Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Module or panel having discrete edgewise or face-to-face... – Having integral key
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-30
2004-10-19
Canfield, Robert (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Module or panel having discrete edgewise or face-to-face...
Having integral key
C052S592400, C052S474000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06804926
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to a method for laying and interlocking panels, particularly via a fastening system consisting of positive retaining profiles provided on the narrow sides of the panels, which extend over the length of the narrow sides and are provided with joint projections or complementary joint recesses.
German utility model G 79 28 703 U1 describes a generic method for laying and interlocking floor panels with positive retaining profiles. These retaining profiles can be connected to each other by means of a rotary connecting movement. However, the disadvantage is that, in order to lay a second row of panels that is to be attached to a laid first row of panels, the second row first has to be completely assembled. The technical teaching to be taken from utility model G 79 28 703 U1 is that a first row of panels initially has to be laid ready horizontally and that a start is then made with a second panel in a second row, which has to be held at an angle and slid into a groove formed in the first panel row. The second panel has to be held at this angle, so that a third panel can be connected to the second panel. The same applies to the subsequent panels that have to be connected to each other in the second row. Only once all the panels of the second panel row have been pre-assembled in an inclined position can the entire second panel row be swung into horizontal position, this causing it to interlock with the first panel row. The unfavourable aspect of the laying method required for this panel design is the fact that several persons are required in order to hold all the panels of a second panel row in an inclined position for pre-assembly and then to jointly lower the second panel row into the laying plane. Another method for laying and interlocking panels is known from EP 0 855 482 A2. In this case, panels to be laid in the second row are again connected to the panels of a first row in an inclined position. Adjacent panels of the second row are initially interlocked with the panels of the first row, leaving a small lateral distance between them. In this condition, the panels of the second row can be displaced along the first row. Retaining profiles provided on the short narrow sides of the panels are pressed into each other by sliding two panels of the second row against each other. Disadvantageously, the retaining profiles are greatly expanded and elongated during this process. Even during assembly, the retaining profiles already suffer damage that impairs the durability of the retaining profiles. The retaining profiles designed and laid according to the teaching of EP 0 855 482 A2 are not suitable for repeated laying. For example, retaining profiles moulded from HDF or MDF material become soft as a result of the high degree of deformation to which the retaining profiles are subjected by the laying method according to EP 0 855 482 A2. Internal cracks and shifts in the fibre structure of the HDF or MDF material are responsible for this.
The object of the invention is thus to simplify the familiar method for laying and interlocking and to improve the durability of the fastening system.
According to the invention, the object is solved by a method for laying and interlocking rectangular, plate-shaped panels, particularly floor panels, the opposite long narrow sides and opposite short narrow sides of which display retaining profiles extending over the length of the narrow sides, of which the opposite retaining profiles are designed to be essentially complementary to each other, where a first row of panels is initially connected on the short narrow sides, either in that the complementary retaining profiles of a laid panel and a new panel are slid into each other in the longitudinal direction of the short narrow sides, or in that the retaining profile of a new panel is initially inserted in an inclined position relative to the laid panel having the complementary retaining profile of the laid panel and subsequently interlocked, both in the direction perpendicular to the connected narrow ends and in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the laid panels, by pivoting into the plane of the laid panel, the next step being to lay a new panel in the second row, in that the retaining profile of its long narrow side is initially inserted into the retaining profile of the long narrow side of a panel of the first row by positioning at an angle relative to it and subsequently pivoting into the plane of the laid panels, and where a new panel, the short narrow side of which must be interlocked with the short narrow side of the panel laid in the second row and the long narrow side of which must be connected to the long narrow side of a panel laid in the first row, is first interlocked with the panel of the second row at its short narrow end, the new panel then being pivoted upwards out of the plane of the laid panels along the long narrow side of a panel laid in the first row, where the panel of the second row that was previously interlocked with the new panel on the short narrow side is also pivoted upwards, at least at this end, together with the new panel, into an inclined position in which the long retaining profile of the new panel can be inserted into the complementary retaining profile of the panel laid in te first row and, after insertion, the inclined new panel and the panel interlocked with the new panel on a short narrow side in the second row are pivoted into the plane of the laid panels.
According to the new method, panels to be laid in the second row can be fitted by a single person. A new panel can be interlocked both with panels of a first row and with a previously laid panel of the second row. This does not require interlocking of the short narrow sides of two panels lying in one plane in a manner that expands and deforms the retaining profiles.
The last panel laid in the second row can be gripped by its free, short narrow end and can be pivoted upwards into an inclined position about the interlocked, long narrow side as the pivoting axis. The panel is slightly twisted about its longitudinal axis in this process. The result of this is that the free, short narrow end of the panel is in an inclined position and the inclination decreases towards the interlokked, short narrow end of the panel. Depending on the stiffness of the panels, this can result in more or less strong torsion and thus in a greater or lesser decrease in the inclination. In the event of relatively stiff panels, the inclination can continue through several of the previous panels in the second row.
When laying, it is, of course, not necessary for the first row to be laid completely before making a start on laying the second row. During laying, attention must merely be paid to ensuring that the number of elements in the first row is greater than that in the second row, and so on.
The method can be realised particularly well when using thin, easily twisted panels. The inclination of a thin panel located in the second row decreases over a very short distance when subjected to strong torsion. The non-twisted remainder of a panel, or of a panel row, located in the laying plane, is securely interlocked. Only on the short, inclined part of the last panel of the second row can the retaining profiles of the long narrow sides become disengaged during the laying work. However, they can easily be re-inserted together with the new panel attached at the short narrow side.
A particularly flexible and durable design is one consisting of rectangular, plate-shaped panels that display complementary retaining profiles extending over the length of the narrow sides on narrow sides parallel to each other, where one retaining profile is provided in the form of a joint projection with a convex curvature and the complementary retaining profile in the form of a joint recess with a concave curvature, where each joint projection of a new panel is inserted into the joint recess of a laid panel, expanding it only slightly, and the new panel is finally interlocked by pivoting into the plane of the laid panel. The deformation of the reta
Akzenta Paneele + Profile GmbH
Canfield Robert
Maynard Jeffrey C.
Stone Gregory M.
Whiteford Taylor & Preston LLP
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