Panel

Abstract

The present invention relates to a panel, in particular a floor panel, comprising a at least one first coupling part and at least one second coupling part connected respectively to opposite edges of the core, which first coupling part comprises an upward tongue, at least one upward flank lying at a distance from the upward tongue and an upward groove, which second coupling part comprises a downward tongue, at least one downward flank lying at a distance from the downward tongue, and a downward groove, wherein the upward tongue is provided with a first locking element; wherein the downward flank is provided with a second locking element, wherein the downward tongue is provided with a third locking element, wherein the upward flank is provided with a fourth locking element.

Claims

1.-32. (canceled)

33. A panel, comprising: a centrally located core provided with an upper side and a lower side, which core defines a plane; at least one first coupling part and at least one second coupling part connected respectively to opposite edges of the core, wherein the at least one first coupling part comprises an upward tongue, at least one upward flank lying at a distance from the upward tongue and an upward groove formed in between the upward tongue and the upward flank wherein the upward groove is adapted to receive at least a part of a downward tongue of a second coupling part of an adjacent panel: wherein the at least one second coupling part comprises a downward tongue, at least one downward flank lying at a distance from the downward tongue, and a downward groove formed in between the downward tongue and the downward flank, wherein the downward groove is adapted to receive at least a part of an upward tongue of a first coupling part of an adjacent panel; wherein at least a part of a side of the upward tongue facing away from the upward flank is provided with a first locking element in a form of an outward bulge or a recess, adapted for co-action with a second locking element in a form of a recess or an outward bulge, of an adjacent floor panel; wherein at least a part of a side of the downward flank is provided with a second locking element in a form of a recess or an outward bulge, adapted for co-action with the first locking element in a form of an outward bulge or a recess, of an adjacent floor panel; wherein at least a part of a side of the downward tongue facing away from the downward flank is provided with a third locking element in a form of an outward bulge or a recess, adapted for co-action with a fourth locking element in a form of a recess or an outward bulge, of an adjacent floor panel; wherein at least a part of the upward flank is provided with the fourth locking element in a form of a recess or an outward bulge, adapted for co-action with the third locking element in a form of an outward bulge or a recess, of an adjacent floor panel, wherein at least a part of the side of the upward tongue facing toward the upward flank is upwardly inclined towards the upward flank, and wherein at least a part of the side of the downward tongue facing toward the downward flank is downwardly inclined towards the downward flank, and wherein a horizontal centerline of the third locking element, a horizontal centerline of the fourth locking element, or the horizontal centerline of the third locking element and the horizontal centerline of the fourth locking element is situated in between (i) a horizontal centerline (L1) of the first locking element and (ii) a horizontal line (LH) defining a maximum height of the upward tongue.

34. The panel according to claim 33, wherein the horizontal centerline of the third locking element, the horizontal centerline of the fourth locking element, or the horizontal centerline of the third locking element and the horizontal centerline of the fourth locking element is situated in between (i) the horizontal centerline (L1) of the second locking element and (ii) the horizontal line (LH) defining the maximum height of the upward tongue.

35. The panel according to claim 33, wherein at least a part of a side of the downward tongue facing away from the downward flank is provided with a fifth locking element in a form of an outward bulge or a recess, adapted for co-action with a sixth locking element in a form of a recess or an outward bulge of an adjacent floor panel, and wherein at least a part of the upward flank is provided with the sixth locking element in a form of a recess or an outward bulge, adapted for co-action with the fifth locking element in a form of an outward bulge or a recess, of an adjacent floor panel.

36. The panel according to claim 35, wherein one locking element of the third locking element and the fifth locking element is formed by a bulge and one other locking element of the third locking element and fifth locking element is formed by a recess.

37. The panel according to claim 35, wherein one locking element of the fourth locking element and the sixth locking element is formed by a bulge and one other locking element of the fourth locking element and sixth locking element is formed by a recess.

38. The panel according to claim 35, wherein the third locking element and the fifth locking element have different shapes, wherein the fourth locking element and the sixth locking element have different shapes, or wherein the third locking element and the fifth locking element have different shapes and the fourth locking element and the sixth locking element have different shapes.

39. The panel according to claim 35, wherein a centerline of the fifth locking element and a centerline of the sixth locking element are situated above a centerline of the third locking element.

40. The panel according to claim 35, wherein a centerline of the fifth locking element, a centerline of the sixth locking element, or the centerline of the fifth locking element and the centerline of the sixth locking element are situated in between (i) the horizontal centerline (L1) of the first locking element and (ii) the horizontal line (LH) defining the maximum height of the upward tongue.

41. The panel according to claim 33, wherein a transition between the side of the upward tongue facing away from the upward flank, and the upper side of the upward tongue, defines a convex vertex, and wherein a centerline of the fourth locking element substantially coincides with a centerline of said convex vertex.

42. The panel according to claim 41, wherein the convex vertex is defined by a transition between a flat part of the side of the upward tongue facing away from the upward flank, and a flat part of the upper side of the upward tongue.

43. The panel according to claim 33, wherein a transition between the downward flank and the upper side of the downward groove defines a concave vertex, and wherein a centerline of the third locking element is situated in between a centerline of said concave vertex and a centerline of said second locking element.

44. The panel according to claim 43, wherein the transition between the downward flank and the upper side of the downward groove defines the concave vertex, and wherein the centerline of the third locking element substantially coincides with the centerline of said concave vertex.

45. The panel according to claim 33, wherein the upper side of the upward tongue is downwardly inclined in a direction away from the upward flank.

46. The panel according to claim 33, wherein the upper side of the downward groove is downwardly inclined in a direction towards the downward flank.

47. The panel according to claim 33, wherein the substantially complete upper side of the upward tongue is flat.

48. The panel according to claim 33, wherein the side of the upward tongue facing away from the upward flank comprises two substantially vertical side parts, wherein the first locking element is situated in between said substantially vertical side parts.

49. The panel according to claim 33, wherein at least the part of the side of the upward tongue facing toward the upward flank is inclined with respect to a vertical direction and is angled away from the upward flank; and wherein at least a part of a side of the downward tongue facing toward the downward flank is inclined with respect to a vertical direction.

50. The panel according to claim 33, wherein a part of a side of the downward tongue facing away from the downward flank, at least a part of the upward flank, or the part of the side of the downward tongue facing away from the downward flank and at least the part of the upward flank includes at least a portion that is curved or inclined, wherein the third locking element, the fourth locking element, or the third locking element and the fourth locking element is located on the curved or inclined part.

51. The panel according to claim 33, wherein an upper part of the upward flank, an upper part of the side of the downward tongue facing away from the downward flank, or the upper part of the upward flank and the upper part of the side of the downward tongue facing away from the downward flank is provided with a bevel, wherein the third and fourth locking elements are located at a distance from the lowest part of the bevel.

52. The panel according to claim 33, wherein the third locking element is located inward compared to an upper part of the side of the downward tongue facing away from the downward flank.

53. The panel according to claim 33, wherein the third locking element is an outward bulge, and the fourth locking element is a recess, wherein the outward bulge includes at least a portion that is circular in cross section.

54. The panel according to claim 33, wherein between the downward tongue and the core of the panel a bridge part is present, connecting the downward tongue to the core, wherein, the bridge part has a variable thickness between the core and the downward tongue.

55. The panel according to claim 33, wherein the third and fourth locking elements are arranged at a higher level compared to a level of the first and second locking elements.

56. The panel according to claim 33, wherein the third and fourth locking elements are arranged at a lower level compared to a highest point of the upward tongue.

57. The panel according to claim 33, wherein the third and fourth locking elements are arranged, at least in vertical direction, between a highest point of the upward tongue and a level of the first and second locking elements.

58. The panel according to claim 33, wherein the third and fourth locking elements are adapted for co-action to provide a vertical locking, wherein the first and second locking elements are adapted for co-action to provide a vertical locking, or wherein the third and fourth locking elements are adapted for co-action to provide a vertical locking and the first and second locking elements are adapted for co-action to provide a vertical locking.

59. The panel according to claim 33, wherein the second coupling part is configured to deform at least temporary during coupling.

60. The panel according to claim 33, wherein, in a coupled condition, a gap is present between the upper side of the upward tongue and the upper side of the downward groove, wherein the gap widens from the side of the upward tongue facing towards the upward flank to the downward flank.

61. The panel according to claim 33, wherein a minimal thickness of the second coupling part is less than half a total thickness of the panel.

62. The panel according to claim 33, wherein beneath the first coupling element, in particular beneath the upward tongue thereof, a space is present, such that, when placed on a floor, a gap exists between the upward tongue and the floor the panel is placed on.

63. A covering comprising a plurality of interconnected panels according to claim 33.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0084] The invention will be elucidated on the basis of non-limitative exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures. Herein:

[0085] FIG. 1 schematically shows a panel according to the present invention, and shows the first coupling part of the panel;

[0086] FIG. 2 schematically shows a panel according to the present invention, and shows the second coupling part of the panel;

[0087] FIG. 3 schematically shows the first and second coupling parts of FIGS. 1 and 2 in coupled condition;

[0088] FIG. 4 schematically shows a panel according to the present invention, and shows the first coupling part of the panel;

[0089] FIG. 5 schematically shows a panel according to the present invention, and shows the second coupling part of the panel;

[0090] FIG. 6 schematically shows the first and second coupling parts of FIGS. 4 and 5 in coupled condition;

[0091] FIG. 7 schematically shows different levels of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3;

[0092] FIG. 8 schematically shows different levels of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-6;

[0093] FIG. 9 schematically shows the coupling of two panels as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 7;

[0094] FIG. 10 schematically shows the uncoupling of two panels as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 7;

[0095] FIGS. 11A-J schematically show various alternative coupling parts;

[0096] FIG. 12 schematically shows a panel according to the present invention, and shows the first coupling part of the panel; and

[0097] FIG. 13 schematically shows a panel according to the present invention, and shows the second coupling part of the panel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0098] FIG. 1 schematically shows a floor panel (1) according to the present invention, and shows the first coupling part (2) of the panel (1). The panel (1) comprises a centrally located core (3) provided with an upper side (3a) and a lower side (3b). The first coupling part (2) comprises an upward tongue (4), an upward flank (5), lying at a distance from the upward tongue (4) and an upward groove (6) formed in between the upward tongue (4) and the upward flank (6). The upward groove (6) is adapted to receive at least a part of a downward tongue of a second coupling part of an adjacent panel.

[0099] A part of a side (7) of the upward tongue (4) facing away from the upward flank (5) is provided with a first locking element (8), in the form of an outward bulge (8), adapted for co-action with a second locking element of an adjacent floor panel.

[0100] A part of the upward flank (5) is provided with a fourth locking element (9), in the form of a recess (9), adapted for co-action with the third locking element of an adjacent floor panel. A part of a side (17) of the upward tongue (4) facing toward the upward flank (5) is inclined with respect to a vertical direction (V) and is angled away from the upward flank (5), indicated with an arrow (A1). A part (19) of the upward flank (5) is curved (19a) or inclined (19b), wherein the fourth locking element (9) is located on the curved (19a) or inclined (19b) part. An upper part (20) of the upward flank (5) is provided with a bevel (21).

[0101] FIG. 2 schematically shows a floor panel (1) according to the present invention, and shows the second coupling part (10) of the panel (1). The panel (1) comprises a centrally located core (3) provided with an upper side (3a) and a lower side (3b). The second coupling part (10) comprises a downward tongue (11), a downward flank (12) lying at a distance from the downward tongue (11), and a downward groove (13) formed in between the downward tongue (11) and the downward flank (12) wherein the downward groove (11) is adapted to receive at least a part of an upward tongue of a first coupling part of an adjacent panel.

[0102] A part of a side of the downward flank (12) is provided with a second locking element (14), in the form of a recess (14), adapted for co-action with the first locking element of an adjacent floor panel. A part of a side (15) of the downward tongue (11) facing away from the downward flank (12) is provided with a third locking element (16), in the form of an outward bulge (16), adapted for co-action with a fourth locking element of an adjacent floor panel.

[0103] A part of a side (18) of the downward tongue (11) facing toward the downward flank (12) is inclined with respect to a vertical direction (V) and is angled away from the downward flank (12), indicated with an arrow (A2). A part of the side (15) of the downward tongue (11) facing away from the downward flank (12) is curved (22a) or inclined (22b), wherein the third locking element (16) is located on the curved (22a) or inclined (22b) part. An upper part (23) of the side (15) of the downward tongue (11) facing away from the downward flank (12) is provided with a bevel (24). The third locking element (16) is located inward compared to the upper part (23) of the side (15) of the downward tongue (11) facing away from the downward flank (12).

[0104] The upward flank (5) is also provided with a sixth locking element (31), in the form of a an outward bulge (31), adapted for co-action with the fifth locking element (32), in the form of a recess (32) of an adjacent floor panel (1). The fourth (9) and sixth (31) locking element are arranged directly below each other in FIG. 1, and together form sort of an Z-shape, or S-shape or zigzag-shape.

[0105] The transition (33) between the side (7) of the upward tongue (4) facing away from the upward flank (5), and the upper side (28) of the upward tongue (4), defines a convex vertex (33), and wherein a centreline of the third and fourth locking element substantially coincides with a centreline of said convex vertex.

[0106] FIG. 2 shows that between the downward tongue (11) and the core (3) of the panel (1) a bridge part (25) is present, connecting the downward tongue (11) to the core (3), wherein the bridge part (25) has a variable thickness. The thickness of the bridge part (25) has a minimum thickness, indicated with (D1), wherein the bridge part (25), where thickness is minimum, has a thinnest, or weakest, area (26), where possible deformation of the second coupling part (10) is most likely to occur.

[0107] A part of a side (18) of the downward tongue (11) facing away from the downward flank (12) is provided with a fifth locking element (32), in the form of a recess (32), adapted for co-action with a sixth locking element (31), in the form of an outward bulge (31), of an adjacent floor panel (1). The third (16) and fifth (32) locking element are arranged directly below each other in FIG. 2, and together form sort of an Z-shape, or S-shape or zigzag-shape.

[0108] The transition (34) between the downward flank (12) and the upper side (29) of the downward groove (13) defines a concave vertex (34).

[0109] FIG. 3 shows the first and second coupling parts of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a coupled condition. In this coupled condition, a gap (27) is present between the upper side (28) of the upward tongue (4) and the upper side (29) of the downward groove (13), wherein the gap (27) widens from the side (17) of the upward tongue (4) facing towards the upward flank (5) to the downward flank (12).

[0110] FIGS. 4-6 show a variant to the panel shown in FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 4 shows the first coupling part, FIG. 5 the second coupling part and FIG. 6 a coupled condition.

[0111] Features corresponding between FIGS. 1-3 and 4-6 are provided with the same numerals. The main differences is that where FIGS. 1-3 show an “open groove” system, FIGS. 4-6 show a “closed groove” locking system. This is indicated by the arrows (A3 and A4), which show that the sides (17, 18) of the tongues (4, 11) are directed towards the flanks (5, 12), rather than away from the flanks (5, 12). Beneath the upward tongue (4), a space (30) is present, such that, when placed on the floor, a space (30) exists between the upward tongue (4) and the floor the panel is placed on. Although the “closed groove” embodiment is shown, the same, or at least similar, profile can be used in an “open groove” embodiment as well.

[0112] FIGS. 7 and 8 show, in a coupled condition, the levels of the first and second locking elements (L1), the third and fourth locking elements (L3) and the highest point of the upward tongue (LH). The level of the third and fourth locking elements (L3) lies between the level of the highest point of the upward tongue (LH) and the level of the first and second locking elements (L1). FIG. 7 also indicates the level of the lowest part of the bevel as (LB). Between that level (LB) and the level of the third and fourth locking elements (L3) a distance exists, such that the third and fourth locking elements are not visible through the bevel. The levels of the locking elements are showing the horizontal centrelines of the locking elements.

[0113] In FIG. 7, the centreline (L4) of the fifth and sixth locking elements is indicated, which lies above a the centreline (L3) of the third locking element, above the centreline of the first locking element (L1) and below the level (L3) of the highest point of the upward tongue. The centreline (L3) of the third and/or fourth locking element coincides locally with the transition between the transition (33) between the side (7) of the upward tongue (4) facing away from the upward flank (5), and the upper side (28) of the upward tongue (4), which transition defines a convex vertex (33). The centreline (L3) of the third locking element is situated in between a centreline of the concave vertex (34) and the centreline (L1) of the first and/or second locking element.

[0114] FIG. 9 schematically shows the coupling of two panels as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 7. FIG. 10 schematically shows the uncoupling of two panels as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 7. FIG. 9 shows coupling by a vertical movement (indicated with the vertical arrow). In step A the panels are moved towards each other. In step B, the first and second locking elements are engaging. In step C, a deformation of the bridge part of the second coupling part occurs, indicated with the curved arrow. In step D, the first and second locking elements are sliding in place, and the third and fourth locking elements are engaging. In step E the coupling is complete. FIG. 10 shows the coupled condition in step E. In step F uncoupling is initiated by a rotation (large arrow), causing a deformation of the bridge part of the second coupling part (small arrow). In step G the coupling is undone, wherein in step H both panels are free from each other, corresponding to step A of FIG. 9.

[0115] FIGS. 11A-11J schematically show various alternative embodiments for coupling parts. The coupling parts as described in the previous figures are especially suitable for short sides of elongated panels. These coupling parts are typically on two opposite sides, or two opposite short sides, of such panels. On the other sides, for instance on two opposite long sides of such panels, angling down profiles could be present. FIGS. 11A-11J show various coupling parts which are suitable for using on these opposite sides of the panel. Each of these embodiments can be angled in place, by turning or rotating the sideward tongues (101) into sideward grooves (102). In each of these embodiments also gaps (103) are present in coupled conditions, which can be used to accumulate foreign material such as dust.

[0116] The sideward grooves (102) are typically bordered by an upper lip (104) and a lower lip (105) extending beyond the upper lip (104), wherein the upper lip (104) is provided with an upward shoulder (106), which cooperates with a groove typically underneath the sideward tongue (101). In some embodiments the entrance to the groove (102) is angled or chamfered (107). In coupled condition, an intermediate space (108) may be present between the coupling elements, between the outside of the upward shoulder (106) and the core of the panel.

[0117] The embodiments as shown in FIGS. 11A, C, D and E have a rounded bottom (109) of the sideward tongue, and a corresponding rounded recess in the sideward groove, which rounding facilitates the angling of such panels. The embodiments of FIGS. 11B, F, H and J rely on a relative flat bottom (110) and corresponding recess, which is easy to produces and increases vertical locking. The embodiments of FIGS. 11A, F and J show the use of a bevel (111) on such angling down profiles. The embodiment of FIG. 11G shows an embodiment of an angling down profile wherein the sideward groove has a specific shape allowing it to force the sideward tongue into the sideward groove in a coupled condition. The embodiment of FIG. 11I shows a double structure, or a sandwich structure of both the sideward tongue and the sideward groove.

[0118] FIGS. 12 and 13 show a variation on the panels with coupling parts of FIGS. 1 and 2. Corresponding features have been given the same reference numbers. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the third locking element (16) is provided on the outside of the downward tongue (11), in the form of a bulge (16), and the fourth locking element (9) is provided on the upward flank (5), in the form of a recess (9). In FIGS. 12 and 13 a different interpretation is given, in which the upward flank (5) is provided with a third locking element (16) in the form of the bulge (16), and the side of the downward tongue (11) facing away from the downward flank (12) is provided with a fourth locking element (9), in the form of a recess (9).

[0119] It will be apparent that the invention is not limited to the working examples shown and described herein, but that numerous variants are possible within the scope of the attached claims that will be obvious to a person skilled in the art.

[0120] The above-described inventive concepts are illustrated by several illustrative embodiments. It is conceivable that individual inventive concepts may be applied without, in so doing, also applying other details of the described example. It is not necessary to elaborate on examples of all conceivable combinations of the above-described inventive concepts, as a person skilled in the art will understand numerous inventive concepts can be (re)combined in order to arrive at a specific application.

[0121] The ordinal numbers used in this document, like “first”, “second”, and “third” are used only for identification purposes. Hence, the use of the expressions “third locking element” and “second locking element” does therefore not necessarily require the co-presence of a “first locking element”. The panels according to the invention may also be referred to as tiles. By “complementary” coupling profiles (or locking elements) is meant that these coupling profiles (or locking elements) can cooperate with each other. However, to this end, the complementary coupling profiles (or locking elements) do not necessarily have to have complementary forms. Expressions like “horizontal”, “vertical”, and “inclined” are relative expressions with respect to a panel being laid on a (virtual) horizontal supporting structure, like a subfloor. Here, a plane defined by the panel is qualified as a horizontal plane. By locking in “vertical direction” is therefore meant locking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the tile. By locking in “horizontal direction” is therefore meant locking in a direction perpendicular to the respective coupled edges of two tiles and parallel to or falling together with the plane defined by the tiles. In case in this document reference is made to a “floor tile” or “floor panel”, these expressions may be replaced by expressions like “tile”, “wall tile”, “ceiling tile”, “covering tile”.

[0122] The verb “comprise” and conjugations thereof used in this patent publication are understood to mean not only “comprise”, but are also understood to mean the phrases “contain”, “substantially consist of”, “formed by” and conjugations thereof.