Patent ID: 7644557
Filing Date: 2010-01-12
Classification: B27F,B27M,E04B,E04F,F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. Method for making a floor panel having at least a core and at least two opposite side edges, said method producing a profile on at least one of said opposite side edges, said profile comprising a groove extending distally transversely along said at least one of said opposite side edges of said floor panel, comprising the steps: forming said profile by means of at least two rotary cutting tools having peripheral cutting teeth and which are positioned at different angles relative to said floor panel; using said tools, forming said groove with an upper side and a bottom side such that said groove is bordered by an upper lip and a lower lip; forming said lower lip such that it comprises a first portion located vertically underneath said upper lip and a second portion that extends distally beyond said upper lip, and such that an upper side of said lower lip of said groove includes a recess; forming said upper side of said groove with a substantially flat portion, using at least a first one of said two tools; forming said recess partially in said first portion of said lower lip as well as partially in said second portion of said lower lip, such that said recess extends from a proximally inner area of said first portion of said lower lip to a distally outer area of said second portion of said lower lip located beyond said upper lip, said forming of said recess being carried out using at least the second one of said two tools; said profile defining a groove locking surface in the recess of the lower lip such that, when two of such panels are coupled along cooperating side edges that include said groove and a cooperating tongue on an opposite side edge of the panel that includes a cooperating tongue locking surface, said locking surfaces are in contact with each other and respective upper side edges of the panels are in adjoining relationship and are secured in such adjoining relationship against separation in a direction parallel to the principal plane of the panels and perpendicular to the cooperating panel side edges by said locking surfaces.