Wall or floor panel with locking means suitable for herringbone installation

Abstract

The invention relates to a wall or floor panel with a locking device suitable for herringbone installation. From the field of traditional parquet floors, so-called herringbone patterns are known, in which periodically arranged parquet floor strips generally have right-angle translation symmetry, at an angle of 45 degrees or 30 degrees to the right angle. The wall or floor panel according to the invention has a compatible locking device on its edge, which can be locked by a pivoting movement and allows a herringbone installation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wall panel or a floor panel having a locking device adapted for herringbone installation. Background Art

[0002] The wall panel or floor panel according to the present invention is a decorative sheet, flat plate or board or decorative panel, and is known per se, for example, used as a floor or wall covering in interior decoration. The term wall panel also includes panels suitable as ceiling coverings. Generally, these panels include a carrier or core made of a solid material, such as wood material, plastic or composite material, which has a decorative layer, a covering layer and possibly other layers, such as a wear-resistant layer arranged between the decorative layer and the covering layer, on at least one side. The decorative layer is usually formed by a printed paper, or a decoration directly printed on the carrier, or a decorative substrate initially applied to the carrier. In recent years, in particular, the so-called use of direct printing methods such as inkjet printing to directly print the decoration on the carrier or the decorative substrate initially applied to the carrier has become increasingly important in the relevant industry.

[0003] Methods for producing decorative panels based on carriers made of wood materials such as HDF or MDF boards are well known. For example, WO 2009 / 080772 discloses a method for producing a decorative laminate having a sheet-like core made of wood or wood material.

[0004] Regardless of the selected carrier material, the sheets obtained in this way are printed into large sheets several times the size of the final decorative panel, and then divided into individual, usually rectangular panels. Then, the panels obtained in this way can be provided with a profile on the panel edge, through which the individual decorative panels can be fixed to each other to form a connected surface.

[0005] In the field of traditional parquet floors, the so-called herringbone or wheat ear patterns are known, in which the periodically arranged parquet floor strips usually have a right-angle translational symmetry, at 45° or 30° to the right angle.

[0006] In order to achieve this installation pattern, both the long sides and the short sides of the panels need to be able to connect to each other. In the field of traditional parquet floors with simple groove / tongue profiles on each panel edge, this is easily achievable, since the grooves provided on the long and short sides are compatible with the tongues provided on the corresponding other long or short side, such that not only can the short sides be connected to each other or the long sides be connected to each other, but also the short sides can be connected to the long sides. However, connecting the panels to each other requires complex gluing in order to achieve a mechanically sound connection between these panels. For modern decorative coverings, whether in the field of solid wood parquet (also known as engineered wood) or in the field of laminates or plastic sheets, it is required that they can be installed without any adhesives. For example, the corresponding installation systems are known as click laminates or click parquet floors.

[0007] However, in the case of using most adhesive-free locking systems, the short sides and the long sides are only compatible with their own type, such that the long sides and the short sides cannot be connected. However, this is necessary for the herringbone installation described above. In order to achieve this installation method, usually different panel types (A / B panels) are provided, which have different connecting means on their respective edges. However, providing different types of panels is logically complex, especially in the do-it-yourself (DIY) market, which is not desirable.

[0008] A panel is known from DE202019103690 which is rectangular and has long sides and short sides, the panel including coupling portions at each long side and each short side which allow the panel to be coupled to another such panel; wherein the coupling portion at one long side includes a tongue and a downward-facing locking groove; wherein the coupling portions at the other long side and the plurality of short sides each include a groove and a locking lip; wherein the locking lip at each of the other long side and the plurality of short sides downwardly limits the corresponding groove and includes an upward-facing locking element; wherein the tongue is configured to interact with the groove at each of the other long side and the plurality of short sides of another such panel to achieve vertical locking between the corresponding sides; and wherein the downward-facing locking groove is configured to interact with the upward-facing locking element at the other long side and the plurality of short sides of another such panel to achieve horizontal locking between the corresponding sides.

[0009] A panel is known from WO1997 / 47843, in which the coupling part at one long side is configured to interact with the coupling part at the other long side of another such panel. The coupling part at one short side is configured to interact with the coupling part at the other short side of another such panel. The interacting coupling members form a locked tongue-and-groove connection on both the long and short sides. This is a tongue-and-groove connection that achieves not only vertical locking but also horizontal locking between the connecting edges. The vertical locking is achieved by the interaction between the tongue and the groove. The horizontal locking is achieved by the locking lip engaging the downward-facing locking groove.

[0010] Document WO2005 / 098163 describes that only one type of panel is needed to obtain a herringbone pattern. In the coupled state, the coupling members at the long sides form a locked tongue-and-groove connection. The coupling parts at the short sides are designed identically and are configured to interact with each coupling part at the long sides. However, the actual examples of the coupling members at the short sides are rather complex or do not provide sufficient locking. For example, the vertical movement of the short sides in the coupled state is not always restricted. This has the disadvantageous result that there is a risk of height differences.

[0011] The solutions known in the prior art generally exhibit the disadvantage of insufficient mechanical stability of the panel connection, such that the panel connection becomes loose under load. Summary of the Invention

[0012] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved wall panel or floor panel with which geometrically complex installation patterns, such as in particular a herringbone pattern, can be easily provided without the need to provide different panel types.

[0013] This object is achieved by a wall panel or floor panel according to claim 1. The structure of such a decorative panel can be found in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0014] Accordingly, a wall panel or a floor panel is proposed, which has two opposite long sides and two opposite short sides, wherein the panel has at least one connecting device at each long side and each short side, and the connecting device allows the panel to be connected to another panel at the long sides of each other, or at the long side and the short side. On one of the long sides, the connecting device includes a tongue and at least one downward-facing locking groove, an upward-facing locking groove, and an upward-facing locking hook. On the other long side, the connecting device has a locking hook and a generally horizontal locking groove. At the short side, the connecting device includes a tongue and at least one first downward-facing locking groove, a second downward-facing locking groove, and a latch step. In order to connect the connecting device on one long side with the connecting device on the other long side, the downward-facing locking groove and the locking hook are shaped in such a way that, in the connected state of these connecting devices, the locking hook engages the locking groove in a contact-locking manner between the distal groove surface and the proximal hook surface, and the upward-facing locking hook of the locking element of these long sides supports itself by the head surface against the groove top of the generally horizontal groove of the locking element. In order to connect the connecting device at one long side with the connecting device at the short side, the tongue of the connecting element is shaped in such a way that, in the connected state of these connecting devices, the tongue engages in a contact-locking manner between the proximal groove wall and the distal tongue surface, between the proximal hook surface and the proximal tongue surface, and engages with the downward-facing locking groove in a contact-locking manner between the base protruding surface of the protrusion of the connecting element and the top tongue surface of the tongue of the connecting element. In order to connect the connecting device at one long side with the connecting device at the short side, the tongue of the connecting element is shaped in such a way that, in the connected state of these connecting devices, the top tongue surface of the tongue is contact-locked to the base protruding surface of the proximal protrusion of the connecting element, the groove wall surface of the downward-facing locking groove is contact-locked to the proximal hook surface of the locking hook of the connecting element, and the bottom surface of the tongue base of the connecting element is contact-locked to the top hook arm surface of the locking hook.

[0015] Obviously, with the wall panel or floor panel according to the invention, even on large installation surfaces, geometrically complex installation patterns, such as herringbone patterns, can be provided in a simple and user-friendly manner, which improves the mechanical stability of the panel connection.

[0016] In the context of the present invention, the term "decorative panel" particularly refers to a wall panel, a ceiling panel, a door panel, or a floor panel, which has a decoration applied to a carrier sheet. Decorative panels are used in various ways for the interior decoration of rooms and the decorative cladding of buildings, for example, in exhibition stand structures. One of the most common application areas of decorative panels is as floor coverings. Here, decorative panels usually have a decoration designed to imitate a decorative template, usually a natural material.

[0017] Examples of such natural-material imitations are various types of wood, such as maple, oak, birch, cherry, ash, walnut, chestnut, gobinwood or exotic woods, such as millettia laurentii, mahogany, bamboo and African padauk. In addition, natural materials, such as stone surfaces or ceramic surfaces, are also often imitated.

[0018] As the carrier or core of the decorative panel according to the invention, for example, carriers based on natural materials, plastics, wood-plastic composites (WPC) or mineral-plastic composites (SPC) can be provided. Layered structures made of several of the above materials can also be used, such as laminated gypsum boards or laminated wood-plastic boards.

[0019] For example, the carrier sheet or carrier can be formed from thermoplastic plastics, elastomeric plastics or thermosetting plastics. In addition, boards made of minerals, such as natural and artificial stone slabs, concrete boards, gypsum fiber boards, WPC boards (made from a mixture of plastic and wood), SPC boards (made from a mixture of mineral fillers, such as layered silicates and plastics), and boards made from natural raw materials, such as cork and wood, can be used as the carrier of the present invention. In addition, according to the present invention, sheets made of biomass as a natural material, such as straw, corn straw, bamboo, leaves, algae extracts, hemp and oil palm fibers, can be used. In addition, materials recovered from the materials mentioned can be used in the method according to the present invention. In addition, the sheets can be based on the natural material cellulose, for example, they can be made of paper or cardboard.

[0020] In the meaning of the present invention, woody materials are not only solid wood materials, but also materials such as cross-laminated timber, glued-laminated timber, joinery boards, veneer plywood, veneer-laminated timber, parallel strand lumber and bent plywood. In addition to this, woody materials in the sense of the present invention also include wood chip materials, such as particle boards, extruded chipboards, flakeboards (oriented strand boards, OSB) and laminated veneer lumber, and wood fiber materials, such as wood fiber insulation boards (HFD), medium hard fiber boards and hard fiber boards (MB, HFH), especially medium density fiber boards (MDF) and high density fiber boards (HDF). In addition, woody materials in the sense of the present invention include modern wood-based materials, such as wood polymer materials (wood-plastic composites, WPC), sandwich panels made of lightweight core materials, such as foams, rigid foams or paper honeycombs, and wood layers applied thereto, and mineral-bonded, such as using adhesives, wood particle boards. Cork also represents a woody material in the sense of the present invention.

[0021] In the context of the present invention, the term "fiber material" refers to materials based on plant, animal, mineral or artificial fibers, such as paper and non-woven fabrics, as well as cardboard. Examples of fiber materials made from plant fibers include not only paper and non-woven fabrics made from pulp fibers, but also sheets made from biomass such as straw, corn stalks, bamboo, leaves, algae extracts, hemp, cotton or oil palm fibers. Examples of animal fiber materials include keratin-based materials such as wool or horsehair. Examples of mineral fiber materials include materials made from mineral wool or glass wool.

[0022] Furthermore, the carrier can be a plastic-based carrier, i.e., having plastic or consisting of plastic. Examples of thermoplastics include polyvinyl chloride, polyolefins (such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP)), polyamides (PA), polyurethanes (PU), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or mixtures or copolymers thereof. Plastics can contain common fillers such as layered silicates, such as talc, calcium carbonate (chalk), alumina, silica gel, quartz powder, wood powder, gypsum. They can also be dyed in a known manner. In particular, the design can include a carrier material having a flame retardant.

[0023] In particular, thermoplastics also have the advantage that products made from them are easy to recycle. Recycled materials from other sources can also be used. This is another way to reduce manufacturing costs.

[0024] According to the construction of the wall panel or floor panel of the present invention, in the connection state of the connecting device on the short side and the connecting device on the long side, a non-contact space can be formed between the distal end surface of the upward-facing locking hook and the near wall surface of the connecting element.

[0025] In the context of the present invention, the non-contact space means that there is no direct contact between the corresponding structural elements of the locking device. Therefore, the corresponding structural elements do not contact each other in the corresponding area.

[0026] According to another embodiment of the present invention, in the connection state of the connecting device on one short side and the connecting device on one long side, a groove chamber can be formed between the undercut surface and the proximal groove wall of the upward-facing locking groove.

[0027] According to another embodiment of the present invention, in the connection state of the connecting device on one short side and the connecting device on one long side, a non-contact space can be formed between the groove top of the downward-facing groove of the connecting element on the short side and the top hook surface of the locking hook of the connecting device on the long side.

[0028] In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, a wall panel or a floor panel according to any one of the preceding claims may be provided, wherein in the connected state of the connecting device on one long side and the connecting device of a second compatible long side, a non-contact space is formed between the proximal groove wall of the locking groove of the connecting device on the second long side and the distal face of the connecting device on the first long side.

[0029] In another embodiment of the present invention, in the connected state of the connecting device on the first long side and the connecting device of a second compatible long side, a non-contact space may be formed between the groove top of the locking groove of the connecting device on the second long side and the top hook surface of the locking hook of the connecting device on the first long side.

[0030] In another embodiment of the present invention, in the connected state of the connecting device on one long side and the connecting device of a second compatible long side, a non-contact space may be formed between the proximal groove wall of the horizontal locking groove of the connecting device on the first long side and the distal face of the upward-facing locking hook of the connecting device on the second long side. Here, the non-contact space may at least partially extend along the top hook arm surface of the hook arm of the connecting device on the first long side.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the latch step of the connecting device at the short side may be inclined towards the distal tongue surface of the connecting device. In the context of the present invention, "inclined" means that the outer distal corner of the latch step is displaced in the distal direction relative to the plane of the proximal wall surface of the downward-facing locking groove and does not lie in the plane of the proximal wall surface. This inclination is preferably generally arcuate.

[0032] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the connecting device on the first long side can be locked with the connecting device on the second compatible long side by a pivoting movement. Thus, the connecting device on the first side rotates into the connecting device on the second side.

[0033] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the connecting device at the short side can be connected or locked with the connecting device at the long side by a generally vertical engagement movement. Here, a generally vertical force can be applied in the direction of the mounting substrate for the final connection or final locking of the two panel sides with each other. This engagement movement is generally referred to as press-locking. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0035] Figure 1 Multiple panels according to the present invention are shown, with corresponding arrangements of multiple panel sides;

[0036] Figure 2 The herringbone installation pattern to be achieved according to the present invention is shown;

[0037] Figure 3 Shows the structure of the connecting device at the short side of the panel according to the present invention;

[0038] Figure 4 Shows the structure of the connecting device at the first long side according to the present invention;

[0039] Figure 5 Shows the structure of the connecting device at the second long side according to the present invention;

[0040] Figure 6 Shows an alternative structure of the connecting device at the first long side according to the present invention;

[0041] Figure 7 Shows an alternative structure of the connecting device at the second long side according to the present invention;

[0042] Figure 8 Shows the connection before the connecting device is finally connected, where the connecting device of the long side according to Figure 5 is connected to the connecting device of the short side according to Figure 3 ;

[0043] Figure 9 Shows Figure 8 the connection in

[0044] Figure 10 the connected state; Figure 7 the alternative configuration of the connecting device of the long side according to Figure 3 is connected to the connecting device of the short side according to

[0045] Figure 11 Shows the connection before the connecting device is finally connected, where the connecting device of the long side according to Figure 4 is connected to the connecting device of the short side according to Figure 3 ;

[0046] Figure 12 Shows Figure 11 the connection in

[0047] Figure 13 the connected state; Figure 4 the connecting device of the long side according to Figure 5 is connected to the connecting device of the long side according to

[0048] Figure 14 Shows Figure 13 the connection in

[0049] Figure 15 the connected state;Figure 6 The connecting device on the long side of Figure 3 is connected to the connecting device on the short side of

[0050] Figure 16 Illustrates the connection before the connecting device is finally connected. The connecting device on the long side according to the figure is connected to the connecting device on the long side of Figure 7

[0051] Figure 17 Illustrates Figure 16 that the connection in

[0052] Figure 18 Illustrates an embodiment of the connecting device on the short side of the panel according to the present invention;

[0053] Figure 19 Illustrates an alternative embodiment of the connecting device on the first long side according to the present invention;

[0054] Figure 20 Illustrates the connection in a connected state. The connecting device on the long side according to Figure 19 is connected to the connecting device on the short side of Figure 18

[0055] Figure 21 Illustrates an alternative embodiment of the connecting device on the second long side according to the present invention;

[0056] Figure 22 Illustrates the connection in a connected state. The alternative embodiment of the connecting device on the long side according to Figure 21 is connected to the connecting device on the short side of Figure 18 ; and

[0057] Figure 23 Illustrates that the connection composed of the connecting devices of Figure 19 and 21 is in a connected state. Detailed Description

[0058] Figure 1 Illustrates panels 100, 200 according to the present invention, wherein panel edges 110, 120, 210, 220 correspond to the respective short sides of panels 100, 200, and panel edges 130, 140, 230, 240 correspond to the respective long sides of panels 100, 200.

[0059] Figure 2 Illustrates the herringbone mounting pattern achieved according to the present invention. Here, panels 100, 200 are fixed together with a 90° offset by connecting the long sides 130, 140, 230, 240 to the respective short sides 110, 120, 210, 220.

[0060] ​​Figure 3 The structure of the connecting device 121 at the short sides 110, 120, 210, 220 of the panel shown according to the present invention is shown. Here, the connecting device 121 has a tongue 122, and the tongue 122 has a distal tongue surface 122a and a proximal tongue surface 122b. In addition, the connecting element has downward-facing locking grooves 123 and 124. The locking groove 123 has a groove top 123a and a proximal groove wall 123b, and the locking groove 124 has a proximal wall surface 124a. In addition, the connecting element has a latch step 125 and a top tongue surface 126, a tongue base 127, a groove wall surface 128, and a bottom surface 129 of the latch step 125.

[0061] Figure 4 The structure of the connecting device 131 at the first long sides 130, 230 shown according to the present invention is shown. The connecting element 131 has a distal surface 131a, a proximal protrusion 132 having a base protrusion surface 132a, a proximal surface 132b, and an undercut surface 132c. In addition, the connecting element 131 includes a locking hook 133, and the locking hook 133 has a proximal hook surface 133a, a top hook arm surface 133b, and a top hook surface 133c. In addition, the connecting element includes a horizontal locking groove 134, and the horizontal locking groove 134 has a groove top 134a and a proximal groove wall 134b.

[0062] Figure 5 The structure of the connecting device 141 at the second long sides 140, 240 shown according to the present invention is shown. Here, the connecting device 141 has a tongue 142, and the tongue 142 has a base tongue surface 142a and an upward-facing locking groove 143. The locking groove 143 has a proximal groove wall 143a and a groove bottom 143b. In addition, the connecting element 141 has a locking groove 144, and the locking groove 144 has a distal groove surface 144a, a proximal groove wall 144b, and a groove top 144c. The connecting element 141 also includes an upward-facing locking hook 145 and a protrusion 146. The locking hook 145 has a head surface 145a, a distal surface 145b, and a proximal hook surface 145c, and the protrusion 146 has a base protrusion surface 146a.

[0063] Figure 6 An alternative structure of the connecting device 531 at the first long sides 130, 230 is shown according to the present invention. The connecting element 531 has a distal surface 531a and a proximal protrusion 532. The proximal protrusion 532 has a base protrusion surface 532a, a proximal surface 532b, and an undercut surface 532c. In addition, the connecting element 531 includes a locking hook 533, and the locking hook 533 has a proximal hook surface 533a, a top hook arm surface 533b, and a top hook surface 533c. In addition, the connecting element includes a horizontal locking groove 534, and the horizontal locking groove 134 has a groove top 534a and a proximal groove wall 534b.

[0064] Figure 7 Shows an alternative structure of the connecting device 541 at the second long sides 140, 240 according to the present invention. Here, the connecting device 541 has a tongue 542, the tongue 542 has a base tongue surface 542a and an upward-facing locking groove 543, the locking groove 543 has a proximal groove wall 543a and a groove bottom 543b. In addition, the connecting element 541 has a locking groove 544, the locking groove 144 has a distal groove surface 144a, a proximal groove wall 544b and a groove top 544c. The connecting element 541 further includes an upward-facing locking hook 545 and a protrusion 546, the locking hook 145 has a head surface 545a, a distal end surface 545b and a proximal hook surface 545c, the protrusion 146 has a base protrusion surface 546a. In addition, the connecting element 541 includes a tongue base 547, a groove wall surface 548 and a head surface 549.

[0065] Figure 8 Shows the connection before the connecting device is finally connected - the connecting device 141 on the long sides 140, 240 according to Figure 5 is connected to the connecting device 121 on the short sides 110, 120, 210, 220 according to Figure 3 To connect the connecting device 141 at one of the long sides 140, 240 to the connecting device 121 at the short sides 110, 120, 210, 220, the tongue 122 of the connecting element 121 is shaped in such a way that in the connected state of the connecting devices 121, 141, the tongue 122 is in contact-locking between the proximal groove wall 143a and the distal tongue surface 122a, in contact-locking between the proximal hook surface 145c and the proximal tongue surface 122b, and in contact-locking between the base protrusion surface 146a of the protrusion 146 of the connecting element 141 and the top tongue surface 126 of the tongue 122 of the connecting element 121, and engages with the downward-facing locking groove 143.

[0066] Figure 9 Shows Figure 8 the connection in

[0067] Figure 10 Shows the connection in the connected state, the alternative structure of the connecting device 541 on the long side according to Figure 7 is connected to the connecting device 121 on the short side according to Figure 3 Here, in the connected state of the connecting device 121 and the connecting device 541, a non-contact space 610 is formed between the distal end surface 545a of the upward-facing locking hook 545 and the proximal wall surface 124a of the connecting element 121.

[0068] Figure 11 shows the connection before the connecting devices 131 and 121 are finally connected. According to Figure 4 the connecting device 131 on the long side of Figure 3 is connected to the connecting device 121 on the short side of

[0069] Figure 12 Shows Figure 11 the connection in

[0070] Figure 13 shows the connection before the connecting devices are finally connected 131 and 141. This connection consists of the connecting device 131 on the long sides 130, 230 of Figure 4 and the connecting device 141 on the compatible long sides 140, 240 of Figure 5 Here, the connecting device 131 can be locked to the connecting device 141 by a pivoting movement.

[0071] Figure 14 Shows Figure 13The connection in [the device] is in a connected state. To connect the connecting device 141 to the connecting device 131, the downward-facing locking groove 144 and the locking hook 133 are shaped in such a way that, in the connected state of the connecting devices 131 and 141, the locking hook 133 engages the locking groove 144 in a contact-locking manner between the distal groove surface 144a and the proximal hook surface 133a, and the upward-facing locking hook 145 of the locking element 141 supports itself by abutting the head surface 145a against the groove top 134a of the substantially horizontal groove 134. In the connected state of the connecting device 131 and the connecting device 141, a non-contact space 340 is formed between the proximal groove wall 144b of the locking groove 144 and the distal end surface 131a of the connecting device 131. In addition, a groove chamber 330 is formed between the undercut surface 132c and the proximal groove wall 143a of the upward-facing locking groove 143. A non-contact space 350 is formed between the groove top 144c of the locking groove 144 and the top hook surface 133c of the locking hook 133 of the connecting device 131 in the connected state of the connecting devices 131 and 141. A non-contact space 360 is also formed between the proximal groove wall 134b of the horizontal locking groove 134 of the connecting device 131 and the distal end surface 145b of the upward-facing locking hook 145 of the connecting device 141 in the connected state of the connecting devices 131 and 141.

[0072] Figure 15 The figure shows the connection in a connected state, which is composed of the connecting device 531 on the long side according to Figure 6 and the connecting device 121 on the short side according to Figure 3 To connect the connecting device 531 to the connecting device 121 at the short side, the tongue 122 of the connecting element 121 is shaped in such a way that, in the connected state of the connecting devices 121 and 531, the top tongue surface 126 of the tongue 121 contacts and locks to the base protrusion surface 532a of the proximal protrusion 532 of the connecting element 531, the groove wall surface 128 of the downward-facing locking groove 123 contacts and locks to the proximal hook surface 533a of the locking hook 533 of the connecting element 531, and the bottom surface 129 of the tongue base 127 of the connecting element 121 contacts and locks to the top hook arm surface 533b of the locking hook 533. Here, the connecting device 121 can be locked to the connecting device 531 through a substantially vertical engagement movement. In the connected state of the connecting device 121 and the connecting device 531, a non-contact space 620 is formed between the groove top 123a of the downward-facing groove 123 of the connecting element 121 and the top hook surface 533c of the locking hook 533.

[0073] Figure 16 The figure shows the connection before the final connection of the connecting devices, which is composed of the connecting device 531 on the long sides 130, 230 according to Figure 6 and the connecting device according to Figure 7Connecting device 541 for compatible long sides 140, 240. Here, the connecting device 531 can be locked to the connecting device 541 by pivoting movement.

[0074] Figure 17 shows that Figure 16 the connection in [the figure] is in a connected state. To connect the connecting device 541 to the connecting device 531, the downward-facing locking groove 544 and the locking hook 533 are shaped in such a way that in the connected state of the connecting devices 531, 541, the locking hook 533 engages the locking groove 544 in a contact-locking manner between the distal groove surface 544a and the proximal hook surface 533a, and the upward-facing locking hook 545 of the locking element 541 supports itself by abutting against the head surface 545a of the groove top 534a of the substantially horizontal groove 534. In the connected state of the connecting device 531 and the connecting device 541, a non-contact space 640 is formed between the proximal groove wall 544b of the locking groove 544 and the distal end face 531a of the connecting device 531. In addition, a groove chamber 630 is formed between the undercut surface 532c and the proximal groove wall 543a of the upward-facing locking groove 543. A non-contact space 650 is formed between the groove top 544c of the locking groove 544 and the top hook surface 531c of the locking hook 533 of the connecting device 531 in the connected state of the connecting devices 531, 541. A non-contact space 660 is also formed between the proximal groove wall 534b of the horizontal locking groove 534 of the connecting device 531 and the distal end face 545b of the upward-facing locking hook 545 of the connecting device 541 in the connected state of the connecting devices 531, 541.

[0075] Figure 18 An embodiment of the connecting device 721 on the short sides 110, 120, 210, 220 of the panel is shown according to the present invention. The connecting device 721 includes a tongue 722 having an upper distal tongue surface 722a, a proximal tongue surface 722b, and a lower distal tongue surface 722c. In addition, the connecting element has a downwardly directed locking groove 723 and a locking groove 724, the locking groove 723 having a groove top 723a, a proximal groove wall 723b, and the locking groove 724 having a proximal wall surface 724a. In addition, the connecting element has a latching shoulder 725 with a latching projection 725a, a top tongue surface 726, a latching bracket 726a, a tongue base 727, a groove wall surface 728, an upper groove wall surface 728a, and a bottom surface 729 of the latching shoulder 725.

[0076] Figure 19An alternative design of the connecting device 831 on the first long sides 130, 230 is shown according to the present invention. The connecting element 831 has a distal face 831a, a proximal projection 832 having a base projection surface 832a, a proximal surface 832b, and an undercut surface 832c. In addition, the connecting element 831 includes a locking hook 833 having a proximal hook surface 833a, a top hook arm surface 833b, and a top hook surface 833c. In addition, the connecting element includes a horizontal locking groove 834 having a groove top 834a and a proximal groove wall 834b.

[0077] Figure 20 A connection in a connected state is shown, the connection being composed of the connecting device 831 on the long side according to Figure 6 and the connecting device 721 on the short side according to Figure 3 In order to connect the connecting device 831 to the connecting device 721 on the short side, the tongue 722 of the connecting element 721 is designed in such a way that, in the connected state of the connecting devices 721, 831, the top tongue surface 726 of the tongue 721 contacts the base projection surface 832a of the proximal projection 832 of the connecting element 831, the wall surface 728 of the downwardly directed locking groove 723 contacts the proximal hook surface 833a of the locking hook 833 of the connecting element 831, and the bottom surface 729 of the tongue base 727 of the connecting element 721 contacts the top hook arm surface 833b of the locking hook 833. The connecting device 721 can be locked to the connecting device 831 by a generally vertical engagement movement. When the connecting device 721 is connected to the connecting device 831, a contactless space 921 is formed between the groove top 723a of the downwardly facing groove 723 of the connecting element 721 and the top hook surface 833c of the locking hook 833, which preferably extends into the contactless space 920 between the distal face 831a and the proximal groove face 723b.

[0078] Figure 21Shows an alternative design of the connecting device 1041 on the second long sides 140, 240 according to the present invention. The connecting device 1041 has a tongue 1042, the tongue 1042 has a base tongue surface 1042a and an upwardly directed locking groove 1043, the locking groove 1043 has a proximal groove wall 1043a and a groove bottom 1043b. In addition, the connecting element 1041 has a locking groove 1044, the locking groove 1044 has a distal groove surface 1044a, a proximal groove wall 1044b and a groove top 1044c. In addition, the connecting element 1041 includes an upwardly directed locking hook 1045 and a protrusion 1046, the upwardly directed locking hook 1045 has a head surface 1045a, a distal surface 1045b and a proximal hook surface 1045c, a latch protrusion 1045d, a latch bracket 1045e, the protrusion 1046 has a base protrusion surface 1046a. In addition, the connecting element 1041 includes a tongue base 1047, a groove wall surface 1048 and a head surface 1049.

[0079] Figure 22 Shows the connection in the connected state, which is composed of an alternative design of the connecting device 1041 on the long side according to Figure 21 and the connecting device 721 on the short side according to Figure 18 In the connected state of the connecting device 721 and the connecting device 1041, a non-contact space 1053 is formed between the distal surface 1045a of the upwardly directed locking hook 1045 and the proximal wall surface 724a of the connecting element 721, which preferably extends into the non-contact space 1052 between the head surface 1045a of the upwardly directed locking hook 1045 and the locking groove cover 724b. In the engaged state, the latch protrusion 725a contacts the surface in the latch bracket 1045e, and the proximal tongue surface 722b contacts the proximal hook surface 1045c. Preferably, contact is formed between the top tongue surface 726 and the base protrusion surface 1046a, a non-contact space 1050 is formed above the contact point and opposite to the protrusion 1046, and a non-contact space 1055 is formed below the contact point. In addition, in the connected state of the connecting devices 721 and 1041, contact is preferably formed between the groove base 1043b and the tongue base 727.

[0080] Figure 23 Shows Figure 19 and 21The connection of the connecting device is in a connected state. To connect the connecting device 1041 to the connecting device 831, the downward-facing locking groove 1044 and the locking hook 833 are designed such that in the connected state of the connecting devices 831 and 1041, the locking hook 833 engages in the locking groove 1044 in a contact-locking manner between the distal groove surface 1044a and the proximal hook surface 833a, and the upwardly directed locking hook 1045 of the locking element 1041 is supported by abutting against the groove cover 834a of the generally horizontally extending groove 834 of the locking element 831 through the head surface 1045a. When the connecting device 831 is connected to the connecting device 1041, a non-contact space 920a is formed between the proximal groove wall 1044b of the locking groove 1044 and the distal end face 831a of the connecting device 831. In addition, a groove chamber 1053 is formed between the groove cover 834a and the proximal groove wall 1043a of the upwardly directed locking groove 1043. When the connecting device 831 is connected, a non-contact space 921a is formed between the groove cover 1044c of the locking groove 1044 and the top hook surface 831c of the locking hook 833 of the connecting device 831, and the non-contact space 921a extends into the non-contact space 920a. In the connected state of the connecting devices 831 and 1041, two non-contact spaces 1051 and 1052 are formed between the proximal groove wall 834b of the horizontal locking groove 834 of the connecting device 831 and the distal end face 1045b of the upwardly directed locking hook 1045 of the connecting device 1041. They can form a common non-contact space, or be interrupted by the contact point between the proximal groove wall 834a and the latch projection 1045d, or be divided into two separate spaces. In the connected state of the connecting devices 831 and 1041, contact is preferably present between the groove cover 834a and the head surface 1045a. When the connecting devices 831 and 1041 are connected, a non-contact space 1054 is preferably formed between the top hook arm surface 833b and the tongue bottom surface 1042a. The non-contact space 1954 can be closed in the vertical direction under the action of a load, whereby the acting force can be transferred to the existing contact surface. This reduces the force acting on the locking hooks 133, 533, 833 under load. Similarly, in the connected state of the connecting devices 831 and 1041, a non-contact space 1055 is formed on the one hand in the transition region between the distal groove surface 1044a and the base tongue surface 1042a, and on the other hand in the transition region between the proximal hook surface 833a and the top hook arm surface 833b, while there is contact between the proximal hook surface 833a and the distal groove surface 1044a.

[0081] List of Reference Numerals

[0082] 100 Panel 129 Bottom Surface

[0083] 110 Short Side 130 Long Side

[0084] 111 Short side connecting device 131 Long side connecting device

[0085] 120 Short side 131a Distal end face

[0086] 121 Short side connecting device 132 Proximal protrusion

[0087] 122 Tongue 132a Base protrusion surface

[0088] 122 Distal tongue surface 132b Proximal end face

[0089] 122b Proximal tongue surface 132c Undercut surface

[0090] 123 Downward-facing locking groove 133 Locking hook

[0091] 123a Groove top 133a Proximal hook surface

[0092] 123b Proximal groove surface 133b Top hook arm surface

[0093] 124 Locking groove 133c Top hook surface

[0094] 124a Proximal wall surface 134 Horizontal locking groove

[0095] 125 Latch step 134a Groove top

[0096] 126 Top tongue surface 134b Proximal groove wall

[0097] 127 Tongue base 140 Long side

[0098] 128 Groove wall surface 141 Long side connecting device

[0099] 142 Tongue 532a Base protrusion surface

[0100] 142a Distal tongue surface 532b Proximal end face

[0101] 143 Upward-facing locking groove 532c Undercut surface

[0102] 143a Proximal groove wall 533 Locking hook

[0103] 143b Groove bottom 533a Proximal hook surface

[0104] 144 Locking groove 533b Top hook arm surface

[0105] 144a Distal groove surface 533c Top hook surface

[0106] 144b Proximal groove wall 534 Horizontal locking groove

[0107] 144c slot top 534a slot top

[0108] 145 upward-facing locking hook 534b proximal slot wall

[0109] 145a head surface 541 long-side connecting device

[0110] 145b distal face 542 tongue

[0111] 145c proximal hook surface 542a base tongue surface

[0112] 146 protrusion 543 upward-facing locking slot

[0113] 146a base protrusion surface 543a proximal slot wall

[0114] 150 first region of connecting device 131 543b slot bottom

[0115] 151 second region of connecting device 131 544 locking slot

[0116] 152 second region of connecting device 131 544a distal slot surface

[0117] 153 gap 544b proximal slot wall

[0118] 154 chamber 544c slot top

[0119] 155 gap 545 upward-facing locking hook

[0120] 156 gap 545a head surface

[0121] 157 gap 545b distal face

[0122] 158 chamber 545c proximal hook surface

[0123] 159 chamber 546 protrusion

[0124] 200 panel 546a base protrusion surface

[0125] 210 short side 610 non-contact space

[0126] 220 short side 620 non-contact space

[0127] 230 long side 630 slot chamber

[0128] 240 long side 640 non-contact space

[0129] 310 non-contact space 650 non-contact space

[0130] 320 non-contact space 660 non-contact space

[0131] 330 Slot Chamber 721 Short Side Connection Device

[0132] 340 Contactless Space 722 Tongue

[0133] 350 Contactless Space 722a Distal Tongue Surface

[0134] 360 Contactless Space 722b Proximal Tongue Surface

[0135] 531 Long Side Connection Device 722c Lower Distal Tongue Surface

[0136] 531a Distal Face 723 Downward-Facing Locking Groove

[0137] 532 Proximal Protrusion 723a Groove Top

[0138] 723b Proximal Groove Surface 921a Contactless Space

[0139] 724 Locking Groove 922 Contactless Space

[0140] 724a Proximal Wall Surface 923 Contactless Space

[0141] 724b Locking Groove Top 1041 Connection Device, Long Side

[0142] 725 Latch Step 1042 Tongue

[0143] 725a Latch Step Protrusion 1042a Base Tongue Surface

[0144] 726 Top Tongue Surface 1043 Upward-Facing Locking Groove

[0145] 726a Snap-On Bracket 1043a Proximal Groove Wall

[0146] 727 Tongue Base 1043b Groove Bottom

[0147] 728 Groove Wall Surface 1044 Locking Groove

[0148] 728a Upper Groove Wall Surface 1044a Distal Groove Surface

[0149] 729 Bottom Surface 1044b Proximal Groove Wall

[0150] 831 Long Side of Connection Device 1044c Groove Top

[0151] 831a Distal Face 1045 Upward-Facing Lock Hook

[0152] 832 Proximal Protrusion 1045a Head Surface

[0153] 832a Base Protrusion Surface 1045b Distal Face

[0154] 832b proximal surface 1045c proximal hook surface

[0155] 833 locking hook 1045d latch projection

[0156] 833a proximal hook surface 1045e latch bracket

[0157] 833b top hook arm surface 1046 projection

[0158] 833c top hook surface 1046a base projection surface

[0159] 834 horizontal locking groove 1050 non-contact space

[0160] 834a groove top 1051 non-contact space

[0161] 834b proximal groove wall 1052 non-contact space

[0162] 920 non-contact space 1053 groove chamber

[0163] 920a non-contact space 1054 non-contact space

[0164] 921 non-contact space 1055 non-contact space

Claims

1. Wall panel or floor panel (100, 200), each panel having two opposite long sides (130, 140, 230, 240) and two opposite short sides (110, 120, 210, 220), wherein the panel has at least one connecting device (111, 121, 131, 141, 531, 541, 721, 831, 1041) at each long side (130, 140, 230, 240) and each short side (110, 120, 210, 220), the connecting device allowing the panel (100, 200) to be connected to another panel (100, 200) at the long sides (130, 140, 230, 240) of each other or at the short sides (110, 120, 210, 220) and the long sides (130, 140, 230, 240), wherein, At one long side (140, 240), the connecting device (141, 541) includes a tongue (142, 542, 1042), at least one downward-facing locking groove (144, 544, 1044), an upward-facing locking groove (143, 543, 1043), and an upward-facing locking hook (145, 545, 1045); wherein, at the other long side (130, 230), the connecting device (131, 531, 831) has a locking hook (133, 533, 833) and a generally horizontal locking groove (134, 534, 843), and wherein, at the short side (110, 120, 210, 220), the connecting device (121, 721) includes a tongue (122, 722), at least one first downward-facing locking groove (124, 724), a second downward-facing locking groove (123, 723), and a latch step (125, 725), wherein, in order to connect the connecting device (141, 541, 1041) at the one long side (140, 240) with the connecting device (131, 531, 831) at the other long side (130, 230), the downward-facing locking grooves (144, 544, 1044) and the locking hooks (133, 533, 833) are configured such that in the connected state of the connecting devices (131, 531, 831, 141, 541, 1041), the locking hooks (133, 533, 833) engage the locking grooves (144, 544, 1044) in a contact-locking manner between a distal groove surface (144a, 544a, 1044a) and a proximal hook surface (133a, 533a, 833a), and the upward-facing locking hooks (145, 545, 1045) of the connecting element (141, 541, 1041) support themselves by abutting a groove top (134a, 534a, 834a) of the generally horizontal groove (134, 534, 834) of the connecting element (131, 531, 831) through a head surface (145a, 545a, 145a);Wherein, in order to connect the connecting device (141, 541, 1041) at one of the long sides (140, 240) to the connecting device (121, 721) at the short side (110, 120, 210, 220), the tongues (122, 722) of the connecting elements (121, 721) are shaped such that in the connected state of the connecting devices (121, 721, 141, 541, 1041), the tongues (122, 722) are in contact-locking engagement with the downward-facing locking grooves (143, 543, 1043) between the proximal groove wall (143a, 543a, 1043a) and the distal tongue surface (122a, 722a), between the proximal hook surface (145c, 545c, 1045c) and the proximal tongue surface (122b, 722b), and between the base protruding surface (146a, 546a, 1046a) of the protrusions (146, 546, 1046) of the connecting devices (141, 541, 1041) and the top tongue surface (126, 726) of the tongues (122, 722) of the connecting elements (121, 721); And wherein, in order to connect the connecting devices (131, 531, 831) at one of the long sides (130, 230) to the connecting devices (121, 721) at the short sides (110, 120, 210, 220), the tongues (122, 722) of the connecting elements (121, 721) are shaped such that in the connected state of the connecting devices (121, 721, 131, 531, 831), the top tongue surfaces (126, 726) of the tongues (121, 721) contact-lock to the base protrusion surfaces (132a, 532a, 832a) of the proximal protrusions (132, 532, 832) of the connecting elements (131, 531, 831), the groove wall surfaces (128, 728) of the downward-facing locking grooves (123, 723) contact-lock to the proximal hook surfaces (133a, 533a, 833a) of the locking hooks (133, 533, 833) of the connecting elements (131, 531, 831), and the bottom surfaces (129, 729) of the tongues (127, 727) of the connecting elements (121, 721) contact-lock to the top hook arm surfaces (133b, 533b, 833b) of the locking hooks (133, 533, 833).

2. The wall panel or floor panel (100, 200) according to claim 1, wherein, In the connected state of the connecting devices (121, 721) at a short side (110, 120, 210, 220) and the connecting devices (141, 541, 1041) at a long side (140, 240), a non-contact space (310, 610, 1055) is formed between the distal end surfaces (145a, 454a, 1044a) of the upward-facing locking hooks (145, 454, 1045) and the proximal wall surfaces (124a, 724a) of the connecting elements (121, 721).

3. The wall panel or floor panel (100, 200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, In the connected state of the connecting devices (121, 721) at a short side (110, 120, 210, 220) and the connecting devices (141, 541, 1041) at a long side (140, 240), a groove chamber (330, 630, 1053) is formed between the undercut surfaces (132c, 532c, 832c) and the proximal groove walls (143a, 543a, 1043a) of the upward-facing locking grooves (143, 543, 1043).

4. The wall panel or floor panel (100, 200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, In the connected state of the connecting devices (121, 721) at a short side (110, 120, 210, 220) and the connecting devices (131, 531, 831) at a long side (130, 230), a non-contact space (320, 620, 921) is formed between the groove tops (123a, 523a, 723a) of the downward-facing grooves (123, 523, 723) of the connecting elements (121, 521, 721) and the top hook surfaces (133c, 533c, 833c) of the locking hooks (133, 533, 833).

5. The wall panel or floor panel (100, 200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, In the connection state of the connection device (131, 531, 831) on one long side (130, 230) and the connection device (141, 541, 1041) on one long side (140, 240), a non-contact space (340, 640, 920) is formed between the proximal groove wall (144b, 544b, 1044b) of the locking groove (144, 544, 1044) and the distal end surface (131a, 531a, 831a) of the connection device (131, 531, 831).

6. The wall panel or floor panel (100, 200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, In the connection state of the connection device (131, 531, 831) on one long side (130, 230) and the connection device (141, 541, 1041) on one long side (140, 240), a non-contact space (350, 650, 921a) is formed between the groove top (144c, 544c, 1044c) of the locking groove (144, 544, 1044) and the top hook surface (133c, 533c, 833c) of the locking hook (133, 533, 833) of the connection device (131, 531, 831).

7. The wall panel or floor panel (100, 200) according to claim 6, wherein, In the connection state of the connection device (131, 531, 831) on one long side (130, 230) and the connection device (141, 541, 1041) on a compatible long side (140, 240), a non-contact space (360, 660, 1052) is formed between the proximal groove wall (134b, 534b, 1043b) of the horizontal locking groove (134, 534, 834) of the connection device (131, 531, 831) and the distal end surface (145b, 545b, 1045b) of the upward-facing locking hook (145, 545, 1045) of the connection device (141, 541, 1041).

8. The wall panel or floor panel (100, 200) according to claim 7, wherein the non-contact space (260, 660, 1051) extends at least partially along the top hook arm surface (133b, 533b, 833b).

9. The wall panel or floor panel (100, 200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The latching step (125, 725) of the connection device (121, 721) at the short side (110, 120, 210, 220) inclines towards the distal tongue surface (122a, 722a).

10. The wall panel or floor panel (100, 200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The connection device (131, 531, 831) on the long side (130, 230) can be locked with the connection device (141, 541, 1041) on another long side (140, 240) through a pivoting movement.

11. The wall panel or floor panel (100, 200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The connection device (121, 721) on the short side (110, 120, 210, 220) can be locked with the connection device (131, 141, 531, 541, 831, 1041) on the long side (130, 140, 230, 240) through a generally vertical engagement movement.

12. The wall panel or the floor panel (100, 200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, In the connected state of the connecting devices (831, 1041), two independent non-contact spaces (1051, 1052) are formed between the proximal slot wall (834b) of the horizontal locking slot (834) of the connecting device (831) and the distal end surface (1045b) of the upwardly directed locking hook (1045) of the connecting device (1041), and the two non-contact spaces are interrupted by a contact point located between the proximal slot wall (834a) and the latch projection (1045d).

13. The wall panel or floor panel (100, 200) according to claim 12, wherein, In the connected state of the connecting devices (831, 1041), there is contact between the slot top (834a) and the head surface (1045a).

14. The wall panel or floor panel (100, 200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, In the connected state of the connecting devices (131, 531, 831, 141, 541, 1041), a non-contact space (1054) is formed between the top hook arm surfaces (133b, 533b, 833b) and the base tongue surfaces (142a, 542a, 1042a).

15. The wall panel or floor panel (100, 200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, In the connected state of the connecting devices (831, 1041), in the transition region from the distal slot surface (144a, 544a, 1044a) to the base tongue surface (142a, 542a, 1042a), and in the transition region from the proximal hook surface (133a, 533a, 833a) to the top hook arm surface (133b, 533b, 833b), a non-contact space (1055) is formed between the proximal hook surface (133a, 533a, 833a) and the distal slot surface (144a, 544a, 1044a).

16. The wall panel or floor panel (100, 200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The difference between the angle of the base projection surface (132a, 532a, 832a) relative to the vertical direction and the angle of the proximal hook surface (133a, 533a, 833a) relative to the vertical direction is in the range of ≥10° to ≤60°, preferably in the range of ≥15° to ≤50°, and particularly in the range of ≥20° to ≤30°.

Images