Decorative panel with Anti-through connection means

Abstract

The invention relates to a decorative panel comprising a panel core, a panel top and a panel bottom, and at least four panel edges arranged in pairs opposite each other, with complementary connecting means provided in pairs on the panel edges, which fit together in such a way that identical panels can be attached to one another. The connecting means are designed in such a way that the passage of liquid located on the panel top through the connecting means is prevented.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a decorative panel comprising a panel core, a panel top and a panel bottom, and at least four panel edges arranged in pairs opposite each other, with complementary connecting means provided in pairs on the panel edges, which fit together in such a way that identical panels can be attached to one another. The connecting means are designed in such a way that the passage of liquid located on the panel top through the connecting means is prevented.

[0002] A panel of this type is known from EP 2 339 092 A1. It is to be made of flexible PVC and have a total thickness in the range of 3 mm to 10 mm, and even better, a total thickness between 4 and 7 mm. In this prior art, a shim is required as an auxiliary tool to join two panel edges. The shim is placed under the receiving hook so that its receiving rib hovers freely above the substrate. The receiving rib can then be bent downwards to create the connection.

[0003] A general state of the art is represented by WO2012 / 126046 A1, which also discloses an auxiliary tool for handling panels with hook elements, but which is intended for disassembly. In this case, disassembly causes high stress on the retaining profiles, which can lead to cracks and breaks in the hook elements.

[0004] One problem with locking mechanisms known from the prior art is that they are not, or only partially, leak-proof, which means that any liquid standing on the surface in the area of ​​the connections of two decorative panels can pass through the connection points and thus collect under the decorative panel and / or penetrate into the floor below.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of further developing the decorative panel in such a way that liquid standing on the surface in the area of ​​the connections of two decorative panels cannot pass through the connection points for at least 24 hours, preferably more than 48 hours.

[0006] This problem is solved by a decorative panel according to claim 1. Embodiments of the panel according to the invention can be found in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0007] The invention proposes a decorative panel comprising two opposing long edges and two opposing short edges. For the purposes of this invention, "decorative panels" also includes panel formats that are essentially square and have edges of essentially equal length. The decorative panel has at least one connecting element on each long edge and at least one connecting element on each short edge, enabling the decorative panel to be detachably connected to another decorative panel along its long edges and along its short edges.The connecting element on one of the short edges has a distal contact surface, an inclined distal surface, a locking lug with an apical locking lug surface, a downward-facing locking hook with a distal locking hook surface and a distal locking hook foot surface as well as a proximal locking hook foot surface, a downward-facing groove with a distal groove wall and a groove top as well as a proximal groove wall and a proximal groove lug.

[0008] The connecting element on the other short edge has a proximal contact surface, a reclined proximal surface, a locking projection with a basal locking projection surface, a locking groove with a proximal locking groove surface and a proximal groove bottom surface as well as a distal groove bottom surface, an upwardly directed locking hook with a proximal locking hook surface as well as an apical locking hook surface and a distal locking hook surface. The connecting elements on the short edges are designed such that, in the connected state of the decorative panels, the contact surfaces are in contact with each other via the short edges, the distal groove wall and the proximal locking hook surface are in contact with each other, the apical locking nose surface and the basal locking projection surface are in contact with each other, and the distal locking hook foot surface is in contact with the proximal groove bottom surface and the proximal locking hook foot surface is in contact with the distal groove bottom surface.In contrast, a contact-free space forms between the inclined distal surface and the reclined proximal surface. Similarly, a contact-free space forms between the distal locking hook surface and the proximal locking groove surface, as well as between the groove top and the apical locking hook surface.

[0009] It has been shown that the joints, particularly those along the short edges of the decorative panels, are susceptible to the penetration of liquids present on the surface of the decorative panel. Surprisingly, a joint of decorative panels as described above, due to its specific geometric design, is able to prevent liquid from penetrating the joint between two decorative panels at the short edge.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the contact-free space between the groove cover and the apical locking hook surface can extend into a contact-free space between the proximal groove wall and the distal locking hook surface. This advantageously prevents over-constraint of the connection between the decorative panels, thereby ensuring an even tighter and more secure connection at the points particularly relevant for preventing the passage of liquid.

[0011] According to a further embodiment of the decorative panel according to the invention, the distal locking hook base surface and the proximal locking hook base surface, as well as the proximal groove bottom surface and the distal groove bottom surface, each form an angle with each other in a range between ≤ 178° and ≥ 160°, preferably between ≤ 177° and ≥ 162°, more preferably between ≤ 176° and ≥ 163°, and particularly between ≤ 175° and ≥ 165°. This advantageously increases the contact area between the corresponding surfaces significantly without weakening the overall mechanical stability of the locking mechanism. Any forces that may occur can be optimally dissipated, and the increased contact area also contributes to a tight seal of the locking mechanism against slippage.

[0012] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the connecting element on the first long edge may have a distal contact surface, a spring with an apical spring surface and a spring nose as well as a basal spring surface, a spring base with a proximal spring base surface, and a downward-facing groove with a distal groove wall surface and a groove top as well as a proximal groove wall surface. The connecting element on the second long edge, on the other hand, has a proximal contact surface, a groove with an apical groove surface and a groove pocket and a basal groove surface as well as a groove bottom, an upward-facing locking hook with a proximal locking hook surface and an apical locking hook surface as well as a proximal locking hook surface.The connecting elements on the long edges are designed such that, when the decorative panels are connected, the contact surfaces are in a contact-locking manner along the long edges, the distal groove wall surface and the proximal locking hook surface are in contact-locking manner, and the spring foot is in contact-locking manner with the groove bottom. However, a contact-free space is formed between the spring nose and the groove pocket, as well as between the proximal spring foot surface and the transition from the groove bottom to the proximal locking hook surface.

[0013] Surprisingly, it has been shown that this design of the connecting elements on the long edges of a decorative panel, in conjunction with the connecting elements according to the invention on the short edges, offers excellent resistance to liquid penetration. In particular, at the so-called T-joints, i.e., the intersection points of the connecting elements on the long and short edges, this design according to the invention provides very good resistance to liquid penetration on the surface of the decorative panel.

[0014] In particular, it has been shown that an additional coating of the edges to improve through-running safety can be dispensed with, both on the short edges and on the long edges.

[0015] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the connecting element may have a spring length W1 on the first long edge, and the connecting element 500 may have a groove width W2 on the second long edge 14, 24. The spring length W1 is greater than the groove width W2 in a range between ≥0.1% and ≤1.6%, preferably between ≥0.15% and ≤1.4%, and particularly between ≥0.2% and ≤1.2%. It has surprisingly been found that, with such an embodiment, the locking mechanism between the two connecting elements is, on the one hand, tight enough to ensure a pleasant feel when laying the decorative panels, while on the other hand, not subjecting the connecting elements to excessive mechanical stress and thus preventing the formation of cracks or breaks in the connecting elements during installation.

[0016] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the connecting elements have chamfers. Providing such chamfers creates, on the one hand, a pleasing installation pattern, and on the other hand, allows minimal height differences between two connected decorative panels to be concealed both visually and tactilely.

[0017] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the decorative panel may have a panel core made of a mineral-filled polymer material, wherein the polymer material has a Shore hardness in the range of ≥35 to ≤95 Shore D, preferably between ≥65 and ≤85 Shore D. Since the fasteners are located essentially in the area of ​​the panel core, the provision of a suitable polymer material ensures advantageous flexibility of the fasteners, which can prevent breakage of the fasteners during installation.

[0018] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the decorative panel may have a panel core made of a mineral-filled polymer material, wherein the polymer material has a modulus of elasticity in the range of ≥3000 MPa to ≤5000 MPa. Since the fasteners are located essentially in the area of ​​the panel core, the provision of a suitable polymer material ensures advantageous flexibility of the fasteners, which can prevent breakage of the fasteners during installation.

[0019] The invention is further explained below with reference to figures. This shows Fig. 1 two complementary decorative panels with their long and short edges; Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a connecting means according to the invention at a first short edge; Fig. 3 shows an embodiment according to the invention of a complementary connecting means on a second short edge; Fig. 4 shows the in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 The complementary connecting means shown are located at the short edges in the connected state; Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of a connecting means according to the invention on a first long edge; Fig. 6 shows an embodiment according to the invention of a complementary connecting means on a second long edge; Fig. 7 shows the in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 The complementary connecting elements shown are located at the long edges in the connected state.

[0020] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows decorative panels 10, 20 according to the invention, each with two opposing long edges 13, 14, 23, 24 and two opposing short edges 11, 12, 21, 22. The edges 13, 24, 14, 23 each have complementary connecting means by which the decorative panels can be detachably connected to form a continuous surface.

[0021] Fig. 2Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a fastener 100 according to the invention at a first short edge. The decorative panel has a top surface 30, a panel core 31, and a panel bottom surface 32. The fastener 100 at the first short edge has a distal contact surface 110, an inclined distal surface 120, a locking lug 130 with an apical locking lug surface 131, a downwardly directed locking hook 150 with a distal locking hook surface 140 and a distal locking hook foot surface 151, and a proximal locking hook foot surface 152. Furthermore, the fastener 100 has a downwardly directed groove 160 with a distal groove wall 161 and a groove cover 162, as well as a proximal groove wall 163 and a proximal groove lug 164. Furthermore, the decorative panel has a basal groove wall surface 170 in the area of ​​the underside 32. In addition, a chamfer 180 can be provided on the top surface 30 of the decorative panel.

[0022] Fig. 3This is one embodiment of a complementary connecting element 200 according to the invention, located on the second short edge. The connecting element 200 has a proximal contact surface 210, a reclined proximal surface 220, a locking projection 230 with a basal locking projection surface 231, a locking groove 250 with a proximal locking groove surface 240 and a proximal groove bottom surface 251, as well as a distal groove bottom surface 252. Furthermore, the connecting element 200 has an upwardly directed locking hook 260 with a proximal locking hook surface 261, an apical locking hook surface 262, and a distal locking hook surface 263. In the area of ​​the underside of the panel, the connecting element has a basal locking hook surface 270. Additionally, a chamfer 280 can be provided on the upper side of the decorative panel.

[0023] Fig. 4 shows the in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3The complementary connecting elements 100, 200 shown are located at the short edges in the connected state. The connecting elements 100, 200 are designed such that, in the connected state of the decorative panels, the contact surfaces 110, 210 are in contact with each other via the short edges. The distal groove wall 161 and the proximal locking hook surface 261 are also in contact with each other, as are the apical locking nose surface 131 and the basal locking projection surface 231. The distal locking hook foot surface 151 is in contact with the proximal groove bottom surface 251, and the proximal locking hook foot surface 152 is in contact with the distal groove bottom surface 252. A contact-free space 301 is formed between the inclined distal surface 120 and the reclined proximal surface 220.Furthermore, a contact-free space 302 is formed between the distal locking hook surface 140 and the proximal locking groove surface 240, and a contact-free space 303 is formed between the groove top 162 and the apical locking hook surface 262. In the embodiment shown, the contact-free space 303 between the groove top 162 and the apical locking hook surface 262 extends into a contact-free space 304 between the proximal groove wall 163 and the distal locking hook surface 263. In the embodiment shown, the distal locking hook foot surface 151 and the proximal locking hook foot surface 152, as well as the proximal groove bottom surface 251 and the distal groove bottom surface 252, each form an angle to each other in a range between ≤ 178° and ≥160°, preferably between ≤ 177° and ≥162°, more preferably between ≤ 176° and ≥163°, in particular between ≤ 175° and ≥165°.

[0024] Fig. 5Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a connecting element 400 according to the invention on a first long edge. The connecting element 400 on the first long edge has a distal contact surface 410, a spring 470 with an apical spring surface 420 and a spring nose 430 as well as a basal spring surface 440, and a spring base 450 with a proximal spring base surface 451. Furthermore, the connecting element 400 has a downwardly directed groove 460 with a distal groove wall surface 462 and a groove top 463 as well as a proximal groove wall surface 464. The connecting element 400 on the first long edge has a spring length W1 which is greater than the groove width of a groove of the connecting element on the other long edge in a range between ≥0.05% and ≤0.5%. In addition, a chamfer 480 can be provided on the top surface of the decorative panel.

[0025] Fig. 6Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a connecting element 500 according to the invention on a second long edge of the decorative panel. The connecting element 500 has a proximal contact surface 510 on the second long edge, as well as a groove 570 with an apical groove surface 520, a groove pocket 530, a basal groove surface 540, and a groove bottom 550. Furthermore, the connecting element 500 has an upwardly directed locking hook 560 with a proximal locking hook surface 562, an apical locking hook surface 563, and a proximal locking hook surface 564. The connecting element 500 has a groove width W2, which is smaller than the spring length W1 of the spring of the connecting element on the first long edge in a range between ≥0.05% and ≤0.5%. In addition, a chamfer 580 can be provided on the top surface of the decorative panel.

[0026] Fig. 7 shows the in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5The complementary connecting elements 400, 500 shown are located at the long edges in the connected state. The connecting elements 400, 500 are designed such that, in the connected state of the decorative panels, the contact surfaces 410, 510 are in contact with each other along the long edges. Likewise, the distal groove wall surface 462 and the proximal locking hook surface 562 are in contact with each other, as is the spring foot 450 with the groove bottom 550. The connecting elements 400, 500 are further designed such that a contact-free space 601 is formed between the spring nose 430 and the groove pocket 530. Furthermore, a contact-free space (602) is formed between the proximal spring foot surface 451 and the transition of the groove bottom 550 into the proximal locking hook surface 562. Reference symbol list:

[0027] 10, 20 Decorative panel 11, 12, 21, 22 Short edge 13, 14, 23, 24 Long edge 30 Top of decorative panel 31 Panel core 32 Bottom of decorative panel 100 Fastener first short edge 110 Distal contact surface 120 Inclined distal surface 130 Latch nose 131 Apical latch nose surface 140 Distal latch hook surface 150 Downward-facing latch hook 151 Distal latch hook base surface 152 Proximal latch hook base surface 160 Downward-facing groove 161 Distal groove wall 162 Groove top 163 Proximal groove wall 164 Proximal groove nose 170 Basal groove wall surface 180 Chamfer 200 Fastener second short edge 210 Proximal contact surface 220 Reflexed proximal surface 230 Detent projection 231 Basal detent projection surface 240 Proximal detent groove surface 250 Detent groove 251 Proximal groove bottom surface 252 Distal groove bottom surface 260 Upward-facing detent hook 261 Proximal detent hook surface 262 Apical detent hook surface 263 Distal detent hook surface 270 Basal detent hook surface 280 Chamfer 301 Contact-free space 302 Contact-free space 303 Contact-free space 304 Contact-free space400 Fastener first long edge 410 Distal contact surface 420 Apical spring surface 430 Spring nose 440 Basal spring surface 450 Spring foot 451 Proximal spring foot surface 460 Downward-facing groove 462 Distal groove wall surface 463 Groove top 464 Proximal groove wall surface 470 Spring 480 Chamfer 500 Fastener second long edge 510 Proximal contact surface 520 Apical groove surface 530 Groove pocket 540 Basal groove surface 550 Groove bottom 560 Upward-facing detent hook 562 Proximal detent hook surface 563 Apical detent hook surface 564 Proximal detent hook surface 570 Groove 580 Chamfer 601 Contact-free space 602 Contact-free space 603 Contact-free space 604 Contact-free space W1 Spring length W2 Groove width

Claims

1. Decorative panel (10, 20), each having two opposite long edges (13, 14, 23, 24) and two opposite short edges (11, 12, 21, 22), wherein the decorative panel has at least one connecting element (100, 200) on each long edge (13, 14, 23, 24) and at least one connecting element (400, 500) on each short edge (11, 12, 21, 22), which makes it possible to detachably connect the decorative panel (10, 20) to another decorative panel (10, 20) at the long edges (13, 14, 23, 24) to each other and at the short edges (11, 12, 21, 22), wherein the connecting element (100) is located at one of the short edges (11, 21) a distal contact surface (110), an inclined distal surface (120), a locking nose (130) with an apical locking nose surface (131), a downward-facing locking hook (150) with a distal locking hook surface (140) and a distal locking hook foot surface (151) and a proximal locking hook foot surface (152),a downward-facing groove (160) with a distal groove wall (161) and a groove top (162) as well as a proximal groove wall (163) and a proximal groove nose (164), and wherein the connecting element (200) has on the other short edges (12, 22) a proximal contact surface (210), a reclined proximal surface (220), a detent projection (230) with a basal detent projection surface (231), a detent groove (250) with a proximal detent groove surface (240) and a proximal groove bottom surface (251) as well as a distal groove bottom surface (252), an upward-facing detent hook (260) with a proximal detent hook surface (261) as well as an apical detent hook surface (262) and a distal detent hook surface (263), , characterized by the fact thatThe connecting means (100, 200) are designed such that, in the connected state of the decorative panels (10, 20), the contact surfaces (110, 210) are in contact with each other via the short edges (11, 12, 21, 22), the distal groove wall (161) and the proximal locking hook surface (261) are in contact with each other, the apical locking nose surface (131) and the basal locking projection surface (231) are in contact with each other, and the distal locking hook foot surface (151) is in contact with the proximal groove bottom surface (251) and the proximal locking hook foot surface (152) is in contact with the distal groove bottom surface (252), and wherein a contact is formed in each case between the inclined distal surface (120) and the reclined proximal surface (220). a contact-free space (301) between the distal locking hook surface (140) and the proximal locking groove surface (240) a contact-free space (302) and between the groove top (162) and the apical locking hook surface (262) a contact-free space (303) is obtained.

2. Decorative panel according to claim 1, wherein the contact-free space (303) between the groove top (162) and the apical locking hook surface (262) extends into a contact-free space (304) between the proximal groove wall (163) and the distal locking hook surface (263).

3. Decorative panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the distal locking hook foot surface (151) and the proximal locking hook foot surface (152) as well as the proximal groove bottom surface (251) and the distal groove bottom surface (252) each form an angle to each other in a range between ≤ 178° and ≥160°, preferably between ≤ 177° and ≥162°, more preferably between ≤ 176° and ≥163°, in particular between ≤ 175° and ≥165°.

4. Decorative panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting means (400) has on the first long edge (13, 23) a distal contact surface (410), a spring (470) with an apical spring surface (420) and a spring nose (430) as well as a basal spring surface (440), a spring foot (450) with a proximal spring foot surface (451), and a downwardly directed groove (460) with a distal groove wall surface (462) and a groove top (463) as well as a proximal groove wall surface (464), and wherein the connecting means (500) has on the second long edge (14, 24) a proximal contact surface (510), a groove (570) with an apical groove surface (520) and a groove pocket (530) and a basal groove surface (540) as well as a groove bottom (550), a upwardly directed detent hook (560) with a proximal detent hook surface (562) and an apical detent hook surface (563) as well as a proximal detent hook surface (564), characterized by the fact thatthe connecting means (400, 500) are designed such that, in the connected state of the decorative panels (10, 20), the contact surfaces (410, 510) are in contact with each other over the long edges (13, 14, 23, 24), the distal groove wall surface (462) and the proximal locking hook surface (562) are in contact with each other, and the spring foot (450) is in contact with the groove bottom (550), and wherein a contact-free space (601) is formed between the spring nose (430) and the groove pocket (530), and a contact-free space (602) is formed between the proximal spring foot surface (451) and the transition of the groove bottom (550) into the proximal locking hook surface (562).

5. Decorative panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting element (400) has a tongue length (W1) at the first long edge (13, 23) and the connecting element (500) has a groove width (W2) at the second long edge (14, 24) and wherein the tongue length (W1) is greater than the groove width (W2) in a range between ≥0.1% and ≤1.6%, preferably between ≥0.15% and ≤1.4%, in particular between ≥0.2% and ≤1.2%.

6. Decorative panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting means (100, 200, 400, 400) have chamfers (180, 280, 480, 580).

7. Decorative panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the decorative panel has a panel core (31) which consists of a mineral-filled polymer material and wherein the polymer material has a Shore hardness in a range of ≥35 to ≤95 Shore D, preferably in a range of ≥65 to ≤85 Shore D.

8. Decorative panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the decorative panel has a panel core (31) which consists of a mineral-filled polymer material and wherein the polymer material has a modulus of elasticity in a range of ≥3000 MPa to ≤5000 MPa.

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