Patent ID: 12247406

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1shows two panels2according to the invention with an upside4and a underside6as well as with a first side edge8and a second side edge10, which is arranged opposite the first side edge8. A first locking element12is formed on the first side edge8and a first abutment surface14is formed in the area of the upside4of the panel2.

A second locking element16corresponding to the first locking element12and a second abutment surface18in the area of the upside4are formed on the second side edge10. Both abutment surfaces14,18are bounded by the upside4in the direction of the upside4, i.e. they adjoin the upside4. In the direction of the underside6, the first locking element12and the second locking element16are arranged below the first abutment surface14and the second abutment surface18respectively.

In the embodiment example shown, a deformation element20made in one piece with the first side edge8is arranged on the first abutment surface14between the end of the first abutment surface14facing the upside4and the end of the first abutment surface14facing the underside6. Due to the one-piece design, the deformation element20is made of the material of the first side edge8, wherein the material of the first side edge8corresponds to the core material of the panel2. In this embodiment, the first abutment surface14can also be referred to as the base surface of the deformation element20.

On the other abutment surface18, a deformation section21corresponding to the deformation element20is provided, i.e. a material section of the side edge10which comes into contact with the deformation element20when the panels2are joined and is simultaneously deformed with the deformation element20.

The deformation element20is configured such that a distal end of the deformation element20protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the first abutment surface14relative to the first abutment surface14. The deformation element20shown has a substantially triangular cross-section, with a tip of the deformation element20constituting the distal end of the deformation element20. The distal end of the deformation element protrudes in the direction perpendicular to the first abutment surface14in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, in particular 0.08 m to 0.12 mm.

In the embodiment shown, the first locking element12is configured as a spring12at the first lateral edge8of the panel2, the spring12having a spring upside22, a spring underside24and a first locking surface26formed at the distal end of the spring12.

The second locking element16, arranged on the second lateral edge10of the panel2and corresponding to the first locking element12, comprises a groove28delimited in the direction of the upside4by an upper lip30, at the distal end of which the second abutment surface18is formed. In the direction of the underside6, the groove28is delimited by a lower lip32, the lower lip32projecting distally with respect to the upper lip30, and a projection34is formed on the distal end of the lower lip32, on which projection a second locking surface36facing the groove is arranged at the proximal end.

In the locking position shown inFIG.2, the spring12is disposed on the first side edge8of the second panel2at least partially within the groove28on the second side edge10of the first panel2, with a portion of the upside of the spring22in contact with a underside38bounding the upper lip30in the direction of the bottom6and the bottom of the spring24in contact with an upside40of the lower lip32. As a result of the contact of the second locking surface36with the first locking surface26, a bias of the lower lip32generated by the contact and by the corresponding configuration of the first connecting element12and the second connecting element16in the lower lip32pushes the spring12and thus the second panel2towards the first panel. The resulting contact force plastically deforms the deformation element20arranged on the first abutment surface14and the deformation section21of the second abutment surface18in contact with the deformation element20in such a way that the first abutment surface14is in contact with the second abutment surface18and no visually or haptically perceptible gap is formed between the first abutment surface14and the second abutment surface18.

The deformation of the deformation element20as well as the deformation section21of the second abutment surface18, which is in contact with the deformation element20, causes a local compression of the material, resulting in a linear surface pressure in this area, which can also be referred to as a sealing area or sealing line. Due to the close contact or the deformation of the deformation element20and the deformation section21, the connection between the first panel2and the second panel2is sealed so that no moisture or dirt can penetrate into the gap between the panels2,2below the sealing point.

The deformation of the deformation element20and of the deformation section21of the second abutment surface18in contact with the deformation element20can be seen in the detailed view (III) of the sealing area shown inFIG.3. The original outer contour of the deformation element20is shown by the dashed lines. It can be seen how the deformation element20, although strongly deformed, has nevertheless penetrated the surface of the second abutment surface18and deformed the deformation section21due to the surface pressure. The deformation results in a compression of the material both within the deformation element20and the first abutment surface14and in the deformation section of the second abutment surface18that is in contact with the deformation element20.