PANELS WITH A DETACHABLE PROTRUDING LIP FOR WALL-, CEILING- OR

FLOOR COVERINGS TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to panels with a detachable protruding lip for wall-, ceiling- or floor coverings. Furthermore, it relates to a method for manufacturing wall-, ceiling- or floor coverings comprising or consisting of a plurality of such panels.

PRIOR ART

Panels for wall-, ceiling- or floor coverings are known in the art. EP 1282752 A1 relates to panels of a laminate floor, comprising coupling elements which enable a form-fitting connection between the panels. A first and a second panel have coupling elements on one side in each case, whereby the first panel can be connected form-fittingly to the second panel by a rotary movement. The first and second panels additionally have on a further side in each case coupling elements which are so configured that the second panel is connectable form-fittingly to the first panel by lowering said second panel with respect to the first panel. The first panel includes a projecting edge positioned laterally on its underside as an additional coupling element serving to connect the panels by lowering. The second panel includes a projecting edge positioned laterally on its upper side and serves to connect the panels by lowering, which projecting edge projects further in comparison to lateral portions of this panel located below said projecting edge. The projecting edge of the second panel has on its underside a first projecting locking element which in the assembled state of the two panels engages in a corresponding first recess in the projecting edge on the underside of the first panel. The first recess is openly accessible when the first panel rests with its underside on a floor. The two panels include further coupling elements serving to connect the panels by lowering, which lock the two panels form-fittingly in a vertical direction with respect to the surface of the panels. In the assembled state of the two panels the further coupling elements serving to join the panels by lowering are located below the edge projecting on the upper side. In the assembled state of the two panels a plurality of gaps between the coupling elements of the first and second panels serving to connect the panels by lowering are present at the locations which are not used for mechanical connection. The gaps are provided between the coupling elements in such a way that no free play remains at the connecting joint between the two panels.

WO 97/047834 A1 refers to a floor covering, consisting of hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating with each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, characterized in that the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking means which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels into a direction perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels.

WO 03/025307 A1 relates to floorboards for installation of floors in herring bone pattern which are formed with two opposite sides inverted relative to each other.

WO 04/63491 A1 refers to a floor covering, of the type consisting of hard floor panels, which are manufactured of a plate material and which, at least at a number of sides, are provided with coupling parts, characterized in that the floor panels are configured such that, in joined condition, they represent a herringbone pattern, whereby the sides of the floor panels coincide with transition edges of the herringbone pattern.

WO 01/066877 A1 relates to a vertically joined flooring material comprising floor elements with a mainly triangular, square, rectangular, rhomboidal or polygonal shape. The floor elements are provided with edges which are provided with joining members, a lower side and a decorative top surface. The flooring material comprises a combination of at least two types of floor elements, which types comprise female floor elements and male floor elements. The female floor element is provided with a female joining member on at least half of the number of its edges and a male joining member on less than half of the number of its edges. The male floor element is provided with a male joining member on at least two thirds of the number of its edges and a female joining member on less than one third of the number of its edges. An optional joining profile possibly constitutes a junction between two adjacent male joining members of two adjacent floor elements.

WO2007/142589 A1 refers to a connection member for massive dynamic bodies comprising a longitudinal body having a cross section that includes two base plates aligned in opposite directions adapted to extend along the bottom sides of two adjacent dynamic bodies, wherein the base plates are provided with projections directed upwards; an upright shank with two shank legs, the shank legs transforming into the respective base plates; two spring arms extending out from the upper body of the shank essentially parallel to the base plates, wherein the spring arms are bent upwards and bent inwards towards the shank such that a lower section is essentially parallel to an upper section, each respective upper section of the spring arms being provided with a projection directed upwards; and a supporting head arranged on top of the upper body of the shank in a mounted position, and a method of connecting dynamic bodies such as wood pieces where at least two wood pieces having circumferential recesses are connected to at least one connecting member.

US 2010/0031594 A1 relates to a hardwood floor system with press down locking mechanism. Each floor board is equipped with both male and female locking mechanisms. The male locking mechanism of a floor bard can be locked into the female locking mechanism of an adjacent floor board by simply exerting downward force on the floor board. The female locking mechanism is equipped with a spring slot that enables easy engagement of male and female locking mechanisms.

EP 1 730 366 A1 refers to a panel element for laying on floors, walls and/or ceilings, comprising a rectangular basic body. The basic body has a first head edge, a second head edge opposed to the first head edge, a first longitudinal edge extending perpendicularly to the first head edge, and a second longitudinal edge opposed to the first longitudinal edge. Both head edges and both longitudinal edges are contoured so as to allow a connection with an adjacent panel element at each edge, and wherein the first longitudinal edge has a groove and the second longitudinal edge has a corresponding tongue. A shorter upper leg and longer lower leg are provided on the first longitudinal edge, wherein the contours of the head edges each have an undercut so as to allow an engagement of the tongue of the second longitudinal edge in the contour of each head edge of an adjacent, identical panel element. A step is provided on each head edge adjoining the undercut and an engagement facility is provided between the lower leg of the first longitudinal edge and the step so as to allow a connection between the groove of the first longitudinal edge and each head edge of an adjacent, identical panel element.

WO 2019/015746 describes a panel for wall-, ceiling- or floor coverings with a detachable protruding lip, allowing for a flexible installation of the panels with respect to each other. In these panels, separate vertical locking elements need to be inserted in e.g. locking grooves. These separate locking elements are difficult to install; on the other hand side, the separate lacking elements are likely to be forgotten during installation, so that in the latter case, no additional vertical security of the panels with respect to each other is given.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The panel elements known in the prior art have the disadvantage that especially for herringbone patterns they provide little or no locking at all in a vertical direction away from laying the plane. Often locking systems are employed on rather thin panels, so that complicated machining of delicate profile elements with many undercuts is difficult and expensive and delicate locking elements are often damaged and deformed, especially when they are used for flooring.

Based thereon the objective of the present invention was the provision of a panel with a locking system which is stable in locking, simple to manufacture with only a low risk for damaging the locking elements, allows for easy and interesting installations and allows laying any desired pattern.

This objective is achieved by the panel for wall-, ceiling- or floor coverings according to claim 1. This panel comprises an upper side, a lower side, and front ends, defining a circumference of the panel in the installed state and at least one front is protruded with respect to the circumference by a detachable protruding lip formed at the lower side, one horizontal locking groove at the lower side, characterized in that the protruding lip has a predetermined break-off surface.

Preferred embodiments of the panel according to the present invention are specified in dependent claims 2 to 16.

Claim 17 of the present invention further relates to a method for manufactur ing wall-, ceiling- and/or floor coverings comprising or consisting of a plurality of panels according to the present invention. According to said method a first panel at its front end is connected with the corresponding front end of the neighbored panel by removing the protruding lip at the predetermined break- off surface and by joining the protruding lip of the first panel with the neighbored panel.

Claims 18 to 20 relate to preferred embodiments of said method.

According to the present invention, the front ends of the four sides of the panel have different joint profiles.

On the pair of opposing first sides, two female locking elements, i.e. an upper and a lower female locking element are present on the front ends.

The additional opposing second sides have an individual joint profile at their front ends. The first second side comprises an upper male locking element and a lower female locking element, whereas the second second side comprises a upper female locking element and a lower male locking element at the respective front end.

When joining pairs of the panels according to the present invention, an individual fitting or alignment of two separate panels is possible by removing the detachable protruding lip in one panel and joining it with the neighboring panel (wherein the protruding lip is present). Especially if the panel is installed with its second side to a neighboring panel (either at its first side or second side) a secure locking at the front ends by means of the locking elements provided on the front ends is possible.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Panel

In general panels are quadrilateral and preferably are rectangular, quadratical or have the shape of a parallelogram and especially have a regular shape. In the gist of present invention regular shapes have sides that are all equal and interior (inside) angles that are all equal, whereas irregular shapes have sides and angles of any length and size. The invention is not limited to rectangular panels having a regular shape, but the inventive concept is also applicable to panels having an irregular shape.

Preferably the female locking elements provided on the front ends are provided as grooves, whereas the male locking elements are configured as protrusions. In one embodiment, the protrusions can be inserted in a form-fit manner in the grooves. In any case, when the protrusions are inserted into the grooves, a vertical locking takes place.

Preferably the first sides of the panel are the long sides, e.g. of a rectangular panel, whereas the second sides of the panel are the short sides.

According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention the predetermined break-off surface is formed by one or more start notches, one or more cuttings, preferably laser cuttings, one or more drillings, one or more milled slots, a density gradient within the panel, by means of introducing a film, adhesives, binders and/or primers and/or by using different materials in the area of the predetermined break-off surface.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention the the protruding lip comprises at least one horizontal locking element, being suitable for engaging in the horizontal locking groove of a neighbored panel, wherein the protruding lip of said neighbored panel has been removed.

A horizontal locking element in the spirit of the present invention has a locking effect in horizontal direction, whereas a vertical locking element has a locking effect in vertical direction. According to the present invention the horizontal direction is the laying direction of the panels and the vertical direction is the direction at right angle to the laying direction.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention envisages that at least two detachable protruding lips are fixed at the panel, more preferably at opposite sides of the panel.

Especially the panel has four sides and is rectangular and detachable protrud ing lips are fixed at all four sides of the panel, i.e. all front ends are protruded with respect to the circumference by a detachable protruding lip formed at the lower side.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the horizontal locking element additionally retains the neighbored panel in vertical and/or horizontal direction.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the panel comprises, preferably consists of, a material selected from the group consisting of MDF (= medium density fiber board), HDF (=high density fiber board), cork, OSB (= oriented strand board) , solid wood, plywood, plastics, preferably PVC (= polyvinylidene chloride), cement fibers, basalt, rock wool, ceramics, genuine stone, metal, preferably aluminum or steel panel, plastics, chipboard, laminate floorboards and mixtures or pairings thereof. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention envisages that the panel consists of laminate floorboards made of MDF or HDF or PVC or mixtures thereof. In case that PVC is used it is preferable that the PVC is free of softeners.

A further preferred embodiment envisages that a vertical locking groove is incorporated in the horizontal locking groove and the protruding lip comprises a vertical locking element being suitable for engaging in the vertical locking groove of a neighbored panel, wherein the protruding lip of said neighbored panel has been removed.

According to a further preferred embodiment the protruding lip comprises a trough. Said embodiment is in particular preferred when joining is carried out by applying an adhesive or a glue. The trough is suitable for the accommoda tion of the adhesive or the glue and since the user can dose the amount of the adhesive or glue, oozing of said adhesive or glue oozes over the edges during the joining process is prevented. Furthermore, it is possible to fix a double sided adhesive in the trough during the manufacturing process of the protruding lip.

According to another preferred embodiment the predetermined break-off surface is formed by one start notch and one end notch. Said embodiment is in particular preferred when the panel with the protruding lip both consists of MDF or HDF. The one end notch is preferably arranged in the horizontal locking groove.

Another preferred embodiment envisages that the panel has a rectangular shape. For a rectangular shape the length of the panel is an integer multiple of the width, such as 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, 1:10, 1:11, 1:12 etc., preferably 1:6. For other ratios between length and width a herringbone pattern cannot be obtained.

According to a further preferred embodiment the protruding lip comprises a trough, more preferably said through comprises a double-sided adhesive tape.

According to another preferred embodiment the protruding lip and the core of the panel consist of different materials. Cheap materials like e.g. plastics are preferred for the protruding lip. In one preferred embodiment the protruding lip comprises, preferably consists of a material selected from the group consisting of MDF, HDF or plastics and the core comprises, preferably consists of a material selected from the group consisting of MDF, HDF or plastics, preferably PVC more preferably the protruding lip consists of plastic and the core consists of MDF or HDF or PVC or mixtures thereof.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention envisages that the bend surface of the protruding lip is beveled. This embodiment has the advantage that the risk of damaging the panel during the laying process is reduced.

According to another preferred embodiment the start notch is oriented in a vertical distance in the range from 0,1 to 10 mm above the upper lip surface for forming a crack gap. Said crack gap can accommodate any irregular break off surface.

According to another preferred embodiment a decorative layer and/ or an abrasion resistant layer is arranged on the upper side.

Another preferred embodiment envisages that a layer for insulating footstep sounds and/or a counterdraw layer is oriented below the lower side. More preferably the panel comprises an abrasion resistant layer, a decorative layer, a counterdraw laver and a layer for insulating footstep sounds.

The protruding lip can in principle be fixed to the panel by all fixing techniques known in the arts, preferably by gluing or adhering.

The present invention furthermore relates to a method for manufacturing wall-, ceiling- and/or floor coverings consisting of a plurality of panels. The wall-, ceiling- and/or floor covering is made of a plurality of panels and said panels are laid during the manufacturing process of the panel.

According to the first method the locking function in vertical direction is achieved by mechanical means, whereas no mechanical means are required for locking in vertical direction by the second method.

According to one preferred embodiment of the first method according to the present invention the protruding lip of the first panel comprises at least one horizontal locking element being suitable for engagement in the horizontal locking groove of the neighbored panel, whose protruding lip has been removed, wherein during joining the horizontal locking groove is incorporated in the horizontal locking groove.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the first panel and the neighbored panel each have a vertical locking groove at their front end and during joining an insertable locking element connecting the vertical locking grooves is introduced in the vertical locking grooves.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention no mechanical means are provided for locking in the vertical direction. In this embodiment the protruding lip preferably comprises a trough for the accommodation of an adhesive or the through comprises a double-sided adhesive tape.

Independent on the method chosen for laying the panel, there is no limitation regarding the laying pattern. Both methods allow laying the panels parallels to each other or laying the panels vertically to each other, as needed for herringbone patterns or other complex patterns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the following with reference to the drawings, which are for the purpose of illustrating the present preferred embodiments of the invention and not for the purpose of limiting the same.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1, 1': Panel

2, 2': Upper side of the panel 3, 3': Lower side of the panel

4: Front end of the panel

5: Protruding lip

6: Horizontal locking groove

7, 7': Predetermined break-off surface

8: Start notch

9: Horizontal locking element

10: Distal vertical locking groove

11: Distal vertical locking element

13: Crack gap

14: Upper lip surface

15: End notch

16, 16': Abutment surface 18: Locking surface

19: Guiding surface

20: Decorative bevel

23: Core of the panel

24: Joint profile

25: Upper half of joint profile

26: Lower half of joint profile

Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a side view of a long side panel (1) profile with a detachable protruding lip (5) according to the present inven tion.

Figure 2 Figure 2 shows a side view of two long side panel (1, ) profiles in the coupled condition according to the invention. The lower lip (5) of the right hand panel ( ) has been detached.

Figure 3 Figure 3 shows a side view of a panel (1) first short side profile according to the invention, of which the lower lip (5) has been detached.

Figure 4 Figure 4 shows side view of a panel (1) second short side profile according to the invention, of which the lower lip (5) has been detached.

Figure 5 Figure 5 shows a side view of a long side panel (1) profile and a first short side panel ( ) profile in the coupled condition ac- cording to the invention. The lower lip (5) of the right hand panel ( ) has been detached.

Figure 6 Figure 6 shows a side view of a second short side panel (1) profile and a first short side panel ( ) profile in the coupled condition according to the invention. The lower lip (5) of the left hand panel (1) has been detached.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 displays a panel according to the present invention, a section through a long side (L) is shown. The panel (1) has a core (23), a horizontal locking groove (6) along with a distal vertical locking groove (10) and a detachable protruding lip (5). A horizontal locking element (9) is mounted on a protruding lip (5). The horizontal locking element is designed in such a way, that it fits into a horizontal locking groove (6) of a neighboring panel ( , not shown in Fig. 1) and thereby provides locking in a horizontal direction. The panel (1) has an upper side (2), which may or may not be decorated or covered by an additional abrasion resistant surface. Furthermore, the panel (1) may or may not have a decorative bevel (20) at its edge. With the embodiment shown in Figure 1, a start notch (8) is created in the panel (1). By applying a downward force at the end of the protruding lip (5), for example by applying a downward pressure by hand on the abutment surface (16), a lever is created by the protruding lip (5). This lever is further lengthened by the start notch (8) which thereby acts as starting point for a crack. This crack intentionally propagates from the start notch (8) to an end notch surface (15).

The protruding lip (5) comprises a horizontal locking element (9), on which distal vertical locking element (11) is present. The horizontal locking element (9) can engage with a horizontal locking groove (6) as well as a distal vertical locking groove (10) of a neighboring panel ( , not shown), in which the protruding lip (5) has been detached along the predetermined break-off surface (7).

According to the present invention, the front end (4) of a long side (L) of the panel (1) according to the present invention comprises a joint profile (24 ^L ), which consists of a upper locking element, i.e. a upper female locking element (25 ^l ) and a lower locking element, i.e. a lower female locking element (26 ^L ).

Figure 2 shows a side view of two long side panel (1, ) profiles in the coupled condition according to the invention. The lower lip (5) of the right hand panel ( ) has been detached by propagating a crack beginning form the start notch (8) and ending in the end notch (15) whereby a predetermined break-off surface (7') has been formed.

When two panels (1, ) are aligned along their long side as shown in Fig. 2, the horizontal locking element (9) ensures both a horizontal and vertical locking of the respective neighboring panels (1, 1'). The locking surface (18) ensures a horizontal fixing of the panels (1,1') with respect to each other, the guiding surface (19) enables the secure gliding of the second panel ( ) into the locking mechanism to ensure that the protruding lip (5) is not detached. Furthermore, a vertical locking element (11), when engaged with the vertical locking groove (10) also hinders vertical displacement panels (1, ) with respect to each other. Due to the fact that the long sides of the panels (1, ) are installed with each other, the vertical locking is sufficient, so that no additional vertical locking, such as e.g. with the joint profile (24) is necessary.

In the embodiment of Figure 2, vertical locking is additionally achieved in the following manner:

Firstly, vertical locking against a movement of both panels (1,1') towards the lower side of the panels (3,3') is prevented by the substrate onto which the panels (1,1') are mounted, which is the floor, the wall, the ceiling or any further coverings thereof.

Secondly, vertical locking against a movement of the second panel ( ) towards the lower side if the panel (3') is prevented by the abutment surfaces (16,16').

It is clear that with the many different types of possible materials or material combinations out of which the panels (1) according to the invention can be made, it cannot be expected that the predetermined break-off surface (7) is always a smooth and straight, perfect surface. For panel materials such as e.g. wood based fiber boards known as MDF/HDF laminate, a generally irregular break-off surface (7) is rather to be expected. The geometry of the break off surface (7) can only be predetermined within limits. This is why it is important to choose the start notch (8) at some vertical distance above the upper lip surface (14). By this measure, a crack gap (13) is achieved, which can accom modate any irregular break off surface (7). This is important in that only the abutment surfaces (16, 16') are intended to touch in the horizontal plane and not the upper lip surface (14) somewhere at the irregular break-off surface (7), as this would result in panels which have their respective upper sides (2,

2') in different planes thereby resulting in an irregular paneled surface. It is also important to add a well defined end notch surface (15) into which the crack will exit because it enables the crack to travel the shortest available distance. A slightly inclined contact surface (18) is chosen, which enables horizontal locking. The inclination of the locking surface (18) enables to pull two panels (1, ) towards each other in the final laying stage and is chosen to be 40 to 80 degrees to laying plane. A further inclined surface on the horizon tal locking element (9) between the locking surface (18) and the abutment surface (16) additionally also serves as a guiding surface (19) to help to align the panels during laying.

Figure 3 shows a section through a front end (4) of the first short side (SI) of a panel (1) according to the present invention. The protruding lip (5) already has been detached along the break-off surface (7). It becomes apparent that the joint profile (24) of the panel (1) along its first short side (SI) is shaped differently than along the long sides (L) as shown above in figure 1. The joint profile of the first short side (24 ^S1 ) encompasses an upper male locking element (25 ^S1 ) as well as well as a lower female locking element (26 ^S1 ).

Figure 4 shows the front end (4) of the opposite short side (S2) of the first side (SI) of a panel (1) according to the present invention. The joint profile (24) of the panel (1) along its second short side (S2) has the opposite configuration as the joint profile (24) of the first short side (SI). At the second short side (S2), the joint profile (24 ^s2 ) has an upper female locking elements (25 ^s2 ) as well as a lower male locking element (26 ^s2 ).

Accordingly, the panels (1) according to the present invention have different joint profiles (24) at their short sides (SI, S2), which in addition is different from the joint profile (24) at their long side (L).

Figure 5 shows the joining of panel (1) of the present invention along its long side (L) with a second panel ( ) of the present invention along its first short side (SI).

It becomes apparent, that the joint profile (24) of both panels (1, ) allows an alignment of the both panels (1, ) in virtually every combination. The protruding lip (5) of the second panel ( ) has been removed. The upper male locking element (25 ^S1 ) of the first side (SI) of the second panel ( ) engages with the upper female locking elements (25 ^L ) of the long side (L) of the first panel (1) contributing additionally to a vertical locking which already has been provided by the distal vertical locking element (11) and the distal vertical locking groove (10).

In the same manner, also a second side (S2) of the second panel ( ) can be aligned with the long side (L) of the first panel (1) (not shown), with the only difference that the male locking element would in this case be the lower locking element (26), engaging with the lower female locking groove (26 ^L ) of the first panel (1).

Figure 6 shows an embodiment in which two panels (1, 1'), according to the present invention, are installed along their short side (SI, S2). The inverse locking profile (24) being provided at the respective opposite short sides (SI, S2) allows complete engagement of the male locking elements with the female locking elements of the respective other panel. Accordingly, the panels can be secured vertically when installed along their short sides (SI, S2).