A set of panels

Abstract

The present invention provides a set of panels including a first panel (41) and a second panel (42). The first and second panels have first, second, and third edges. The first edge (1) of the first panel is lockable to both the second edge (2) and the third edge of the second panel. The first edge includes a first locking element (4) that cooperates with a first locking groove (5) at the second edge and a second locking groove (6) at the third edge to lock in the horizontal direction. The first edge includes a tongue groove (7) that cooperates with a tongue (8) at the second edge and a tongue (9) at the third edge to lock in the vertical direction. The first locking element includes a first locking surface that cooperates with a second locking surface (11) on the first locking groove to lock in both the horizontal and vertical directions. The first locking element includes a third locking surface (12) that cooperates with a fourth locking surface (13) on the second locking groove to lock in the horizontal direction.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application filed on December 14, 2018, with application number 201880085525.6 and invention title "A Set of Panels". Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to panels, such as floorboards, that are constructed to be locked together. Background Technology

[0003] Panels configured to be assembled by vertical displacement and locked together in both the vertical and horizontal directions are known. Such panels are disclosed, for example, in WO 2014 / 182215. A tongue-and-groove connection locks a first edge of a first panel to a second edge of a second panel. Furthermore, both the first and second edges include locking elements configured to cooperate with locking grooves for locking in both the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0004] WO 2005 / 098163 relates to a panel element comprising two different locking elements. However, a disadvantage of this type of panel is that the joint between the two panels needs to be very long, thus a large amount of panel material is wasted during the production of this type of panel.

[0005] Embodiments of the present invention address the need for panels that are easier to assemble and / or have increased locking strength, and these panels can also be laid with advanced patterns, such as herringbone patterns. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One object of at least some embodiments of the present invention is to provide improvements over the above-described techniques and known techniques.

[0007] Another object of at least some embodiments of the present invention is to facilitate the assembly of panels, wherein the panels are configured to be assembled by vertical displacement or angling motion and locked together in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0008] Another object of at least some embodiments of the present invention is to provide a panel that includes only one locking element but provides two different locking surfaces, so that the joint between the panels is more compact, thereby reducing the amount of panel material wasted.

[0009] Another object of at least some embodiments of the present invention is to provide panels that can be locked together in such a way that not only the long sides of the panels can be locked together, or the short sides can be locked together, but the short sides can be locked together with the long sides, so that they can be laid with advanced patterns, one example of which is a herringbone pattern.

[0010] At least some of these and other objects and advantages that are apparent from the description have been achieved by means of a first aspect of the invention, the first aspect comprising a set of panels including a first panel and a second panel, the first and second panels having first, second, and third edges. The first edge of the first panel is configured to be locked to a second edge and a third edge of the second panel, respectively. The first edge includes a first locking element configured to cooperate with a first locking recess at the second edge and a second locking recess at the third edge, respectively, for locking in a horizontal direction. The first edge also includes a tenon recess configured to engage with a tenon at the second edge and a tenon at the third edge, respectively, for locking in a vertical direction. The first locking element includes a first locking surface configured to cooperate with a second locking surface on the first locking recess for locking in both horizontal and vertical directions. The first locking element includes a third locking surface configured to cooperate with a fourth locking surface on the second locking recess for locking in a horizontal direction.

[0011] The upper portion of the first edge may include a first guide surface, and the lower edge of the tenon of the second edge may include a second guide surface, the first guide surface and the second guide surface being configured to cooperate during vertical displacement of the second edge relative to the first edge to assemble the second edge to the first edge.

[0012] The tenon on the second edge may include an upper locking surface configured to cooperate with a lower locking surface at the upper lip of the tenon groove at the first edge to lock in the vertical direction.

[0013] The upper portion of the first locking element may include a third guide surface, and the lower edge of the first locking groove may include a fourth guide surface. The third and fourth guide surfaces are configured to cooperate during vertical displacement of the second edge relative to the first edge to assemble the second edge to the first edge.

[0014] The tenon at the third edge may include an upper locking surface configured to cooperate with a lower locking surface of the upper lip of the tenon groove at the first edge to lock in the vertical direction.

[0015] The angle between the first and third locking surfaces is preferably in the range of about 5° to about 30°, more preferably in the range of about 10° to about 25°, or preferably about 17°.

[0016] The angle between the third locking surface and the third guiding surface is preferably in the range of about 10° to about 40°, preferably in the range of about 20° to about 30°, or preferably about 25°.

[0017] The second edge may include a second locking element, and the first edge may include a third locking groove, which are configured to cooperate with each other to lock in the horizontal direction.

[0018] The third edge may include a third locking element configured to cooperate with a third locking groove for locking in the horizontal direction.

[0019] The length of the second edge can be shorter than the length of the first edge.

[0020] The second edge of the second panel can be vertically connected to the first edge of the first panel.

[0021] The first panel may include a first edge, a second edge, and a third edge in a clockwise direction.

[0022] The second panel may include a second edge, a first edge, a third edge, and a second edge in a clockwise direction.

[0023] The third edge can be configured to be fitted to the first edge via a tilting motion.

[0024] The first, second, and third edges of the first and second panels are preferably made by mechanical cutting, such as milling.

[0025] These locking and guiding surfaces may include the core material of the first panel and / or the second panel.

[0026] The first and second panels can be resilient panels. The resilient panels may include a core made of a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material may be foamed.

[0027] Thermoplastic materials may include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylate, methacrylate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl butyral, polybutylene terephthalate, or combinations thereof. The core may consist of multiple layers.

[0028] The first and second panels may include decorative layers, such as decorative foil made of thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material of the decorative layer may be or include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylate, methacrylate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl butyral, polybutylene terephthalate, or combinations thereof. The decorative foil is preferably printed, for example by direct printing, rotary gravure printing, or digital printing.

[0029] The first and second panels may include a wear-resistant layer, such as a film or foil. The wear-resistant layer may include a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material may be polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylate, methacrylate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl butyral, polybutylene terephthalate, or combinations thereof.

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention are particularly advantageous for panels comprising guide surfaces with high friction and tongues made of thermoplastic material with low elasticity.

[0031] The first and second panels may include a wood-based core, such as high-density fiberboard (HDF), medium-density fiberboard (MDF), or plywood.

[0032] The first and second panels can be configured to be removed by rotating the first and / or second panels downwards. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Referring to the accompanying drawings, these and other aspects, features, and advantages that can be achieved by the embodiments of the present invention will become apparent and elucidated in the following description of the embodiments of the present invention, wherein...

[0034] Figure 1A-1C An assembly embodiment of a set of panels according to the present invention is shown, wherein a first edge of a first panel and a second edge of a second panel are assembled.

[0035] Figure 2A-2C An assembly embodiment of a set of panels according to the present invention is shown, wherein a first edge of a first panel and a third edge of a second panel are assembled.

[0036] Figure 3A An embodiment of a first panel according to the invention is shown, which includes a first edge, a second edge, and a third edge in a clockwise direction from the edge to the right.

[0037] Figure 3B An embodiment of the second panel according to the invention is shown, which includes a second edge, a first edge, a third edge, and a second edge in a clockwise direction from the edge to the right.

[0038] Figures 4A-4B An embodiment of a set of panels according to the invention is shown, wherein the panels are assembled in a herringbone pattern.

[0039] Figures 5A-5BOne embodiment is shown in which the panels according to the invention are assembled in a modular pattern, i.e., parallel to each other. When the panels are assembled in a modular pattern, only a plurality of first panels or only a plurality of second panels are connected to each other.

[0040] Figures 6A-6E An enlarged view of the first locking element is shown, illustrating the angles between different surfaces of the first locking element and the angle between a surface of the first locking element and the upper surface of the first or second panel. Detailed Implementation

[0041] Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the invention can 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 make this disclosure thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The terminology used in the detailed description of the embodiments shown in the drawings is not intended to limit the invention. In the drawings, the same numbers denote the same elements. When the word “about” is used in conjunction with numerical values ​​in this specification, the relevant numerical values ​​should include a tolerance of + / - 10% around the value.

[0042] exist Figure 1A-1C An embodiment of the invention during assembly is illustrated. This embodiment includes a set of panels, comprising a first panel 41 and a second panel 42, as shown below. Figure 3A and 3B As shown, the first edge 1 of the first panel 41 and the second edge 2 of the second panel 42 are configured to be locked together and assembled by a vertical displacement 27 of the second edge 2 of the second panel 42 relative to the first edge 1 of the first panel 41.

[0043] The first edge 1 includes a first locking element 4 configured to engage with a first locking groove 5 at the second edge 2 for locking in the horizontal direction. The first edge 1 also includes a tenon groove 7 configured to engage with a tenon 8 at the second edge 2 for locking in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the first locking element 4 includes a first locking surface 10 configured to cooperate with a second locking surface 11 on the first locking groove 5 for locking in both the horizontal and vertical directions.

[0044] The first locking surface 10 may be parallel to or substantially parallel to the second locking surface 11.

[0045] The upper portion of the first edge 1 may include a first guide surface 14, which cooperates with a second guide surface 15 on the lower edge of the tenon 8 during vertical displacement 27.

[0046] The tenon 8 on the second edge 2 may include an upper locking surface 16 configured to cooperate with a lower locking surface 17 of the upper lip 26 of the tenon groove 7 to lock in the vertical direction.

[0047] Locking element 4 may include a third guide surface 18, and locking groove 5 may include a fourth guide surface 19. These features are configured to cooperate during the vertical displacement 27 of the second edge 2 relative to the first edge 1 to assemble the second edge 2 to the first edge 1, as shown below. Figure 1B As shown.

[0048] The first guide surface 14 may be parallel to or substantially parallel to the second guide surface 15.

[0049] The third guide surface 18 may be parallel to or substantially parallel to the fourth guide surface 19.

[0050] The first and second guide surfaces 14 and 15 are configured to cooperate in front of the third and fourth guide surfaces 18 and 19 during vertical displacement.

[0051] The second edge 2 may include a second locking element 22, and the first edge 1 may include a third locking groove 25, the second locking element 22 and the third locking groove 25 being configured to cooperate with each other to lock in the horizontal direction.

[0052] The upper locking surface 16 is located above the second guide surface 15.

[0053] The first locking surface 10 is located below the third guiding surface 18.

[0054] The locking positions of the first edge 1 and the second edge 2 are as follows: Figure 1C As shown. The first edge 1 and the second edge 2 can be assembled by vertical displacement 27.

[0055] The second edge 2 may include a lower groove 29 located on the underside of the second edge 2. The lower groove 29 can provide space for the second edge 2 to bend, so that the upper locking surface 16 and the lower locking surface 17 can be locked together more easily.

[0056] The length of the second edge 2 is preferably shorter than the length of the first edge 1.

[0057] Vertical and horizontal locking is an advantage, especially for panels locked in resilient materials. Multiple vertical locks can reduce the risk of unlocking and separation at the first edge 1 and the second edge 2.

[0058] exist Figure 2A-2CAn embodiment of the invention during assembly is shown. This embodiment includes a set of panels, which includes a first panel 41 and a second panel 42, wherein a first edge 1 of the first panel 41 and a third edge 3 of the second panel 42 are configured to be locked together and assembled by tilting movement of the third edge 3 of the second panel 42 relative to the first edge 1 of the first panel 41.

[0059] The first edge 1 includes a first locking element 4, which is configured to engage with a second locking groove 6 at the third edge 3 for locking in the horizontal direction.

[0060] The first edge 1 also includes a tenon groove 7 configured to engage with a tenon 9 at the third edge 3 for locking in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the first locking element 4 includes a third locking surface 12 configured to cooperate with a fourth locking surface 13 on the second locking groove 6 for locking in the horizontal direction.

[0061] The third locking surface 12 may be parallel to or substantially parallel to the fourth locking surface 13.

[0062] The tenon 9 may include an upper locking surface 20 configured to cooperate with a lower locking surface 17 of the upper lip 26 of the tenon groove 7 for locking in the vertical direction.

[0063] The third edge 3 may include a third locking element 24 configured to cooperate with a third locking groove 25 on the first edge 1 for locking in the horizontal direction.

[0064] The third edge 3 can be assembled to the first edge 1 by tilting motion, such as Figure 2A and 2B As shown.

[0065] The horizontal locking mechanism described above is an advantage, especially for panels locked in resilient materials. Multiple horizontal locking mechanisms can reduce the risk of unlocking and separation at the first edge 1 and the third edge 3.

[0066] The locking positions of the first edge 1 and the third edge 3 are as follows: Figure 2C As shown.

[0067] The first locking surface 10 is located below the third locking surface 12.

[0068] The third locking surface 12 is located below the third guide surface 18.

[0069] An enlarged view of the first locking element 4 is shown in Figures 6A-6E As shown in the image.

[0070] The angle 31 between the first locking surface 10 and the third locking surface 12 can be in the range of about 5° to about 30°, preferably in the range of about 10° to about 25°, or preferably about 17°.

[0071] The angle 32 between the third locking surface 12 and the third guiding surface 18 can be in the range of about 10° to about 40°, preferably in the range of about 20° to about 30°, or preferably about 25°.

[0072] The angle 33 between the first locking surface 10 and the upper surface of the first panel 41 or the second panel 42 can be in the range of about 70° to about 85°, preferably in the range of about 75° to about 80°, or preferably about 77°.

[0073] The angle 34 between the third locking surface 12 and the upper surface of the first panel 41 or the second panel 42 can be in the range of about 50° to about 85°, preferably in the range of about 60° to about 75°, or preferably about 67°.

[0074] The angle 35 between the third guide surface 18 and the upper surface of the first panel 41 or the second panel 42 can be in the range of about 25° to about 60°, preferably in the range of about 35° to about 50°, or preferably about 42°.

[0075] Because of the multiple locking surfaces, grouped panels according to embodiments of the invention can provide panels with increased locking strength. Improved locking of the panels together is crucial for holding the panels in place, even when subjected to forces from objects moving on the panels.

[0076] Compared to known grouped panels, grouped panels according to embodiments of the invention are also easier to assemble due to the presence of guiding surfaces. Improved guidance is crucial for assembling panels with high-friction surfaces, especially when the panel edges comprise materials with low elasticity. Without improved guiding structures, such panels may be difficult to assemble, or panels or portions thereof, such as tenons, may break during assembly. Grouped panels according to embodiments of the invention also provide a more compact joint between panels, thereby reducing the amount of panel material wasted.

[0077] According to embodiments of the present invention, the grouped panels can be assembled with different patterns. One example is a herringbone pattern, wherein the first panel 41 and the second panel 42 are assembled as follows: Figures 4A-4B As shown. When the panels are assembled into a herringbone pattern, the second edge 2 of the second panel 42 will be vertically connected to the first edge 1 of the first panel 41.

[0078] Another example is modular patterns, where panels are assembled parallel to each other, such as... Figures 5A-5B As shown. When the panels are assembled in a modular pattern, in each row of panels, only a plurality of first panels 41 or only a plurality of second panels 42 are connected to each other. When the panels are assembled in a modular pattern, the first edge 1 of the first panel 41 is connected to the third edge 3 of the first panel 41, or the first edge 1 of the second panel 42 is connected to the third edge 3 of the second panel 42.

[0079] like Figure 3A As shown, the first panel 41 may include a first edge 1, a second edge 2 and a third edge 3 in a clockwise direction.

[0080] like Figure 3B As shown, the second panel 42 may include a second edge 2, a first edge 1, a third edge 3 in a clockwise direction.

[0081] The thickness of the first panel 41 and the second panel 42 can be in the range of approximately 3 mm to approximately 12 mm.

[0082] The above embodiments can be resilient panels. These resilient panels may include a core made of a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material may be foamed.

[0083] Thermoplastic materials may include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylate, methacrylate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl butyral, polybutylene terephthalate, or combinations thereof. The core may consist of multiple layers.

[0084] The above embodiments may include a decorative layer, such as a decorative foil comprising a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material of the decorative layer may be or include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylate, methacrylate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl butyral, polybutylene terephthalate, or combinations thereof. The decorative foil is preferably printed, for example by direct printing, rotary gravure printing, or digital printing.

[0085] The above embodiments may include a wear-resistant layer, such as a film or foil. The wear-resistant layer may include a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material may be polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylate, methacrylate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl butyral, polybutylene terephthalate, or combinations thereof.

[0086] The above embodiments may include a wood-based core, such as high-density fiberboard (HDF), medium-density fiberboard (MDF), or plywood.

[0087] The first and second panels can be configured to be removed by rotating the first and / or second panels downwards.

Claims

1. A set of panels, including a first panel (41) and a second panel (42), each having a first edge (1), a second edge (2) and a third edge (3), wherein the first edge (1) of the first panel (41) is configured to be lockable to both the second edge (2) and the third edge (3) of the second panel (42), respectively. in, The first edge (1) includes a first locking element (4) configured to cooperate with a first locking groove (5) at the second edge (2) and a second locking groove (6) at the third edge (3), respectively, for locking in the horizontal direction. The first edge (1) further includes a tenon groove (7), which is configured to cooperate with the tenon (8) at the second edge (2) and the tenon (9) at the third edge (3) for locking in the vertical direction. The first locking element (4) includes a first locking surface (10) configured to cooperate with a second locking surface (11) on a first locking groove (5) for locking in both horizontal and vertical directions. The first locking element (4) includes a third locking surface (12) configured to cooperate with a fourth locking surface (13) on the second locking groove (6) for locking in the horizontal direction.

2. The set of panels according to claim 1, wherein, The upper portion of the first edge (1) includes a first guide surface (14), and the lower edge of the tenon (8) of the second edge (2) includes a second guide surface (15). The first guide surface (14) and the second guide surface (15) are configured to cooperate during the vertical displacement (27) of the second edge (2) relative to the first edge (1) to assemble the second edge (2) to the first edge (1).

3. The set of panels according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The tenon (8) on the second edge (2) includes an upper locking surface (16) configured to cooperate with the lower locking surface (17) of the upper lip (26) of the tenon groove (7) to lock in the vertical direction.

4. A set of panels according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The upper portion of the first locking element (4) includes a third guide surface (18), and the lower edge of the first locking groove (5) includes a fourth guide surface (19). The third guide surface (18) and the fourth guide surface (19) are configured to cooperate during the vertical displacement (27) of the second edge (2) relative to the first edge (1) to assemble the second edge (2) to the first edge (1).

5. A set of panels according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The tenon (9) includes an upper locking surface (20) configured to cooperate with the lower locking surface (17) of the upper lip (26) of the tenon groove (7) to lock in the vertical direction.

6. A set of panels according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The angle (31) between the first locking surface (10) and the third locking surface (12) is in the range of about 5° to about 30°, preferably in the range of about 10° to about 25°, or preferably about 17°.

7. A set of panels according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein, The angle (32) between the third locking surface (12) and the third guiding surface (18) is in the range of about 10° to about 40°, preferably in the range of about 20° to about 30°, or preferably about 25°.

8. A set of panels according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The second edge (2) includes a second locking element (22), and the first edge (1) includes a third locking groove (25), wherein the second locking element and the third locking groove are configured to cooperate with each other to lock in the horizontal direction.

9. A set of panels according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The third edge (3) includes a third locking element (24) configured to cooperate with the third locking groove (25) to lock in the horizontal direction.

10. A set of panels according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The length of the second edge (2) is shorter than the length of the first edge (1).

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