PANEL HAVING FRACTURE-RESISTANT COUPLING ELEMENTS

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a panel for a paneling, more particularly to a floor panel for a floor covering, comprising: a panel upper surface and a panel lower surface parallel to the panel upper surface, which are mutually spaced by a total thickness; an upper coupling element and a lower coupling element, wherein two panels of this type are designed such that said panels can be coupled to each other by means of a downward movement of the upper coupling element of the first panel relative to the lower coupling element of the second panel; wherein the upper coupling element has a detent element and the lower coupling element has a detent receptacle; wherein the upper coupling element has a locking receptacle and the lower coupling element has a locking element; and wherein a material thickness (UM) of the lower coupling element between the panel lower surface and the detent receptacle is less than 100 percent of a material thickness (OM) of the upper coupling element between the panel upper surface and the locking receptacle.

Claims

1. Panel for a paneling, in particular floor panel for a floor covering, comprising: a panel upper surface and a panel lower surface extending parallel thereto, which are mutually spaced from each other by a total thickness (G); an upper coupling element and a lower coupling element, wherein two panels of this type can be coupled to each other by means of a downward movement of the upper coupling element of the first panel with respect to the lower coupling element of the second panel, wherein the upper coupling element has at its distal end a wedge-shaped protrusion and the lower coupling element has a mating surface, which, in the coupled state of two panels, form a first locking system, the upper coupling element has a latching element adjoining the wedge-shaped protrusion and the lower coupling element has a detent receptacle adjoining the mating surface which, in the coupled state of two panels, form a second locking system, the upper coupling element has a locking receptacle adjoining the latching element, and the lower coupling element has at its distal end a locking element adjoining the detent receptacle, which, in the coupled state of two panels, form a third locking system wherein a material thickness (UM) of the lower coupling element between the panel lower surface and the detent receptacle is less than 100 percent of a material thickness (OM) of the upper coupling element between the panel upper surface and the latching receptacle.

2. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the material thickness (UM) of the lower coupling element between the panel lower surface and the detent receptacle is greater than or equal to 62 percent, preferably greater than or equal to 67 percent, and particularly preferably greater than or equal to 72 percent of the material thickness (OM) of the upper coupling element between the panel upper surface and the locking receptacle.

3. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the material thickness (UM) of the lower coupling element between the panel lower surface and the detent receptacle is less than or equal to 82 percent, preferably less than or equal to 77 percent and particularly preferably less than or equal to 72 percent of the material thickness (OM) of the upper coupling element between the panel upper surface and the locking receptacle.

4. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the material thickness (OM) of the upper coupling element between the panel upper surface and the locking receptacle is greater than or equal to 34 percent, preferably greater than or equal to 39 percent, particularly preferably greater than or equal to 44 percent of the total thickness (G) of the panel.

5. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the material thickness (OM) of the upper coupling element between the panel upper surface and the locking receptacle is less than or equal to 54 percent, preferably less than or equal to 49 percent, particularly preferably less than or equal to 44 percent of the total thickness (G) of the panel.

6. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the material thickness (UM) of the lower coupling element between the panel lower surface and the detent receptacle is greater than or equal to 24 percent, preferably greater than or equal to 29 percent, particularly preferably greater than or equal to 34 percent of the total thickness (G) of the panel.

7. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the material thickness (UM) of the lower coupling element between the panel lower surface and the detent receptacle is less than or equal to 44 percent, preferably less than or equal to 39 percent, particularly preferably less than or equal to 34 percent of the total thickness (G) of the panel.

8. The panel according to claim 1, wherein a locking element surface of the locking element facing the locking receptacle has essentially a uniform arc shape and/or in that a locking receptacle surface of the locking receptacle facing the locking element has a substantially uniform arc shape, wherein the locking element surface and the locking receptacle surface are designed in particular identical in contour to one another.

9. The panel according to claim 8, wherein a radius (R) of the arc shape of the locking element surface and/or a radius of the arc shape of the locking receptacle surface is between 85 percent inclusive to 95 percent inclusive of the total thickness (G) of the panel (10a, 10b), and preferably about 90 percent of the total thickness (G) of the panel (10a, 10b).

10. The panel according to claim 8, wherein a tangent to the center of the arc shape of the locking element surface and/or a tangent to the center of the arc shape of the locking receptacle surface with respect to the panel upper surface and the panel lower surface includes or include a respective arc angle (alpha), wherein the respective arc angle (alpha) is preferably less than or equal to 45 degrees, more preferably less than or equal to 35 degrees, more preferably less than or equal to 25 degrees.

11. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the mating surface includes a respective mating surface angle (beta) with respect to the panel upper surface and the panel lower surface, wherein the respective mating surface angle (beta) is less than or equal to 45 degrees, preferably less than or equal to 35 degrees, particularly preferably less than or equal to 25 degrees.

12. The panel according to claim 10, wherein the mating surface includes a respective mating surface angle (beta) with respect to the panel upper surface and the panel lower surface, wherein the respective mating surface angle (beta) is less than or equal to 45 degrees, preferably less than or equal to 35 degrees, particularly preferably less than or equal to 25 degrees, wherein the arc angle (alpha) and the mating surface angle (beta) deviate by less than or equal to 20 degrees, preferably less than or equal to 15 degrees, particularly preferably less than or equal to 10 degrees from each other.

13. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the mating surface extends between the panel upper surface and a vertical surface of the panel, wherein preferably in a longitudinal sectional view of the panel a distance of the vertical surface is shorter than a distance of the mating surface, wherein in particular the distance of the mating surface corresponds at least three times, preferably at least five times, the distance of the vertical surface and/or wherein in particular the distance of the mating surface corresponds at most eleven times, preferably at most nine times, the distance of the vertical surface,

14. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the locking element comprises a locking outer surface which leads to the panel lower surface and includes a locking angle (gamma) with respect to a vertical plane, wherein the locking angle (gamma) is less than or equal to 35 degrees, preferably less than or equal to 30 degrees, particularly preferably less than or equal to 25 degrees.

15. The panel according to claim 1, wherein an extension of the locking receptacle transitioning to the latching element is formed as a rounding.

16. The panel according to claim 1, wherein an edge of the locking element facing to an extension of the locking receptacle is formed as a rounding.

17. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the latching element has a latching protrusion and the detent receptacle has a latching counter-bearing which, in the coupled state of two panels, form the second locking system.

18. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the locking element comprises a locking protrusion and the locking receptacle comprises a locking counter-bearing, which, in the coupled state of two panels, form the third locking system.

19. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the panel comprises at least partially, preferably completely, thermoplastic styrene block copolymers, TPS, as a base material.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0049] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0050] In the following, the disclosure is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings based on preferred exemplary embodiments. The term figure is abbreviated in the drawings as Fig.

[0051] In the drawings:

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal sectional view of two interconnected panels according to the prior art; and

[0053] FIG. 2 shows a schematic longitudinal sectional view of two interconnected panels according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0054] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0056] The described exemplary embodiments are merely examples, which may be modified and/or supplemented in a variety of ways within the scope of the claims. Any feature described for a particular exemplary embodiment may be used independently or in combination with other features in any other exemplary embodiment. Any feature described for an exemplary embodiment of a particular claim category may also be used in a corresponding manner in an exemplary embodiment of another claim category.

[0057] FIG. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal sectional view of two interconnected panels 10a, 10b according to the prior art. Here, the representation is to be understood purely schematically and does not exhibit any correctness to scale due to the arbitrary representation.

[0058] FIG. 2 shows a schematic longitudinal sectional view of two interconnected panels 10a, 10b according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Thus, respectively a panel 10a, 10b is provided for a paneling, in particular a floor panel for a floor covering. Although two different panels 10a, 10b are shown, each panel 10a, 10b respectively comprises: a panel upper surface 12 and a panel lower surface 14 extending parallel thereto, which are mutually spaced from each other by a total thickness G, an upper coupling member 16 and a lower coupling member 18, wherein two panels 10a, 10b of this type are designed such that they can be coupled to each other by means of a downward movement of the upper coupling element 16 of the first panel 10a with respect to the lower coupling element 18 of the second panel 10b, wherein the upper coupling member 16 has at its distal end a wedge-shaped protrusion 20 and the lower coupling member 18 has a mating surface 22 which, in the coupled state of two panels 10a, form a first locking system, wherein the upper coupling element 16 comprises a latching element 24 adjoining the wedge-shaped protrusion 20 and the lower coupling element 18 comprises a detent receptacle 26 adjoining the mating surface 22, which, in the coupled state of two panels 10a, 10b form a second locking system, wherein the upper coupling element 16 comprises a locking receptacle 28 adjoining the latching element 24 and the lower coupling element 18 comprises at its distal end a locking element 30 adjoining the detent receptacle 26, which, in the coupled state of two panels 10a, 10b, form a third locking system.

[0059] Here, in particular, it is provided that a material thickness UM of the lower coupling element 18 between the panel lower surface 14 and the detent receptacle 26 is less than 100 percent of a material thickness OM of the upper coupling element 16 between the panel upper surface 12 and the locking receptacle 28.

[0060] The upper coupling element 16 and the lower coupling element 18 are illustrated by two different panels 10a, 10b that are connected to each other. However, each panel 10a, 10b comprises such an upper coupling element 16 and such a lower coupling element 18. This is independent of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

[0061] Furthermore, the panels 10a, 10b are shown in FIG. 2 according to an exemplary preferred scale.

[0062] Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2 preferably provides that the material thickness UM of the lower coupling element 18 between the panel lower surface 14 and the detent receptacle 26 is greater than or equal to 62 percent, preferably greater than or equal to 67 percent and particularly preferably greater than or equal to 72 percent of the material thickness OM of the upper coupling element 16 between the panel upper surface 12 and the locking receptacle 28. In the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2, this value is exemplarily and independently of other features of this exemplary embodiment 72 percent.

[0063] Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2 preferably provides that the material thickness UM of the lower coupling element 18 between the panel lower surface 14 and the detent receptacle 26 is less than or equal to 82 percent, preferably less than or equal to 77 percent and particularly preferably less than or equal to 72 percent of the material thickness OM of the upper coupling element 16 between the panel upper surface 12 and the locking receptacle 28. In the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2, this value is exemplarily and independently of other features of this exemplary embodiment 72 percent.

[0064] Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2 preferably provides that the material thickness OM of the upper coupling element 16 between the panel upper surface 12 and the locking receptacle 28 is greater than or equal to 34 percent, more preferably greater than or equal to 39 percent, particularly preferably greater than or equal to 44 percent of the total thickness G of the panel 10a, 10b. In the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2, this value is exemplarily and independently of other features of this exemplary embodiment 44 percent.

[0065] Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2 preferably provides that the material thickness OM of the upper coupling element 16 between the panel upper surface 12 and the locking receptacle 28 is less than or equal to 54 percent, more preferably less than or equal to 49 percent, particularly preferably less than or equal to 44 percent of the total thickness G of the panel 10a, 10b. In the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2, this value is exemplarily and independently of other features of this exemplary embodiment 44 percent.

[0066] Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2 preferably provides that the material thickness UM of the lower coupling element 18 between the panel lower surface 14 and the detent receptacle 26 is greater than or equal to 24 percent, more preferably greater than or equal to 29 percent, particularly preferably greater than or equal to 34 percent of the total thickness G of the panel 10a, 10b. In the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2, this value is by way of example and independently of other features of this exemplary embodiment 34 percent.

[0067] Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2 preferably provides that the material thickness UM of the lower coupling element 18 between the panel lower surface 14 and the detent receptacle 26 is less than or equal to 44 percent, more preferably less than or equal to 39 percent, particularly preferably less than or equal to 34 percent of the total thickness G of the panel 10a, 10b. In the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2, this value is by way of example and independently of other features of this exemplary embodiment 34 percent.

[0068] Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2 preferably provides that a locking element surface 32 of the locking element 30 facing the locking receptacle 28 has a substantially uniform arc shape and/or that a locking receptacle surface 34 of the locking receptacle 28 facing the locking element 30 has a substantially uniform arc shape, wherein the locking element surface 32 and the locking receptacle surface 34 are formed, in particular, substantially identical in contour. In the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2, this is shown exemplary and independent of other features of this exemplary embodiment. Thus, both the locking element surface 32 and the locking receptacle surface 34 have such an arc shape. Here, in the case of multiple arc shapes, a main extension arc is considered to be the prevailing arc shape, regardless of this exemplary embodiment. A main extension arc is the one of several arcs whose parabolic shape portion is the largest at the locking receptacle 28 or the locking element 30. In other words, the main extension arc occupies the longest distance of the locking receptacle 28 and the locking element 30, respectively. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the locking receptacle 28 and the locking element 30 are substantially identical in contour, namely a flat curvature. Substantially refers to the fact that contour variations may be present starting from the respective end of the arc shapes of the locking element surface 32 and the locking receptacle surface 34.

[0069] Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2 preferably provides that a radius R of the arc shape of the locking element surface 32 and/or a radius of the arc shape of the locking receptacle surface 34 is/are in the range between and including 85 percent to and including 95 percent of the total thickness G of the panel 10a, 10b. In the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2 this value is by way of example and independently of other features of this exemplary embodiment about 90 percent of the total thickness G of the panel 10a, 10b. Here, about means that a deviation from and including 87.5 percent to and including 92.5 percent can be present, wherein exactly 90 percent are preferred.

[0070] Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2 preferably provides that a tangent to the center of the arc shape of the locking element surface 32 and/or a tangent to the center of the arc shape of the locking receptacle surface 34 with respect to the panel upper surface 12 and the panel lower surface 14 includes or include a respective arc angle alpha, wherein the respective arc angle alpha is preferably less than or equal to 45 degrees, more preferably less than or equal to 35 degrees, more preferably less than or equal to 25 degrees. The tangent to the center of the arc shape of the locking receptacle surface 34 is here determined analogously from the side of the locking element surface 32. In the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2, the respective arc angle alpha of the locking element surface 32 and the locking receptacle surface 34 is by way of example and independently of other features of this exemplary embodiment 22 degrees.

[0071] Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2 preferably provides that the mating surface 22 with respect to the panel upper surface 12 and the panel lower surface 14 includes a respective mating surface angle beta which is preferably less than or equal to 45 degrees, more preferably less than or equal to 35 degrees, particularly preferably less than or equal to 25 degrees. In the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2, the respective mating surface angle beta is by way of example and independently of other features of this exemplary embodiment 35 degrees.

[0072] Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2 preferably provides that the arc angle alpha and the mating surface angle beta deviate by less than or equal to 20 degrees, preferably less than or equal to 15 degrees, particularly preferably less than or equal to 10 degrees from each other. In the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2, the arc angle alpha and the mating surface angle beta deviate from each other by way of example and independently of other features of this exemplary embodiment by 13 degrees.

[0073] In FIG. 2, it is exemplarily shown that the mating surface 22 extends between the panel upper surface 12 and a vertical surface 23 of the panel 10a. Here, in a longitudinal sectional view of the panel 10a, the distance of the vertical surface 23 is shown to be shorter than the distance of the mating surface 22. Preferably shown, the distance of the mating surface 22 is substantially seven times the distance of the vertical surface 23.

[0074] Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2 preferably provides that the locking element 30 comprises a locking outer surface 40 which leads to the panel lower surface 14 and includes a locking angle gamma with respect to a vertical plane, which is preferably less than or equal to 35 degrees, more preferably less than or equal to 30 degrees, particularly preferably less than or equal to 25 degrees. In the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2, the locking angle gamma is by way of example and independently of other features of this exemplary embodiment 30 degrees.

[0075] Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2 preferably provides that an extension 36 of the locking receptacle 28 transitioning to the latching element 24 is formed as a rounding.

[0076] Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2 preferably provides that an edge 38 of the locking element 30 facing an extension 36 of the locking receptacle 28 is formed as a rounding.

[0077] Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2 preferably provides that the latching element 24 comprises a latching protrusion 42 and the detent receptacle 26 comprises a latching counter-bearing 44, which, in the coupled state of the two illustrated panels 10a, 10b, form the second locking system.

[0078] Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2 preferably provides that the locking member 30 comprises a locking protrusion 46 and the locking receptacle 28 comprises a locking counter-bearing 48 which, in the coupled state of the two illustrated panels 10a, 10b, form the second locking system.

[0079] Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure according to FIG. 2 preferably provides that the panel 10a, 10b comprises at least partially, preferably completely, thermoplastic styrene block copolymers, TPS, as a base material.

[0080] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are gen-erally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are inter-changeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.