FLOOR PANEL HAVING MAGNETIC ADHESION, AND FLOOR COVERING

Abstract

A floor panel (2) of a floor covering (1), which forms a walkable surface (1.1) of the floor covering (1) by laterally placing several floor panels (2) on top of each other, has the dimensions length and width, and a magnetic layer (4) is arranged on an underside (2.2) of the floor panel (2). The magnetic layer (4) extends over at least 90% of each of the two dimensions length and width of the underside (2.2) of the floor panel (2) at least partially and covers at least a total area of 25% of the underside (2.2), preferably at least 50%, and particularly preferably at least 85%.

A floor covering (1) is formed by a floor panel (2) and a magnetic support (5).

Claims

1. Floor panel of a floor covering, which forms a surface of the floor covering which can be walked on by laterally placing a plurality of floor panels against one another, wherein the floor panel has the dimensions length and width, and wherein a magnetic layer is arranged on an underside of the floor panel, characterized in that the magnetic layer extends over at least 90% of each of the two dimensions length and width of the underside of the floor panel at least over part of the surface, and covers at least a total area of 85% of the underside and in that the magnetic layer is laterally recessed with respect to a side edge of the floor panel so that there is a distance from the side edge, and the underside of the floor panel is uncovered by the magnetic layer over this distance, wherein the distance of the magnetic layer from the side edge of the floor panel is between 3-10 mm.

2. Floor panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnetic layer is full-surface.

3. (canceled)

4. Floor panel according to claim 2, characterized in that the magnetic layer is laterally recessed with respect to each side edge of the floor panel.

5. Floor panel according to claim 4, characterized in that the distance of the magnetic layer from the side edge of the floor panel is about 5 mm.

6. Floor panel according to claim 5, characterized in that the magnetic layer has a thickness of at least 0.5 to at most 3 mm, and has a Shore D hardness according to DIN ISO 7619-1 issue 2-2012 of at least 50 Shore D 3s.

7. Floor panel according to claim 6, characterized in that the magnetic layer is a magnetic foil, that the magnetic foil is magnetic on one side only and in that the magnetic foil is self-adhesive or attached to the underside of the floor panel by means of an adhesive, wherein the non-magnetic side is arranged towards the floor panel.

8. (canceled)

9. Floor panel according to claim 6, characterized in that the magnetic layer is formed from a cured compound which can still be shaped before curing by application to the underside.

10. Floor panel according to claim 9, characterized in that the floor panel is a tile that includes a ceramic tile.

11. Floor covering, comprising a floor panel according to claim 10 and a support on which the floor panel rests, the support comprising a magnetic material which interacts with the magnetic layer of the floor panel, characterized in that the magnetic material of the support is formed by a pressure distribution panel which is connected to a plastically or elastically deformable leveling layer and at least partially covers the latter, wherein the floor covering forms a composite which, with its leveling layer, can be placed directly on a floor and can be removed from it again.

12. Floor covering according to claim 11, characterized in that the pressure distribution panel is or comprises an at least partial-surface magnetic sheet.

13. Floor covering according to claim 12, characterized in that the pressure distribution panel comprises a plate of plastic or cement fiber, a high-density fiberboard (HDF), a medium-density fiberboard (MDF), or a combination or composite of at least two thereof.

14. Floor covering according to claim 13, characterized in that the pressure distribution panel covers at least a total area of 50% of the leveling layer, or at least 70%, or at least 85%.

15. Floor covering according to claim 14, characterized in that the pressure distribution panel is full-surface and completely covers the leveling layer.

16. Floor covering according to claim 15, characterized in that the leveling layer is bonded to the pressure distribution panel by means of an adhesive.

17. Floor covering according to claim 16, characterized in that the support has an area which is at least 1.5 times the area of the upper side of the floor panel.

18. (canceled)

19. Floor covering according to claim 15, characterized in that adjacent supports are connected to each other via a click system.

20. Floor covering according to claim 19, characterized by an angle profile which projects below the leveling layer and is connected, via an adhesive, to a wall extending upwards over the floor.

21. Floor covering according to claim 20, characterized in that the angle profile is at least partially magnetic, and that a base panel is attached to the wall via a magnetic foil fixed by means of an adhesive.

22. Floor covering according to claim 21, characterized by a connecting profile in the form of an inverted letter T, which is introduced between two adjacently arranged floor panels.

23. Floor covering according to claim 22, characterized in that, with respect to the shape of the connecting profile, sealing lips are arranged at the ends of the transverse bar of the inverted letter T, and these seal a joint between two adjacent floor panels.

24. Floor covering according to claim 23, characterized in that a joint angle is arranged at each of two opposing corners of a floor panel, which joint angle has a first leg and a second leg, each of which extends along a side surface of the floor panel.

25. Floor covering according to claim 241, characterized in that the joint angle on the underside of the floor panel has a thin support part which extends between the first leg and the second leg.

26. Floor covering according to claim 25, characterized in that the legs do not extend over the entire height of the side surface of the floor panel, so that between two adjoining floor panels there remains a joint which is set back relative to the upper side of the floor panel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0055] The drawing shows an example of an embodiment of the invention. It shows:

[0056] FIG. 1 a section of a floor covering with a floor panel;

[0057] FIG. 2 the function of a leveling layer in the floor covering;

[0058] FIG. 3 the use of an angle profile for fastening a base panel to a wall;

[0059] FIG. 4 a known connection profile in the form of an inverted letter T

[0060] FIG. 5 a version with an edge strip;

[0061] FIG. 6 a perspective view of a floor covering laid out in a room;

[0062] FIG. 7 a floor panel with an assembly aid in the form of a joint angle,

[0063] FIG. 8 The joint angle from FIG. 7 in detail;

[0064] FIG. 9 The joint angle from FIG. 8 in section.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0065] FIG. 1 shows a section of a floor covering 1, which has a floor panel 2 with an upper side 2.1, wherein a walkable surface 1.1 of the floor covering 1 is provided by placing a plurality of floor panels 2 side by side. The floor panel 2 has the dimensions length and width, which are explained below.

[0066] A magnetic layer 4 attached with an adhesive 3 is arranged on an underside 2.2 of the floor panel 2 opposite the upper side 2.1. Instead of an adhesive layer, the magnetic layer 4 can be laminated to the underside 2.2 of the floor panel 2, but this is not shown.

[0067] The magnetic layer 4 shown extends over the entire surface under the floor panel 2, which is also full-surface, i.e. it has no interruptions.

[0068] In this case, the magnetic layer 4 is a magnetic foil with a thickness of at least 0.5 to at most 3 mm and has a Shore D hardness according to DIN ISO 7619-1 issue 2-2012 of harder than 50 Shore D measuring time 3 s, in the present case of 43 Shore D+/−5.

[0069] The magnetic foil is isotropic, i.e. it deforms uniformly in all directions under pressure.

[0070] It is sufficient if the magnetic foil is magnetic on one side only. In this case, the non-magnetic side of the magnetic foil is arranged towards the underside 2.2 of the floor panel 2.

[0071] The floor covering 1 further comprises a support 5 designed for pressure distribution, on which the floor panel 2 rests by means of the magnetic layer 4. The support 5 has a magnetic material, which is in particular an at least partial-surface, magnetic pressure distribution panel. The magnetic material of the support 5, in particular the pressure distribution panel, consists in particular of a galvanized steel sheet which interacts with the magnetic layer 4 of the floor panel 2 and is in frictional contact with the latter. Pressure is distributed from the floor panel 2 to a base 7 via the support 5.

[0072] A galvanized steel sheet is a steel sheet that is usually galvanized against rust and weather influences. In this process, a thin layer of zinc is permanently applied to the sheet.

[0073] The magnetic steel sheet is formed over the entire surface and is bonded to and completely covers a plastically or elastically deformable leveling layer 6 via an adhesive 3′. The leveling layer 6 rests on the floor 7.

[0074] FIG. 2 shows the function of the leveling layer 6. In the case of an uneven floor 7, the unevenness of the floor presses into the leveling layer 6 and deforms it elastically or plastically, so that its thickness changes locally. The adhesive layer 3′ and the support 5, on the other hand, remain largely undeformed, so that the magnetic layer 4, which is shown without the floor panel 2 and the adhesive 3 from FIG. 1, lies flat.

[0075] FIG. 3 shows the use of an angle profile 8 which projects below the leveling layer 6 and is connected alternatively or additionally via an adhesive 3″ to a wall 7′ extending upwards over the floor 7. This angle profile 8 is also at least partially magnetic, so that a base panel 2′ is attached to the wall 7′ via a magnetic foil 4 fixed by means of an adhesive 3.

[0076] An existing joint between the base panel 2′ and the floor panel 2 may be sealed and/or fixed with a joint material, and the upper edge, which is not shown, may also be sealed and/or fixed with a joint material. Thus, in addition to the magnetic connection, another fixed connection can be provided.

[0077] FIG. 4 shows a connecting profile 9 known from WO 2012/117074 A2 in the form of an inverted letter T, which is inserted between two adjacently arranged floor panels 2. As a result of the fact that the magnetic layer 4 and the adhesive 3 are recessed in the edge region of the floor panel 2, a gap 10 is created when the floor panel 2 is placed on the support 5, into which the connecting profile 9 is inserted and can also be clamped because of the force-locking connection of the floor panel 2 to the support 5.

[0078] When the connecting profile 9 is force-fitted into the gap 10, sealing lips 9.1 may be arranged at the ends of the transverse bar of the inverted letter T to seal a joint between two adjacent panels 2.

[0079] Since the floor panel 2 is smaller than the support 5 and independent of the latter in size, the support 5 in the example shown extends under both adjacent floor panels 2, and the connecting profile 9 rests on the support 5. The support 5 itself is connected to the leveling layer 6, which rests on the floor 7 and compensates for unevenness of the floor, via an adhesive 3′, as already explained in the previous Figs.

[0080] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment with an edge strip 11 arranged on a side surface 2.3 of the floor panel 2. Here, too, the magnetic layer 4 with the adhesive 3 can be set back relative to the side surface 2.3. A joint formed between adjacent floor panels 2 may be filled with a flowable, curing joint material, for example an epoxy adhesive or the like, and the joint material also flows into the space created by the recessed magnetic layer 4 under the floor panel 2 resting on the support 5. After the joint material has cured, additional fastening is created by bonding the floor panel 2 to the support 5. In addition, the cured joint material also adheres to the side edges of the floor panel 2, which are also referred to as flanks, and because of this flank adhesion of a floor panel to the adjacent floor panels, a connection of all floor panels into one large panel is achieved as a result. Adjacent floor panels are then so firmly connected that they do not displace each other and support each other as a result of the flank adhesion.

[0081] Particularly preferably, this produces—with or without edge strips 11 on the floor panels 2—a composite of—viewed from bottom to top—leveling layer 6, support 5 and floor panels 2 with magnetic layer 4, whereby the floor panels 2 may be bonded to one another and/or to the support. Furthermore, further adhesive layers 3, 3′ may be provided, as already explained. Such a composite can be laid directly on a floor 7 as a floor covering 1. In this case, it is shown in the case of, for example, ceramic tiles as floor panels 2 that these can thereafter be driven over by a passenger car without any problems and without breaking. Furthermore, further fastening of said composite to the floor 7 is generally not required, and the composite can be removed from the floor very quickly if necessary, namely simply taken down, and put back on again if required.

[0082] In FIG. 6, a perspective view of a floor covering 1 laid out in a room 12 is shown, with the dashed lines representing the supports 5 staggered side by side, and the solid lines representing the floor panels 2 lying on top.

[0083] The floor panel 2 has the dimensions length 1 and width b, the support 5 has the dimensions length L and width B. The support 5 has larger dimensions L and B than the floor panel 2, and has a surface area that is at least 1.5 times the area of the top of the floor panel 2, in the present case about 2.5 to 3 times.

[0084] Adjacent supports 5, in particular adjacent pressure distribution panels, can preferably be equipped with a click system, as is known from tiles. In this way, the supports 5 can be laid very quickly and reversibly in the room 12.

[0085] The magnetic layer 4 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 extends over at least 90% of each of the dimensions length 1 and width b of the underside 2.2 of the floor panel 2 and covers it over part or all of its surface. If the magnetic layer 4 covers the floor panel 2 over only part of its surface area, this can be done in various ways, either contiguously with openings or in individual segments spaced apart or abutting one another. At least a total area of 25% of the underside 2.3 should be covered, preferably at least 50%, and particularly preferably at least 85% of the underside. The greater the coverage, the greater the adhesive force of the magnetic foil 4 on the support 5.

[0086] Also, instead of being full-surface and completely covering the leveling layer, the support 5 can be only partial-surface, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6. However, the support 5 should cover at least a total area of 50% of the leveling layer 6, preferably at least 70%, and particularly preferably at least 85%.

[0087] Since the force of the magnetic attraction of the magnetic connection between the floor panel 2 and the support 5 is so strong that, due to the adhesive force caused by the adhesion between the floor panel 2 and the support 5, subsequent lateral displacement of the floor panel 2 relative to the support 5 is very difficult or even impossible, an assembly aid is provided by means of which a constant joint width can be set.

[0088] So-called joint crosses are known from the prior art, which are applied to the corners after laying the first floor panel and specify an alignment of the next floor panel. The joint width is also specified in this process.

[0089] The present invention preferably uses a joint angle 20 shown in FIGS. 7-9, which is preferably arranged at two opposite corners of the floor panel 2, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0090] FIG. 8 shows an enlargement of the joint angle 20 attached to the floor panel 2 from FIG. 7. The joint angle 20 has two legs, namely a first leg 21 and a second leg 22, each extending along a side surface 2.3 of the floor panel 2. Below the floor panel 2, a thin support part 23 connected to both legs 21, 22 extends from one leg 21 to the other leg 22 on the underside 2.2 of the floor panel 2, which support part 23 may furthermore be connected to the underside 2.2, for example by adhesive bonding. Alternatively or additionally, the legs 21, 22 can also be connected to the side edge 2.3 of the floor panel 2 by adhesive bonding.

[0091] From the section shown in FIG. 9 along the section line of FIG. 8, it can be seen that the leg 22 does not extend over the entire height of the side surface 2.3, but only in part, so that a joint remains between two adjoining base panels 2 which is set back relative to the upper side 2.1 of the base panel and can be closed with a joint adhesive.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0092] 1 Flooring [0093] 1.1 (Walkable) surface of the floor covering [0094] 2 floor panel, tile [0095] 2′ base panel [0096] 2.1 Top side of the floor panel [0097] 2.2 Bottom side of the floor panel [0098] 2.3 Side surface of the floor panel [0099] 3, 3′, 3″ Adhesive [0100] 4 Magnetic layer [0101] 5 support [0102] 6 Leveling layer [0103] 7 Floor [0104] 7′ Wall [0105] 8 Angle profile [0106] 9 Connection profile [0107] 9.1 Sealing lip [0108] 10 Intermediate space [0109] 11 Edge strip [0110] 12 Room [0111] 20 Joint angle [0112] 21 first leg (joint angle) [0113] 22 Second leg (joint angle) [0114] 23 Support part (joint angle)