• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    Floor panel for forming a floor covering, said floor panel (1) being at least composed of a substrate (2); wherein the floor panel comprises on at least one pair of opposite edges (3-4) coupling parts (5-6), said coupling parts allowing two such floor panels to be joined together by means of a downward movement (M) of one floor panel relative to the other floor panel. can be linked; wherein these coupling parts, in the coupled state of two such floor panels, form a first locking system effecting a locking in a first direction (V) perpendicular to the plane of the floor panels, and a second locking system forming a locking in a second direction (H) perpendicular to the edges and in the plane of the floor panels.
    公开号:BE1022985B1
    申请号:E2015/5158
    申请日:2015-03-17
    公开日:2016-10-27
    发明作者:Pieter Devos
    申请人:Flooring Industries Limited Sarl；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Floor panel for forming a floor covering.
    This invention relates to a floor panel for forming a floor covering, more particularly for forming a floor covering that can be installed on a substrate.
    More specifically, it relates to floor panels that can be connected to each other by means of mechanical coupling parts.
    More particularly, the invention relates to a floor panel for forming a floor covering, said floor panel being at least composed of a substrate; wherein the floor panel comprises coupling parts on at least one pair of opposite edges, which coupling parts allow that two of such floor panels can be coupled to each other by means of a downward movement of one floor panel relative to the other floor panel; said coupling parts in the coupled state of two of such floor panels forming a first locking system that causes a locking in a first direction perpendicular to the plane of the floor panels, as well as forming a second locking system that locks in a second direction perpendicular to the edges and in effect the plane of the floor panels; wherein said coupling parts are mainly formed from the material of said substrate and are formed in one part therewith; and wherein the second locking system is formed at least from a downwardly directed upper hook-shaped portion located on one edge of said pair of opposite edges, as well as an upwardly directed lower hook-shaped portion located on the other opposite edge of said pair of opposite edges, which hook-shaped portions can be hooked in succession by means of the aforementioned downward movement.
    Such floor panels are known, inter alia, from patent documents DE 19933343, DE 20002744, EP 1,279,778 WO 2006/133690, WO 2011/077311, WO 2012/101171. However, each of these floor panels is subject to certain disadvantages with regard to the installation of the floor covering and / or the strength of the floor covering or in other words the strength of the coupling between the floor panels themselves.
    The inventor has found that the ease of installation of the floor covering and the strength in the floor covering is highly dependent on the characteristics of the coupling parts, and in particular on the support and contact surfaces, as well as on the location and shape of the locking parts which are arranged in a vertical lock provided. The inventor has established that certain combinations of characteristics of the coupling parts produce particularly good results, in particular with synthetic floor panels but also with floor panels that are made up of other materials. These specific combinations are described below in the independent claims.
    Preferred as well as deviating embodiments are described in the appended dependent claims.
    The invention particularly comes into its own when it is applied to floor panels that can be connected to each other by means of a so-called "fold down" technique. With this "fold down" technique is meant a technique as described inter alia in patent documents WO 01/75247 and WO 01/02669, so that the coupling parts on a pair of opposite edges are configured such that two of such floor panels on these edges can be coupled to each other by means of a turning movement, while a coupling to these edges is also automatically established by the scissor movement on the other pair of opposite edges. In the case of elongated floor panels, the latter pair of edges is preferably formed by the short sides of the floor panel.
    It is noted that "solid" is understood to mean that no weakening and / or recesses are provided to allow certain deformations.
    It is further noted that the supporting surfaces may or may not be bent, which also applies to the locking surfaces.
    It is further noted that all the features of the independent claims can be combined at will, as far as they are not contradictory.
    With the insight to better demonstrate the features of the invention, a number of preferred embodiments are described below, as an example without any limiting character, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: figure 1 shows a floor panel according to the invention in top view; figure 2 represents a cross-section according to line II-II in figure 1, but in the coupled state of two of such floor panels; figure 3 represents a variant of figure 2; figure 4 represents another variant of figure 2; figure 5 represents a cross-section according to line V-V in figure 1, but in the coupled state of two of such floor panels; Figure 6 shows how such floor panels can be connected to each other via the so-called "fold down" technique; figure 7 shows coupled floor panels that have a mutual thickness difference; figure 8 represents floor panels according to figure 3, wherein the floor panels, although showing a mutual thickness difference; figure 9 represents another variant of figure 2; figures 10 and 11 show a possibility on which a height difference according to the invention can be realized; figure 12 represents a variant of figure 9; Figure 13 represents a variant of Figure 3.
    For the description of the figures reference is first made to the description which is included in the claims, which description clearly states all the features and combinations of the invention. Since the claims contain the necessary reference numerals and reference letters, this description is not repeated here.
    It is further noted that Figure 4 shows an embodiment according to the invention, wherein in the coupled state of two such floor panels 1 on the pair of opposite edges 3-4 a contact 34 is formed between a distal side 23 of the upwardly directed locking element 12 and the edge of the other floor panel 1, and in particular no space 26 is present. The inventor has found that such contact increases the dimensional stability of the floor panel, in particular in the case of a floor panel with a substrate consisting mainly of thermoplastic material and / or filling materials, and more particularly offers the possibility of shrinking and expanding, or possibly curves. , and preferably prevent it under the influence of temperature.
    It is further noted that the contact 34 as shown in Figure 4 extends to the bottom of the floor panels, but this need not be the case. Such contact may, for example, extend up to a certain distance from the underside of the floor panel such that a space is provided under this contact.
    Figure 3 shows an embodiment according to the invention, in which the lip 11 of the lower hook-shaped part 8 comprises an incision 22. The incision 22 is located at the bottom of the lip 11. The incision 22 extends in the horizontal direction and preferably from a distal side 23 of the upwardly directed locking element 12. The incision 22 can extend at least where the downward and downward upwardly directed locking elements 10-12 cooperate with each other.
    The incision 22 has a top side 35. The top side 35 can, as shown in Figure 3, be located substantially horizontally or, in other words, be substantially parallel to the surface of the floor panel. However, according to an alternative, the top 35 may be inclined. An example of such incised incision is shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the document WO 2014/182215. According to yet another alternative, the top 35 can be curved, and therefore not flat.
    The incision 22 allows the lip 11, or at least a part of this lip 11, to be bent downwards. This allows the edge 3 to be pushed downwards during the coupling of the floor panels until a locking position is reached between the floor panels, i.e. a position in which the hook-shaped parts 7-8 hook into one another. The floor panels can be coupled to each other relatively smoothly by means of the incision 22. A difference in thickness between floor panels, and in particular a difference in thickness at the edges 3-4 of the floor panels, can also be compensated. Further explanation is provided with reference to Figures 7 and 8.
    Figure 7 shows two floor panels that are installed on a surface or subfloor 36. The floor panels have a different thickness. This may be due to tolerances that are permitted during the manufacture of the floor panels. Because the floor panels exhibit such a thickness difference, different parts of the coupling parts can be located at different heights of the floor panels. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the locking surface 43 of the protrusion 15 is higher than the locking surface 44 of the undercut 16, so that the protrusion 15 does not fit into the undercut 16 as shown. As a result, it is possible that the floor panels cannot be coupled smoothly or that a locking position between the floor panels is not achieved. As previously stated, a possible solution for absorbing such a thickness difference is to provide an incision 22 as described above.
    Figure 8 shows floor panels according to the invention which are installed on a substrate or subfloor 36. Just as in Figure 7, these floor panels exhibit a mutual thickness difference. The floor panel with the lower hook-shaped part 8 has an incision 22 as described above, which can accommodate the difference in thickness between the floor panels. For this purpose, the incision 22 allows the edge 3 to be pressed downwards until a locking position between the floor panels is achieved. More specifically, the incision 22 allows the edge 3 to be bent downwards until the hook-shaped portions 7-8 hook into one another. The edge 3 can herein be moved until a top side 40 of one floor panel is aligned with a top side 41 of the other floor panel as shown in Figure 8.
    It is further noted that a multi-layer top layer 37 is shown in figures 7 and 8. The top layer 37 can consist of a decorative layer 38 and a transparent wear layer 39. The top layer can contain one or more other layers, such as, for example, a UV coating on top of the transparent wear layer. It is noted that such multilayer top layer 37 does not necessarily have to be provided on the floor panels.
    Figure 9 shows floor panels according to the invention, wherein a height difference 42 is provided between the coupled floor panels near the edges 3-4 of these floor panels. More specifically, an upper side 40 of the one floor panel where this upper side 40 extends over the hook-shaped portion 7 is located at a first level N1 that is higher than a second level N2 on which an upper side 41 of the other floor panel is situated where this upper side 41 extends over the core of the relevant floor panel.
    Such a difference in height 42 makes it possible to compensate for a difference in thickness between floor panels as described above. After all, the height difference 42 allows the coupling parts to be of suitable design despite the existing thickness difference between the floor panels. This means that the coupling parts of the floor panels to be coupled fit into each other when these floor panels are coupled to each other, in contrast to the non-matching coupling parts shown in Figure 7.
    In order for a thickness difference between floor panels to be optimally absorbed, the vertical distance D7 between the levels N1 and N2 is preferably substantially equal to or greater than an average variation in thickness between the floor panels. Even more preferably, this distance D7 is substantially equal to or greater than a thickness difference between the floor panels at the edges 3-4 thereof. In particular, the distance D7 is between 0.01 mm and 0.15 mm, preferably between 0.03 mm and 0.10 mm, with 0.06 being a good value.
    In a preferred practical embodiment, the locking surfaces 43-44 of the first locking system, which are more particularly contact surfaces, are selected such that in the coupled condition of the floor panels the above-mentioned sides 40-41 are at the respective levels N1 and N2. This is further explained with reference to figures 10 and 11, which show a possibility on which a height difference 42 according to the invention can be realized.
    Figure 10 shows the floor panel with edge 3 from Figure 7. It is true that only the contour of this floor panel is shown. As already indicated with regard to figure 7, the coupling parts of the floor panels of figure 7 do not fit together. The contact surfaces 43-44 are in particular at different heights. However, according to the invention, these contact surfaces 43-44 can be selected such that it is possible to design the coupling parts appropriately. For this purpose, for example, the contact surface 43, whether or not together with the rest of the provided profiling at the edge 3, can be made lower in the relevant floor panel and thus, as it were, be moved downwards. In the case of Fig. 10, the entire profiling of the edge 3 is lower in the floor panel as shown by the downwardly shifted profiling 45. The downwardly shifted profiling 45 allows the floor panels to be matched to each other as shown in Fig. 11 .
    Figure 111 shows the floor panels from Figure 7, although limited to their contours, and with the adjusted profiling 45 on the edge 3. As shown, the coupling parts fit together. The contact surfaces 43-44 are at the same height and are selected such that a height difference 42 is formed. This height difference 42 is equal to or substantially equal to the distance over which the contact surface 43 has been shifted downwards as explained in connection with Fig. 10. The height difference 42 may be greater than the difference in thickness between the floor panels, but this need not necessarily be the case. The height difference 42 can, however, be virtually the same or the same as the thickness difference between the floor panels.
    According to a special embodiment, a bottom side 46 of the one floor panel is located, near the edge 3, at a level that is higher than a bottom side 47 of the other floor panel. In other words, a space 48 is formed between the underside 46 and the subfloor 36. This may be the case when the distance D7 between the aforementioned first level N1 and the aforementioned second level N2 is greater than a thickness difference between the floor panels. The maximum distance D8 between the bottom side 46 and the subfloor 36 can be substantially equal to or the same as the distance D7. This may be the case, for example, if there is no difference in thickness between the floor panels, which is the case in Figure 9.
    Preferably, the underside 46 extends continuously to the edge 3, such that any space 48 between the floor panel and the substrate 36 is formed by said underside 46.
    The bottom 46 can be made substantially flat. This means that this underside 46 is free of recesses or grooves, but it is not excluded that this underside 46 is bent in the installed state of the floor panels and thus shows a certain curvature as shown in figure 9, in particular when such a space 48 is present. The upper side 40, and in general the entire floor panel with edge 3, can also be bent out, in particular in the presence of such a space 48.
    Figure 12 shows a variant of the embodiment shown in Figure 11. The top side 40 is in the coupled state of the floor panels at the same level as the top side 41 where they connect to each other by means of a chamfer 49. The above-mentioned difference in height 42 between the floor panels is thereby absorbed, at least visually.
    The chamfer 49 can be located on an upper edge of the floor panel with the upper hook-shaped part 7. In the embodiment shown in Figure 12, also an upper edge of the floor panel with the lower hook-shaped portion 8 is provided with an inclination 50, which should not necessarily be the case. The difference in height 42 can already at least be visually absorbed by a single chamfer provided on an upper edge of one of the floor panels.
    The edges 49-50 are designed differently such that these edges 49-50 in the coupled condition of the floor panels are at the same level where they connect to each other.
    In particular, the aforementioned chamfer 49 can be formed by a chamfer of the upper side 40, and more specifically be formed by a chamferrain. The chamfer 49 can be provided with a decoration. This decoration can be formed by a separate decorative layer applied to the chamfer 49. This decorative layer can be formed by a lacquer, a print, more particularly a digital print, and the like more. According to an alternative, the chamfer 49 may be formed by an impression of the top layer 37 provided on the relevant floor panel.
    The top side of the chamfer 49 can extend into the transparent wear layer 39 and be completely formed by it, as shown in Figure 12. According to an alternative, the top of the chamfer 49 can be formed at least partially by the decorative layer 38 and / or the material of the substrate 2.
    It is to be noted that the foregoing features with respect to the chamfer 49 can also be applied to the chamfer 50, or can only be applied to the chamfer 50.
    It is further noted that in the context of the invention, a "height difference" is to be understood to mean a height difference that is different from a previously arbitrary height difference that is caused, for example, by permitted tolerances during the manufacturing process of the floor panels. A height difference according to the invention is a height difference that is deliberately provided, in particular by consciously selected settings, more in particular settings with regard to the machining operations for manufacturing the coupling parts.
    All figures are purely schematic, with relevant distances and ratios as shown on the figures not necessarily having to correspond to actual floor panels. For the relevant distances and ratios, it must therefore be assumed in the first place that those stated in the description.
    It is further noted that providing a height difference between floor panels, more particularly near the edges of these floor panels, constitutes an inventive idea in itself. Such a height difference can advantageously be applied to a set of floor panels of the type consisting at least of a first floor panel and a second floor panel, the first floor panel comprising a first edge provided with a male coupling part, and the second floor panel comprising a second edge which is provided with a female coupling part, wherein said coupling parts allow said floor panels to be coupled to each other by means of a downward movement of the first edge relative to the second edge to the said edges, and wherein said coupling parts in the coupled condition of the floor panels form a first locking system that causes a locking in a first direction perpendicular to the plane of the floor panels, as well as forming a second locking system that causes locking in a second direction perpendicular to the edges and in the plane of the floor panels. Such a type of set of floor panels is known per se from, among others, the document WO 2014/182215.
    A general problem with such a set of floor panels is that due to permitted tolerances during the manufacture of the floor panels, a difference in thickness can occur between several floor panels from the set. Such a difference in thickness can make it difficult to connect those floor panels to each other and / or prevent a locking position between the floor panels from being achieved. This problem has already been described above and is also known in the prior art, inter alia from the aforementioned document WO 2014/182215.
    From the document WO 2014/182215 it is known to provide the floor panel with the male coupling part with a calibrating groove. Because such a calibrating groove is provided, a distance is created between an underside of the floor panel and an underlay on which the floor panel is installed. This distance allows the floor panel with the male coupling part to be pressed downwards during coupling of the floor panels until a locking position between the floor panels is achieved. However, a possible drawback of such a groove is that an additional process step is required during the manufacture of the floor panels to provide this groove. Such an additional process step can lead to longer lead times in the manufacture of the floor panels. Another drawback is that an additional tool is needed to manufacture the calibrating groove.
    The present invention contemplates, inter alia, an alternative set of floor panels of the aforementioned type, wherein according to various preferred embodiments one or more problems are solved with the floor panels from the prior art.
    To this end, according to an independent aspect thereof, the present invention relates to a set of floor panels of the aforementioned type, characterized in that, in the coupled state of the first and the second floor panel, an upper side of the first floor panel is provided where this upper side extends over the male coupling part is at a first level that is higher than a second level on which a top side of the second floor panel is located where this top side of the second floor panel extends over the core of the second floor panel. In other words, a height difference is provided between these floor panels near the edges of the coupled floor panels. Because such a height difference is provided, the advantage arises that a difference in thickness between floor panels, and more particularly a difference in thickness at the edges of the floor panels, can be absorbed. Another advantage is that the floor panels can be connected to each other in a relatively smooth manner. Another advantage is that no additional process steps nor additional tools are required to provide for the aforementioned height difference. For a better understanding of the mentioned and other advantages, reference is made, inter alia, to the detailed description of Figures 9 to 12.
    Preferably, the vertical distance between said first and second levels is substantially equal to or greater than an average variation in thickness between the floor panels. More specifically, this distance is substantially equal to or greater than a thickness difference between the first and second floor panels at the first and second edges. In particular, said distance is between 0.01 mm and 0.15 mm, and preferably between 0.03 mm and 0.10 mm, with 0.06 mm being a good value.
    In a practical embodiment, the aforementioned first locking system is formed by locking surfaces, more particularly contact surfaces, which are selected such that, in the coupled state of the floor panels, said upper sides are at the relevant levels.
    In particular, an underside of the first floor panel is located, near the first edge, at a level that is higher than an underside of the second floor panel. This may be the case, for example, when the distance between the aforementioned first and second level is greater than a difference in thickness between the floor panels. "
    Preferably, a bottom side of the first floor panel extends continuously to the first edge, such that any space between the first floor panel and a substrate is at least partially constrained by said bottom side.
    A bottom side of the first floor panel can preferably be substantially flat. This means that this underside is free of recesses or grooves, but it is not excluded that this underside is bent out in the installed state of the floor panels and thus shows a certain curvature, in particular when a space is present between the first floor panel and a subfloor or surface. Because the underside is free of recesses or grooves, the advantage arises that the floor panel can be made stable and sturdy.
    Preferably the first floor panel has a substantially uniform thickness.
    According to a preferred embodiment, said top side of the first floor panel is in the coupled state of the floor panels at the same level as said top side of the second floor panel where they connect to each other by means of a chamfer. This creates the advantage that the said difference in height between the floor panels is absorbed, at least visually.
    Preferably, said chamfer is located either at an upper edge of the first floor panel or at an upper edge of the second floor panel, or chamfers are provided on both an upper edge of the first floor panel and an upper edge of the second floor panel. In the latter embodiment, the chamfering of the first floor panel is of a different design than the chamfering of the second floor panel such that in the coupled state of the floor panels, the chamfers are at an equal level where they connect to each other.
    In particular, the aforementioned chamfer can be formed by a chamfer of the top side of the floor panel in question, more particularly a chanfrein.
    The aforementioned chamfer can be provided with a decoration. This decoration can be formed by a separate decorative layer that is applied to the chamfer. This decorative layer can be formed by a lacquer, a print, more specifically a digital print, and the like. According to an alternative, the chamfer may be formed by an impression of a top layer provided on the relevant floor panel.
    The inventor has established that the said height difference can be used particularly advantageously with so-called soft, flexible or flexible floor panels. After all, it appears to be relatively difficult to manufacture such floor panels that have a constant thickness relative to each other. In other words, thickness differences occur between such floor panels. As stated earlier, such thickness differences can be compensated with the aid of such height difference.
    More specifically, such a height difference can be advantageously applied to floor panels containing a plastic-based substrate, such as Luxury Vinyl Tile floor panels, VCT type ("Vinyl Composite Tile"), WPC type ( "Wood Plastic Composite") or BPC type ("Bamboo Plastic Composite).
    According to the invention, however, it is not excluded that the aforementioned height difference can be applied with other types of floor panels, more particularly with hard floor panels such as floor panels with a substrate from MDF or HDF.
    It is also noted that the aforementioned height difference can also be applied advantageously to floor panels that can be connected to each other with the so-called "fold-down" technique. In particular, this difference in height can be applied near the edges of the floor panels which can be coupled relative to each other by means of a downward movement. These edges are preferably located on the short sides of the floor panels in case these floor panels are elongated rectangular.
    Figure 13 shows another variant of the embodiment shown in Figure 3. The floor panel with the upper hook-shaped part 7 is provided with an incision 51. This incision 51 is situated at a distance from the underside 46 of the floor panel.
    Preferably, the incision 51 is closer to the bottom side 46 of the floor panel than near the top side 40. Even more preferably, the incision is located at a distance from the bottom side 46 of the floor panel that is equal to or less than% of the total thickness of the floor panel.
    The incision 51 can extend up to the downwardly directed recess 18 and preferably connect to it. More specifically, the incision 51 is open towards the recess 18.
    The incision 51 comprises a bottom side 52 and a top side 53. These bottom and top sides 52-53 can be situated horizontally or, in other words, parallel to the surface of the floor panels. However, the lower and upper sides 52-53 may also be inclined. It is also noted that the orientation of the bottom 52 may differ from that of the top 53.
    Preferably, the width of the incision 51 in the vertical direction is less than 0.5 mm, even more preferably less than 0.3 mm, and even more preferably less than 0.2 mm. In particular, this width, viewed over the entire incision 51, is uniform in the horizontal direction.
    The incision 51 can be formed from the material of the substrate 2. If the floor panel comprises a substrate 2 and a backing layer, the incision 51 is preferably formed in the substrate 2.
    The depth of the incision 51 in the horizontal direction can be adapted to the material properties of the floor panel in which the incision 51 is arranged, and more specifically to the flexibility or softness of the floor panel. Preferably, the depth of the incision is increased as the flexibility of the floor panel decreases.
    The incision 51 ensures that the edge 3 can be pressed downwards during the coupling of the floor panels such that a locking position between the floor panels can be achieved. This creates the advantage that the floor panels can be coupled in a particularly smooth manner. Such incision 51 can advantageously be used to compensate for a thickness difference between floor panels as described above. For this purpose, the width of the incision 51 can be adapted to the difference in thickness between the floor panels. This width is preferably substantially equal to or greater than an average variation in thickness between the floor panels. More specifically, the width of the incision 51 may be substantially equal to or greater than a difference in thickness between the floor panels at their edges 3-4.
    In particular, such incision 51 may be useful when applied to floor panels that are of the soft or flexible type such as, for example, floor panels whose substrate is plastic based. More specifically, such incision 51 can be applied to floor panels of the LVT type, VCT type, WPC type or BPC type.
    It is to be noted that the use of such incision 51 is an inventive idea in itself. Therefore, according to a further independent aspect thereof, the present invention relates to a set of floor panels, said set consisting at least of a first floor panel and a second floor panel, the first floor panel comprising a first edge provided with a male coupling part, and the second floor panel comprises a second edge which is provided with a female coupling part, said coupling parts allowing said floor panels to be mutually coupled to the aforementioned edges by means of a downward movement of the first edge relative to the second edge, and the aforementioned coupling parts in the coupled condition of the floor panels forming a first locking system that causes a locking in a first direction perpendicular to the plane of the floor panels, as well as forming a second locking system that locks in a second direction perpendicular to the edges and in the surface of the floor panels characterized in that an incision is formed in said first edge, said incision being at a distance from an underside of the floor panel. Because such incision is provided, the advantage arises that the floor panels can be coupled particularly smoothly, even in the special case that a thickness difference is present between the floor panels.
    Preferred embodiments of the invention according to the last-mentioned independent aspect thereof can be formed inter alia by applying the characteristics of the incision as described above with respect to Figure 13 to the set of floor panels according to this last-mentioned independent aspect.
    It is also noted that this last mentioned independent aspect can be arbitrarily combined with one or more of the above-described features of floor panels according to the invention.
    In particular, this last-mentioned independent aspect can advantageously be applied to floor panels that are of the soft or flexible type, such as, for example, floor panels whose substrate is plastic-based. More specifically, the last-mentioned independent aspect is applied to floor panels of the LVT type, the VCT type, the WPC type or the BPC type.
    The present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described above, but such floor panels can be realized in various variants without departing from the scope of the present invention.
    权利要求:
    Claims (51)
    [1]
    Conclusions.
    Floor panel for forming a floor covering, wherein this floor panel (1) is at least composed of a substrate (2); wherein the floor panel comprises coupling parts (5-6) on at least one pair of opposite edges (3-4), which coupling parts allow two such floor panels to be joined to each other by means of a downward movement (M) of one floor panel relative to the other floor panel can be linked; wherein these coupling parts in the coupled state of two such floor panels form a first locking system that causes a locking in a first direction (V) perpendicular to the plane of the floor panels, and also form a second locking system that locks in a second direction (H) perpendicular to the edges and in the plane of the floor panels; wherein said coupling parts are mainly formed from the material of said substrate and are formed in one part therewith; wherein the second locking system is formed at least from a downwardly directed upper hook-shaped portion (7) located on one edge of said pair of opposite edges, as well as an upwardly directed lower hook-shaped portion (8) located on the other opposite edge of said pair opposite edges, which hook-shaped portions can be hooked in succession by means of the aforementioned downward movement (M); said upper hook-shaped portion consisting of a lip (9) with a downwardly directed locking element (10), said lower hook-shaped portion consisting of a lip (11) with an upwardly directed locking element (12); said first locking system having locking parts (13-14) in the form of one or more protrusions (15) which, in the coupled state of two of such floor panels, respectively cooperate with one or more undercuts (16), which one or more protrusions are located near the distal end of the upper hook-shaped portion and which one or more undercuts are located near the proximal end of the lower hook-shaped portion; said lip of the upper hook-shaped portion being provided with a support surface (17) with which this upper hook-shaped portion rests on the lip of the lower hook-shaped portion in the coupled state of two such floor panels; wherein said lip of the upper hook-shaped portion is provided with an upwardly directed recess (18) in which said upwardly directed locking element is at least partially located in the coupled state of two of such floor panels; wherein said support surface is more near the distal end of the upper hook-shaped portion than said downwardly directed locking element which in turn is more near said distal end than said upwardly directed recess; wherein the most upward point of the upwardly directed recess is higher than said support surface which in turn is higher than the most downward point of said downwardly directed locking element; and wherein the distal end of at least one of said protrusions is further distal than a vertical closing surface (VI) formed between two of such floor panels in the coupled state.
    [2]
    Floor panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance (D1) between an upper side of the floor panel and the most downward point of said downward-facing locking element is at least 1.1 times greater than the distance (D2) between the upper side of the floor panel and the most downward point of said supporting surface, and is preferably at least 1.15 times larger.
    [3]
    Floor panel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the distance (D2) between an upper side of the floor panel and the lower point of said supporting surface is at least 1.2 times greater than the distance (D3) between the upper side of the floor panel and the most upward point of said upwardly directed recess, and is preferably at least 1.3 times larger.
    [4]
    Floor panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance (D3) between an upper side of the floor panel and the most upward point of said upwardly directed recess is less than half the total thickness (T) of the floor panel.
    [5]
    Floor panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the proximal end of the upper hook-shaped section is free of locking parts.
    [6]
    Floor panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distal end of the lower hook-shaped section is free of locking parts.
    [7]
    Floor panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said supporting surface (17) is situated substantially horizontally.
    [8]
    Floor panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said upper hook-shaped section comprises one or more guide surfaces (19) which extend obliquely downwards from the one or more protrusions, respectively.
    [9]
    Floor panel according to claim 8, characterized in that said guide surfaces extend downwards at an angle of at least 10 degrees with a vertical, and preferably at an angle of at least 15 degrees with the vertical.
    [10]
    Floor panel for forming a floor covering, wherein this floor panel (1) is at least composed of a substrate (2); wherein the floor panel comprises coupling parts (5-6) on at least one pair of opposite edges (3-4), which coupling parts allow two such floor panels to be joined to each other by means of a downward movement (M) of one floor panel relative to the other floor panel can be linked; wherein these coupling parts in the coupled state of two such floor panels form a first locking system that causes a locking in a first direction (V) perpendicular to the plane of the floor panels, and also form a second locking system that locks in a second direction (H) perpendicular to the edges and in the plane of the floor panels; wherein said coupling parts are mainly formed from the material of said substrate and are formed in one part therewith; wherein the second locking system is formed at least from a downwardly directed upper hook-shaped portion (7) located on one edge of said pair of opposite edges, as well as an upwardly directed lower hook-shaped portion (8) located on the other opposite edge of said pair has opposite edges, which hook-shaped portions can be hooked in succession by means of said downward movement (M); wherein said upper hook-shaped portion consists of a lip (9) with a downwardly directed locking element (10), while said lower hook-shaped portion consists of a lip (11) with an upwardly directed locking element (12); said first locking system having locking parts (13-14) in the form of one or more protrusions (15) which, in the coupled state of two of such floor panels, respectively cooperate with one or more undercuts (16), which one or more protrusions are located near the distal end of the upper hook-shaped portion and which one or more undercuts are located near the proximal end of the lower hook-shaped portion; wherein said lip of the lower hook-shaped portion is provided with a support surface (20) on which the lip of the upper hook-shaped portion rests in the coupled state of two such floor panels; wherein said lip of the lower hook-shaped portion is provided with a downwardly directed recess (21) in which said downwardly directed locking element is at least partially located in the coupled state of two such floor panels; wherein said support surface (20) is more near the proximal end of the lower hook-shaped portion than said downward-facing recess which, in turn, is more near the proximal end of the lower hook-shaped portion than said upwardly directed locking element; wherein the most upward point of the upwardly directed locking element is higher than said supporting surface which in turn is higher than the most downward point of said downwardly directed recess; wherein the upper hook-shaped portion includes one or more guide surfaces (19) that extend obliquely downwardly from the one or more protrusions; wherein the distal end of the lower hook-shaped portion is free of locking members; and wherein the distal end of at least one of said protrusions is further distal than a vertical closing surface (VI) formed between two of such floor panels in the coupled state.
    [11]
    Floor panel according to claim 10, characterized in that the proximal end of the upper hook-shaped section is free of locking parts.
    [12]
    Floor panel according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the distance (D4) between an underside of the floor panel and the lower point of said supporting surface is at least 1.2 times greater than the distance (D5) between the underside of the floor panel and the most downward point of said downward facing recess, and is preferably at least 1.3 times larger, and even more preferably at least 1.35 times larger.
    [13]
    Floor panel according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the distance (D6) between an underside of the floor panel and the most upward point of said upwardly directed locking element is at least 1.1 times greater than the distance ( D4) between the underside of the floor panel and the most downward point of said supporting surface, and is preferably at least 1.2 times larger, and even more preferably 1.25 times larger.
    [14]
    The floor panel according to any of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the distance (D6) between a bottom side of the floor panel and the most upward point of said upwardly directed locking element is more than half the total thickness (T) of the floor panel.
    [15]
    Floor panel according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that said supporting surface (20) is situated substantially horizontally.
    [16]
    Floor panel according to one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that said guide surfaces extend at an angle of at least 10 degrees with a vertical slant downwards, and preferably at an angle of at least 15 degrees with the vertical.
    [17]
    17. Floor panel for forming a floor covering, wherein this floor panel (1) is at least composed of a substrate (2); wherein the floor panel comprises coupling parts (5-6) on at least one pair of opposite edges (3-4), which coupling parts allow two such floor panels to be joined to each other by means of a downward movement (M) of one floor panel relative to the other floor panel can be linked; wherein these coupling parts in the coupled state of two such floor panels form a first locking system that causes a locking in a first direction (V) perpendicular to the plane of the floor panels, and also form a second locking system that locks in a second direction (H) perpendicular to the edges and in the plane of the floor panels; wherein said coupling parts are mainly formed from the material of said substrate and are formed in one part therewith; wherein the second locking system is formed at least from a downwardly directed upper hook-shaped portion (7) located on one edge of said pair of opposite edges, as well as an upwardly directed lower hook-shaped portion (8) located on the other opposite edge of said pair opposite edges, which hook-shaped portions can be hooked in succession by means of the aforementioned downward movement (M); wherein said upper hook-shaped portion consists of a lip (9) with a downwardly directed locking element (10), while said lower hook-shaped portion consists of a lip (11) with an upwardly directed locking element (12); said first locking system having locking parts (13-14) in the form of one or more protrusions (15) which, in the coupled state of two of such floor panels, respectively cooperate with one or more undercuts (16), which one or more protrusions are located near the distal end of the upper hook-shaped portion and which one or more undercuts are located near the proximal end of the lower hook-shaped portion; wherein said lip of the lower hook-shaped portion is provided with a support surface (20) on which the lip of the upper hook-shaped portion rests in the coupled state of two such floor panels; wherein said lip of the lower hook-shaped portion is provided with a downwardly directed recess (21) in which said downwardly directed locking element is at least partially located in the coupled state of two such floor panels; wherein said support surface (20) is more near the proximal end of the lower hook-shaped portion than said downward-facing recess which, in turn, is more near the proximal end of the lower hook-shaped portion than said upwardly directed locking element; wherein the most upward point of the upwardly directed locking element is higher than said support surface which in turn is higher than the most downward point of said downwardly directed recess; wherein the distal end of at least one of said protrusions is further distal than a vertical closing surface (VI) formed between two such floor panels in the coupled state; and wherein the distance (D4) between an underside of the floor panel and the most downward point of said support surface is at least 1.2 times greater than the distance (D5) between the underside of the floor panel and the most downward point of said downward-facing recess, and is preferably at least 1.3 times larger, and even more preferably at least 1.35 times larger.
    [18]
    Floor panel according to claim 17, characterized in that the distance (D6) between a bottom side of the floor panel and the most upward point of said upwardly directed locking element is at least 1.1 times greater than the distance (D4) between the bottom of the floor panel and the most downward point of said supporting surface, and is preferably at least 1.2 times larger, and even more preferably 1.25 times larger.
    [19]
    Floor panel according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the distance (D6) between an underside of the floor panel and the most upward point of said upwardly directed locking element is more than half the total thickness (T) of the floor panel amounts.
    [20]
    Floor panel according to one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the distal end of the lower hook-shaped section is free of locking parts.
    [21]
    Floor panel according to one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the proximal end of the upper hook-shaped section is free of locking parts.
    [22]
    Floor panel according to one of claims 17 to 21, characterized in that said supporting surface (20) is situated substantially horizontally.
    [23]
    Floor panel according to one of claims 17 to 22, characterized in that said upper hook-shaped section comprises one or more guide surfaces (19) which extend obliquely downwards from the one or more protrusions, respectively.
    [24]
    Floor panel according to claim 23, characterized in that said guide surfaces extend downwards at an angle of at least 10 degrees with a vertical, and preferably at an angle of at least 15 degrees with the vertical.
    [25]
    The floor panel according to any of claims 10 to 24, characterized in that the lip of the lower hook-shaped portion comprises an incision (22) on an underside of this lip, which incision extends horizontally from a distal side (23) of the upwardly directed locking element and at least to where the upwardly and downwardly directed locking elements cooperate.
    [26]
    Floor panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said downwardly directed locking element is provided with a locking surface (24), which locking surface, in the coupled state of two such floor panels, cooperates with a locking surface (25) of the upwardly adjusted locking surface (25) directional locking element of the lower hook-shaped portion, wherein these locking surfaces (24-25) define where they interact a tangent line (R) that is vertical or does not deviate from the vertical by more than 45 degrees.
    [27]
    Floor panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the coupled state of two such floor panels a space (26) is present in the entire intermediate space between a distal side (23) of the upwardly directed locking element of the one floor panel and the edge of the other floor panel.
    [28]
    The floor panel according to claim 27, characterized in that said space (26) extends below the lip of the upper hook-shaped portion.
    [29]
    Floor panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the coupled state of two such floor panels, a space (27) is present under the downwardly directed locking element.
    [30]
    Floor panel according to claim 29, characterized in that said space (27) present under the downwardly directed locking element extends from said supporting surface to where the upwardly and downwardly directed locking elements cooperate.
    [31]
    Floor panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the coupled state of two such floor panels, a space (28) is present which extends from said supporting surface to at least one of the one or more protrusions.
    [32]
    Floor panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said one or more protrusions and cuts are provided with locking surfaces which, where they cooperate, define a tangent (R1) that is horizontal or no longer deviates from the horizontal than 60 degrees, and preferably no more deviates from the horizontal than 50 degrees.
    [33]
    Floor panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the coupled state of two of such floor panels, a space (29) is present which is situated above the most upwardly extending protrusion.
    [34]
    34. Floor panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling parts are substantially solid.
    [35]
    Floor panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor panel has a thickness (T) that is smaller than 6 mm, and preferably smaller than 5 mm, and even more preferably smaller than 4 mm.
    [36]
    Floor panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor panel is mainly composed of said substrate containing one or more base layers and at least one top layer.
    [37]
    Floor panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor panel, or at least at least the substrate of the floor panel, is mainly made up of plastic, which is preferably of the soft or flexible type.
    [38]
    Floor panel according to claim 37, characterized in that the floor panel is essentially made up of a thermoplastic material, preferably a soft thermoplastic material, or that at least the substrate of the floor panel consists of such a material.
    [39]
    Floor panel according to one of Claims 37 or 38, characterized in that the floor panel is designed primarily on the basis of polyvinyl chloride, more particularly on the basis of soft polyvinyl chloride, or at least the substrate on the basis of polyvinyl chloride, more particularly soft polyvinyl chloride. .
    [40]
    Floor panel according to one of claims 37 to 39, characterized in that the floor panel is a vinyl panel, more particularly a so-called vinyl tile, and in particular a floor panel of the so-called Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) or VCT- type ("Vinyl Composite Tile", also called "Vinyl Composition Tile").
    [41]
    Floor panel according to one of claims 1 to 36, characterized in that the floor panel, or at least its substrate, is mainly formed on the basis of polyurethane or polypropylene.
    [42]
    Floor panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the substrate contains one or more plasticizers, wherein these plasticizers are located in one or more layers thereof, in particular base layers thereof, in the case that the substrate consists of several layers. .
    [43]
    Floor panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the substrate contains at least one filler such as chalk and / or limestone, wherein this filler, in the case that the substrate consists of several layers, is located in one or more layers thereof, in the particular base layers thereof.
    [44]
    Floor panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor panel is provided with at least one reinforcement layer, preferably in fiberglass or the like.
    [45]
    Floor panel according to one of Claims 1 to 36, characterized in that the floor panel is of the WPC type ("Wood Plastic Composite") or BPC ("Bamboo Plastic Composite").
    [46]
    Floor panel according to one of claims 1 to 36, characterized in that the floor panel consists essentially of a laminate panel with a substrate from MDF or HDF or from a so-called engineered-wood panel.
    [47]
    47. Floor panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor panel is rectangular, either elongated or square, said pair of opposite edges forming a first pair of opposite edges and the floor panel in addition a second pair of opposite edges (30-31) ); in that the second pair of opposite edges also comprises coupling parts (32-33), which coupling parts are both locked in a first direction (H) perpendicular to the relevant edges and in the plane of the floor panel, and in a second direction (V) perpendicular to allow the surface of the floor panel.
    [48]
    Floor panel according to claim 47, characterized in that the coupling parts on the second pair of opposite edges are configured such that two such floor panels on this second pair of opposite edges are formed by means of a turning movement (W) of one floor panel relative to the other floor panels can be coupled, such that several of such floor panels can be coupled by means of a so-called "fold-down" technique.
    [49]
    Floor panel according to claim 47 or 48, characterized in that said coupling parts are realized on the second pair of opposite edges mainly in the material of the floor panel itself, and more particularly in the aforementioned substrate, and are preferably designed entirely in one piece.
    [50]
    Floor panel according to one of claims 47 to 49, characterized in that the floor panel is elongated rectangular and that the first pair of opposite edges form the short sides of the floor panel and the second pair of opposite edges form the long sides of the floor panel.
    [51]
    The floor panel according to any of claims 47 to 49, characterized in that the floor panel is elongated rectangular and that the first pair of opposite edges form the long sides of the floor panel and the second pair of opposite edges form the short sides of the floor panel.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    US10889997B2|2021-01-12|
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    法律状态:
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US201562104108P| true| 2015-01-16|2015-01-16|
    US62/104,108|2015-01-16|EP16712451.0A| EP3245354A1|2015-01-16|2016-01-13|Floor panel for forming a floor covering|
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    US16/952,421| US20210071429A1|2015-01-16|2020-11-19|Floor panel for forming a floor covering|
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