Patent Description:
Panels for wall-, ceiling- or floor coverings are known in the art. <CIT> relates to panels of a laminate floor, comprising coupling elements which enable a form-fitting connection between the panels. A first and a second panel have coupling elements on one side in each case, whereby the first panel can be connected form-fittingly to the second panel by a rotary movement. The first and second panels additionally have on a further side in each case coupling elements which are so configured that the second panel is connectable form-fittingly to the first panel by lowering said second panel with respect to the first panel. The first panel includes a projecting edge positioned laterally on its underside as an additional coupling element serving to connect the panels by lowering. The second panel includes a projecting edge positioned laterally on its upper side and serves to connect the panels by lowering, which projecting edge projects further in comparison to lateral portions of this panel located below said projecting edge. The projecting edge of the second panel has on its underside a first projecting locking element which in the assembled state of the two panels engages in a corresponding first recess in the projecting edge on the underside of the first panel. The first recess is openly accessible when the first panel rests with its underside on a floor. The two panels include further coupling elements serving to connect the panels by lowering, which lock the two panels form-fittingly in a vertical direction with respect to the surface of the panels. In the assembled state of the two panels the further coupling elements serving to join the panels by lowering are located below the edge projecting on the upper side. In the assembled state of the two panels a plurality of gaps between the coupling elements of the first and second panels serving to connect the panels by lowering are present at the locations which are not used for mechanical connection. The gaps are provided between the coupling elements in such a way that no free play remains at the connecting joint between the two panels.

<CIT> refers to a floor covering, consisting of hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating with each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, characterized in that the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking means which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels into a direction perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels.

<CIT> relates to floorboards for installation of floors in herringbone pattern which are formed with two opposite sides inverted relative to each other.

<CIT> refers to a floor covering, of the type consisting of hard floor panels, which are manufactured of a plate material and which, at least at a number of sides, are provided with coupling parts, characterized in that the floor panels are configured such that, in joined condition, they represent a herringbone pattern, whereby the sides of the floor panels coincide with transition edges of the herringbone pattern.

<CIT> relates to a vertically joined flooring material comprising floor elements with a mainly triangular, square, rectangular, rhomboidal or polygonal shape. The floor elements are provided with edges which are provided with joining members, a lower side and a decorative top surface. The flooring material comprises a combination of at least two types of floor elements, which types comprise female floor elements and male floor elements. The female floor element is provided with a female joining member on at least half of the number of its edges and a male joining member on less than half of the number of its edges. The male floor element is provided with a male joining member on at least two thirds of the number of its edges and a female joining member on less than one third of the number of its edges. An optional joining profile possibly constitutes a junction between two adjacent male joining members of two adjacent floor elements.

<CIT> refers to a connection member for massive dynamic bodies comprising a longitudinal body having a cross section that includes two base plates aligned in opposite directions adapted to extend along the bottom sides of two adjacent dynamic bodies, wherein the base plates are provided with projections directed upwards; an upright shank with two shank legs, the shank legs transforming into the respective base plates; two spring arms extending out from the upper body of the shank essentially parallel to the base plates, wherein the spring arms are bent upwards and bent inwards towards the shank such that a lower section is essentially parallel to an upper section, each respective upper section of the spring arms being provided with a projection directed upwards; and a supporting head arranged on top of the upper body of the shank in a mounted position, and a method of connecting dynamic bodies such as wood pieces where at least two wood pieces having circumferential recesses are connected to at least one connecting member.

<CIT> relates to a hardwood floor system with press down locking mechanism. Each floor board is equipped with both male and female locking mechanisms. The male locking mechanism of a floor bard can be locked into the female locking mechanism of an adjacent floor board by simply exerting downward force on the floor board. The female locking mechanism is equipped with a spring slot that enables easy engagement of male and female locking mechanisms.

<CIT> refers to a panel element for laying on floors, walls and/or ceilings, comprising a rectangular basic body. The basic body has a first head edge, a second head edge opposed to the first head edge, a first longitudinal edge extending perpendicularly to the first head edge, and a second longitudinal edge opposed to the first longitudinal edge. Both head edges and both longitudinal edges are contoured so as to allow a connection with an adjacent panel element at each edge, and wherein the first longitudinal edge has a groove and the second longitudinal edge has a corresponding tongue. A shorter upper leg and longer lower leg are provided on the first longitudinal edge, wherein the contours of the head edges each have an undercut so as to allow an engagement of the tongue of the second longitudinal edge in the contour of each head edge of an adjacent, identical panel element. A step is provided on each head edge adjoining the undercut and an engagement facility is provided between the lower leg of the first longitudinal edge and the step so as to allow a connection between the groove of the first longitudinal edge and each head edge of an adjacent, identical panel element.

<CIT> discloses a panel according to the preamble of claim <NUM>. It is directed to an assembly that involves boards which have at the back at least one rebate set along a long or transverse side. Connecting tongues are placed in the groove formed by the rebates of two adjoining boards so that the latter are connected together. The tongues can be stuck in by hot sealing adhesive. The connecting tongue has on its top side at least one spigot strip running along a long side to engage in a guide groove provided in the rebate of one board. The tongues can be made of wood or plastics.

<CIT> is describes a construction and methods of assembly and construction of boards, e.g. floor boards, are described. The boards have a peripheral connection arrangement for interconnecting of one board to another, a core layer e.g. made from a wood or fibre based material and a top layer applied to the core layer which may be decorative and may include or provide a wear layer. A further bottom layer may be applied to the underside of the core layer and is designed to be in contact with the floor or an underlay can be applied when in use. The connection arrangement includes interconnecting hooking tongues and corresponding catches which co-operate to produce both vertical and horizontal locking.

<CIT> is directed to a panel that comprises a first projecting profile at one edge. The profile is open towards the top and has an undercut. The panel further comprises a second profile which has projecting lug on its opposite edge. The lug is open towards the bottom and engages the same profile in the undercut. At least one of the profiles is elastically yielding in its longitudinal direction.

<CIT> describes floor panels which are provided with a mechanical locking system consisting of a flexible tongue in a sliding groove which during a vertical folding motion is displaced. Moreover, a tongue blank, a production method and an installation method are shown.

The panel elements known in the prior art have the disadvantage that especially for herringbone patterns they provide little or no locking at all in a vertical direction away from laying the plane. Often locking systems are employed on rather thin panels, so that complicated machining of delicate profile elements with many undercuts is difficult and expensive and delicate locking elements are often damaged and deformed, especially when they are used for flooring.

Based thereon the objective of the present invention was the provision of a panel with a locking system which is stable in locking, simple to manufacture with only a low risk for damaging the locking elements, allows for easy and interesting installations and allows laying any desired pattern.

This objective is achieved by the panel for wall-, ceiling- or floor coverings according to claim <NUM>. This panel comprises an upper side, a lower side, and front ends, defining a circumference of the panel in the installed state and at least one front is protruded with respect to the circumference by a detachable protruding lip formed at the lower side, wherein the panel further comprises one horizontal locking groove at the lower side. Furthermore, at least two detachable protruding lips are fixed at the panel at opposite sides of the panel, the protruding lip has a predetermined break-off surface, and the protruding lip comprises at least one horizontal locking element, being suitable for engaging in the horizontal locking groove (<NUM>) of a neighbored panel, when the protruding lip (<NUM>) of said neighbored panel has been removed.

Preferred embodiments of the panel according to the present invention are specified in dependent claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

Claim <NUM> of the present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing wall-, ceiling- and/or floor coverings comprising or consisting of a plurality of panels according to the present invention. According to said method a first panel at its front end is connected with the corresponding front end of the neighbored panel by removing the protruding lip at the predetermined break-off surface and by joining the protruding lip of the first panel with the neighbored panel.

Claims <NUM> and <NUM> relate to preferred embodiments of said method.

Furthermore, claim <NUM> of the present invention relates to a further method for manufacturing wall-, ceiling- and/or floor coverings comprising or consisting of a plurality of panels according to one of claims <NUM> to <NUM>. According to this method an adhesive or a glue is provided onto at least a part of the surface of the protruding lip for providing a locking function in the vertical direction or the adhesive or a glue is provided onto at least a part of the front end.

In general panels are rectangular and have a regular shape. In the gist of present invention regular shapes have sides that are all equal and interior (inside) angles that are all equal, whereas irregular shapes have sides and angles of any length and size. The invention is not limited to rectangular panels having a regular shape, but the inventive concept is also applicable to panels having an irregular shape.

According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention the predetermined break-off surface is formed by one or more start notches, one or more cuttings, preferably laser cuttings, one or more drillings, one or more milled slots, a density gradient within the panel, by means of introducing a film, adhesives, binders and/or primers and/or by using different materials in the area of the predetermined break-off surface.

According to the present invention the the protruding lip comprises at least one horizontal locking element, being suitable for engaging in the horizontal locking groove of a neighbored panel, when the protruding lip of said neighbored panel has been removed. A horizontal locking element according to the present invention has a locking effect in horizontal direction, whereas a vertical locking element has a locking effect in vertical direction. According to the present invention the horizontal direction is the laying direction of the panels and the vertical direction is the direction at right angle to the laying direction.

According to the present invention, at least two detachable protruding lips are fixed at the panel at opposite sides of the panel.

According to another preferred embodiment the panel has four sides and is rectangular and protruding lips are fixed at all four sides of the panel.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention all front ends are protruded with respect to the circumference by a detachable protruding lip formed at the lower side.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the horizontal locking element additionally retains the neighbored panel in vertical and/or horizontal direction.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention a vertical locking groove is incorporated in the front end. Preferably the vertical looking groove can accommodate vertical locking means.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the panel comprises, preferably consists of, a material selected from the group consisting of MDF (= medium density fiber board), HDF (=high density fiber board), cork, OSB (= oriented strand board) , solid wood, plywood, plastics, preferably PVC (= polyvinylidene chloride), cement fibers, basalt, rock wool, ceramics, genuine stone, metal, preferably aluminum or steel panel, plastics, chipboard, laminate floorboardsand mixtures or pairings thereof.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention envisages that the panel consists of laminate floorboards made of MDF or HDF or PVC or mixtures thereof. In case that PVC is used it is preferable that the PVC is free of softeners.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention the front end comprises at the upper side a vertical locking groove over the whole length of the front end or at least over parts of the length of the front end.

A further preferred embodiment envisages that a vertical looking groove is formed at the horizontal locking element.

According to a further preferred embodiment the protruding lip comprises a trough. Said embodiment is in particular preferred when joining is carried out by applying an adhesive or a glue. The trough is suitable for the accommodation of the adhesive or the glue and since the user can dose the amount of the adhesive or glue, oozing of said adhesive or glue oozes over the edges during the joining process is prevented. Furthermore, it is possible to fix a double-sided adhesive in the trough during the manufacturing process of the protruding lip.

According to another preferred embodiment the predetermined break-off surface is formed by one start notch and one end notch. Said embodiment is in particular preferred when the panel with the protruding lip both consists of MDF or HDF. The one end notch is preferably arranged in the horizontal locking groove.

Another preferred embodiment envisages that the panel has a rectangular shape. For a rectangular shape the length of the panel is an integer multiple of the width, such as <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM> etc., preferably <NUM>:<NUM>. For other ratios between length and width a herringbone pattern cannot be obtained.

According to a further preferred embodiment the protruding lip comprises a trough, more preferably said through comprises a double-sided adhesive tape.

According to another preferred embodiment the protruding lip and the core of the panel consist of different materials. Cheap materials like e.g. plastics are preferred for the protruding lip. In one preferred embodiment the protruding lip comprises, preferably consists of a material selected from the group consisting of MDF, HDF or plastics and the core comprises, preferably consists of a material selected from the group consisting of MDF, HDF or plastics, preferably PVC more preferably the protruding lip consists of plastic and the core consists of MDF or HDF or PVC or mixtures thereof.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention envisages that the bend surface of the protruding lip is beveled. This embodiment has the advantage that the risk of damaging the panel during the laying process is reduced.

According to another preferred embodiment the start notch is oriented in a vertical distance in the range from <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM> above the upper lip surface for forming a crack gap. Said crack gap can accommodate any irregular break off surface.

According to another preferred embodiment a decorative layer and/ or an abrasion resistant layer is arranged on the upper side.

Another preferred embodiment envisages that a layer for insulating footstep sounds and/or a counterdraw layer is oriented below the lower side. More preferably the panel comprises an abrasion resistant layer, a decorative layer, a counterdraw laver and a layer for insulating footstep sounds.

The protruding lip can in principle be fixed to the panel by all fixing techniques known in the arts, preferably by gluing or adhering.

The present invention further relates to two methods for manufacturing wall-, ceiling- and/or floor coverings comprising or consisting of a plurality of panels according to claim <NUM>.

According to the first method the locking function in vertical direction is achieved by mechanical means, whereas no mechanical means are required for locking in vertical direction by the second method.

According to one preferred embodiment of the first method according to the present invention the protruding lip of the first panel comprises at least one horizontal locking element being suitable for engagement in the horizontal locking groove of the neighbored panel, whose protruding lip has been removed, wherein during joining the horizontal locking groove is incorporated in the horizontal locking groove.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the first panel and the neighbored panel each have a vertical locking groove at their front end and during joining an insertable locking element connecting the vertical locking grooves is introduced in the vertical locking grooves.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention no mechanical means are provided for locking in the vertical direction. In this embodiment the protruding lip preferably comprises a trough for the accommodation of an adhesive or the through comprises a double-sided adhesive tape. Independent on the method chosen for laying the panel, there is no limitation regarding the laying pattern. Both methods allow laying the panels parallels to each other or laying the panels vertically to each other, as needed for herringbone patterns or other complex patterns.

<FIG> shows a side view of a cut off panel (<NUM>), focusing on the locking system according to the present invention. A horizontal locking element (<NUM>) is mounted on a protruding lip (<NUM>). The horizontal locking element is designed in such a way, that it fits into a horizontal locking groove (<NUM>) of a neighboring panel (<NUM>') and thereby provides locking in a horizontal direction. The panel (<NUM>) has an upper side (<NUM>), which may or may not be decorated or covered by an additional abrasion resistant surface. Furthermore, the panel (<NUM>) may or may not have a decorative bevel (<NUM>) at its edge. With the embodiment shown in <FIG>, a start notch (<NUM>) is created in the panel (<NUM>). By applying a downward force at the end of the protruding lip (<NUM>), for example by applying a downward pressure by hand on the abutment surface (<NUM>), a lever is created by the protruding lip (<NUM>). This lever is further lengthened by the start notch (<NUM>) which thereby acts as starting point for a crack. This crack intentionally propagates from the start notch (<NUM>) to an end notch surface (<NUM>).

<FIG> shows another side view of a cut off panel (<NUM>) according to the invention. <FIG> shows how the protruding lip (<NUM>) with the horizontal locking element (<NUM>) is detached from the panel (<NUM>) along a predetermined break off surface (<NUM>, <NUM>').

<FIG> shows a side view of two panels (<NUM>, <NUM>') which are now joined together. Here the horizontal locking element (<NUM>) on the protruding lip (<NUM>) of a first panel (<NUM>) is fitted into the horizontal locking groove (<NUM>') of a second panel (<NUM>') and thereby prevents any movement in the horizontal direction. The protruding lip (<NUM>) of the second panel (<NUM>') has been removed by detachment along the predetermined break off surface (<NUM>) in order to achieve said horizontal locking.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, vertical locking is simultaneously achieved in several ways:
Firstly, vertical locking against a movement of both panels (<NUM>,<NUM>') towards the lower side of the panels (<NUM>,<NUM>') is prevented by the substrate onto which the panels (<NUM>,<NUM>') are mounted, which is the floor, the wall, the ceiling or any further coverings thereof.

Secondly, vertical locking against a movement of the second panel (<NUM>') towards the lower side if the panel (<NUM>') is prevented by the abutment surfaces (<NUM>,<NUM>').

Thirdly, an insertable locking element (<NUM>) is provided which is inserted into the vertical locking grooves (<NUM>,<NUM>') of both panels (<NUM>,<NUM>'). This insertable locking element (<NUM>) together with the locking grooves (<NUM>,<NUM>') prevent vertical movement of both panels in both vertical directions, towards the lower sides (<NUM>,<NUM>') and the upper sides (<NUM>,<NUM>'). The insertable locking element may either be inserted into the right groove by the person installing the panels, or by being pre-mounted in the factory. In the case that the insertable locking elements (<NUM>) are pre-mounted at the production facility, a user friendly solution is obtained by mounting the insertable locking elements (<NUM>) into the vertical locking grooves (<NUM>,<NUM>') on all four sides of rectangular panels, such that the person installing the panels can remove them together with the detachable protruding lips (<NUM>) as required for the particular laying pattern.

It is clear that with the many different types of possible materials or material combinations out of which the panels (<NUM>) according to the invention can be made, it cannot be expected that the predetermined break-off surface (<NUM>) is always a smooth and straight, perfect surface. For panel materials such as e.g. wood based fiber boards known as MDF/HDF laminate, a generally irregular break-off surface (<NUM>) is rather to be expected. The geometry of the break off surface (<NUM>) can only be predetermined within limits. This is why it is important to choose the start notch (<NUM>) at some vertical distance above the upper lip surface (<NUM>). By this measure, a crack gap (<NUM>) is achieved, which can accommodate any irregular break off surface (<NUM>). This is important in that only the abutment surfaces (<NUM>,<NUM>') are intended to touch in the horizontal plane and not the upper lip surface (<NUM>) somewhere at the irregular break off surface (<NUM>), as this would result in panels which have their respective upper sides (<NUM>,<NUM>') in different planes thereby resulting in an irregular paneled surface. It is also important to add a well defined end notch surface (<NUM>) into which the crack will exit because it enables the crack to travel the shortest available distance. In the embodiments of <FIG> and <FIG>, a slightly inclined contact surface (<NUM>) is chosen, which enables horizontal locking. The inclination of the locking surface (<NUM>) enables to pull two panels (<NUM>,<NUM>') towards each other in the final laying stage and is chosen to be <NUM> to <NUM> degrees to laying plane. A further inclined surface on the horizontal locking element (<NUM>) between the locking surface (<NUM>) and the abutment surface (<NUM>) additionally also serves as a guiding surface (<NUM>) to help to align the panels during laying.

For those panel materials or combinations of materials which exhibit some elasticity, the thickness of the protruding lip (<NUM>) is carefully chosen and a further inclined bend surface (<NUM>) is added below the horizontal locking element (<NUM>) so that when a second panel (<NUM>') is joined by generally pushing it downward, the protruding lip (<NUM>) can be elastically deformed to some degree, thereby providing a slight snapping action which further holds the panels together.

<FIG> shows a side view of two cut off panels (<NUM>, <NUM>') joined by an alternative embodiment of the locking system according to the invention. In this embodiment, vertical locking is achieved by a vertical locking element (<NUM>) which interacts with a vertical locking groove (<NUM>) on the horizontal locking element (<NUM>). For some panel materials or material pairings it can be a mechanical or an economical advantage to provide the protruding lip (<NUM>), together with the horizontal locking element <NUM>) by gluing the protruding lip (<NUM>) to a panel (<NUM>) at the factory, so that the glued surface then acts as predetermined break off surface. Such a solution can be chosen e.g. for ceramic panels or tiles with a protruding lip (<NUM>) made of a plastic material.

<FIG> shows a side view of a panel (<NUM>) with another alternative embodiment of the locking system according to the invention. In this embodiment, no mechanical means are provided for locking in the vertical direction away from the laying plane. However, since the protruding lip (<NUM>) together with the front end of the panel (<NUM>) and the horizontal locking element (<NUM>) form a trough, an adhesive or a glue may be provided onto the upper lip surface to provide the locking function in the vertical direction away from the laying plane.

Claim 1:
Panel (<NUM>) for wall-, ceiling- or floor coverings, comprising an upper side (<NUM>), a lower side (<NUM>), and front ends (<NUM>), defining a circumference of the panel in the installed state, and
at least one front end (<NUM>) is protruded with respect to the circumference by a detachable protruding lip (<NUM>) formed at the lower side (<NUM>), one horizontal locking groove (<NUM>) being provided at the lower side (<NUM>), characterized in that,
at least two detachable protruding lips (<NUM>) are fixed at the panel (<NUM>) at opposite sides of the panel (<NUM>),
the protruding lips (<NUM>) having a predetermined break-off surface (<NUM>), and
the protruding lips (<NUM>) comprising at least one horizontal locking element (<NUM>), being suitable for engaging in the horizontal locking groove (<NUM>) of a neighbored panel (<NUM>'), when the protruding lip (<NUM>) of said neighbored panel (<NUM>') has been removed.