Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20080060311?ie=ISO-8859-1&dq=6948823
Timestamp: 2014-07-11 02:45:29
Document Index: 297913342

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 4', 'arts 4', 'arts 4', 'arts 4', 'arts 4', 'arts 4', 'arts 4', 'arts 4', 'art 5', 'arts 28', 'arts 28', 'arts 4', 'arts 4', 'arts 4', 'arts 4', 'arts 4', 'arts 28', 'arts 4', 'art 33', 'arts 22', 'arts 4']

Patent US20080060311 - Floor panels with edge connectors - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsFloor covering, including hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating which each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, wherein the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking elements which...http://www.google.com/patents/US20080060311?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20080060311 - Floor panels with edge connectorsAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS20080060311 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 11/979,106Publication dateMar 13, 2008Filing dateOct 31, 2007Priority dateJun 11, 1996Also published asCA2226286A1, CA2226286C, CA2475076A1, CA2475076C, CA2521949A1, CA2521949C, CA2522085A1, CA2522085C, CA2522092A1, CA2522092C, CA2522130A1, CA2522130C, CA2522141A1, CA2522141C, CA2522321A1, CA2522321C, CA2559357A1, CA2559357C, CA2560527A1, CA2560527C, CA2569612A1, CA2569612C, CA2569614A1, CA2569614C, CA2693267A1, CA2693267C, CA2701554A1, CA2701554C, CA2735317A1, CA2735317C, CA2783398A1, CA2783398C, CN1087056C, CN1195141C, CN1195386A, CN1399051A, CN1572993A, CN1880702A, CN1880702B, CN1880703A, CN1891951A, CN1928294A, CN1928294B, CN1928295A, CN1928296A, CN1928297A, CN1932203A, CN1932204A, CN1932204B, CN1932205A, CN1932206A, CN1932207A, CN1932208A, CN1932209A, CN1932210A, CN1982638A, CN100406666C, CN100453759C, CN100491668C, CN100491669C, CN100526578C, CN100526579C, CN100529299C, CN100540820C, CN100543253C, CN100580204C, CN101016797A, CN101078293A, CN101078294A, CN102051973A, CN102051973B, DE1024234T1, DE1026341T1, DE02076363T1, DE05075560T1, DE05075635T1, DE05076551T1, DE05077262T1, DE05077327T1, DE05077348T1, DE07024053T1, DE08020631T1, DE29710175U1, DE29724428U1, DE29724742U1, DE29724868U1, DE29724876U1, DE29724883U1, DE69703230D1, DE69703230T2, DE69703230T3, DE69713629D1, DE69713629T2, DE69713629T3, DE69724013D1, DE69724013T2, DE69734406D1, DE69734406T2, DE69734406T3, DE69739197D1, DE69739238D1, DE69739617D1, DE69739623D1, DE69739812D1, DE69740068D1, DE69740147D1, EP0843763A1, EP0843763B1, EP0843763B2, EP1024234A2, EP1024234A3, EP1024234B1, EP1024234B2, EP1026341A2, EP1026341A3, EP1026341B1, EP1223267A2, EP1223267A3, EP1223267B1, EP1223267B2, EP1338721A2, EP1338721A3, EP1338721B1, EP1541778A1, EP1541778B1, EP1541779A1, EP1541779B1, EP1589161A2, EP1589161A3, EP1589161B1, EP1612346A2, EP1612346A3, EP1612346B1, EP1614828A2, EP1614828A3, EP1614828B1, EP1614829A2, EP1614829A3, EP1614829B1, EP1898026A2, EP1898026A3, EP1898026B1, EP2031147A2, EP2031147A3, EP2031148A2, EP2031148A3, EP2031148B1, EP2031149A2, EP2031149A3, EP2031149B1, EP2077358A2, EP2077358A3, EP2077358B1, EP2116668A1, EP2275622A2, EP2275622A3, EP2275623A2, EP2275623A3, EP2280131A2, EP2280131A3, EP2280132A2, EP2280132A3, EP2280133A2, EP2280133A3, EP2280134A2, EP2280134A3, EP2280135A2, EP2280135A3, US6006486, US6490836, US6874292, US6928779, US6955020, US6993877, US7040068, US7328536, US7467499, US7617645, US7621094, US7634886, US7634887, US7637066, US7637067, US7640708, US7644554, US7644555, US7644557, US7647741, US7647743, US7650727, US7650728, US7654054, US7658048, US7661238, US7665265, US7665266, US7665267, US7665268, US7669376, US7669377, US7673431, US7677008, US7681371, US7698868, US7698869, US7707793, US7712280, US7726089, US7735288, US7757453, US7770350, US7810297, US7827754, US7827755, US8166723, US8365494, US20030024200, US20030024201, US20030029115, US20030029116, US20030029117, US20050284075, US20050284076, US20060005499, US20060032177, US20060196138, US20060201095, US20060225370, US20060225377, US20060236630, US20060236631, US20060236632, US20060236633, US20060236634, US20060236635, US20060236636, US20060236637, US20060236638, US20060236643, US20060248829, US20060248830, US20060248831, US20060254183, US20060254184, US20060254185, US20060260249, US20060272263, US20070094986, US20070094987, US20070107360, US20070107363, US20070251188, US20080010928, US20080010929, US20080053027, US20080053028, US20080060309, US20080060310, US20080066416, US20100319292, US20110023405, US20130104487, WO1997047834A1Publication number11979106, 979106, US 2008/0060311 A1, US 2008/060311 A1, US 20080060311 A1, US 20080060311A1, US 2008060311 A1, US 2008060311A1, US-A1-20080060311, US-A1-2008060311, US2008/0060311A1, US2008/060311A1, US20080060311 A1, US20080060311A1, US2008060311 A1, US2008060311A1InventorsStefan Moriau, Mark Cappelle, Bernard ThiersOriginal AssigneeMoriau Stefan S G, Cappelle Mark G M, Thiers Bernard P JExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManReferenced by (8), Classifications (38), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetFloor panels with edge connectorsUS 20080060311 A1Abstract Floor covering, including hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating which each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, wherein the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking elements which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels in a direction (R) perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels, and provide a snap-action coupling. Images(11) Claims(22)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION The invention relates to a floor covering which is composed of hard floor panels 1, for example, such as a laminated panel as shown in FIG. 1. These floor panels 1 can be of various shape, for example, rectangular or square, or of any other shape. In the most preferred form of embodiment, they shall be manufactured in an elongated form, such as shown in FIG. 1, for example, with a length of 1 to 2 meters. The thickness, however, can also vary, but is preferably 0.5 to 1.5 cm, and more particularly 0.8 cm. Each floor panel 1 is, at least at the edges of two opposite sides 2-3, provided with coupling parts 4-5 which permit two adjacent identical floor panels 1 to be coupled to each other. According to the invention, the coupling parts 4-5, as represented in the FIGS. 2 to 4, are provided with integrated mechanical locking parts or locking elements 6 which prevent the drifting or sliding apart of two coupled floor panels 1 in a direction D perpendicular to the respective sides 2-3 and parallel to the underside 7 of the coupled floor panels 1; the coupling parts 4-5 and the locking elements 6 are formed in one piece with the core 8 of the floor panels 1; the coupling parts 4-5 have such a shape that two subsequent floor panels 1 can be engaged into each other solely by snapping-together and/or turning after the coupling parts are partially engaged, whereby each subsequent floor panel 1 can be laterally inserted into the previous; and the coupling parts 4-5 preferably are interlocked free from play in all directions in a plane which is located perpendicular to the aforementioned edges. In the case of floor panels 1 with an elongated shape, as represented in FIG. 1, the respective coupling parts 4-5 are located at the longitudinal sides 2-3. The coupling parts 4-5 can be realized in various forms, although the basic forms thereof will always be formed by a tongue 9 and a groove 10. In the form of embodiment of FIGS. 2 to 4, the related floor panel 1 is provided with coupling parts 4-5 and locking means or locking elements 6 which allow two floor panels 1 to be mutually engaged by means of a turning movement, without the occurrence of any snap-together effect. In the represented example, the locking elements 6 consist of a first locking element 11, formed by a protrusion with a bent round shape at the lower side 12 of the tongue 9, and a second locking element 13 (shown in FIG. 2), formed by a recess with a bent hollow or downwardly concave shape in the lower wall 14 of the groove 10. The locking elements 11-13 ensure that two floor panels 1 which are coupled to each other can not move laterally in the horizontal plane with respect to each other. In order to enable two floor panels 1 to be inserted into each other by means of a turning movement, the curvatures preferably are circular. The bottom side 12 of locking means or locking elements 6 has a curvature with a radius R1, the center of which coincides with the respective upper edge 15 of the floor panel 1, whereas the lower wall 14 of the locking part 5 has a curvature with a radius R2 which is equal to the radius R1, but its center coincides with the respective upper edge 16. Radii R1 and R2 may also be applied which are larger or smaller than the distance to the upper edge 15, 16 respectively, and/or which differ from each other in size. The upper side 17 of the tongue 9 and the upper wall or side 18 of the groove 10 are preferably flat and preferably are located in the horizontal plane. The inner side 20 of the groove 10 and the front side 19 of the tongue 9 of the two interlocked floor panels 1 preferably do not fit closely against each other, such that an intermediate space 21 is created between them into which possible dust remainders or such can be pushed away by means of the tongue 9. The tongue 9 and the groove 10 preferably have shapes which are complementary to each other, such that the tongue 9 in the engaged condition of two identical floor panels 1 precisely sits against the upper wall 18 and the lower wall 14 of the groove 10, whereby a pressure P, exerted against the upper lip 22, is received or reacted not only by this lip 22, but by the complete structure, because this pressure can be transmitted through the tongue 9 and the lower lip 23 to cause the panels to be urged towards each other. It is, however, clear that a number of minor deviations to these complementary forms can occur which, anyhow, have no or almost no effect upon the receipt and transmission of pressure forces. For example, a chamfer 24 on lip 22 and a recess 25 can be provided, as represented in FIGS. 2 to 4, as a result of which the subsequent floor panels 1 can easily be pushed and guided into each other, such that no possible ridges in the subflooring or such render good insertion difficult. As represented in the FIGS. 5 to 7, the floor panels 1 according to the invention can also, along the sides 26-27 which are at a right angle to the sides 2-3, be provided with coupling parts 28-29 which have locking elements 30, too. The coupling parts 28-29 are preferably also realized in the shape of a tongue 31 and a groove 32. Hereby, the locking elements 30 do not have to be of the same nature as the locking elements 6. Preferably, at the sides 26-27 locking elements are provided which allow for an engagement and interlocking by means of a lateral translation movement in direction T only, as represented in FIGS. 6 and 7. To this aim, the locking elements 30 consist of a snap-together connection with locking elements 33 and 34 which grip behind each other. As represented in FIGS. 5 to 7, the locking element 33 preferably consists of a protrusion of the lower side 35 of the tongue 31 which can be located in a recess 36 in a lower lip 43 extending distally from the lower wall 37 of the groove 32. The locking element 34 is formed by the upward directed part or protrusion which defines the distally outer end of recess 36. In this case, the locking elements 33-34 have contact surfaces 38-39 which are parallel to each other and preferably extend in an inclined manner, according to a direction which simplifies the snapping-together of the panels. The common plane of tangency L which is determined by the common tangent at the meeting point or area of surfaces 38-39, hereby forms an angle A sloping inwardly and downwardly from an outer region to an inner region relative to the underside 7, which angle is smaller than 90�. The locking elements 33-34 preferably are provided with inclined portions 40 and 41 which, when two floor panels 1 are engaged, cooperate with each other in such a manner that the locking elements 33-34 can easily be pushed over each other until they grip behind each other by means of a snap-together effect (FIGS. 6 and 7). The thickness W1 of the tongue 31 preferably is equal to the width W2 of the groove 32, such that compression pressure P applied to the upper lip 42 is reacted by the tongue 31 which, in its turn, then is reacted by the lower lip 43. Analogous to the chamfer 24 and recess 25, a recess 44 and a chamfer 45 are provided also at the edges 28-29. It is noted that such a snap-together coupling can also be applied at the edges 2-3. Hereby, this can be a snap-together coupling analogous to these of FIGS. 5 to 7, but this can also be a snap-together coupling using other forms of coupling configurations, for example, such as represented in FIGS. 8 and 9. Contrary to the locking elements 33-34 which consist of rather local protrusions, in the forms of embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 use is made of locking elements 46-47 which, in comparison to the total width B of the coupling, extend over a rather large distance. In this case, the locking elements 46-47 are also provided at the lower side 12 of the tongue 9 and the lower wall 14 of the groove 10. According to FIG. 8, the locking elements 46-47 have contact surfaces 48-49 which are at an angle with the plane of the floor panel 1. In this manner, a coupling is obtained which is interlocked in a particularly fixed manner. As represented in FIG. 9, the locking elements 46-47 possibly can be configured in such a manner that substantially only a linear contact is obtained, for example, because the contact surfaces directed towards each other are formed with different curvatures. The surfaces, directed towards each other, of the locking elements 46-47 hereby consist of curved surfaces. The common plane of tangency L forms an angle A which is smaller than 90�, and more preferably is smaller than 70�. In this manner, the locking element 46 preferably has two portions with a different curvature, on one hand, a portion 50 with a strong curvature and, on the other hand, a portion 51 with a weak curvature. The portion 50 with the strong curvature provides for the formation of a firm coupling. The portion 51 with the weak curvature facilitates the coupling parts 4-5 to be brought into each other easily. The intermediate space S forms a chamber which offers space for dust and the like which, when engaging two floor panes 1, inevitably infiltrates there. In the case of a snap-together connection, for example, a connection such as represented in FIGS. 7 to 9, preferably the tongue 9-31 has a shape that thickens from below, which then can cooperate with a widened portion in the groove 10. In FIG. 10, a variant is represented whereby at least at the level of the upper edges 15-16, a sealing material 52 is provided, as a result of which a watertight sealing can be assured. This sealing material 52 may consist of a strip or covering which is provided previously at the floor panel 1, either at one or both upperside edges 15-16. In FIG. 11, a further variant is represented, whereby the locking element 6 is formed by an upward directed portion 53 at the tongue 9, which as a result of a turning movement of the panel, is brought behind a downward-directed portion 54 on the upperwall 18. More particularly, this is obtained by forming the upper side 17 and the upper wall 18 with a curvature R3, the center of which is situated at the upperside edges 15-16, and forming the lower side 12 and the lower wall 14 with a radius R4, the center of which is also situated at the upperside edges 15 and 16, respectively. These radii R3-R4 can be chosen otherwise, too. In general, according to the invention, the difference between, on one hand, the radius R1, R3 respectively, and, on the other hand, the radius R2, R4 respectively, preferably should not be larger than 2 mm. It is also preferred that the center of these radii be situated inside the circle C1, C2 (see FIG. 2) respectively, which extends with a radius R5 of 3 mm centered at upperside edge 15, 16 respectively. Finally is noted that, according to the invention, the lower lip 23-43, as represented in FIGS. 2 to 7, can be formed distally longer than the upper lip 22-42. This has an advantage that the coupling parts 4-5-28-29 can be shaped in an easier manner by means of a milling cutter or the like. Furthermore, this simplifies the engagement of two floor panels 1, because each subsequent floor panel 1 during installation can be placed upon the protruding lower lip 23-43, as a result of which the tongue 9-31 and the groove 10-32 automatically are positioned in front of each other. The embodiments wherein the lower lip 23 is equal to or distally shorter than the upper lip 22, in their turn, offer the advantage that no protruding lip 23 remains at the extreme edge of the floor which might cause problems in finishing the floor installation. In order to allow for a smooth assembly, to guarantee the necessary stability and firmness and in order to limit the quantity of material to be cut away, the difference E between the distally outer edge of the upper lip 22-42 and the distally outer edge of the lower lip 23-43, measured in the plane of the floor panel and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the groove 10, should preferably be kept smaller than one time the total thickness F of the floor panel 1. For stability's sake, normally this total thickness F shall never be less than 5 mm. The small dimension of the difference E offers the advantage that the lower lip need not be strengthened by a reinforcement strip or the like. According to a particular form of embodiment, the central line M1 through the tongue 9 and the groove 10 is situated lower than the center line M2 of the floor panel 1, such, that the upper lip 22-42 is thicker than the lower lip 23-43. In first instance, this is essential in this kind of connection, because then it is the lower lip 23-43 which bends, whereby the upper side of the floor panel 1 is kept free of possible deformations. As explained in the introduction, for the core 8 a material is chosen from the following series: a. a ground product which, by means of a binding agent or by means of melting together is made into a unitary composite material; a product based on synthetic material; chip board with fine chips. The invention shows its usefulness, in first instance, preferably with laminated flooring, due to the reasons explained in the introduction. As represented in the examples of the FIGS. 2 to 11, such laminated flooring preferably consists of a core 8 made of MDF medium density fiberboard board, HDF high density fiberboard board or similar, whereby at least at the upper side of this core 8 one or more layers of material are provided. More particularly, it is preferred that the laminated flooring is provided with a decorative layer 55 and a protective top layer 56. The decorative layer 55 is a layer, impregnated with resin, for example, made of paper, which can be imprinted with a variety of patterns, such as a wood pattern, a pattern in the form of stone, cork, or similar or even with a fancy pattern. The protective top layer 56 preferably also consists of a layer saturated with resin, for example, melamine resin, which in the final product is transparent. It is clear that still other layers can be applied, such as an intermediate layer 57 upon which the decorative layer 55 is provided. Preferably, also a backing layer 58 shall be applied at the underside 7, forming a counterbalancing element for the top layers and, thus, guaranteeing the stability of the form of the floor panel 1. This backing layer 58 may consist of a material, for example paper, impregnated with a resin, for example, a melamine resin. As represented schematically in FIG. 12, the tongue 9 and the groove 10, and preferably also the tongue 31 and the groove 32 are formed by means of a milling process. In the case that a profile has to be applied on all four sides, the floor panels 1 preferably shall be displaced by means of two sequential perpendicular movements V1 and V2, whereby during the first movement profiles at two opposite edges are provided, in this case the longitudinal edges, by means of milling devices 59-60, whereas during the second movement profiles are provided at the other edges, in this case the small edges, by means of milling devices 61-62. During these processing, the floor panels 1 preferably are put with their decorative layer directed downward. According to an important characteristic of the invention, each respective tongue 9-31 and groove 10-32 are formed by means of a milling process with at least two sequential milling cycles or passes by means of milling cutters which are positioned at different angles in reference to the related floor panel 1. This is illustrated in FIGS. 13, 14 and 15, wherein it is represented how a groove 10 is realized by means of two milling cycles by means of two milling cutters 63 and 64. FIGS. 16 and 17 represent how the tongue 9 is shaped by means of milling cutters 65 and 66. The FIGS. 18-19 and 20-21 represent similar views showing how the groove 32 and the tongue 31 are shaped by means of milling cutters 67-68 and 69-70, positioned at an angle. During each of the aforementioned milling passes, substantially the final shape of one flank is fully realized. For example, the milling cutter 63 of FIG. 14 determines the final shape of the lower flank 71 of the groove 10, whereas the milling cutter 64 determines the final shape of the upper flank 72. As mentioned in the introduction, preferably milling cutters 63 to 72 shall be used, having diameters G which are at least 5 times, and even better at least 20 times larger than the thickness F of the floor panels 1. Apart of the mentioned milling cutters, preferably still other milling cutters are applied, for example, in order to remove a part of the material to be removed during a first premachining cycle. In the FIGS. 22 to 25, a particularly preferred form of embodiment of a floor panel 1 according to the invention is represented. Hereby, the parts which correspond with the previous embodiments are indicated with corresponding references. An important characteristic herein consists in that the coupling parts 4-5 are provided with locking elements 6 which, in engaged condition with the panels in a common plane, exert a tension force upon each other, as a result of which the engaged floor panels 1 are forced towards each other in compression. As represented, this is realized preferably by providing the coupling parts with an elastically yieldable or bendable portion, in this case the lower lip 43, which, in engaged condition, is at least partially bent and in this way creates a tension force which results in the engaged floor panels 1 being forced towards each other. The resultant bending V, as well as the tension force K, are indicated in the enlargement view of FIG. 23. In order to obtain the tension force K pressing together the engaged floor panels 1, the bendable portion, in this case the lip 43, preferably is provided, as represented, with an inwardly and downwardly inclined contact surface 73 which preferably can cooperate with a corresponding contact surface 74 on tongue 9. These contact surfaces 73-74 are similar to the aforementioned contact surfaces 39-38 and also similar to the inclined portions of the lower lip of FIGS. 2 to 4. In the FIGS. 2 and 5, the portions form complementary matching shapes; it is, however, clear that, by a modification, also a tension effect similar to that shown in FIG. 23 can be realized. Due to, on one hand, the contact along the angle A, and, on the other hand, the fact that a tension force K is created, a compression force component K1 is produced, as a result of which the floor panels 1 are drawn against each other in compression. Preferably, the angle A of the mutual plane of tangency of contact surfaces 73-74 relative to the horizontal plane is situated between 30 and 70 degrees. In the case that use is made of the embodiment whereby a tension force K is realized, an angle A of 30 to 70 degrees is ideal in order, on one hand, to effect an optimum pressing-together of the floor panels 1 and, on the other hand, to ensure that the floor panels 1 can easily be engaged and respectively disassembled. Although the pressing or compression force component K1 preferably is delivered by the aforementioned lip 43, the invention does not exclude other forms of locking elements or structures whereby this force is delivered by other bendable portions. It is noted that the bending V is relatively small, for example, several hundredths up to several tenths of a millimeter, and does not have an influence upon the placement of the floor covering. Furthermore it should be noted that such floor covering generally is placed upon an underlayer (not shown) which is elastically compressible, as a result of which the bending V of the lip 43 only produces local bending of the underlayer. Due to the fact that the lip 43 is bent apart and that it remains somewhat bent apart in engaged position, the additional advantage is obtained that, when exerting a pressure upon the floor covering, for example, when placing an object thereupon, the pressing-together compressive force is enhanced and, thus, the development of gaps is counteracted even more. It is noted that the inventors have found that, contrary to all expectations, an ideal tension force can be realized by manufacturing the coupling parts 4-5, including the locking elements 33-34, and preferably the complete core 8, of HDF board or MDF board, although these material normally only allow a minor elastic deformation. HDF and MDF also offer the advantage that smooth surfaces are obtained, as a result of which the locking elements can be moved easily over each other. According to a variant of the invention, the tension force can also be supplied by means of an elastic compression of the material of the coupling parts themselves, to which end these coupling parts, and preferably the complete core 8, would be manufactured using an elastically compressible material. A further particular characteristic of the embodiment of FIGS. 22 to 25 consists in that the floor panels 1 can be selectively engaged by means of a turning movement, as represented in FIG. 24, as well as by means of laterally shifting them towards each other in substantially a common plane, as represented in FIG. 25, preferably in such a manner that, during the engagement by means of the turning movement with the coupling parts partially engaged, a maximum bending Vm results in the coupling parts, more particularly in the lip 43, which bending Vm is less pronounced, if not nonexistent, as in the FIGS. 2 to 4, in comparison to the bending Vm which results when the floor panels 1 are engaged by means of shifting them towards each other, as in FIG. 15. The advantage of this consists in that the floor panels 1 can be engaged easily by means of a turning movement, without necessitating use of a tool therefore, whereas it still remains possible to engage the floor panels also by means of shifting them laterally. This latter is useful, in first instance, when the last panel has to be placed partially under a door frame or similar situation. In this case, the floor panel 1 can be pushed under the door frame with the side which does not have to be engaged and subsequently, possibly by means of tools, can be snapped into the adjacent floor panel by lateral sliding together. It is noted that the shapes of the coupling parts 4-5 shown in FIGS. 22 to 25 can also be used for the coupling parts 28-29 of the short sides of the panels. According to the invention, in the case that the four sides 2-3-26-27 are provided with coupling pars 4-5-28-29, these coupling parts can be formed in such a manner that in one direction a firmer engagement than in the other direction is effected. In the case of elongated floor panels 1, for example, such as represented in FIG. 1, the locking at the small sides 26-27 preferably shall be more pronounced than at the longitudinal sides 2-3. The length of the parts at the small sides, namely, is smaller and, in principle, less firm. This is compensated for by providing a more pronounced locking. This difference in engagement can be obtained by shaping the contact surfaces 73-74 with different angles. Preferably, the aforementioned protrusion, more particularly the locking element 33, is bounded by at least two portions 75-76 (shown in FIG. 22), respectively a portion 75 with a strong (steep) inclination which provides for the locking, and a portion 76 with a weaker (less inclined) inclination which renders the engagement or guidance of the coupling parts easier. In the embodiment of FIGS. 22 to 25, these portions 75-76 are formed by straight planes, but, as already described with reference to FIG. 9, use can also be made of curved portions 50-51. In FIG. 5, these are the contact surface 38 and the inclined portion 40. In the preferred form of the invention, the floor panels 1 comprise coupling parts 4-5 and/or 28-29 exhibiting one of the following or the combination of two or more of the following features: a curvature 77 (shown in FIG. 22) at the lower side of the tongue 9 and/or a curvature 78 at the lower lip 43 which form a guidance when turning two floor panels 1 into each other, with the advantage that the floor panels 1 can be engaged into each other easily during installation; roundings 79-80 at the edges of the locking elements 33-34, with the advantages that the locking elements can easily shift over each other during their engagement, or during disassembly of the floor panels 1 and that the locking elements will not be damaged, for example, crumble away at their edges, even if the floor panels are engaged and disassembled; dust chambers 81, or spaces 21 as in FIG. 4, between all sides, directed laterally towards each other, of the engaged floor panels 1, with the advantage that inclusions which get between the floor panels 1 during the engagement do not exert an adverse influence upon good engagement; a shaping of the tongue 9 which is such, for example, by the presence of a chamfer 82, that the upper side of the tongue 9 becomes situated from the first joining together or substantial contact of the panels, under the lower side of the upper lip 42 when the floor panels 1 are pushed towards each other in substantially the same plane, as indicated in FIG. 25, with the advantage that the front extremity or end of the tongue 9 does not press against the front side of the upper lip 42 or the front edge of the bottom lip 43 when the floor panels are pushed towards each other in the same plane; a ramp surface 83, hereinbefore also called inclined portion 41, formed at the distally outer end of the lower lip 43, with the advantage that the locking elements 33-34 shift smoothly over each other and that the lower lip 43 is bent uniformly; in the engagement direction only one important contact point which is formed by a section 84 at the location of the upperside edges of the floor panels 1, with the advantage that the aforementioned tension force is optimally transferred to the upper side of the floor panels 1 and that the development of openings between the floor panels 1 is counteracted; contact surfaces 85-86, more particularly abutment surfaces, formed by the upper side of the tongue 9 and the upper side of the groove 10 which, over the largest portion of their length, are flat and run parallel to the plane which is defined by the floor panels 1, as well as contact surfaces cooperating with each other, formed by curvatures 77-78, with the advantage that no mutual displacement in height between two engaged floor panels 1 is possible, even if the insertion depth of the tongue 9 into the groove 10 should vary due to various causes; in other words, no height differences may occur between the adjacent floor panels. In the embodiment of FIGS. 22 to 25, all these characteristics are combined; it is, however, clear that, as becomes evident from FIGS. 2 to 11, these features can also be provided separately or in a limited combination with one another. As becomes evident from FIGS. 5 to 7 and 22 to 25, an important characteristic of the preferred embodiment of the invention consists in that the cooperative locking element 6, in other words, the portion providing for the snap-together and engagement effect, are situated in that portion of the lower lip 23-43 which extends beyond the distal edge of the upper lip 22-42, more particularly, the lowermost point 87 of the locking part 33 is situated under the top layer of the floor panel 1. For clarity's sake, this top layer is indicated in the FIGS. 22-25 only as a single layer. It should be noted that the combination of features, the lower lip 23-43 extending further than the upper lip 22-42; the locking elements 6 being formed at least by means of a contact surface portion which inwardly slopes downward, and wherein this portion, at least partially, is located in the portion of the lower lip 23-43 which extends distally beyond the upper lip 22-42, is particularly advantageous, among others, in comparison with the couplings for floor panels described in the documents WO 94/01628, WO 94/26999, WO 96/27719 and WO 96/27721. The sloping contact surface portion offers the advantage that the floor panels 1 can be disassembled again. The fact that this sloping portion is situated in the extended portion of the lower lip 23-43 adds the advantage that no deformations can occur during coupling which manifest themselves up to the top layer. According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, the aforementioned portion, i.e. the contact surface 39 or 73, preferably extends in such a manner that the distance between the upper edge 16 of the panel to the contact surface 39, 73 diminishes between the proximal and distal ends of the sloping contact surface 39, 73, in other words, such that, as represented in FIG. 22, the distance X2 is smaller than the distance X1. This is also the case in FIG. 7. Still preferably, this portion only starts at a clear distance E1 from the outer edge of upper lip 42. It is obvious that the coupling parts 22 to 25 can also be shaped by means of said milling process. According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the floor panels 1 are treated at their sides 2-3 and/or 26-27 with a surface densifying agent, more particularly a surface hardening agent, which preferably is chosen from the following series of products: impregnation agents, pore-sealing agents, lacquers, resins, oils, paraffins and the like. In FIG. 22, such impregnation 88 is represented schematically. This treatment can be performed over the complete surface of the sides 2-3 and/or 26-27 or only over specific portions hereof, for example exclusively on the surfaces of the tongue 9 and the groove 10. The treatment with a surface densifying agent offers, in combination with the snap-together effect, the advantage that in various aspects better coupling characteristics are obtained. As a result of this, the coupling parts 4-5 and/or 28-29 better keep their shape and strength, even if the floor panels 1 are engaged and disassembled repeatedly. In particular, if the core 8 is made of HDF, MDF or similar materials, by means of this treatment a better quality of surface condition is obtained, such that no abrasion of material occurs during engaging, or during disassembling. This treatment also offers the advantage that, at least in the case of a surface hardening, the aforementioned elastic tensioning effect is enhanced. The present invention is in no way limited to the forms of embodiment described by way of example and represented in the figures, however, such floor covering and the pertaining floor panels 1 can be embodied in various forms and dimensions without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the various characteristics which are described by means of the represented embodiments or examples may be selectively combined with each other. Furthermore, all embodiments of coupling elements described before can be applied at the longer side as well as at the shorter side of a panel. Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7958689 *Sep 7, 2009Jun 14, 2011Anhui Yangzi Flooring Incorporated CompanyFloor panel with coupling devicesUS8707651Mar 21, 2011Apr 29, 2014Fritz Egger Gmbh & Co. OgSystem of at least two panelsUS8726604 *Mar 3, 2011May 20, 2014Akzenta Paneele + Profile GmbhFloor panel with a plastic backingUS20110146177 *Mar 3, 2011Jun 23, 2011Akzenta Paneele + Profile GmbhFloor panel with a plastic backingWO2010141261A2May 25, 2010Dec 9, 20103M Innovative Properties CompanyLight redirecting film and display system incorporating sameWO2011028373A1Aug 11, 2010Mar 10, 20113M Innovative Properties CompanyLight redirecting film and display system incorporating sameWO2012161824A1Feb 27, 2012Nov 29, 20123M Innovative Properties CompanyProjection systemWO2013142084A1Mar 7, 2013Sep 26, 20133M Innovative Properties CompanyStructured optical film* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification52/592.1, 52/745.19, 52/783.1International ClassificationB32B21/02, B32B21/13, E04F15/04, B27M3/04, B27F1/06, E04F15/00, E04B2/08, B27C5/00, F16B5/00, E04F15/02, E04C2/40, E04B5/00, E04C2/30, E04F15/16Cooperative ClassificationE04F2201/026, F16B5/0016, E04F2201/0153, E04F15/107, F16B5/008, E04F2201/0161, E04B5/00, E04F2201/0107, B27F1/06, B27M3/04, E04F2201/023, E04F15/04, E04F15/02, E04F2201/0115European ClassificationF16B5/00A1B2, E04F15/04, E04F15/10C, B27F1/06, B27M3/04, F16B5/00A4, E04F15/02Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionFeb 28, 2013FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Nov 15, 2007ASAssignmentOwner name: UNILIN BEHEER B.V., BESLOTEN VENNOOTSCHAP, NETHERLFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MORIAU, STEFAN SIMON GUSTAAF;CAPPELLE, MARK GASTON MAURITS;THIERS, BERNARD PAUL JOSEPH;REEL/FRAME:020128/0266;SIGNING DATES FROM 19970517 TO 19970520Owner name: UNILIN BEHEER B.V., BESLOTEN VENNOOTSCHAP,NETHERLAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MORIAU, STEFAN SIMON GUSTAAF;CAPPELLE, MARK GASTON MAURITS;THIERS, BERNARD PAUL JOSEPH;SIGNED BETWEEN 19970517 AND 19970520;US-ASSIGNMENT DATABASE UPDATED:20100209;REEL/FRAME:20128/266Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MORIAU, STEFAN SIMON GUSTAAF;CAPPELLE, MARK GASTON MAURITS;THIERS, BERNARD PAUL JOSEPH;SIGNING DATES FROM 19970517 TO 19970520;REEL/FRAME:020128/0266RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google