Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Module or panel having discrete edgewise or face-to-face... – Having integral key
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-12
2004-08-10
Glessner, Brian E. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Module or panel having discrete edgewise or face-to-face...
Having integral key
C052S589100, C052S591100, C403S375000, C403S381000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06772568
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns a floor covering, in particular of the type consisting of hard panels.
In particular, it concerns a floor covering formed of laminate panels, also called laminate parquet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known that such laminate panels can be made of different layers. Usually, the panels are formed of boards having a wood basis, such as chipboard or fiberboard, in particular MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) or HDF (High Density Fiberboard), upon which one or several layers, including a decorative layer, are provided at least on the top side. The decorative layer may be a printed paper layer, but in certain embodiments it may just as well be a layer of wood, in particular veneer. Such panels can also be made of other materials, for example merely synthetic material, or of a base plate on the basis of wood, such as chipboard, MDF or HDF and the like, upon which is provided, instead of a printed paper layer or veneer, another material such as cork, thin strips of wood and the like.
It is also known to couple these panels on their edges as they are laid, either by means of a conventional tongue and groove joint, whereby they are possibly glued together, either by means of a glueless coupling which provides for a mutual interlocking of the panels both in the horizontal and vertical direction, for example as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,486.
The present invention aims a floor covering of hard panels, in particular laminate panels, which provides for new embodiments according to different aspects offering respective advantages.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect, the invention provides for a floor covering comprising hard panels, whereby these panels are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling means made in one piece with the panels, so that several of such panels can be mutually coupled, whereby these coupling means provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of the floor covering, whereby said coupling means comprise a tongue and a groove and whereby the lip which is situated on the bottom side of the groove, hereafter called the lower lip, is longer than the lip on the top side, hereafter called the upper lip, characterized in that the edge which is provided with the tongue, is made flexible.
As the edge onto which the tongue is provided is elastically flexible, deflections arising during the coupling of the panels are absorbed by this edge, and the above-mentioned upper lip is safeguarded against large deflections, as a result of which the material cannot possibly split due to the bending of the lower lip.
The lower lip is preferably even made rigid, by making it sufficiently thick, so that any bending in this lip is entirely excluded.
According to a first possibility, the above-mentioned flexibility is obtained by making at least the tongue elastically flexible. According to a second possibility, which is preferably combined with the first one, and which contributes even more to the required flexibility being obtained, the tongue is situated on a part which is connected to the actual panel via a flexible zone in the shape of a local constriction.
Specific advantages of the embodiment according to the first aspect are further explained in the following detailed description.
The coupling means are preferably made such that they allow the panels to be coupled by pushing them laterally towards one another.
According to a second aspect, the invention provides for a floor covering comprising hard panels, whereby these panels are provided with coupling means on at least two opposite edges, as a result of which several of such panels can be mutually coupled to one another, whereby these coupling means provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned, and parallel to the plane of the floor covering, whereby said coupling means comprise a tongue and a groove and whereby the lip situated on the bottom side of the groove, hereafter called the lower lip, is longer than the lip on the top side, hereafter called the upper lip, characterized in that the coupling means consist at least of first coupling parts, formed of contact surfaces working in conjunction with one another, on the top side of the tongue and the bottom side of the upper lip respectively; second coupling parts formed of contact surfaces, on the top side of the lower lip and an opposite part of the other panel respectively; and third coupling parts providing for the horizontal interlocking, which are situated on the lower lip, yet further than the free end of the upper lip, whereby these third coupling parts are situated between the first and second ones.
As a result, the vertical forces which are created when walking over the floor covering, are divided over two places, which results in a better distribution of the forces.
The third coupling parts preferably consist of an inwardly directed contact surface provided near the free end of the lower lip, on this lip, and a contact surface working in conjunction with it which is formed on the other panel.
The second coupling parts preferably consist of a contact surface formed on the top side of the free end of the lower lip, as well as a contact surface working in conjunction with it on the bottom side of the other panel.
Moreover, a free space is preferably provided under the tongue extending as of the tip of the tongue up to the third coupling parts. As a result, the tongue can be put more easily in the groove, without having to take very precise tolerances into account.
According to a third aspect, the invention provides for a floor covering comprising hard panels, whereby these panels are provided with coupling means on at least two opposite edges, so that several of such panels can be mutually coupled, whereby these coupling means provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of the floor covering, whereby said coupling means comprise a tongue and a groove and whereby the lip which is situated on the bottom side of the groove, hereafter called the lower lip, is longer than the lip on the top side, hereafter called the upper lip, characterized in that the coupling means consist at least of first coupling parts formed of contact surfaces working in conjunction with one another, on the top side of the tongue and the bottom side of the upper lip respectively; second coupling parts formed of contact surfaces, on the top side of the lower lip and an opposite part of the other panel respectively; and third coupling parts which provide for the horizontal interlocking situated on the lower lip, yet further than the free end of the upper lip, whereby the second coupling parts are situated between the first and the third ones, and whereby these second coupling parts consist of contact surfaces working in conjunction with one another and defining a local contact zone situated in the middle or practically in the middle between the tip of the tongue and the third coupling parts.
By making use of such a local contact zone, there remains a space between this zone and the tip of the tongue, on the bottom side of the latter, which makes sure that there is freedom of movement for the tongue when the panels are joined.
According to a fourth aspect, the invention provides for a floor covering comprising hard panels, whereby these panels are provided with coupling means on at least two opposite edges made in one piece with the panels, as a result of which several of such panels can be mutually coupled to one another, whereby these coupling means provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned, and parallel to the plan
Cappelle Mark Gaston Maurits
Thiers Bernard Paul Joseph
Bacon & Thomas PLLC
Glessner Brian E.
Unilin Beheer B.V. besloten vennootschap
LandOfFree
Floor covering does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Floor covering, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Floor covering will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3320239