Background

[0001]The invention relates to a covering system comprising a rectangular covering element having a first covering surface and a second covering surface.

[0002]There are known numerous element-based covering systems, in other words, covering systems formed of components of a specific shape. They are used for cladding room spaces, such as for providing partitions e.g. for trade fair stands or open-plan offices, for ceilings and floors.

[0003]The known covering systems have a drawback that they are slow and difficult to mount and dismount.

Brief description

[0004] An object of the invention is to develop a novel covering system so that the above-mentioned problem can be solved.

[0005] Said object is achieved by a covering system which is characterized by what is stated in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the covering system are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0006] The covering system is based on the fact that in edges connecting a first and a second covering surface there is arranged a groove whose depth is A, the groove having a recess whose depth is X in the depth direction of said groove and length is Y in the direction of said edge, and the distance of the recess from the nearest corner being Z, the covering system further comprising a fixture which is to be arranged in the covering element groove and whose thickness T is at most equal to the width of the groove, the fixture having two projections perpendicularly to the thickness T, the distance between the projections from the symmetry axis of the projection being at least substantially Z - A, and the shape of the projection being arranged suitable for providing a substantially clearance-free shape connection in the groove recess.

[0007] The idea is that in the recess locating in the groove of the first covering element there is arranged a first projection of the fixture, and a second projection of the same fixture is arranged in the recess locating in the groove of the second, adjacent covering element, whereby the fixture interconnects the covering elements. [0008] The covering system has an advantage that it is simple and fast to provide covering. A further advantage is that the covering may be implemented at least mainly without securing means, such as screws, nails, glue or the like, and therefore it is easy and fast to dismount or modify the covering.

Brief description of the figures

[0009] The covering arrangement will be described in greater detail in the attached drawings, in which

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a partition provided by the covering system of the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic explosion view of the covering system of

Figure 1 ;

Figures 3a to 3d show schematically a covering element of the covering system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 4a to 4b show schematically a fixture of the covering system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 5a to 5b show schematically a fixture of the covering system in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 shows schematically a fixture of the covering system in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention;

Figures 7a and 7b show schematically a fixture of the covering system in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention;

Figures 8a and 8b show schematically a fixture of the covering system in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention;

Figures 9a and 9b show schematically a fixture of the covering system in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 is a schematic end view of a profile element of the covering system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 11 is a schematic side view of a covering element of the covering system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 12 is a schematic explosion view of the covering system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 13 is a schematic view of the covering system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention partly exploded; and

Figure 14 is a schematic view of a part of a covering element in the covering system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. [0010] In the figures, the covering system is shown simplified for the sake of clarity. Like reference numerals refer to like parts in the figures.

Detailed description

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a partition provided by the covering system of the invention.

[0012] Seen from above, the partition forms walls arranged in the shape of a cross. It is clear that the covering system also allows formation of partitions of other shapes, the dimensions of which may be freely selected from the multiples of the covering system measurements.

[0013] The partition comprises rectangular, more precisely square- shaped covering elements 1 , which are arranged side by side and on top of one another.

[0014] On its first side the covering element 1 comprises a first covering surface 2a and correspondingly on its second side a second covering surface 2b. The quality, material and other properties of the covering surface 2a, 2b may be such that it provides the finished surface visible in the room, for instance. Alternatively, a top element, for instance a top panel, which constitutes a surface visible in the room, is attached to the covering surface 2a, 2b. It should be noted that the top element is not shown in the figures to simplify the presentation of the matter.

[0015] In the edges 3 connecting the first and the second covering surfaces 2a, 2b of the covering element 1 there is arranged a groove 4 having a recess 5. The characteristics of the groove and the recess are examined in greater detail in connection with the figures here below.

[0016] The partition also comprises fixtures 6 that are arranged in the grooves 4 of the covering elements and that secure the covering element 1 to a next covering element 1.

[0017] Figure 2 shows schematically the partition of Figure 1 , in partial explosion view.

[0018] The covering elements 1 are connected with fixtures 6, which in this case have five (5) different shapes 6a to 6e, each having a specific function of its own.

[0019] An upper fixture 6a may be used for connecting two covering elements 1 at their upper edge or lateral edge.

[0020] A lower fixture 6b may be used for connecting two covering elements 1 at their lower edge. [0021] A lower cross 6c may be used for connecting covering elements 1 to be arranged orthogonally to one another at their lower edge, or like the lower fixture, for connecting two covering elements 1 at their lower edge.

[0022] A cross fixture 6d may be used for interconnecting two adjacently positioned covering elements 1 and other two covering elements arranged on top of them at the point where said four covering elements 1 meet.

[0023] An intermediate cross 6e may be used for connecting covering elements to be arranged mutually orthogonally between two superimposed covering element rows.

[0024] An upper cross 6f may be used in the same way as the lower cross 6c, but in the upper edge of the covering elements 1.

[0025] In this connection it should be noted, however, that fixtures 6 may be used differently from what is stated above, for instance an upper fixture 6a to serve as a lower fixture, and vice versa. Further, it is clear that the covering system does not necessarily include all the above fixtures and that apart from the fixtures listed above the covering system may also have other fixtures.

[0026] The covering system may further still comprise a filling piece 7 that is arrangeable in the groove 4 of the covering element like the fixtures 6. The filling piece 7 fills the groove 4 for the portion between the fixtures 6.

[0027] The fixtures 6 and the filling piece 7 may be arranged in the groove 4 without tools, and they need not necessarily be secured to the groove 4 with any securing means. Naturally, it is possible that appropriate securing means, such as glue, nails, screws, rivets, tape or the like, are used in the securing.

[0028] Figures 3a to 3d show schematically a covering element of the covering system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0029] The covering element 1 comprises a frame 8 on both sides of which there are arranged top panels 9a, 9b. To the top panels 9a, 9b are attached cladding elements 19a, 19b which constitute a first and a second covering surface 2a, 2b of the covering element.

[0030] The material of the top panel 9a, 9b may be solid wood or other wood-based material, laminated material, plastic, plastic composite, or the like. The structure of the top panel 9a, 9b may be single- or multi-layered. The surface of the top plate 9a, 9b may be solid, or it may have openings. Fur- ther, it may be substantially uniform or comprise three-dimensional shapes provided by recesses and/or protrusions or the like.

[0031] The covering element 1 may also be manufactured wholly of one and the same material without separate frame 8 and top panels 9a, 9b. A covering element 1 of this kind may be made, for instance, of plastic, plastic composite or concrete by pressing or casting.

[0032] The frame 8 shown in the figure is a circumferential element assembled from four approximately L-shaped parts. The material of the frame 8 may be of building material known per se, such as solid wood or other wood- based material, metal, plastic, etc. The frame 8 and the top panels may be interconnected by securing means known per se, such as glue, nails, screws, rivets, tape or the like.

[0033] The covering element 1 may also be provided differently. For instance, the frame 8 may have less or more than four parts. The frame 8 may extend to the centre of the covering element 1. The frame 8 may have a solid or honeycomb structure, and thus the covering element 1 having the last- mentioned structure is an application of a sandwich structure. The covering element 1 may also be manufactured wholly of one and the same material without separate frame 8 and top panels 2a, 2b. A covering element 1 of this kind may be manufactured, for instance, of plastic or plastic composite by pressing or casting.

[0034] The outer circumference of the frame 8 is arranged at a first distance A from the edges of the top panels 9a, 9b. Thus, in the edges 3, i.e. outer circumference of the covering element there is formed a groove 4 whose depth is mainly said depth A.

[0035] The groove 4 has a recess 5 whose depth is X in the depth direction of the groove and length is Y in the direction of an edge of the top panel 9a, 9b defining said groove 4. The recess 5 is arranged at a distance Z from the nearest corner of the covering element 1. There are two recesses 5 arranged in this manner in each of the four edges 3 of the covering element. Because the recesses 5 are identical in size, shape and position in all edges, the covering element 1 may be arranged freely in any direction with respect to the other covering elements 1.

[0036] The recess 5 is a rectangle in shape. The basic shape of the recess 5 may also be different, for instance, a semi-circle, a triangle or the like. [0037] The top panel 9a, 9b may form the final covering surface 2a, 2b, or it may be arranged to receive, in accordance with Figures 3a to 3d, a cladding element 19a, 19b constituting the final covering surface 2a, 2b. The cladding element 19a, 19b may be e.g. a decorative plate, panel, wallpaper, laminate, parquet, plastic flooring etc. The first covering surface 2a may be identical with the second covering surface 2b, or they may differ from one another in material, colour, surface quality etc.

[0038] The top panel 9a, 9b and/or the cladding element 19a, 19b may have functional properties, for instance, as acoustic elements.

[0039] The covering element 1 appearing in the figure is square- shaped. Alternative covering element shapes include, i.a. a rectangle, a triangle and a hexagon.

[0040] The covering elements 1 to be arranged in the same covering need not necessarily be mutually equal in size or shape: it is possible, for instance, to use square-shaped covering elements together with rectangular covering elements, the dimensions of which rectangular covering elements preferably are integral multiples of a square-shaped covering element. As an example can be given an embodiment in which the short side of a rectangle is equal to the side of a square-shaped covering element and the long side is double in length in relation thereto. At the midpoint of the long side there may be a place for a fixture of the covering system. It is essential that in the covering elements the depth A of the groove, depth X of the recess, length Y of the recess and distance of the recess from the edge Z are compatibly dimensioned. In a covering system, A = 25mm, X = 15mm, Y = 70mm and Z = 105mm, and the length of the covering element edge is 600mm.

[0041] Figures 4a to 4b show schematically a fixture of the covering system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0042] The fixture is the upper fixture 6a shown in Figure 2. The thickness T thereof is at most equal to the width of the groove 4 and therefore it may be arranged in the groove 4. The upper fixture 6a, like the other fixtures in the covering system, may be pieces of plate manufactured of a suitable plate, such as wooden-based material, such as veneer, or plastic, metal or the like, by giving the piece the shape required by the fixture perpendicularly to the direction of thickness of the plate. In general, the thickness T of the fixtures 6, and correspondingly the width of the groove 4 are preferably equal to the standard thickness of some commonly available plates, for instance, in the case of veneer 6, 9 or 12mm. Naturally, the thickness of the fixture 6 may also be different.

[0043] The upper fixture 6a comprises two projections 10, the distance B of which from the symmetry axis 8 of the fixture is at least substantially, most preferably exactly Z - A.

[0044] The shape of the projection 10 fits into the recess 5 in the groove to the extent that a substantially clearance-free shape fitting is provided therebetween.

[0045] The upper fixture 6a also comprises a middle projection 11 that orients in the same direction as the projections 10. It is arranged symmetrically between the projections 10, in other words, at an equal distance from both projections 10. The shape of the middle projection 11 is a rectangle that is longer than the projections 10. The width D of the middle projection is preferably at most twice the depth of the groove 4, i.e. D≤ 2 x A.

[0046] Figures 5a to 5b show schematically a fixture of the covering system in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

[0047] The fixture is the lower fixture 6b shown in Figure 2. Its material alternatives and dimensional details correspond, with certain exceptions, to those of the above-described upper fixture 6a. The only difference over the upper fixture 6a is that the lower fixture 6b comprises second projections 12 which are placed and dimensioned congruently with the projections 10 but which orient in the opposite direction in relation to the projections 10. The sum E of the heights of the projection 10 and the second projection 12 is at least substantially E = 2xC.

[0048] Figure 6 shows schematically a fixture of the covering system in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention.

[0049] The fixture is the cross fixture 6d shown in Figure 2. This comprises projections 10 and second projections 12 arranged congruently with the above-described lower fixture 6b, and two middle projections 11 extending in opposite directions. The projections 10, the middle projections 11 and the second projections 12 are dimensioned in the corresponding manner as described above.

[0050] Figures 7a and 7b show schematically a fixture of the covering system in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention. The fixture is the upper cross 6f shown in Figure 2. [0051] Figure 7a shows the upper cross 6f exploded in parts and Figure 7b shows it completely assembled. The assembly may be performed either on the mounting or assembling site of the covering system or before it.

[0052] The upper cross 6f may consist of two cross elements 13a, 13b, which may be plate parts similar to the above-described fixtures. They comprise fitting grooves 13, into which a counterpart element 13a, 13b will be arranged and thus the complete upper cross 6f will be obtained. For instance, glue may be arranged in the grooves to ensure attachment.

[0053] The upper cross 6f comprises projections 10 which are dimensioned and placed in the manner as described in connection with the previous figures.

[0054] Further, the upper cross 6f comprises a middle cross 15, which consists of crosswise arranged middle projections 11 of the cross elements 13a, 13b. In the upper cross 6f shown in the figures, the middle projection 1 of the second cross element 3b is wider than that of the first cross element 13a. Additional width is so large that the edge of the covering element connected to the cross element 13a fits between the covering element connected to the second cross element 13b and the first cross element 3a. This is not absolutely necessary: the width D of the middle projection 1 1 in both cross elements 13a, 13b may be equal. The width D of the middle projection is in any case preferably dimensioned as stated above, i.e. D < 2 x A.

[0055] Figures 8a and 8b show schematically a fixture of the covering system in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention. The lower cross 6c shown in Figure 2 is concerned. The lower cross 6c may include the same technical features as the upper cross 6f shown in Figures 7a and 7b - with the only difference that, in addition to the projections 10, the cross elements 16a, 16b of the lower cross comprise second projections 12.

[0056] Figures 9a and 9b show schematically a fixture of the covering system in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention. The intermediate cross 6e shown in Figure 2 is concerned. It comprises a first and a second cross element 17a, 17b, which are arranged crosswise in the same manner as in the above-described upper cross 6f. The cross elements 17a, 17b and thus the intermediate cross 6c comprise projections 10 and second projections 12 as well as a middle cross 15 formed by middle projections 1 1. The middle projections 1 1 and the middle cross 15 extend both in the direction of the projections 10 and the second projections 12. [0057] Figure 10 is a schematic end view of a profile element of the covering system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The profile element 20 may be mounted at the end of the covering system, for instance, in a room divider. Inner width F of the profile is selected so that an edge of the covering element 1 fits within said width.

[0058] Figure 11 is a side view of a covering element of the covering system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The covering element 1 may be curved. The covering element 1 shown in Figure 11 is curved in the middle area 21 and straight in the border areas 22a, 22b. The recess 5 and the groove 4 are straight from the recess towards the edge of the covering element 1. Thanks to this, it is possible to use straight fixtures 6, as shown in previous Figures 4a to 9b, for connecting the covering element 1 to other covering elements.

[0059] In a second embodiment, the covering element 1 is curved from edge to edge. In that case, the recess 5, or at least the groove 4 between the recess and the edge of the covering element is curved. Therefore, the fixture 6 is to be curved in a corresponding manner.

[0060] The curved covering element 1 of Figure 11 curves for about 45 degrees. It is clear that another curvature is also possible, for instance 90 degrees. Further, the covering element 1 of Figure 11 only curves in one plane, but in a second embodiment the covering element 1 curves in two mutually perpendicular planes.

[0061] Figure 12 is a schematic explosion view of the covering system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. This comprises both straight and curved covering elements 1 which are interconnected with fixtures 6 to provide a room divider. Some of the fixtures are curved, which means that the fixture 6 has two projections 10 that are arranged in spatial planes intersecting with one another. The angle between said spatial planes may be e.g. 45 degrees or 90 degrees or something else. Figure 12 shows a curved upper fixture 6a', a curved lower fixture 6b' and a curved lower cross 6d'. In other respects, for instance as to the dimensions of projections 10 and middle projection 11 , they correspond to the straight fixtures described earlier in this specification. The fixture projections 10 are straight and the curvature is provided by bending or otherwise shaping the fixture part connecting the projections.

[0062] In an embodiment the fixture 6 resembles the letter U in such a manner that the projections 10 are in parallel at a distance from one another. By means of a fixture of this kind it is possible to interconnect two adjacently arranged covering elements 1. This allows formation of a double structure whose outer surfaces consist of covering elements and therebetween remains an interspace defined by the width of said projection. The interspace may be empty, or material, e.g. sound or thermal insulation, may be arranged therein.

[0063] Figure 3 is a schematic, partial explosion view of the covering system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this basic form the covering element 1 is a regular hexagon in shape. Otherwise its structure may be similar to that described above. In addition, the covering system may include a four-cornered covering element V and a five-cornered covering element 1 ". Supplemented with four- and five-cornered covering elements 1 ', 1 " the covering surface becomes equilateral.

[0064] When interconnected, the four- and five-cornered covering elements V, 1 " form a covering surface corresponding to a hexagonal covering element 1 , and they may be manufactured, for instance, by splitting the hexagonal covering element 1 into two parts.

[0065] The covering elements 1 may be interconnected with three- branch fixtures 6 to be arranged in a groove in their edges.

[0066] Figure 14 shows schematically a covering element part of the covering system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0067] In this embodiment the covering element is formed by two halves 23 which are connected to one another face to face by gluing, for instance. A covering element half 23 forms the top plate 9a.

[0068] In an embodiment the halves 23 to be interconnected are equal in thickness. In that case in both halves 23 of the covering element, in their edge portions, there are produced groove halves 24 and recess halves 25 by milling or some such machining method. At the same time, in connection with said operation there is produced a frame half 27. When the covering element halves 23 are interconnected, said groove halves and recess halves 24, 25 form complete grooves 4 and recesses 5, the properties and dimensions of which are discussed in connection with the previous figures. At the same time, the frame halves 27 form the frame 8.

[0069] The covering element half 23 may also be provided with centring grooves 26 that extend up to the groove or recess half 24, 25. In the centring groove 26 it is possible to arrange a slat or the like, which extends, in the connection stage, into the centring groove 26 of the second covering element half 23. In this manner the halves 23 will be correctly aligned to one another. Said means may be retracted from between the halves 23 at a suitable later stage. Centring grooves 26 may be utilized in laying electric cables or the like inside the covering element. Naturally, it is possible to make grooves in the covering element half 23 especially for that purpose.

[0070] The halves 23 to be interconnected need not necessarily be equally thick. An example of this is that, in an embodiment, the first half is so thick that shapes providing the grooves 4 and the recesses 5 are made in that one alone. In that case the second half 23 mainly comprises only a top plate.

[0071] The covering system permits formation of partition, wall, ceiling, flooring, floor, walls and/or top of a building or the like. The required structure is provided by arranging an appropriate fixture 6 in the groove 4 so that the projection 10 of the fixture or the second projection 12 rests in the recess.

[0072] It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that as technology advances, the basic idea of the invention may be implemented in many different ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus not restricted to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Reference numerals

1 covering element

2a, 2b first and second covering surface

3 edge

4 groove

5 recess

6 fixture

6a, 6a' upper fixture

6b, 6b' lower fixture

6c lower cross

6d, 6d' cross fixture

6e intermediate cross

6f upper cross

7 filling piece

8 frame

9a, 9b top plate

10 projection

11 middle projection

12 second projection

13a, 13b first and second cross element of upper cross

14 fitting groove

15 middle cross

16a, 16b first and second cross element of lower cross

17a, 17b first and second cross element of intermediate cross

18 symmetry axis of projection

19a, 19b cladding element

0 profile element

1 central area of covering element

2a, 22b border area of covering element

3 covering element half

4 groove half

5 recess half

6 centring groove

7 frame half A depth of groove

X depth of recess

Y length of recess

Z distance of recess from edge

T thickness of fixture

B distance of projection from symmetry axis of fixture

C height of projection

D width of middle projection

E combined height of projection and second projection

F inner width of profile