Plank, especially terrace and / or balcony plank, as well as plank floor arrangement
The decking boards with lateral hook profiles and gutters address the issue of rainwater penetration by directing it away from the substructure, ensuring stability and reducing maintenance needs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SCHWARZHUBER HEINZ
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-11
AI Technical Summary
Existing decking boards for balconies and terraces allow rainwater to penetrate to the substructure, leading to dampness and rot, requiring frequent replacement of the substructure and planks.
The decking boards feature lateral longitudinal hook profiles on both sides with hooks and ribs that form gutters to drain away liquid, preventing moisture from reaching the substructure.
This design effectively protects the substructure from moisture, allowing for simpler and cost-effective construction using less rot-resistant materials and preventing plank instability.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a plank, in particular a terrace plank, balcony plank, etc., as well as a plank floor arrangement.
[0002] Decking boards, especially those for balconies and terraces, for outdoor use are available in various lengths from approximately 1 m to over 5 m, widths typically around 15 cm, and thicknesses of approximately 2.5 cm. These boards are also available in a variety of materials. Particularly weather-resistant decking boards are known as WPC (wood-plastic composite) boards, which are thermoplastic, made from a material consisting of plastic and wood fibers.
[0003] These types of decking boards are used for larger areas, especially balconies and terraces, and are laid and screwed onto a flat substructure, which can consist of, for example, a wooden or metal framework. During installation, the boards are butted together, one after the other, with as few gaps as possible, and screwed to the substructure to secure them in place.
[0004] Despite the direct alignment between the planks, a disadvantage is that rainwater can penetrate downwards to the substructure, which becomes damp or wet and rots over time, causing the entire plank floor to become unstable with partially tilted planks and requiring a new substructure with new planks to be laid.
[0005] The object of the invention is therefore to create a plank with a plank bond, which prevents moisture from getting under laid planks.
[0006] This task is solved using the features of the independent claims. Advantageous, optional embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims relating thereto.
[0007] According to the invention, a plank has a lateral longitudinal hook profile on both longitudinal sides of the plank, with reference to the transverse axis direction.
[0008] A first longitudinal hook profile on a first long side of a plank has a top longitudinal rib projecting laterally from the plank and located at the top with respect to the vertical axis, which is flush with the top surface of the plank. In addition, the first longitudinal hook profile has a first longitudinally extending hook web which, viewed in the vertical axis direction, projects downwards from the top longitudinal rib, preferably from an end edge of the top longitudinal rib, towards the top surface of the plank, forming a first hook clearance between the first hook web and the plank.
[0009] A second longitudinal hook profile on the opposite side of the second plank has a lower longitudinal rib projecting laterally from the plank, located at the bottom with respect to the vertical axis, and running flush with the underside of the plank. In addition, the second longitudinal hook profile has a second longitudinal hook web which, viewed in the vertical axis direction, projects upwards from the lower longitudinal rib, preferably from an end edge of the lower longitudinal rib, towards the underside of the plank, forming a second hook gap between the second hook web and the plank.
[0010] With a plank floor laid using multiple planks, the resulting gutters at each edge allow liquid, especially rain, to drain away along the planks at a suitable slope, preventing rain from reaching the substructure. This effectively protects the substructure from moisture and dampness, and potentially from rot. Furthermore, because the substructure is kept consistently dry, it can be constructed more simply and cost-effectively from less rot-resistant materials. If the plank floor is laid directly on a concrete surface, the concrete is also protected from moisture penetration.
[0011] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, this is achieved especially with a specific construction in which the first hook recess is designed for the engagement of a second hook web of a second, consecutively laid, and in particular identically designed, plank, and correspondingly the second hook recess is designed for the engagement of a first hook web of a third, consecutively laid, and in particular identically designed, plank. The second hook recess, preferably in its lateral border area, forms a rain gutter. In other words, the second hook recess forms a rain gutter in its lateral border area according to its predetermined and / or selected width.
[0012] A particularly simple and reliable gutter design is achieved when the upper longitudinal strip has a thickness less than the thickness of the decking board and / or when the first longitudinal hook web has a width less than the thickness of the decking board. The same applies analogously to another preferred and optional embodiment, in which the lower longitudinal strip has a thickness less than the thickness of the decking board and / or in which the second longitudinal hook web has a width less than the thickness of the decking board.
[0013] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the plank according to the invention, the free end edges of the first hook rib and the second hook rib are each angled towards a first longitudinal locking rib and a second longitudinal locking rib towards the longitudinal center of the plank, such that a first locking recess is formed between the upper longitudinal rib and the first locking rib, and a second locking recess is formed between the lower longitudinal rib and the second locking rib. Advantageously, planks laid in a bonded arrangement with such a preferred embodiment can be adjusted and fixed to one another in the vertical direction, in addition to the hook engagement, for the purpose of horizontal adjustment and advantageous formation of rain gutters.It is preferably provided that the first locking recess is designed for a locking engagement of a second locking rib of a second, in series laid, in particular identically designed, plank and correspondingly the second locking recess is designed for a locking engagement of a first locking rib of a third or oppositely arranged, in particular identically designed, plank.
[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, a groove extending longitudinally, at least partially or section by section, can be formed in a wall area of the respective locking recess that, in the assembled state, is opposite an end face of a locking bar received therein. This groove can, for example, form a dust trap. Since sawdust and other minor contaminants regularly accumulate during the laying and cutting of the planks, a groove provides the possibility of collecting this dirt, dust, etc., so that it does not hinder installation.
[0015] Alternatively or additionally, this can also be achieved with an embodiment in which a wall bulge extending at least partially or section by section in the longitudinal direction is formed in a transition area between the upper longitudinal side and / or lower longitudinal side to the associated hook web.
[0016] It is practical and advantageous for the lateral longitudinal hook profiles on both long sides of a plank to be mirror images of each other, meaning they are point-symmetrical in cross-section. This offers advantages in both manufacturing and installation, as it prevents any confusion regarding the sides. Furthermore, planks often have different surface finishes and textures on each side, and with identical mirror images of each other on the long sides, they can be easily installed with different surface finishes or, if desired, combined surface patterns.
[0017] The plank according to the invention can, in principle, be made of any suitable material, for example, wood, plastic, or a combination of these materials, and can have any suitable cross-section, such as a solid cross-section or a hollow profile cross-section, preferably with a multi-chambered hollow profile cross-section. In the case of a solid cross-section, the plank can be made entirely of solid material. In the case of a hollow profile cross-section, the plank can have several longitudinally extending and / or continuous chambers. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, however, the planks are designed as WPC planks, where WPC stands for Wood Plastic Composite and denotes a composite material made of wood fibers or wood flour and plastic, which is produced, for example, by thermoplastic processes.Such a WPC material is not only durable, weather-resistant and easy to care for, but is also characterized by very high strength and stability, so that the lateral longitudinal hook profiles of the boards can also be manufactured to be very stable and load-resistant.
[0018] A particularly functional decking board, especially a WPC decking board, can, for example, have a thickness of approximately 15 to 30 mm, preferably approximately 25 mm, and / or a length of approximately 1 m or more, and / or a width of approximately 10 to 40 cm, preferably approximately 15 cm. To form the longitudinal hook profiles, the top and bottom longitudinal ribs can each have a width of approximately 20 mm and a thickness of approximately 7 mm. The first hook rib projecting from the top longitudinal rib and the second hook rib projecting from the bottom longitudinal rib can have a width of approximately 11 mm. If locking ribs are provided, the first and second locking ribs can each have a width of approximately 2.5 mm and a thickness of approximately 5.5 mm. This creates a detent recess with the same dimensions for the engagement of an identical counter-detent lug.This results in a positive-locking connection together with the formation of a rain gutter.
[0019] According to a further particularly preferred optional embodiment, the plank is provided with at least one marking on the top longitudinal strip and / or the bottom longitudinal strip, in particular for indicating at least one screw location. A particularly preferred embodiment in this context is one in which the marking is formed by a longitudinal marking extending at least partially or section by section in the longitudinal direction of the plank, preferably a groove, most preferably a V-groove. Screw locations can thus be concealed and not visible, so that potentially disruptive screw heads and screw head patterns on the top surface of the planks are avoided. This provides a reliable reference point for the installer to drill a hole in the longitudinal strip that then forms the bottom longitudinal strip for receiving a screw.
[0020] The aforementioned problem is further solved by a plank floor arrangement according to claim 11. According to claim 11, to form a plank floor and thus a larger floor area, several, preferably identical, planks are laid side by side with a gap serving as a rain gutter between two laterally adjacent planks on a substructure, preferably flat, and preferably fastened to the substructure, in particular by screwing. The advantages resulting therefrom have already been explained in detail in connection with the plank floor. Therefore, reference is made to the previously given explanations to avoid repetition.
[0021] The substructure can, in principle, be any suitable substructure. For example, the planks can be laid on a level surface, such as a flat concrete floor, preferably with an intermediate layer of plastic or rubber sheeting or plastic or rubber pads. Alternatively, the planks can also be laid on a substructure formed by a framework of battens made of, for example, wood, plastic, or metal, especially aluminum, or a combination of these materials.
[0022] In the design of the plank flooring, it is also preferably provided that the plank flooring, with its at least one longitudinally oriented gutter, has a slope, preferably such that the multiple planks and thus the at least one gutter slope away from an adjacent building wall or descend downwards from it. This ensures that rainwater is reliably directed away from a building wall and, for example in the case of a terrace floor, conveyed to a free-flowing rainwater outlet in an adjacent garden area.
[0023] A particularly advantageous method during installation is to screw each plank to the substructure through its bottom longitudinal batten, preferably at staggered screw points. As previously discussed in connection with the planks, the screw points can then be concealed within the gutter, thus avoiding potentially unsightly screw heads and screw head patterns on the plank surfaces.
[0024] The invention is described below only by way of example with reference to different embodiments in conjunction with the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. 3 explained further.
[0025] They show: Fig. 1. Schematically, a first, simple and basic embodiment of a plank, Fig. 2 schematically a second embodiment as a further development of the floorboard according to Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 a front view of a specific form of a lateral longitudinal hook profile of a plank.
[0026] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a longitudinally cut WPC board (shown with hatching) in the central area. The board has a first longitudinal hook profile 2 on its right side (relative to the transverse axis x) and a second longitudinal hook profile 3 on its opposite, left (or second) longitudinal side.
[0027] The first longitudinal hook profile 2 has a top longitudinal strip 4 projecting laterally from the plank 1, lying at the top with reference to the vertical axis direction y, which runs flush with the top of the plank 5, here by way of example with a strip thickness 6 less than the plank thickness 7.
[0028] From the upper longitudinal strip 4, a first longitudinally extending hook web 8 projects downwards towards the top of the plank 5 or with respect to the vertical axis direction y, here by way of example with a hook web width 9 less than the plank thickness 7.
[0029] In conjunction with these dimensions, a first hook clearance 11 is formed between the first hook web 8 and the plank side 10, which can be varied depending on the selected width 35 of the upper longitudinal strip 4.
[0030] The second longitudinal hook profile 3 on the opposite side of the plank is designed as a mirror image or point symmetry to the first longitudinal hook profile 2, with a lower longitudinal strip 12 and a second hook web 13, thus creating a second hook clearance 14.
[0031] Furthermore, a second plank 1a is shown on the right in the area of its second longitudinal hook profile, which engages from below with its second hook web 13a into the hook clearance 11. It is evident that the first hook web 8 of plank 1 and the second hook web 13a of the second plank 1a lie against each other in such a way that a gap is formed as a rain gutter 15a, which is covered from below by the lower longitudinal strip 12a of the second plank 1a as a gutter bottom.
[0032] Opposite, a third row of planks 1b is shown partially with its first longitudinal hook profile 2b, which engages with its hook web 8b from above into the second hook space 14, thereby forming a corresponding rain gutter 15b, the bottom of which is formed by the lower longitudinal strip 12.
[0033] For fixing the planks 1, 1a and 1b to a substructure 15 (not shown in detail), for example a concrete floor, a hole is provided in a preferably central area of the lower longitudinal strip 12 and the lower longitudinal strip 12a, through which the plank 1 and the plank 1a are screwed to the substructure 15 with screws 16 and 16a.
[0034] In Fig. 2 is a similar arrangement to that in Fig. Figure 1 shows that identical elements are labelled with the same reference symbols. Fig. Figure 2 also shows a plank 1 in the central area with a first longitudinal hook profile 2 and a second longitudinal hook profile 3. The longitudinal hook profiles 2 and 3 are further developed such that the first hook web 8 and, correspondingly, the second hook web 13 are each angled towards the center of the plank's length, forming a first locking web 17 and a second locking web 18, respectively. The corresponding longitudinal hook profiles of the adjoining planks 1a and 1b are similarly further developed with locking webs. The locking web 17 of plank 1 and the locking web 18a of plank 1a are interlocked and locked together, forming a rain channel 15a. Similarly, the second locking web 18 of plank 1 and the locking web 17b of plank 1b are interlocked and locked together, again forming a rain channel 15b.
[0035] In contrast to Fig. 1 The planks 1, 1a and 1b are not made of solid WPC material, but are produced with longitudinal chambers 19 as an example to save material and reduce weight as well as increase stability.
[0036] Furthermore, in Fig. Figure 2 shows a highly stylized section of a building wall 20, from which the adjoining planks 1, 1a, 1b are laid lengthwise. It is essential that the planks are laid with at least a slight slope away from the building wall 20, which is symbolically represented by the angle 21, such that rainwater can drain away from the building wall 20 in the gutters 15a, 15b and the other gutters.
[0037] In Fig. Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a plank 1 in the area of its second longitudinal hook profile 3, with dimensions shown only as examples to convey a sense of the dimensions. The specific plank thickness 22 is 250 mm, and the width 23 of the bottom longitudinal strip 12 is 200 mm with a strip thickness 24 of 70 mm. Extending from the bottom longitudinal strip 12 is the second hook web 13 with a hook web width 25 of 110 mm and a hook web thickness 26 of 65 mm.
[0038] From the hook web 13, the second locking web 18 projects towards the hook clearance 14 with a locking web width 27 of 25 mm and a locking web thickness 28 of 55 mm.
[0039] The locking opening 29 corresponds in its dimensions to the dimensions of the locking web 18 with an opening width 30 of 55 mm for a positive locking connection with the locking web 17b of the third plank 1b, which is shown with dashed lines. The specified dimensions can be used in conjunction with the dimension arrows shown in the Fig. 3 can be taken.
[0040] How this will develop further Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, in a wall area of the respective locking recess 17b, 18b, which in the assembled state is opposite a front face 17c, 18c of the locking web 17, 18 received therein, a groove 31 extending at least partially or in sections in the longitudinal direction is formed, which here preferably serves as a dust trap.
[0041] Furthermore, in the Fig. Figure 3 merely shows by way of example in connection with the plank 1 that in a transition area between the lower longitudinal side 12 and the associated hook web 13 a wall projection 32 extending at least partially or in sections in the longitudinal direction is formed.
[0042] With a positive-locking connection of the locking web 18 of the plank 1 with the counter profile of the plank 1b, a rain gutter 15b with the indicated gutter width 33 results according to the specified dimensions.
[0043] Approximately in the middle section of the bottom longitudinal strip 12, the plank 1 is connected to a substructure 15 and screwed in place (schematically represented by a dashed line). The appropriate position of the screw in the bottom longitudinal strip is indicated by a longitudinal marking in the form of a longitudinal V-groove 34. Reference symbol list 1 hallway 1a second hallway 1b third hall 2 first longitudinal hook profile 2b first longitudinal hook profile 3 second longitudinal hook profile 3a second longitudinal hook profile 4 Top longitudinal strip 5 Plank top 6 Strip thickness 7 plank thickness 8 first hook bridge 8b Hook bridge 9 hook width 10 side of the floor 11 first hook space 12 Bottom longitudinal strip 12a Bottom longitudinal strip 13 second hook bridge 13a second hook bridge 14 second hook space 15 Substructure 15a Rain gutter 15b Gutter 16 screws 16a screw 17 first rest stop 17a Rest area 17b Rest recess 17c Front 18 second rest stop 18a Rest area 18b Rest recess 18c Front 19 longitudinal chamber 20 building wall 21 angles 22 plank thickness 23 width 24 Strip thickness 25 hook width 26 Hook web thickness 27 Raster width 28 Grid thickness 29 Rest opening 30 opening width 31 Longitudinal groove as dust trap 32 Wall bulge 33 Gutter width 34 V-groove 35 mm wide top longitudinal strip
Claims
A plank, in particular a terrace and / or balcony plank, characterized in that the plank (1) has a longitudinal hook profile (2, 3) on each of its longitudinal sides, extending laterally with respect to the transverse axis direction, that a first longitudinal hook profile (2) on a first longitudinal side of the plank has a top longitudinal rib (4) projecting laterally from the plank (1) and located at the top with respect to the vertical axis direction, which is flush with the top surface (5) of the plank, wherein the first longitudinal hook profile (2) also has a first longitudinally extending hook web (8) which, viewed in the vertical axis direction, projects downwards from the top longitudinal rib (4), preferably from an end edge of the top longitudinal rib (4), wherein a first hook clearance (11) is formed between the first hook web (8) and the plank, that a second longitudinal hook profile (3) on the opposite second longitudinal side of the plank has a top longitudinal rib (4) projecting laterally from the plank (1) has a projecting lower longitudinal rib (12) lying below with respect to the vertical axis direction,which runs flush with the underside of the plank, wherein the second longitudinal hook profile (3) also has a second longitudinally extending hook web (13) which, viewed in the vertical axis direction, projects upwards from the lower longitudinal strip (12), preferably from an end edge of the lower longitudinal strip (12), wherein a second hook clearance (14) is formed between the second hook web (13) and the plank. Plank according to claim 1, characterized in that the first hook clearance (11) is designed for a hook engagement of a second hook web (13a) of a second, laid in series, in particular identically designed, plank (1a), and accordingly the second hook clearance (14) is designed for a hook engagement of a first hook web (8b) of a third, laid in series, in particular identically designed, plank (1b), wherein the second hook clearance (14) forms a rain gutter. Plank according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper longitudinal strip (4) has a strip thickness (6) which is less than the plank thickness (7) and / or that the first longitudinally extending hook web (8) has a hook web width (9) which is less than the plank thickness (7). Plank according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower longitudinal strip (12) has a strip thickness that is less than the plank thickness (7) and / or that the second longitudinally extending hook web (13) has a hook web width that is less than the plank thickness (7). Plank according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the free end edges of the first hook web (8) and the second hook web (13) are each angled towards a first longitudinally extending locking web (17) and a second longitudinally extending locking web (18) towards the longitudinal center of the plank, such that a first locking recess (17b) is formed between the upper longitudinal strip (4) and the first locking web (17), and a second locking recess (18b) is formed between the lower longitudinal strip (12) and the second locking web (18). Plank according to claim 5, characterized in that the first locking recess (17c) is designed for a locking engagement of a second locking rib (18, 18a) of a second, laid in series, in particular identically designed, plank (1a) and accordingly the second locking recess (18b) is designed for a locking engagement of a first locking rib (17, 17a) of a third laid in series, in particular identically designed, plank (1b). Board according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that a groove (31) extending at least partially or section by section in the longitudinal direction is formed in a wall area of the respective locking recess (17b, 18b), which in the assembled state is opposite an end face (17c, 18c) of a locking web (17, 18) received therein. Plank according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a wall recess (32) extending at least partially or section by section in the longitudinal direction is formed in a transition area between the upper longitudinal side (4) and / or lower longitudinal side (12) to the associated hook web (8, 13). Plank according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lateral longitudinal hook profiles (2, 3) are mirror images of each other on both longitudinal sides of the plank. Plank according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plank (1) has at least one marking on the upper longitudinal strip (4) and / or on the lower longitudinal strip (12), in particular for marking at least one screw point, wherein it is preferably provided that the marking is formed by a longitudinal marking extending at least partially or section by section in the longitudinal direction of the plank, preferably a groove, most preferably a V-groove. Plank floor arrangement with several planks according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, to form a plank floor, several, preferably identical, planks (1, 1a, 1b) are arranged laterally next to each other with a gap as a rain gutter (15a, 15b) between two laterally adjacent planks (1, 1a, 1b) laid and preferably fastened on a, preferably flat, substructure (15). Plank floor arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that the plank floor with its at least one longitudinally oriented rain gutter (15a, 15) has a slope, preferably such that the several planks (1, 1a, 1b) and thus the at least one rain gutter (15a, 15b) have a slope (21) away from an adjacent building wall (20). Plank floor arrangement according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that each plank (1, 1a, 1b) is screwed to the substructure (15) through its underside longitudinal strip (12), preferably at longitudinally offset screw points.