Releasable joining system for floor panels, floor panel, floor system, laying method and method of releasing floor panels

Abstract

A joining system for floor panels comprises a female joint formed in a first floor panel (10) and a male joint formed in a second floor panel (20), the female joint comprising a female joint recess (30) arranged on a female joint tongue (32), the present invention relates to a floor panel (10, 20) comprising a female joint recess (30) adapted to receive a female joint tongue (40) projecting away from a main body portion (120) of a first floor panel towards an adjoining second floor panel, the female joint recess (30) being adapted to receive a male joint tongue (40) projecting from the adjoining second floor panel (20) in a direction away from a main floor surface plane (SP) of the laid floor panels (10, 20), the female joint further comprises an upper guide surface (34) on a side (35) of the female joint recess (30) on the first floor panel (10), which upper guide surface forms a guide for the male joint tongue (40) when the male joint tongue (40) is inserted.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application filed on December 11, 2020, with the invention name "Releasable connection system for floor panels, floor panels, floor systems, laying methods and release methods for floor panels", application number 202080086020.9 (international application number PCT / SE2020 / 051203). Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a joining system for floor panels, the joining system comprising a female joint recess formed in a first floor panel. The female joint recess is shaped to receive a male joint tongue protruding from an adjacent second floor panel in a direction away from a main floor surface plane on which the floor panels are laid. The male joint tongue is provided with vertical locking means capable of vertical interlocking engagement with matching vertical locking means in the female joint recess. Background Art

[0003] The current trend in joint systems for prefabricated floor panels is to use one of several variations of angle-in tongue-and-groove joints on the long sides of a typical rectangular floor panel, and then use a so-called fold-down joint to join the remaining short sides of the floor panel. This combination of angled and fold-down joints makes flooring installation easier and less time-consuming for both professionals and DIY (do-it-yourself) customers than previous angled / angled joint systems that required both the long and short sides of the floor panel to be joined at a bevel.

[0004] Fold-down attachment systems typically include some sort of vertical snap-locking action to facilitate snapping the seam into place when the floor panels are folded down to join along the short sides of the floor panels. Prior art snap-lock designs for fold-down seams include a variety of different forms of vertical locking means, such as angled or rounded locking lugs that snap into corresponding locking recesses for engagement, or vice versa. Some fold-down seams include a separately inserted resilient plastic or rubber tongue element to achieve an effective positive lock between two adjacent floor panels. These seams generally function well, but are more complex and therefore more expensive than seams without such separate inserts, making them unsuitable for large-scale floor production.

[0005] Prefabricated floor panels are manufactured around the world in a wide variety of materials and structural designs, including laminate, wood flooring, LVT (premium vinyl tile), PVC, to name a few. All of these floor panels have very different materials and manufacturing properties, and it has not been determined that a particular fold-down attachment system that works well in one type of floor panel will work equally well in another type of floor panel with different composition and materials. For this reason, it is highly desirable for flooring manufacturers to find a fold-down attachment system that allows for an effective snap-action action in as many of the widely used floor panel types as possible. Summary of the invention

[0006] In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a joining system for floor panels which alleviates some of the problems of prior art solutions.

[0007] In order to achieve at least one of the above objects and other objects that will be apparent from the following description, the invention provides a connection system having the features defined in the independent claim. Preferred embodiments of the connection system will be obtained from the dependent claims.

[0008] More specifically, according to the present invention, there is provided a joining system for floor panels, the joining system comprising a female joint formed in a first floor panel and a male joint formed in a second floor panel. The female joint comprises:

[0009] A concave joint recess is arranged on a concave joint tongue, which protrudes away from the main body of the first floor panel toward the adjacent second floor panel. The concave joint recess is suitable for receiving a convex joint tongue, which protrudes from the adjacent second floor panel in a direction away from the main floor surface plane on which the floor panels are laid. The concave joint also includes an upper guide surface, which is located at the side of the concave joint recess on the first floor panel, and forms a guide for the convex joint tongue when the convex joint tongue is inserted, thereby limiting the movement of the convex joint tongue toward the main body of the first floor panel in the horizontal direction. The convex joint includes:

[0010] A male joint tongue is integrally formed in the second floor panel, the male joint being provided with vertical locking means capable of vertical interlocking engagement with matching vertical locking means of the female joint.

[0011] The female joint tongue is resilient and comprises a locking protrusion arranged at the distal side, which protrudes from the female joint tongue in a direction towards the main floor surface plane and is arranged to be received in a groove in the second floor panel to horizontally lock the panels. The locking protrusion is configured to contact the male joint tongue during the joining process of the first floor panel and the second floor panel. The female joint tongue also comprises a recessed portion, which enables the locking protrusion of the female joint tongue to be pressed down during the joining process of the panels. The joining system further comprises:

[0012] A joint release channel is arranged between the locking protrusion and the upper surface in the groove in the second floor panel so that a joint release tool that can be placed in the joint release channel can engage the female joint tongue to depress the female joint tongue to release the horizontal locking and / or release the vertical locking means from the locking protrusion. A connection system is thereby provided which eliminates the need for a resilient male joint tongue by providing a resilient female joint tongue. As a result, the groove can be made narrower, thereby increasing the load-bearing capacity of the joint. The provision of a joint release channel further facilitates the release of the joint.

[0013] In one embodiment, the recess may extend from the distal side of the female joint tongue. The extension D of the recess may be greater than the width F of the locking protrusion. The recess extending horizontally longer than the width of the protrusion will help deflect the female joint tongue by the male joint tongue, because a vertical force applied to the locking protrusion will induce a momentum force due to the recess below, and the momentum force increases as the extension of the recess beyond the locking protrusion increases.

[0014] Further, the recess may extend a distance D on the bottom side of the female joint tongue from its distal side to between 60% and 90% of the length C of the female joint tongue measured from the distal side, preferably approximately 85% of the length of the female joint tongue.

[0015] The recess may be defined by a bevel extending a distance D from a distal side of the female joint tongue, extending from its distal side to between 60% and 90% of a length C of the female joint tongue measured from the distal side, preferably approximately 85% of the length of the female joint tongue.

[0016] The locking protrusion may further comprise an inclined abutment surface arranged between a substantially vertical abutment surface on the female locking tongue and the top surface of the female locking tongue. The substantially vertical abutment surface and / or the inclined abutment surface cooperate with the abutment surface on the male joint tongue to prevent horizontal movement of the panels away from each other. Providing the inclined abutment surface facilitates the insertion of the male joint tongue into the female joint recess because the inclined abutment surface guides the male joint tongue into the female joint recess. The inclined abutment surface is arranged so that when the vertical locking device is arranged against the upper guide surface during the connection process, the male joint tongue will abut against the inclined abutment surface, and the vertical force subsequently applied to the second floor panel will force the female joint tongue downwards while the male joint tongue slides over the inclined abutment surface into the female joint recess.

[0017] The first floor panel also includes a support surface configured to cooperate with a support surface on the second floor panel to provide vertical support when the first floor panel and the second floor panel are connected. The support surface increases the vertical load-bearing capacity of the connection system, thereby further improving the alignment between the floor panels.

[0018] In one embodiment the male joint tongue is rigid and non-elastic.

[0019] The second floor panel may further include an upper seam surface adjacent to the support surface, the upper seam surface being configured to abut against the upper seam surface on the first floor panel when the first floor panel and the second floor panel are joined together. The two seam surfaces together with the support surface form additional load support and increase the structural strength of the joining system.

[0020] The support surface and the seam surface on the second floor panel may together form a protrusion that corresponds to a recess formed by the support surface and the upper seam surface of the first floor panel.

[0021] In one embodiment, when the first and second floor panels are coupled together, a distance M between an upper surface of the groove and a top surface of the locking protrusion is between 10% and 40% of a thickness Q of the first and second floor panels.

[0022] A horizontal channel may be provided between the female joint tongue and the main part of the second floor panel, and the horizontal channel may enable horizontal movement of the female joint tongue.

[0023] In one embodiment, the horizontal distance N between the distal side of the female joint tongue and the distal side of the main body portion of the second floor panel is between 5% and 15% of the female joint member's length C. The above relationship between the female joint tongue and the horizontal distance allows for horizontal movement of the female joint tongue, which may occur during joining of the panels.

[0024] The joining system may further include a joint release lever placeable in the joint release channel to deflect the female joint tongue and thereby release the lock.

[0025] In one embodiment, the male joint tongue may comprise a bottom surface which is arranged to face the female joint recess bottom surface, wherein the shape of the bottom surface corresponds to the shape of the female joint recess bottom surface. Thus, vertical forces applied to the joint will be transferred from the male joint tongue to the female joint tongue without inducing any momentum forces, which is desirable as it increases the load-bearing capacity of the joint and reduces the risk of inadvertent deflection of the female joint tongue.

[0026] In one embodiment, the seam face protrudes horizontally from the male joint tongue by a distance H which is greater than the distance the vertical locking means protrudes from the male joint tongue so that the vertical locking means is positioned closer to the main body of the second floor panel than the seam face.

[0027] In one embodiment, the inclination of the inclined surface is between 5° and 20°.

[0028] The male joint tongue may further comprise a clearance surface arranged proximal and adjacent to the bottom surface on the male joint tongue, whereby the second floor panel may be released from the first floor panel by pivoting the second floor panel about the male joint tongue. The clearance surface reduces the risk of damage to the female joint tongue and the female locking protrusion during release of the first and second floor panels by pivoting. Thus, the connection system may be released by pivoting with the aid of a joint release tool and / or by sliding the first and second floor panels relative to each other in a longitudinal direction.

[0029] The clearance surface may be chamfered or rounded, and the abutment surface of the male joint tongue arranged at an angle relative to the surface plane and configured to abut against an inclined abutment surface on the female locking projection.

[0030] In a second aspect, there is provided a floor panel comprising a female joint formed along at least one first side of the floor panel to interconnect the floor panel with a male joint of a second floor panel, the female joint comprising:

[0031] A female joint recess is arranged on a female joint tongue which projects away from the main body of the first floor panel towards the adjacent second floor panel. The female joint recess is adapted to receive a male joint tongue which projects from the adjacent second floor panel in a direction away from the main floor surface plane on which the floor panels are laid.

[0032] The upper guide surface is located at a side of the concave joint recess on the first floor panel, forming a guide for the male joint tongue when the male joint tongue is inserted, thereby limiting the male joint tongue from moving horizontally toward the main body of the first floor panel.

[0033] The vertical locking means is configured to cooperate with the vertical locking means in the male joint so as to be able to be in vertical interlocking engagement therewith. The female joint tongue is resilient and comprises a locking protrusion arranged distally, which protrudes from the female joint tongue in a direction towards the main floor surface plane and is arranged to be received in a groove in the second floor panel to horizontally lock the panels. The locking protrusion is configured to contact the male joint tongue during the joining of the first floor panel and the second floor panel. The female joint tongue also includes a recessed portion, which enables the locking protrusion of the female joint tongue to be pressed down during the joining of the panels. The female joint forms at least a part of:

[0034] A joint release channel is arranged between the locking protrusion and the upper surface in the groove in the second floor panel, so that a joint release tool that can be placed in the joint release channel can engage the female joint tongue to depress the female joint tongue to release the horizontal lock from the locking protrusion and / or release the vertical locking devices.

[0035] In one embodiment, the floor panel further comprises a second female joint formed along a side substantially perpendicular to at least one first side of the floor panel to interconnect the floor panel with the male joint of a second floor panel, the second female joint comprising:

[0036] A female joint recess is arranged on a female joint tongue which projects away from the main body of the first floor panel towards the adjacent second floor panel. The female joint recess is adapted to receive a male joint tongue which projects from the adjacent second floor panel in a direction away from the main floor surface plane on which the floor panels are laid.

[0037] The upper guide surface is located at a side of the concave joint recess on the first floor panel, forming a guide for the male joint tongue when the male joint tongue is inserted, thereby limiting the male joint tongue from moving horizontally toward the main body of the first floor panel.

[0038] The vertical locking means is configured to cooperate with the vertical locking means in the male joint so as to be able to be in vertical interlocking engagement therewith. The female joint tongue is resilient and comprises a locking protrusion arranged distally, which protrudes from the female joint tongue in a direction towards the main floor surface plane and is arranged to be received in a groove in the second floor panel to horizontally lock the panels. The locking protrusion is configured to contact the male joint tongue during the joining of the first floor panel and the second floor panel. The female joint tongue also includes a recessed portion, which enables the locking protrusion of the female joint tongue to be pressed down during the joining of the panels. The female joint forms at least a part of:

[0039] A joint release channel is arranged between the locking protrusion and the upper surface in the groove in the second floor panel, so that a joint release tool that can be placed in the joint release channel can engage the female joint tongue to depress the female joint tongue to release the horizontal lock from the locking protrusion and / or release the vertical locking devices.

[0040] The floor panel may also include a first male joint formed along a side parallel to at least one first side of the floor panel to interconnect the floor panel with a female joint of another floor panel. The male joint includes:

[0041] A male joint tongue protrudes from the floor panel in a direction away from the main floor surface plane on which the floor panel is laid, the male joint tongue being integrally formed in the floor panel. The male joint is provided with vertical locking means capable of vertical interlocking engagement with matching vertical locking means of the female joint.

[0042] The male joint further comprises a groove in the floor panel, the groove being arranged to receive a locking protrusion arranged distally and protruding from the female joint tongue, for horizontal locking of the panels. The male joint forms at least a part of:

[0043] A joint release channel is arranged between the locking protrusion and the upper surface in the groove in the floor panel so that a joint release tool placed in the joint release channel can engage the female joint tongue to depress the female joint tongue to release the horizontal lock from the locking protrusion and / or release the vertical locking device.

[0044] In another embodiment, the floor panel further comprises a second male joint formed along a side substantially perpendicular to the side formed with the first male joint, the second male joint being adapted to interconnect the floor panel with a female joint on another floor panel, the second male joint comprising:

[0045] A male joint tongue protrudes from the floor panel in a direction away from the main floor surface plane on which the floor panel is laid, the male joint tongue being integrally formed in the floor panel. The male joint is provided with vertical locking means capable of vertical interlocking engagement with matching vertical locking means of the female joint.

[0046] The male joint further comprises a groove in the floor panel, the groove being arranged to receive a locking protrusion arranged distally and protruding from the female joint tongue, for horizontal locking of the panels. The male joint forms at least a part of:

[0047] A joint release channel is arranged between the locking protrusion and the upper surface in the groove in the floor panel so that a joint release tool placed in the joint release channel can engage the female joint tongue to depress the female joint tongue to release the horizontal lock from the locking protrusion and / or release the vertical locking device.

[0048] In one embodiment, the floor panels are rectangular.

[0049] In another embodiment, the floor panels are square.

[0050] In one embodiment, the floor panel is a parallelogram in shape.

[0051] In a third aspect, a floor system comprises a first floor panel having a female joint arranged on a short side of the first floor panel according to the first aspect, a male joint arranged on an opposite short side of the first floor panel according to the first aspect, a female joint arranged on a long side of the first floor panel according to the first aspect, and a male joint arranged on an opposite long side of the first floor panel according to the first aspect, the floor system further comprising a second floor panel which is identical to the first floor panel but is mirrored in a vertical plane along one of the short sides of the first floor panel or is mirrored in a vertical plane along one of the long sides of the first floor panel.

[0052] In a fourth aspect, a method for joining a first floor panel with a second floor panel and a third floor panel. The first floor panel has a male connector according to the first aspect arranged on a first side of the first floor panel and a male connector according to the first aspect arranged on an adjacent second side, the method comprising:

[0053] arranging a first floor panel, wherein a first side abutting against a side of a second floor panel is provided with a female joint according to the first aspect, and a second side abutting against a side of a third floor panel is provided with a female joint according to the first aspect,

[0054] A first side portion and a second side portion of a first floor panel are coupled to a second floor panel and a third floor panel, wherein at least the first side portion of the first floor panel is coupled to a side portion of the second floor panel in a vertically movable manner.

[0055] In one embodiment, a first side of a first floor panel is coupled to a side of a second floor panel in a vertically movable manner, and a second side of the first floor panel is coupled to a side of a third floor panel in a vertically movable manner.

[0056] In another embodiment, a first side of a first floor panel is coupled to a side of a second floor panel in a vertical motion, and after coupling to the first side of the first floor panel, a second side of the first floor panel is coupled to a side of a third floor panel in a folding motion pivoting around the first side of the first floor panel.

[0057] In one embodiment, the method further comprises releasing the first floor panel from the second floor panel and / or the third floor panel by depressing a female joint tongue on a side of the second floor panel and / or on a side of the third floor panel.

[0058] Generally, unless otherwise explicitly defined herein, all terms used in the claims should be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the art. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, all references to "one / the [element, device, component, means, step, etc.]" will be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, device, component, means, step, etc. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] The above and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein:

[0060] Figure 1A A side view of a joining system according to the invention as applied to an exemplary floor panel is shown.

[0061] Figure 1B A side view of a linking system according to the invention is shown, wherein some defining measurements of the linking system are illustrated.

[0062] Figure 2 A side view of the joining system according to the invention is shown when a first floor panel is joined to a second floor panel.

[0063] Figure 3 Another side view of the joining system is shown in an intermediate joining position, wherein the female joint tongue is slightly bent downwards by interaction with the male joint tongue.

[0064] Figure 4 Another side view of the linkage system is shown in the linked, fully engaged and vertically locked state.

[0065] Figure 5 An exploded perspective view of the first floor panel is shown, illustrating the female joint.

[0066] Figure 6 An exploded perspective view of the second floor panel is shown, showing the male joint.

[0067] Figure 7 A side view of the joint release lever of the first embodiment is shown.

[0068] Figure 8 A side view of a joint release lever of a second embodiment is shown.

[0069] Fig. 9 A side view of a joint release lever of a third embodiment is shown.

[0070] Fig.10 A cross section of a joint release lever in one embodiment is shown.

[0071] Fig.11 Cross-sections of joint release levers in different embodiments are shown.

[0072] Fig.12 A side view of the linking system is shown with the joint release lever inserted into the joint release channel to push the female joint tongue downward to unlock the linking system.

[0073] FIG. 13A to FIG. 13C Two further embodiments of the joint release lever are shown.

[0074] Fig.14 The floor panel is shown in an exploded side view. The floor panel comprises a male joint on the left and a female joint on the right.

[0075] Fig.15 A flooring system is shown where the floor panels are laid in a herringbone pattern.

[0076] Fig.16 Shown is a flooring system where panels are laid in a herringbone pattern.

[0077] Fig.17 and Fig.18 A first floor panel and a second floor panel including a vertical locking arrangement according to one embodiment are shown.

[0078] Fig.19 A side view of a link system according to one embodiment is shown.

[0079] Fig. 20 and Fig.21 Shown are a side-by-side view and a connected view of a linking system according to one embodiment.

[0080] Fig. 22 and Fig.23 Shown are a side-by-side view and a connected view of a linking system according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0081] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided to achieve thoroughness and completeness, and to fully convey the scope of the present invention to the skilled person.

[0082] Some prior art fold-down attachment systems include the use of resilient slots or grooves located near the vertical locking device. Such resilient slots will improve the elastic properties of the joint, making it more suitable for a wider range of floor panel types to avoid undesirable stress loads on more brittle materials or composite floor panel designs.

[0083] Typically, fold-down attachment systems with elastic slots rely on male seam elements that are at least partially flexible by having elastic slots that allow them to be elastically bent during the attachment of the panels so as to be received by the corresponding female attachment elements. However, the elastic slots will result in structural weaknesses in the seam, which may be undesirable in some embodiments. In addition, it is beneficial to be able to release the seam in the event that the panel is damaged or incorrectly placed.

[0084] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system for joining floor panels which allows a fixed and easy joining of floor panels which gives a joint structure with increased rigidity and which is releasable.

[0085] Although the invention is described hereinafter with more particular reference to rectangular floor panels, it is equally conceivable that the floor panels have any other geometric shape, for example a square.

[0086] Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled artisan in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

[0087] For example, the floor panels mentioned herein may be floor panels comprising the following main substrates: a main substrate made of, for example, wood or a wooden material such as MDF or HDF, or a main substrate made of SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) or plastic or a composite polymer material such as PVC or LVT or other polymer materials and a metal such as aluminum. In addition, the floor panel comprises a top layer. Examples of top layers are wooden top layers such as veneer, or decorative films and other layers including printed decorations such as DPL (Direct Pressed Laminate) type or HPL (High Pressure Laminate) type laminate layers. The top layer may include a carrier sheet immersed in a resin or synthetic material, which sheet is composed of, for example, paper. The carrier sheet shows a printed decoration, which is visible on the upper side of the floor panel and forms a so-called decorative layer.

[0088] Initial reference Figures 1A to 4 , these figures show a side view of the joining system as applied to exemplary floor panels 10, 20, when the second floor panel 20 is being interconnected with the first floor panel 10 by means of the male joint of the second floor panel 20 being applied and pressed into the female joint of the first floor panel 10. The joining system provides locking in both the horizontal direction (the direction of the floor plane) and in the vertical direction perpendicular to the direction of the floor plane. Figures 1A to 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the floor panels 10, 20 are each provided with a decorative top layer 12. The joining system 10, 20 includes a female joint, shown formed in the first floor panel 10, and a male joint, shown formed in the second floor panel 20.

[0089] exist Figures 1A to 3 In the embodiment shown, the respective joint portion is formed entirely in the main substrate of the floor panel, which is made of a homogeneous material. However, in other embodiments, it is conceivable that the joint portion is partially formed in the top layer 12 and / or the main substrate is made of a heterogeneous composite material, so that a certain part of the joint is substantially formed of a first material and a second part of the joint is substantially formed of a second material, both materials being part of the main substrate. The female joint comprises a female joint recess 30 of the first floor panel 10, which has a recess 30 opening in a direction towards the top layer 12. The female joint recess 30 is arranged on a female joint tongue 32, which protrudes away from the main part 120 of the first floor panel 10. The main part 120, 220 of the respective first floor panel 10 and second floor panel 20 is considered as the part of each panel 10, 20 that does not include the actual joining system. That is, the main material of each panel is not affected by the female joint and the male joint, respectively.

[0090] The male joint tongue 40 preferably has a protruding length K measured from the upper surface 71 of the groove 70 in the second floor panel which is between 10% and 40% of the thickness Q of the first and second floor panels 10, 20, preferably between 20% and 30%.

[0091] The female joint recess 30 of the first floor panel is adapted to receive a male joint tongue 40 which projects from the adjoining second floor panel 20 in a direction away from the primary floor surface plane SP (eg substantially perpendicular to the primary floor surface plane SP to which the floor panels 10 , 20 are laid) and away from the top layer 12 .

[0092] The male joint tongue 40 includes a bottom surface 46 that is configured to face the female joint recess bottom surface 48. In one embodiment, the shape of the bottom surface 46 corresponds to the shape of the female joint recess bottom surface 48.

[0093] The first floor panel 10 further comprises a locking protrusion 31 which protrudes from the lower part of the base material in a direction towards the top layer 12, i.e. towards the main surface plane SP. As shown, the locking protrusion 31 is arranged at the far side of the female joint tongue 32 so as to form a horizontal lock which restricts the movement of the second floor panel 20 away from the first floor panel 10 (and vice versa) through its interaction with the male joint tongue 40.

[0094] The female joint tongue 32 further comprises a recess 33 on the opposite side of the female joint tongue 32 relative to the locking protrusion 31. The recess 33 allows the resilient female joint tongue 32 to be temporarily deflected during the insertion of the male joint tongue 40, which will be explained in detail below.

[0095] The second floor panel 20 further comprises a groove 70 which is formed in the second floor panel 20 and has an opening in a direction away from the top layer 12. The locking protrusion 31 is configured to be positioned in the groove 70 and abut the male joint tongue 40 when the male joint is engaged in the female joint and thus form a horizontal lock with the male joint tongue 40. The horizontal width F of the locking protrusion is preferably in the range of 4 mm to 7 mm, more preferably about 5.5 mm. Figures 1A to 4 In the embodiment shown, the horizontal width F is smaller than the horizontal width L of the female joint recess 30. If the width L is longer, it is easier to make the female joint tongue 32 sufficiently elastic without requiring a very elastic material. Figures 1A to 4 In the embodiment shown, the horizontal width F is less than half the total length C of the female joint tongue 32. Furthermore, the horizontal width F is greater than the width E of the inclined portion 36, the narrowest part of which is located in the region of the horizontal width L, so that the main elasticity occurs along the distance L rather than along the distance F.

[0096] The female joint further comprises a vertical locking device 60 adapted to receive the vertical locking device 50 of the adjacent second floor panel 20. The vertical locking devices 50, 60 on the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20, respectively, prevent vertical misalignment of the joint between the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20. Figures 1A to 3 As shown, the vertical locking means 50 on the male joint tongue 40 is in the shape of a bulge 50, which is configured to engage in a corresponding vertical locking means 60 on the female joint in the shape of a recess 60. However, it is equally possible that the recess is arranged on the male joint tongue 40, wherein the bulge is arranged in the female joint. It should also be noted that the vertical locking means 50, 60 can take other shapes, such as triangular protrusions / recesses or rectangular protrusions / recesses, etc.

[0097] The female joint further comprises an upper guide surface 34 located at the side 35 of the female joint recess 30 on the first floor panel 10. The guide surface 34 forms a substantially non-elastic vertical guide for the male joint tongue 40 when it is inserted, thereby limiting the movement of the male joint tongue 40 in the horizontal direction towards the main body 120 of the first floor panel 10. The interaction between the male joint tongue 40 and the guide surface 34 is such that the male joint tongue 40 will come into contact with the female joint tongue 32, more specifically with its locking protrusion 31, during the joining process of the panels 10, 20.

[0098] It is necessary to temporarily press down and push the concave joint tongue 32 downward (such as Figure 3 As shown), so that the male joint tongue 40 can reach its Figure 4 This is possible because the female joint tongue 32 includes a recessed portion 33 which allows at least the portion of the female joint tongue 32 having the locking protrusion 31 to be resiliently bent to accommodate the male joint tongue 40. The female joint tongue 32 is also configured to resiliently return from its depressed position once the male joint tongue 40 reaches its locked position, thereby allowing the female joint tongue 32 to provide horizontal locking for the seam.

[0099] exist Figures 1A to 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling system further comprises a joint release channel 41 which is part of the male and female joints and is used to release the male joint when it is locked in the female joint (this is Figure 3The joint release rod 110 is received when the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20 are in the state shown in the figure. Therefore, the joint release channel 41 can be defined between the locking protrusion 31 of the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20 and the upper surface 71 in the groove 70, respectively. The distance M between the upper surface 71 of the groove 70 and the top surface 42 of the locking protrusion 31 when the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20 are connected together can be between 10% and 40% of the thickness Q of the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20. In one embodiment, it is between 15% and 25% of the thickness Q.

[0100] When the joint release rod 110 is inserted into the joint release channel 41, the female joint tongue 32 will be pressed downward until the locking protrusion 31 releases the male joint tongue 40, so that the male joint tongue can move horizontally to release the vertical locking device 50, 60, as in Fig.12 As shown in further detail in .

[0101] Figure 3 Shown according to Figures 1A to 4 In the illustrated embodiment of the joining system, the second floor panel 20 is now pressed / folded substantially vertically into the first floor panel 10, so that the male joint tongue 40 presses against the locking protrusion 31 on the female joint tongue 32. As a result, the female joint tongue 32 is deflected downwards. Figures 1A to 4 As shown, the locking protrusion 31 may include an inclined abutment surface 38, which is arranged between a substantially vertical abutment surface 37 on the female locking tongue 32 and a top surface 41 of the female locking tongue 32. The inclined abutment surface 38 facilitates the insertion of the male joint tongue 40, which may also include rounded or chamfered corners. Note that the inclined abutment surface 38 may also be rounded, thereby providing an increased inclination towards the female joint recess 30. Providing rounded / chamfered corners also facilitates the distribution of loads generated by the contact between the male joint tongue 40 and the locking protrusion 31, which increases the durability of the joint.

[0102] The interaction between the vertical guide surface 34 and the vertical locking means 50 on the male joint preferably guides the male joint tongue 40 so that it pushes against the locking protrusion 31 on the inclined abutment surface 38 during the connection of the panels 10, 20. This is done when the vertical locking means 50 protruding from the male joint tongue 40 abuts against the vertical guide surface 34. The male joint tongue 40 is thus forced against the inclined abutment surface 38, preferably having a horizontal width J that substantially corresponds to the horizontal width L of the female joint recess 30. In one embodiment, the horizontal width J of the male joint tongue 40 is between 5 mm and 7 mm. The horizontal width L of the female joint recess 30 may be between 5 mm and 7 mm. The horizontal width J as well as the vertical thickness P are both wider than the thickness E, making the female joint tongue 32 more elastic than the male joint tongue 40, so that the main elasticity and movement are carried out by the female joint tongue 32.

[0103] Figure 4 Shown according to Figures 1A to 3 The illustrated embodiment of the linkage system in a linked, fully engaged and vertically locked state. Figure 2 The female joint tongue 32 in the state shown now elastically returns to form a horizontal lock, and the locking protrusion 31 is securely positioned in the groove 70, while the vertical locking means 50, 60 on the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20 engage with each other, thereby providing a vertical lock. The male joint tongue 40 is fully lowered into the first female joint recess 30. In one embodiment, the female joint tongue 32 may be configured not to be allowed to fully return to its relaxed state when the male joint tongue 40 is in the female joint recess 30. The locking protrusion 31 may then provide a preload to the joint, thereby reducing the risk of a gap forming between the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20.

[0104] The horizontal locking by the female joint tongue 32 can be formed by a substantially vertical abutment surface 37 on the locking projection 31, which can cooperate with an abutment surface 47 also arranged substantially vertically on the male joint tongue 40. This can also be formed by an inclined abutment surface 38, such as Fig.19 shown.

[0105] exist Figure 4As can be seen in the fully engaged state shown, a horizontal channel 80 is provided between the female joint tongue 32 and the main body 220 of the second floor panel 20. The horizontal channel 80 between the distal side 44 of the female joint tongue 32 and the distal side 43 of the second floor panel 20 enables horizontal movement of the female joint tongue 32, which is desirable because bending of the female joint tongue 32 may also cause horizontal movement. The width N of the horizontal channel 80, i.e. the horizontal distance N from the distal side 44 of the female joint tongue 32 to the distal side 43 of the second floor panel 20, is between 5% and 15% of the length C of the female joint member 32. In one embodiment, the distance (or width) N depends on the height R of the locking protrusion 31. An increase in the height of the locking protrusion 31 will result in an increase in horizontal movement of the female joint tongue 32 when it is depressed during the joining of the panels 10, 20. The horizontal distance N may therefore be between 5% and 25% of the height R of the locking protrusion 31.

[0106] exist Figures 1A to 4 It can also be seen in the embodiment of the female joint tongue 32 that the lower recess 33 of the female joint tongue 32 can extend from the distal side 44 of the female joint tongue 32, and the extension D can be greater than the width F of the locking protrusion 31. This helps to deflect / press the female joint tongue 32 because the force from the male joint tongue 40 is applied to the locking protrusion 31. Therefore, the force creates a momentum force in the female joint tongue 32 due to the lower recess 33, which causes the female joint tongue to bend temporarily, such as Figure 3 shown.

[0107] The recess 33 in the female joint tongue 32 may also be formed by a chamfer 45 which extends a distance D from a distal side 44 of the female joint tongue 32 to between 60% and 90% of the length C of the female joint tongue 32 measured from the distal side 44, preferably to about 85% of the length C of the female joint tongue 32. The inclination α of the chamfer may be between 5° and 20°, preferably about 7°.

[0108] In order to avoid too narrow a material between the chamfer 45 and the recess 30 in the female joint tongue 32, the female joint recess bottom surface 48 may include an inclined recess portion 39, which may be arranged opposite to the chamfer 45. If the female joint recess 30 has a completely flat bottom surface 48 without the inclined recess portion 39, the distal corners of the female joint recess bottom surface 48 and the chamfer 45 on the bottom side of the female joint tongue 32 would result in a potentially structurally weak female joint tongue 32, which may be undesirable in some embodiments. The two opposite chamfers 45 and the inclined recess portion 39 prevent this and provide improved structural integrity for the female joint tongue 32. The chamfer 45 and the inclined recess portion 48 form the inclined portion 36 of the female joint tongue 32. The inclined portion 36 has a thickness E, which at least partially defines the elasticity of the female joint tongue 32, more specifically the force required to press down the female joint tongue 32. As mentioned, the thickness E is preferably less than the thickness P of the second floor panel 20. In one embodiment, the thickness E is about 50% to 80% of the thickness P. The female joint tongue 32 may alternatively or additionally be made of a material having a lower elastic modulus than the material of the male joint, thereby facilitating elastic deformation through the female joint rather than the male joint.

[0109] The male joint may be vertically supported by the female joint tongue 32, more specifically by the interaction between the male joint tongue 40 and the bottom of the female joint recess 30 in the female joint tongue 32. The vertical locking means 50, 60 on the first and second floor panels 10, 20 respectively add vertical support.

[0110] In one embodiment, in order to increase the vertical bearing capacity of the joint and to improve the vertical alignment between the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20, the first floor panel may include a support surface 111 configured to cooperate with a support surface 112 on the second floor panel 20. The support surfaces 111, 112 are arranged horizontally but oppositely facing, so that a boss is formed by the surface 111 on the first floor panel 10, and when the two panels are joined together, the support surface 112 on the second floor panel 20 abuts on the boss. Preferably, the support surface 111 on the first floor panel 10 faces upward, and the support surface 112 on the second floor panel 20 faces downward.

[0111] The support surfaces 111, 112 help distribute the vertical load applied to the joint when the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20 are connected, and prevent the male joint tongue 40 from being accidentally pressed down. The support surface 111 on the first floor panel 10 is arranged on the proximal side of the female joint recess 30, while the support surface 112 on the second floor panel 20 is arranged on the distal side of the male joint tongue 40.

[0112] The second floor panel may further include an upper seam surface 114 adjacent to the support surface 112, the upper seam surface being configured to abut against the upper seam surface 113 of the first floor panel 10. In one embodiment, at least one of the seam surfaces 113, 114 may be arranged vertically. Fig.17 and Fig.18 In one embodiment shown, they can be arranged at a negative angle so that when the panels 10, 20 are joined together, a small space is formed between the joint surfaces 113, 114 at the lower part, i.e. near the support surfaces 111, 112. Thus, when the panels 10, 20 are joined, only the upper parts of the joint surfaces 113, 114 abut. In another embodiment, at least one of the joint surfaces 113, 114 can include a cutout that forms a space in the lower part of the joint surfaces 113, 114 near the support surfaces 111, 112. The formation of a space at least at the lower part between the joint surfaces 113, 114 is advantageous for manufacturing purposes. For example, dust or removed material that may be inadvertently left during the manufacturing process can be collected in the space, and thus will not cause any tolerance problems that may occur if the joint surfaces are arranged completely vertically.

[0113] The support surface 112 and the seam surface 114 on the second floor panel 20 together form a protrusion 116, which corresponds to the recess 118, i.e., the shelf, formed by the support surface 111 and the upper seam surface 113 on the first floor panel 10. Preferably, the distance H of the upper seam surface 114 on the second floor panel 20 protruding is greater than the distance I of the vertical locking device 50 protruding. Figures 1A to 4 In the embodiment shown, the distance I is also substantially shorter than the horizontal width L of the female joint recess 30 , thereby making the female joint tongue more resilient than the vertical locking means 50 .

[0114] Figure 1B The horizontal distance A between the seam surface 114 and the vertical abutment surface 47 shown on the male joint is preferably approximately equal to Figure 1B The horizontal distance B between the vertical abutment surface 37 on the locking projection 31 and the seam surface 113 on the female joint is shown. This is desirable to reduce the risk of voids forming in the seam between the panels 10,20.

[0115] exist Figure 1B, a side view of the joining system is shown, wherein various measurements of the joining system are illustrated on a first floor panel 10 and a second floor panel 20. In one embodiment, when the panels 10, 20 are joined together, the distance G defining the height of the lower recess 33 at the distal edge of the female joint tongue 32 is approximately equal to or greater than the vertical overlap dimension between the male joint tongue 40 and the vertical abutment surface 37 of the locking tab 31. This facilitates the release of the horizontal lock from the locking tab 31 when the locking tab 31 is depressed so as to release the panels 10, 20 from each other.

[0116] Preferably, the horizontal width F of the locking protrusion is equal to or smaller than the horizontal width O of the groove 70 .

[0117] Now turn to Figure 5 , which shows a perspective view of the first floor panel 10, showing Figures 1A to 4 Female joint of the illustrated embodiment. The perspective view shows that the female joint extends along the length of one side of the floor panel 10.

[0118] Figure 6 A perspective view of a second floor panel 20 is shown, showing the male joint. The perspective view shows that the male joint extends along the length of one side of the second floor panel 20. The male and female joints of the first and second floor panels 10, 20, respectively, can be connected to each other along the total length (or width) of these floor panels, which forms a strong releasable seam between the floor panels. Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, the joint is shown only along a first side of the floor panel. However, in alternative embodiments, the female joint may extend along at least one long side and at least one short side of the rectangular floor panel.

[0119] Figure 7 1 shows a joint release lever 110 according to a first embodiment. The joint release lever 110 includes an introduction section 180 having a constant cross-sectional area extending from a head portion 120 to a tapered unlocking section 190, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the tapered unlocking section increases toward a base portion 130 of the joint release lever 110. The length Lt of the tapered unlocking section 190 may exceed the length Li of the introduction section 180. The introduction section 180 may facilitate guiding the joint release lever 110 into the joint release channel 90 (e.g., before the tapered unlocking section 190 begins to push the second male joint tenon 50 for release). Figures 1A to 6 and FIG. 13A to FIG. 14 ). In some examples, the length Li of the lead-in section may be 30% to 50% of the length Lt of the tapered unlocking section 190. In one advantageous example, the length Li of the lead-in section 180 may be 40% of the length Lt of the tapered unlocking section 190. Figure 6A first example of a tapered joint release lever 110 is also shown, wherein the tapered unlocking section 190 exhibits a linear tapered profile.

[0120] Figure 8 A second example of a tapered joint release lever 110 is shown, wherein the tapered unlocking section 190 exhibits a concave tapered profile. Figures 7 to 9 As seen in FIG. 1 , the joint release lever 110 may include a manipulation handle 195 at its base portion 130. The joint release lever 110 may be made of a polymer material. Alternatively or additionally, the joint release lever may be made of other materials such as metal.

[0121] Fig.10 A cross-sectional view is shown of a first exemplary cross-sectional shape of the joint release lever 110. In this example, the joint release lever 110 includes a generally rectangular cross-section.

[0122] Fig.11 A cross-sectional view is shown of a second exemplary cross-sectional shape of the joint release lever 110. In this example, the joint release lever 110 also includes a generally rectangular cross-section, but is more rounded at the edges.

[0123] Fig.12 shows a side view of a connection system, as applied in conjunction with Figures 1A to 4 The exemplary floor panels 10, 20 of the same embodiment are shown. Fig.12 In the state shown, the joint release lever 110 has been inserted into the joint release channel 41, so that the joint release lever 110 pushes the female joint tongue 31 downwards. The male joint tongue 40 is then released from its locked state in the female joint recess 30, so that it can pass horizontally through the locking protrusion 31. As the male joint tongue 40 of the second floor panel 20 can be horizontally displaced relative to the first floor panel 10 when the horizontal locking has been released by the deflection of the female joint tongue 32, the male joint tongue 40 can be lifted / unfolded from the first female joint recess 30. As a result, this will also further disengage the vertical locking means 50, 60. Therefore, the second floor panel 20 can be disengaged from the first floor panel 10.

[0124] The connector release lever 110 may be at least partially conical, with a cross-sectional area increasing from its tip portion or a certain distance from the tip portion toward its base portion (e.g. Figures 7 to 9 ). Thus, as the joint release lever 110 is gradually inserted into the joint release channel 41, the increase in the size of the cross section can push against the female joint tongue 32. In some examples, having a joint release lever 110 that is at least partially tapered can help deflect the female joint tongue 32 and separate the connection system.

[0125] Fig.13AAnother embodiment of the joint release lever 110 is shown, wherein the unlocking section 190 of the joint release lever 110 is substantially perpendicular to the operating handle 195. The operating handle 195 includes a hole H adapted to receive at least one finger to operate the joint release lever 110.

[0126] Fig. 13B Shows Fig.13A The joint release lever 110 shown is operated by a pushing / bending action on the operating handle 195 after the unlocking section 190 has been inserted into the joint release passage 41. Fig.11 The female joint tongue 32, in particular its locking protrusion 31, is pushed downwards by the user (as shown) and, due to the bending movement of the female joint tongue 32, slightly to the right in the horizontal channel 80, so that the male joint tongue 40 is released from its locked state in the female joint recess 30. It is sufficient to release only a small longitudinal portion of the seam, typically at one end of the panels 10, 20, as this will allow the rest of the seam to be released by lifting the second floor panel 20, which will release the rest of the seam.

[0127] Fig. 13C Another embodiment of a joint release lever 110 is shown, in which the unlocking section 190 of the joint release lever 110 is substantially perpendicular to the operating handle 195. After the unlocking section 190 has been inserted into the joint release channel 41, operation is performed by a turning action on the operating handle 195, wherein the operating handle 195 is rotated downwardly about a rotation center located in the unlocking section 190. The cross-sectional geometry of the unlocking section 190 is asymmetrical and when rotated produces a pushing action on the female joint tongue 32. The female joint tongue 32 is pushed downwardly into the recess 33, so that the male joint tongue 40 is released from its locked state in the female joint recess 30.

[0128] Fig.14 A rectangular floor panel 10' according to a first embodiment is shown. The rectangular floor panel comprises a female joint integrally formed along at least one side of the rectangular floor panel 10' to interconnect the floor panel 10' with a second floor panel (not shown). The female joint comprises a female joint recess 30 arranged on a female joint tongue 32 and adapted to receive a male joint tongue 40 protruding from the adjacent second floor panel in a direction away from a main floor surface plane SP on which the floor panel 10' is laid. The male joint tongue 40 may protrude substantially perpendicularly with respect to the main surface plane SP. The male joint tongue 40 may protrude away from and substantially perpendicularly with respect to the top plane 12.

[0129] The female joint tongue 32 further comprises a lower recess 33 arranged at the distal side of the female joint tongue 32. The female joint tongue 32 further comprises a locking protrusion 31 arranged at the distal side, which protrudes upward from the female joint tongue 32 towards the main floor surface plane SP. The locking protrusion 31 is configured to be arranged in a groove 70 of an adjacent second floor panel to form a horizontal lock therewith. The recess 33 allows the female joint tongue 32 to be pressed down by interacting with the male joint tongue 40, and to elastically snap back into the proper position of the locking protrusion 31 in the groove 70 when the male joint tongue 40 is in the female joint recess 30.

[0130] Fig.14 The illustrated floor panel 10' also includes a male joint (on the left in the figure) formed along a side parallel to and opposite the side where the female joint is formed. The male joint is suitable for interconnecting the floor panel 10' with another floor panel 20.

[0131] The male joint includes a male joint tongue 40 integrally formed in the floor panel 10'. The groove 70 is adapted to allow room for the female joint tongue 32 to deflect when forming a snap seam interlocking engagement.

[0132] The groove 70 and the locking protrusion 31 together form a joint release channel 41 for receiving a joint release rod. Fig.12 ) can be placed in the joint release channel 41 to deflect the female joint tongue 32 and thus release the horizontal locking and thus also the vertical locking, for example with reference to Fig.11 Further described.

[0133] Fig.15 A floor system 100 is shown, which includes a floor panel 10'' that is interconnected with adjacent floor panels A, B, C, D in a herringbone pattern. The floor panel 10'' is rectangular and includes a male joint MC' along a first short side of the floor panel 10'' and a male joint MC'' along a first long side of the floor panel 10''. The male joint MC' along the first short side of the floor panel 10'' is a reference Figures 1A to 4 , Figure 6 , Fig.12 and Fig.14 The male joint described above, while the male joint MC'' along the first long side of the floor panel may be a reference Figures 1A to 4 , Figure 6 , Fig.12 and Fig.14 The male connector described may be a different male connector configured to couple with the female connector of floor panel A through angular movement.

[0134] The floor panel 10'' also includes a second short side with a female joint FC' and a second long side with a female joint, both of which are reference Figures 1A to 5 , Fig.12 and Fig.14 The adjacent floor panels A, B are identical to the floor panel 10'' and therefore each have the same set of two male and two female joints on substantially perpendicular short and long sides sharing the same edge. Panels C and D are mirror images relative to the substantially perpendicularly arranged panels 10', A, B, so that if panel 10' has the following side type pattern listed in a clockwise direction starting with the short side having the male joint C: MC'-MC'-FC'-FC', then panels C and D have a clockwise pattern MC'-FC'-FC'-MC' starting with the short side having the male joint. Naturally, the skilled person will appreciate that the opposite arrangement may also be the case. In other words, panels C, D are identical to the first floor panel 10'' but are mirror images in a vertical plane along one of the short sides of the first floor panel 10'' or are mirror images in a vertical plane along one of the long sides of the first floor panel 10''.

[0135] If a mistake is made when installing the floor, or if for some reason the floor panels need to be repositioned, this can be done by using Figures 7 to 9 The joint release lever is shown to release the joint between the two panels at least on the short end. Fig.15 In the herringbone example shown, the joint between the short side of floor panel B and the long side of the connected floor panel D needs to be released. After this joint has been released, the joint between floor panel B and floor panel 10" can be released by the joint release lever.

[0136] Fig.16 A floor system 200 is shown, which includes a floor panel 10''' that is interconnected with adjacent floor panels A', B' in a herringbone pattern. The floor panel 10''' has a parallelogram shape and includes a male joint MC' along a first short side of the floor panel 10''' and a male joint MC'' along a first long side of the floor panel 10'''. The male joint MC' along the first short side of the floor panel 10'' is a reference Figures 1A to 4 , Figure 6 , Fig.12 and Fig.14 The male joint described above, while the male joint MC'' along the first long side of the floor panel may be a reference Figures 1A to 4 , Figure 6 , Fig.12 and Fig.14 The male connector described may be a different male connector configured to couple with a female connector of floor panel A' through angular movement.

[0137] The floor panel 10''' also includes a second short side having a female joint FC' and a second long side having a female joint, both of which are referenced Figures 1A to 5 , Fig.12 and Fig.14 The adjacent floor panel A' is identical to the floor panel 10''' and therefore has the same set of two convex joints and two concave joints on adjacent short and long sides sharing the same edge. In the plane of the joint between the two rows of panels, panel B' and each of the panels below and above it are mirror images relative to panel A', 10'''. The panel to be arranged to the left of panel B' will be identical to panel A, 10''', etc., as is common in herringbone pattern floor panels and is implemented by the skilled person. In other words, panel B' is identical to the first floor panel 10''', but is mirrored in a vertical plane along one of the short sides of the first floor panel 10'''.

[0138] If a mistake is made when installing the floor, or if for some reason the floor panels need to be repositioned, this can be done by using Figures 7 to 9 The joint release lever is shown to release the joint between the two panels at least on the short end. Fig.16 In the example of herringbone pattern shown, the joint between the short edge of floor panel B' and the short edge of the attached floor panel 10''' needs to be released. After this joint has been released, the joint between floor panel 10''' and floor panel A' can be released by the joint release lever.

[0139] Now turn to Fig.17 and Fig.18 , shows that the connection system includes vertical locking means 50, 60, which are respectively formed by a triangular recess 60 on a female joint on a first floor panel 10 and by a triangular protrusion 50 on a male joint on a second floor panel 20. The triangular protrusion 50 and the triangular recess 60 are preferred in some material aspects to the circular bulge and recess shown in other embodiments.

[0140] As previously mentioned, the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20 may also include seam faces 113, 114 having a negative angle or inclination such that a small space is formed between the seam faces 113, 114 when the panels 10, 20 are joined together. In another embodiment, the seam faces 113, 114 are substantially vertical, and wherein at least the seam face 113 on the first floor panel 10 or the seam face 114 on the second floor panel 20 includes a recessed portion that forms a space between the seam faces 113, 114 when the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20 are joined together. Although Fig.17 and Fig.18 Although the embodiments are shown together, it should be appreciated that each of these embodiments can be applied to the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20 individually and separately.

[0141] Now turn to Fig.19 , another embodiment of the connection system is shown. Fig.19 The connection system in the embodiment includes the following: Figures 1A to 4 A first floor panel 10 and a second floor panel 20 of a female joint and a male joint are described. Fig.19 The male joint shown also includes a clearance surface 46a disposed proximal to and adjacent to the bottom surface 46 of the male joint tongue 40. The clearance surface 46a is preferably chamfered or rounded so that the second floor panel 20 can be more easily joined to the first floor panel 10 by folding / angling. In addition, the clearance surface 46a facilitates that the second floor panel 20 can be released from the first floor panel 10 by pivoting the second floor panel 20 about the contact between the male joint tongue 40 and the female recess 30, whereby the clearance surface 46a pushes the female joint tongue 32 downward and thereby releases the connection.

[0142] The abutment surface 47 on the male joint tongue 40 is preferably arranged at an angle relative to the horizontal plane SP on which the floor panels 10, 20 are laid. The angle of the abutment surface 47 may be between 50° and 70°, preferably about 60°. The abutment surface 47 is configured to abut against the inclined abutment surface 38 on the female joint tongue 32, which is preferably arranged so that it faces the abutment surface 47 and is substantially parallel thereto.

[0143] Fig. 20 and Fig.21 Another embodiment of a linking system is disclosed, shown in a side-by-side view and a connected view, respectively. Fig. 20 and Fig.21 The illustrated embodiment shares many features with the previously described embodiments, and these features may therefore be freely combined with any of the embodiments described herein.

[0144] Fig. 20 and Fig.21 The illustrated embodiment facilitates the connection of both the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20 by folding down and / or by beveling. The second floor panel 20 can also be released from the first floor panel 10 by pivoting the second floor panel 20 about the contact between the male joint tongue 40 and the female recess 30. The two panels 10, 20 can also be released by a joint release tool (joint release lever) 110 and / or by sliding the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20 relative to each other in the longitudinal direction.

[0145] The female joint comprises protruding vertical locking means 60 arranged on the side 35 of the female joint recess 30. The protruding vertical locking means 60 are configured to cooperate with corresponding recessed vertical locking means 50 in the male joint on the side of the male joint tongue 40.

[0146] An upper slope 61 may be provided on the vertical locking device 60 on the first floor panel 10, and the upper slope is configured to be fixed to the vertical locking device 60 when the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20 are connected together (eg, Fig.21 When the vertical locking device 50 is recessed and facing the second floor panel 20, the corresponding upper inclined surface 54 is arranged. Fig. 20 As shown, the upper slope 61 on the first floor panel 10 and the upper slope 54 on the second floor panel 20 may be arranged at an angle β relative to a plane parallel to the surface plane SP, respectively. Preferably, the angle β is substantially the same for both the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20. The angle β may be between 100° and 150°, preferably about 125°.

[0147] The upper bevel 61 is adjacent to and forms an extension of the upper guide surface 34 on the first floor panel 10. When the two panels 10, 20 are connected together (e.g., by folding), the upper bevel 61 of the first floor panel 10 and the upper bevel 54 on the second floor panel 20 will slide together to achieve the connection between the panels 10, 20, and the male joint tongue 40 will resiliently press down / deflect the female joint tongue 32 during the insertion process until the two panels 10, 20 are connected together.

[0148] A lower slope 62 may be provided on the vertical locking device 60 of the first floor panel 10, and the lower slope 62 is configured to be fixed to the vertical locking device 60 when the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20 are connected together (eg, Fig.21 As shown in FIG. 2 , the second floor panel 20 is arranged facing the corresponding lower inclined surface 55 on the second floor panel 20.

[0149] like Fig. 20As shown, the lower bevel 62 on the first floor panel 10 and the lower bevel 55 on the second floor panel 20 can be arranged at an angle γ relative to a plane parallel to the surface plane SP. Preferably, the angle γ is substantially the same for both the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20. The angle γ can be between 20° and 40°, preferably about 30°. The cooperation between the lower bevels 55, 62 on the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20 respectively provides a vertical lock. In this way, the angle γ should preferably not be too large, because this may cause the vertical lock to weaken due to the surfaces 62, 55 may start to slide towards each other when overcoming the friction between them. A smaller angle γ is therefore preferred, and an angle of less than 20° is also foreseeable. The female joint recess 30 can also be provided with an inclined side 63, which is configured to be arranged facing the corresponding inclined side 56 on the male joint tongue 40. The inclined side 63 is arranged on a side of the female recess 30 close to the main portion 120 of the first floor panel 10 , while the inclined side 56 on the male joint tongue 40 is arranged on a side thereof away from the main portion 220 of the second floor panel 20 .

[0150] The inclined side 63 on the first floor panel 10 and the inclined side 56 on the second floor panel 20 may be arranged at an angle δ relative to the vertical plane, respectively. Preferably, the angle δ is substantially the same for both the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20. The angle δ may be between 20° and 50°, preferably about 35°.

[0151] The bottom surface 48 of the female joint recess 30 is substantially parallel to the surface plane SP, as is the corresponding bottom surface 46 of the male joint tongue 40. However, these surfaces 46, 48 may also be arranged in other orientations relative to the surface plane SP.

[0152] The female joint recess 30 may also be provided with a corner recess 51. The corner recess 51 is disposed at a corner of the recess 30 farthest from the main body portion 120 of the first floor panel 10. The bottom surface 48 is disposed between the corner recess 51 and the inclined side surface 63. The corner recess 51 is recessed below the bottom surface 48.

[0153] The male joint tongue 40 may be provided with a corner recess 53 which is intended to be arranged facing the corner recess 51 in the female joint recess 30. Thus, the male joint tongue 40 and the female joint recess 30 will no longer contact each other in their portions constituting the respective corner recesses 51, 53.

[0154] The respective corner recesses 51, 53 may be particularly beneficial when the second floor panel 20 is released from the first floor panel 10 by pivoting about the male joint tongue 40, which therefore does not come into direct contact with the locking protrusion 31 due to the respective corner recesses 51, 53. Thus, a pivoting movement of the second floor panel 20 may be achieved without generating large strains by pushing the male joint tongue 40 on the female locking protrusion 31, which may occur if the male joint tongue 40 fully conforms to the shape of the female recess 30. Thus, the risk of failure of the joining system due to structural failure of the female joint tongue 32 during its release by pivoting may be reduced.

[0155] The corner recess 51 in the female joint recess 30 may also help connect the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20 together because it increases the elasticity of the female joint tongue 32. Specifically, its locking protrusion 31 may be resiliently bent outwardly and downwardly, for example by the force generated on the locking protrusion by the male joint tongue 40 during the sliding fit of the upper chamfers 61, 54 when connecting the panels 10, 20, as described above.

[0156] An inclined abutment surface 38 of the female joint tongue 32 is provided in the female joint recess 30. The inclined abutment surface 38 is configured to be arranged facing a corresponding inclined abutment surface 57 on the male joint tongue 40. The inclined abutment surface 38 is arranged on the side of the female recess 30 farthest from the main body 120 of the first floor panel 10, while the inclined abutment surface 57 on the male joint tongue 40 is arranged on the side of the male joint tongue facing the main body 220 of the second floor panel 20.

[0157] The inclined abutment surface 38 on the first floor panel 10 and the inclined abutment surface 57 on the second floor panel 20 may be arranged at an angle ε with respect to a plane parallel to the surface plane SP, respectively. Preferably, the angle ε is substantially the same for both the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20. The angle ε may be between 40° and 80°, preferably about 60°.

[0158] The inclined abutment surface 38 on the first floor panel 10 is configured to abut against the inclined abutment surface 57 on the second floor panel 20, thereby forming a horizontal lock so that the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20 cannot move horizontally away from each other. The inclined abutment surface 38 of the first floor panel can be arranged between the corner recess 51 and the top surface 42 of the female locking protrusion 31. The inclined abutment surface 57 on the second floor panel 20 can be arranged between the corner recess 53 and the upper surface 71 in the groove 70 in the second floor panel 20.

[0159] The female locking protrusion 31 may also be provided with an inclined top surface 42 configured to be arranged facing a corresponding inclined upper surface 71 in a groove 70 in the second floor panel 20. The corresponding inclined top surface 42 and upper surface 71 form a joint release channel 41 therebetween.

[0160] The inclined top surface 38 on the first floor panel 10 and the inclined upper surface 71 on the second floor panel 20 may be arranged at an angle θ with respect to a plane parallel to the surface plane SP, respectively. Preferably, the angle θ is substantially the same for both the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20. The angle θ may be between 0° and 40°, preferably about 16°.

[0161] The height G and / or distance R of the locking protrusion 31 (eg Figure 1B shown, but applicable to Figure 20 to Figure 23 ) can affect the properties of the connection system as to whether it is conducive to the fold-down type or the bevel type. For example, a locking protrusion 31 having a higher height G and / or a larger distance R can produce a connection system that is easier to fold down rather than to produce an angle through a lower height G and / or distance R. Therefore, the connection system disclosed herein can make both the fold-down type and the bevel type feasible by adapting the height G and / or the distance R accordingly, or make one of the above two methods conducive to assembling the connection system. In addition, the relationship between the distance from the vertical locking device 60 to the locking protrusion 31 and the shape of the locking protrusion 31, that is, its height G and / or distance R, also affects the properties of the connection system as to whether it is conducive to the fold-down type or the bevel type or both.

[0162] Final Turn Fig. 22 and Fig.23 , another embodiment of the connection system is shown. Fig. 22 and Fig.23 The embodiment shown shares many features with the previously described embodiments and these features can therefore be freely combined with any of the previously described embodiments.

[0163] Fig. 22 and Fig.23 The examples in Fig.21 and Fig. 22 The embodiments in the present invention share many features, so the common features are referred to above, and the following will focus on the description of different features.

[0164] As shown, the first and second floor panels 10, 20 may be provided with respective corner recesses 51, 53. The female locking protrusion 31 is also provided with first and second vertical abutment surfaces 37a, 37b which are offset from each other in the direction of the surface plane SP.

[0165] The inclined abutment surface 52 is arranged between the adjacent first vertical abutment surface 37 a and the second vertical abutment surface 37 b .

[0166] The male joint tongue 40 is provided with a first abutment surface 47a and a second abutment surface 47b on a side thereof facing the main body portion 220 of the second floor panel 20 , which are arranged vertically and correspond to the vertical abutment surfaces 37a , 37b on the first floor panel 10 .

[0167] The first abutment surface 47a and the second abutment surface 47b are offset from each other in the direction of the surface plane SP and are configured to be arranged facing the vertical abutment surfaces 37a, 37b when the two panels 10, 20 are connected. An inclined abutment surface 58 is arranged between the adjacent first abutment surfaces 47a and second abutment surfaces 47b on the male joint tongue 40 and is configured to be arranged facing the inclined abutment surface 52 in the female joint recess 30 when the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20 are connected. The shape of the locking protrusion 31 and the corresponding male joint tongue 40 provides a strong locking in the horizontal direction, i.e. in the surface plane SP, which prevents the formation of a gap between the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20.

[0168] Fig. 22 and Fig.23 The illustrated embodiment facilitates the connection of both the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20 by folding down and / or by beveling. The second floor panel 20 can also be released from the first floor panel 10 by pivoting the second floor panel 20 about the contact between the male joint tongue 40 and the female recess 30. The two panels 10, 20 can also be released by a joint release tool 110 and / or by sliding the first floor panel 10 and the second floor panel 20 relative to each other in the longitudinal direction.

[0169] The joining system according to the invention is equally applicable to various materials, such as solid wood, laminated wood, different types of fiberboard materials such as MDF or HDF materials, plastics or composite polymer materials such as PVC or LVT or other polymer materials, and metals such as aluminum, etc. The joining system can also be used to join hollow profile beams of plastic, steel or aluminum.

[0170] It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. Therefore, several modifications and variations are conceivable within the scope of the invention, which is therefore limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A joining system for floor panels (10, 20), the joining system comprising a female joint formed in a first floor panel (10) and a male joint formed in a second floor panel (20), The female joint comprises a female joint recess (30) arranged on a female joint tongue (32), the female joint tongue protruding away from the main portion (120) of the first floor panel (10) toward the adjacent second floor panel (20), the female joint recess (30) being adapted to receive a male joint tongue (40), the male joint tongue protruding from the adjacent second floor panel (20) in a direction away from a main floor surface plane (SP) on which the floor panels (10, 20) are laid, the female joint further comprising an upper guide surface (34) located on a side portion (35) of the female joint recess (30) on the first floor panel (10), thereby limiting the male joint tongue (40) from moving in a horizontal direction toward the main portion (120) of the first floor panel (10); The male joint comprises the male joint tongue (40) which is integrally formed in the second floor panel (20), the male joint being provided with a vertical locking device (50) which is capable of vertically interlocking engagement with a matching vertical locking device (60) of the female joint, in, The female joint tongue (32) is resilient and comprises a locking protrusion (31) arranged at the distal side, which protrudes from the female joint tongue (32) in a direction towards the main floor surface plane (SP) and is arranged to be received in a groove (70) in the second floor panel (20) to horizontally lock these panels (10, 20), wherein the locking protrusion (31) is configured to contact the male joint tongue (40) during the connection process of the first floor panel (10) and the second floor panel (20), and the female joint tongue (32) also comprises a lower recess (33) which enables the locking protrusion (31) of the female joint tongue (32) to be pressed down during the connection process of these panels (10, 20), The male joint tongue (40) further comprises an abutment surface (47, 57) arranged at an angle relative to the main floor surface plane (SP) and facing away from the main floor surface plane (SP), the abutment surface being configured to abut against an inclined abutment surface (38) on a female locking protrusion (31) facing the main floor surface plane (SP), thereby enabling the second floor panel (20) to be released from the first floor panel (10) by pivoting the second floor panel (20) around the male joint tongue (40).

2. A joining system for floor panels (10, 20) according to claim 1, wherein: The recess (33) extends from a distal side (44) of the female joint tongue (32), and an extension (D) of the recess (33) is greater than a width (F) of the locking protrusion (31).

3. A joining system for floor panels (10, 20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The recess (33) extends on the bottom side of the female joint tongue (32) a distance (D) from its distal side (44) to between 60% and 90% of the length (C) of the female joint tongue (32).

4. A joining system for floor panels (10, 20) according to claim 3, wherein: The recess (33) extends on the bottom side of the female joint tongue (32) a distance (D) from its distal side (44) to 85% of the length of the female joint tongue (32) measured from the distal side (44).

5. A joining system for floor panels (10, 20) according to claim 1, wherein: The recess (33) is defined by a chamfer (45) extending a distance (D) from a distal side (44) of the female joint tongue (32) to between 60% and 90% of the length (C) of the female joint tongue (32).

6. A joining system for floor panels (10, 20) according to claim 1, wherein: The inclined abutment surface (38) is arranged between a substantially vertical abutment surface (37) on the female joint tongue (32) and a top surface (42) of the female joint tongue (32), and the substantially vertical abutment surface (37) and / or the inclined abutment surface (38) cooperate with abutment surfaces (47, 57) on the male joint tongue (40) to prevent the panels (10, 20) from moving horizontally away from each other.

7. A joining system for floor panels (10, 20) according to claim 1, wherein: The male joint tongue (40) is rigid and non-elastic.

8. A joining system for floor panels (10, 20) according to claim 1, wherein: When the first floor panel (10) and the second floor panel (20) are connected together, the distance (M) between the upper surface (71) of the groove (70) and the top surface (42) of the locking protrusion (31) is between 10% and 40% of the thickness (Q) of the first floor panel (10) and the second floor panel (20).

9. A joining system for floor panels (10, 20) according to claim 1, wherein: The bottom surface (46) of the male joint tongue (40) is configured to face the bottom surface (48) of the female joint recess, and wherein the shape of the bottom surface (46) corresponds to the shape of the bottom surface (48) of the female joint recess.

10. A joining system for floor panels (10, 20) according to claim 1, wherein: A horizontal channel (80) is provided between the female joint tongue (32) and the main portion (220) of the second floor panel (20), wherein the horizontal channel (80) enables the female joint tongue (32) to move horizontally.

11. A joining system for floor panels (10, 20) according to claim 5, wherein: The inclination (α) of the inclined surface (45) is between 5° and 20°.

12. A joining system for floor panels (10, 20) according to claim 1, wherein: The male joint tongue (40) further comprises a gap surface (46a), which is arranged to be located near the bottom surface (46) on the male joint tongue (40) and adjacent to the bottom surface, wherein the abutment surface (47, 57) is arranged on the gap surface (46a).

13. A joining system for a floor panel (10, 20) according to claim 1, wherein: The abutment surface (47, 57) on the male joint tongue (40) is arranged at an angle ε relative to a plane parallel to the main floor surface plane (SP), wherein a lower inclined surface (62) is provided on the vertical locking device (60) of the first floor panel (10) and is arranged at an angle γ relative to a plane parallel to the main floor surface plane (SP), wherein the angle γ is smaller than the angle ε.

14. A joining system for floor panels (10, 20) according to claim 1, wherein: The abutment surface (47, 57) on the male joint tongue (40) is arranged at an angle ε relative to a plane parallel to the main floor surface plane (SP), wherein a lower inclined surface (55) is provided on the vertical locking device (50) of the second floor panel (20) and is arranged at an angle γ relative to a plane parallel to the main floor surface plane (SP), wherein the angle γ is smaller than the angle ε.

15. A joining system for floor panels (10, 20) according to claim 1, wherein: The inclined abutment surface (38) on the female joint tongue (32) is arranged at an angle ε relative to a plane parallel to the main floor surface plane (SP), wherein a lower slope (55) is provided on the vertical locking device (50) of the second floor panel (20) and is arranged at an angle γ relative to a plane parallel to the main floor surface plane (SP), wherein the angle γ is smaller than the angle ε.

16. A joining system for a floor panel (10, 20) according to claim 1, wherein: The inclined abutment surface (38) on the female joint tongue (32) is arranged at an angle ε relative to a plane parallel to the main floor surface plane (SP), wherein a lower inclined surface (62) is provided on the vertical locking device (60) of the first floor panel (10) and is arranged at an angle γ relative to a plane parallel to the main floor surface plane (SP), wherein the angle γ is smaller than the angle ε.

17. A joining system for a floor panel (10, 20) according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein: The angle γ is between 20° and 40°.

18. A joining system for a floor panel (10, 20) according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein: The angle ε is between 40° and 80°.

19. A joining system for floor panels (10, 20) according to claim 1, wherein: The female joint tongue (32) includes an inclined portion (36) having a thickness (E) that is less than a thickness (P) between an upper surface (71) of the groove (70) and a top layer (12) of the second floor panel (20).

20. The joining system for floor panels (10, 20) according to claim 1, wherein: The protruding length (K) measured from the upper surface (71) of the groove (70) in the second floor panel (20) is between 10% and 40% of the thickness (Q) of the first floor panel (10) and the second floor panel (20).

21. A floor system (100, 200) comprising a first floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10'''), the first floor panel having a female joint according to claim 1 arranged on a short side of the first floor panel, a male joint according to claim 1 arranged on an opposite short side of the first floor panel, a female joint according to claim 1 arranged on a long side of the first floor panel, and a male joint according to claim 1 arranged on an opposite long side of the first floor panel, the floor system (100, 200) further comprising: A second floor panel (C, D, B') which is identical to the first floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10''') but is mirrored in a vertical plane along one of the short sides of the first floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10''') or is mirrored in a vertical plane along one of the long sides of the first floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10''').

22. A method for joining a first floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10''') with a second floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10''') and a third floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10'''), the first floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10''') having a male joint according to claim 1 arranged on a first side of the first floor panel and a male joint according to claim 1 arranged on an adjacent second side, the method comprising: Arranging the first floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10''') wherein a first side abutting against a side of the second floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10''') is provided with a female joint according to claim 1, and a second side abutting against a side of the third floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10''') is provided with a female joint according to claim 1, The first side and the second side of the first floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10''') are connected to the second floor panel and the third floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10'''), wherein at least the first side of the first floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10''') is connected to the side of the second floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10''') in a vertically movable manner.

23. The method for joining a first floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10''') with a second floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10''') and a third floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10''') according to claim 22, wherein: The first side of the first floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10''') is connected to the side of the second floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10''') in a vertically movable manner, and the second side of the first floor panel (10, 10', 10'') is connected to the side of the third floor panel in a vertically movable manner.

24. The method for joining a first floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10''') with a second floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10''') and a third floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10''') according to claim 22, wherein: The first side of the first floor panel (10, 10', 10'', 10''') is connected to the side of the second floor panel (10, 10', 10'', 10''') in a vertical movement manner, and after the first side of the first floor panel (10, 10', 10'', 10''') is connected, the second side of the first floor panel (10, 10', 10'', 10''') is connected to the side of the third floor panel in a folding movement manner pivoting around the first side of the first floor panel (10, 10', 10'', 10''').

25. A method for releasing a first floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10'') from a second floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10'') and / or from a third floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10''') of a floor system (100, 200) according to claim 21, the method further comprising releasing the first floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10'') from the second floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10'') and / or from the third floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10'') by depressing a female joint tongue (32) on a side of the second floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10'') and / or on a side of the third floor panel (10, 10', 10", 10'').

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