein in a third step a floor or wall panel is
joined with the second profiled element and wherein in the first
step and third step the join is achieved by pivoting and linking of
linking elements and wherein afore the third step in an
intermediate step a spacer is at least partially inserted between
the profiled elements in order to temporarily prevent a movement of
the profiled elements at least in direction of a closer spacing of
the profiled elements by the further laying.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a profiled expansion
element for floor or wall panels as well as an associated laying
method. During the substantially area-wide laying of panels which
are made from wood materials such as laminate, parquet and so on,
it is necessary to provide expansion joins due to the not avoidable
changes in dimensioning due to swelling und shrinking during
absorbing and discharging of humidity. For example, panels are laid
in such a manner that they are not abutting on the adjacent wall
respective on the floor and a slot for the remaining extension. At
the edge this slot can be covered respectively closed with cover
strips and/or elastic filling materials such as silicon most
comparatively without any problems. The situation at door-passages
or in the central area of the laid surface area presents different.
For example, for floor laying it is proposed to provide an
expansion join after latest 8 to 12 meter so that an extension is
possible at all due to the occurred weights and friction forces.
Thus, on the one hand, it is the object to design an expansion join
in that manner that said expansion join is integrated as well as
possible into the floor covering so that on the one hand said
expansion join does not disturb as possible and on the other hand
to provide the laying of the expansion join as simple as
possible.
[0002] A well known, profiled expansion element system is provided
in a two part form and is mounted in the slot between the opposed
edges of two floor or wall panels. For this purpose, a first
element is mounted at the opened underground in the slot i.e. at
the wall or the floor while it is doweled or glued there. Then, a
further cover element is mounted, for example with a clip
connection onto the first element and it is designed in such a
manner that it has a cover surface supported onto one of the two
panels which covers the slot. This cover element has, for example a
T-shaped cross section.
[0003] Thereby, that the upper cover surface is supported onto the
panels the cover element disadvantageously protrudes above the flat
which is built by the panels. This disturbs not only the visual
impression of the laid panels, but also this can built for a floor
covering unfavorable stumble edge and humidity can easily reach
under the cover surface and so to the panel itself. In addition,
the mounting of the panels onto the underground in the slot is
disadvantageous to that effect that during the doweling comparative
extensive holes have to be drilled during that it could be come to
damages of wires or pipes, for example of a floor heating system or
that depending on the underground the cluing can bring along
adhesion problems or it is difficult to remove during removing the
floor or wall covering. As a result, that the known profiled
expansion element is not mounted onto the floor respective onto the
wall covering it comes to a disadvantageous detach of the cover
element from the floor respective from the wall covering during a
detachment of the mounting, whereby damages, for example to parquet
or laminate may occur.
[0004] Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to
provide an improved expansion element wherein its mounting is
improved and which can be better incorporated from its design into
a floor or wall covering. An improved laying method is the subject
matter of a further independent claim. Advantageous embodiments
result from the dependent claims.
[0005] The present invention relates to an expansion element for an
arrangement basically between two opposite distanced edges of floor
or wall panels in particular of floor or wall panels which are at
least partially composed of wood materials like MDF, HDF or chips.
An example therefore are so called laminate panels. The expansion
element according to the invention has at least two profiled
elements. The floor and wall profiles are arranged with distance in
such a manner that without the arrangement of the expansion element
they build a slot which builds a space for potential expansions of
the floor respective wall panel.
[0006] The expansion element has means for mounting the respective
profiled element at the respective floor or wall profile. Thereby,
advantageously the mounting in the slot between the floor
respective wall panel is omitted. For example, the underground has
not to be disadvantageously drilled with the risk that damages of
wires respective pipes occur, for example of the floor heating
system. Further, a gluing with a possible not sufficient adhesion
and potential glue rests when removing the expansion element
respective the floor covering respective wall covering is omitted.
Further, through the direct mounting at the wall respective floor
panel the laying of the expansion element is simplified and
accelerated in comparison with the state of the art. Thereby, that
the expansion element is mounted at the panels the risk is omitted
that, because of removing the expansion element from the
underground, a relative movement between profile and floor
respective wall panel, for example while stepping onto the profile
and therefore damaging the panel appears.
[0007] The profiled elements are provided in such a manner that in
the aforementioned arrangement said profiled elements are at least
partially slidable against each other along a direction which is
perpendicular to the edges. Therefore, it is achieved that the
expanding element is extra effectively able to compensate possible
changes in dimensioning, for example by panels which consist of
wood material due to swelling and shrinking during absorbing and
discharging of humidity.
[0008] The profile, according to the invention, is extra flexibly
applicable and adoptable to many slot dimensions. The necessity to
produce and provide different expansion elements for different
slots in order to ensure an optimal, i.e. neither to wide reaching
covering through the profile is omitted.
[0009] In a further advantageous embodiment, the expansion element
is provided in such a manner that it does not overtop the edge of
the floor or wall panel which remotes of the floor respective of
the wall. Thereby, it is achieved that stumble edges are
avoided.
[0010] In a further advantageous embodiment, the expansion element
is provided in such a manner that the opened surface of the laying
underground and the herewith joined floor or wall panel top side
forms basically a plane. This has to be understood in such a manner
that the expansion element in laid condition builds a plane with
the respective panels. Thereby, the "plane" is not interpreted
close and comprises provided protrusions respective cavities, for
example in view of stability reasons. With such a basically
flush-positioned expanding element a proper junction between the
floor respective wall panel surfaces which are separated by a slot
is provided. Thereby, dirt and dust gatherings at the edges are
avoided and in this way an optimal integration into the floor
respective the wall covering is reached.
[0011] In a further advantageous embodiment, the profiled elements
are detachable joined with each others. Thereby, it is achieved
that the individual elements are independently mountable in
separated conditions of each other at the respective wall
respective floor panel and can joined later during the laying.
Thereby, the laying can happen extra quickly.
[0012] In a further advantageous embodiment, one of the profiled
elements is provided with a tongue and the other profiled element
with a groove wherein the groove cooperates together with the
tongue in order to achieve the slidability of the profiled
elements. Thereby, on the one hand the slidability and on the other
hand a dustproof join between the elements is extra simply
achieved.
[0013] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the means
for mounting the respective profiled elements on the respective
floor or wall profile correspond to the mounting means on the edges
of the floor or wall panels. With this compatibility of the means
for mounting on the profiled elements with the mounting means which
act between the panels, the extension element can be mounted in
particular quick and simple without further means.
[0014] According to a further advantageous embodiment, means for
limiting of the slidability of the profiled elements are provided.
Thereby, it can be prevented that during the assembling the
profiled elements will be pulled apart too far. For example, the
tongue which is provided between the profiled elements for sliding
is provided with a protrusion which abuts upon a stopper during
pulling out of the groove of the further profiled element and thus
limits the slidability or prevents a pulling out too far in order
to avoid that the tongue will be pulled out of the groove. For
example, the means for limiting are provided in such a manner that
there limit the slidability, but through a pulling apart with an
expenditure of force, which is clear over the quantity which is
needed for the sliding, the limiting effect of the means can be
overcome, for example by a springy deflection, and so the profiled
elements can be separated.
[0015] In an advantageous embodiment of an extension element
according to the invention, the means for mounting comprise at
least one groove respective tongue For example, the panels have at
one edge a groove and at the opposite edge a tongue. Thus, a
profiled element has a groove for receiving the tongue of a panel.
Thus, the further profiled element has a tongue, which cooperates
together with the groove of a panel. Thereby, a particular simple
and with the panel flush join between the panel and the expansion
element is achieved.
[0016] The means for mounting comprise in a further advantageous
embodiment also latching elements. For example, the latching
elements are provided in the form of rills and nose edge therein
interacting in a snapping manner. Thereby, a particular safe,
effective, and as possible liquid proofed join between the panel
and the respective profiled element is achieved. For example, the
groove of one profiled element has at the bottom side, therefore,
at the side which is arranged to the underground, a protruding
shoulder which is provided with a nose edge which is oriented to
the top side, therefore, to the side which is opposite to the
underground. This snaps in, for example in a rill which is open to
the bottom side at the tongue of a panel which is arranged to the
bottom side.
[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment, the means for mounting
of the respective profiled element at the respective floor or wall
profile are provided in such a manner that by pivoting the profiled
element respective the floor or wall panel a mounting between the
respective profiled element and floor respective wall panel is
achieved. Thereby, an assembling of the expansion element can be
achieved particular simply and quickly. Thereby, it has shown that
compare to the aforementioned described state of the art expansion
element the expenditure of time for assembling can be reduced up to
97%.
[0018] Suchlike mounting means with latching elements which are
latched through pivoting arise, for example from the patent EP
1282752 and are the subject matter of the present application by
way of reference.
[0019] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the profiled
elements consist of wood material like MDF or HDF. Thereby, at the
one side, the profile can be produced comparatively inexpensive. At
the other side, thus, it is sufficiently flexion elastic.
[0020] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the
expansion element consists at least partially of metal. Thereby, a
durableness of the profile is achieved. For example, aluminum is
used because while laying it is comparably simple to handle and
further due to the comparable low weight storing and transporting
is easier. In a further embodiment only the side which is opposite
to the floor or wall, i.e. at the upper surface of the profile, a
metal coating is provided. Thereby, the expansion element is
particular durableness at step area. In order to prevent a slipping
onto the profile it can be provided with rills.
[0021] In the laying method for an expansion element according to
the invention, in a first step a pre-laid floor or wall panel is
joined with a first profiled element of an expansion element
according to one of the preceding described embodiments. In a
second step the first profiled element is joined with the second
profiled element. In a third step a floor or wall panel is joined
with the second profiled element. Through this procedure an
expansion element can be particular quickly assembled. The
time-consuming mounting at the underground with its further
disadvantages involved like the risk of damaging a wire or a pipe
which is arranged in the floor respective wall is omitted.
[0022] In a further advantageous embodiment of the laying method
for an expansion element according to the invention, in the first
step and third step the join is achieved by pivoting and linking of
linking elements. Thereby, a particular time-saving assembling of
the expansion element is achieved.
[0023] A further advantageous embodiment of the laying method
includes that in an intermediate step afore the third step a spacer
is at least partially inserted between the profiled elements in
order to temporarily prevent a movement of the profiled elements at
least in direction of a closer spacing of the profiled elements by
the further laying. Thereby, it can be particular simply ensured
that during the assembling a distance between the edges of opposite
floor respective wall panels remains which is sufficient to enable
an effective expansion compensation through movement of the
profiled elements into each other.
[0024] With reference to the FIGURES:
[0025] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the expansion element
according to the invention in a cross section view with respective
at the two profiled element 1, 2 mounted floor panels 3, 4.
[0026] The movability of the two profiled elements 1, 2 is achieved
through a groove 6 in the profiled element 1 and a with the groove
cooperating tongue 5 in the profiled element 2 while the tongue 5
enters deeper into the groove 6 and fills out more the cavity 11
during elongation of the panels 1 or 2. Tongue 5 and groove 6 are
provided with cooperating protrusions 12, 13 in order to hinder a
sliding out of the tongue 5 of the groove 6 while expenditure of
force which is needed for the moving and which have, for example a
high of 1.5 mm. The tongue has, for example a length of 20 mm and a
thickness of 2 mm; the groove is as well 20 mm deep. At the two
profiled elements 1, 2 respective with mounting means 7, 8, 10, 11
floor panels are mounted. The mounting means correspond to the
mounting means which are respectively provided between the panels.
Thereby, the tongue 8 of the profiled elements provides a mounting
in the panel in cooperation with the groove 7 in a direction which
is perpendicular to the joining plane. The profiled element 2 is
accordingly complementary provided and thus has the groove which
the tongue of the panels 4 gathers. The mounting means comprise
latching means. Thus, at the bottom side, so the side which is
oriented to the underground, the tongue of the profiled element 1
is provided with a to the underside opened rill in which a to the
upper side pointed nose edge 9 can be snap in at the lower
protruding shoulder of the groove 7 of the panel 3. In the profiled
element 2 the groove of the profiled element 2 has at the bottom
side, so the side which is oriented to the underground, a
protruding shoulder which is provided with a nose edge which points
to the upper side, so the side which is opposite to the
underground. It snaps in, for example in a rill which is opened to
the underground at the side which is oriented to the bottom side of
the tongue of the panel 4. By the latching a mounting of the
profiled elements in the joining plane, perpendicular to the edges
of the panels is achieved. The profiled elements 1 and 2 which, for
example have respective a cross section length L1=L2=43 mm are
provided at the upper side in such a manner that a flush positioned
joining of the panels 3 and 4 is achieved. For this purpose, the
for the movement provided join of groove 6 and tongue 5 on the
profiled elements 1 and 2 is arranged as near to the upper side as
possible. For example, the thickness of the shoulder of the groove
6 which is arranged at the upper side has 1.5 mm. The lower
shoulder of the groove 6 has, for example a thickness of 3 mm with
a laminate which has a thickness of 8 mm, and 8 mm with a laminate
which has a thickness of 12 mm.
* * * * *