EP1195477A2 - Cladding element, particularly for wood-block flooring - Google Patents

Cladding element, particularly for wood-block flooring Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1195477A2
EP1195477A2 EP01123272A EP01123272A EP1195477A2 EP 1195477 A2 EP1195477 A2 EP 1195477A2 EP 01123272 A EP01123272 A EP 01123272A EP 01123272 A EP01123272 A EP 01123272A EP 1195477 A2 EP1195477 A2 EP 1195477A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cladding element
cladding
interconnection
lateral
groove
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP01123272A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1195477A3 (en
Inventor
Edoardo Friso
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Skema Srl
Original Assignee
Skema Srl
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Skema Srl filed Critical Skema Srl
Publication of EP1195477A2 publication Critical patent/EP1195477A2/en
Publication of EP1195477A3 publication Critical patent/EP1195477A3/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04FFINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F15/00Flooring
    • E04F15/02Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
    • E04F15/04Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements only of wood or with a top layer of wood, e.g. with wooden or metal connecting members
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04FFINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F2201/00Joining sheets or plates or panels
    • E04F2201/01Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship
    • E04F2201/0107Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship by moving the sheets, plates or panels substantially in their own plane, perpendicular to the abutting edges
    • E04F2201/0115Joining sheets, plates or panels with edges in abutting relationship by moving the sheets, plates or panels substantially in their own plane, perpendicular to the abutting edges with snap action of the edge connectors
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04FFINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F2201/00Joining sheets or plates or panels
    • E04F2201/02Non-undercut connections, e.g. tongue and groove connections
    • E04F2201/023Non-undercut connections, e.g. tongue and groove connections with a continuous tongue or groove

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a cladding element particularly for wood-block flooring, such as parquet, for pre-finished hardwood floors and floors made of laminate of different thicknesses, for example for the interior of buildings.
  • cladding elements for floors of buildings which are usually constituted by rectangular panels made of wood.
  • a groove and a complementarily shaped tongue are formed respectively along two opposite lateral edges of such cladding elements, so that each cladding element can be associated longitudinally with another one by mating the groove of the former with the tongue of the latter.
  • Such cladding elements are arranged side by side, so as to allow their permanent interconnection, preferably by bonding with adhesive.
  • a first drawback of this known type of cladding element structure is the fact that the interconnection is ensured exclusively by the presence of the adhesive: accordingly, poor bonding or deterioration over time of the effectiveness of the adhesive causes possible partial disconnection of two adjacent cladding elements.
  • Another drawback is due to the fact that said interconnection system is permanent and does not allow to partly or fully disassemble the flooring or to replace one or more cladding elements if they break.
  • said cladding elements are usually obtained from particleboard or MDF with a top and bottom veneer provided by bonding two sheets of laminate, the presence of water proximate to the lateral edges, where the material is porous and not impermeable, often causes damage to the cladding elements, since the particlewood that is present tends to become impregnated and swell with water.
  • a different known type of cladding element structure partially solves the above mentioned problems by providing a longitudinal and transverse connection between one cladding element and the cladding elements that are adjacent thereto.
  • This interconnection occurs by way of the overlap of a first lateral edge, which has a downward L-shaped wing, on a complementary upward L-shaped wing which protrudes from the lateral edge of the next cladding element.
  • This cladding element structure has the disadvantage that it allows interconnection, by interposing parts, only on the plane of arrangement of the cladding elements and may require adhesive in order to lock the lower face.
  • the aim of the present invention is therefore to solve the problems mentioned above in the prior art, by providing a cladding element, particularly for hardwood flooring blocks, such as parquet, and floors made of pre-finished laminate and wood, which can be easily assembled and disassembled so as to allow optional partial or total replacement of the cladding elements.
  • an object is to provide a cladding element which can be assembled effectively and durably.
  • Another object of the invention consists in allowing to lay a floor cladding which is aesthetically and structurally valid even if such floor is not perfectly flat but has, as occurs in the case of old renovated houses, a somewhat undulated surface.
  • Another object is to provide a cladding element which associates with the preceding characteristics that of being structurally simple and of having low manufacturing costs.
  • a cladding element particularly for wood-block flooring, having a rectangular flat shape, characterized in that it has two first contiguous lateral edges which have first snap-action interconnection means which interacts with complementarily shaped second interconnection means formed on two second contiguous lateral edges.
  • the reference numeral 1 designates a cladding element particularly usable for wood-block flooring, such as parquet.
  • the cladding element 1 preferably made of wood, is advantageously flat and rectangular, with an upper face 2a, usually cladded with an aesthetically valuable material, and a lower face, designated by the reference numeral 2b, for contact with a floor 3 to be covered.
  • the cladding element 1 has two first contiguous lateral edges, 4a and 4b, which have a first snap-acting interconnection means which interacts with a complementarily shaped second interconnection means formed on two second contiguous lateral edges, designated by the reference numerals 5a and 5b.
  • Said first snap-acting interconnection means is conveniently constituted by a tongue 6 which protrudes along each edge of said two first lateral edges 4a and 4b and has a triangular shape in side view; a circular protrusion, designated by the reference numeral 7, is formed proximate to its free vertex.
  • the second interconnection means is constituted by a groove, designated by the reference numeral 8, which is formed at the second lateral edges 5a and 5b.
  • Such groove 8 is conveniently shaped complementarily to the tongue 6 and therefore has two converging oblique surfaces 9a and 9b which are connected to the lateral surfaces of a cylindrical cavity, designated by the reference numeral 10, adapted to accommodate the protrusion 7.
  • the cylindrical cavity 10 is connected to an adjacent slot, designated by the reference numeral 11, which has an approximately squared rectangular shape which is adapted to prevent the cladding, during use, from cracking along the horizontal plane that passes through the groove 8.
  • the dimensions of the groove 8 can be advantageously slightly larger than the dimensions of the tongue 6, thus forming a gap, designated by the reference numeral 12, which is advantageously directed toward the lower face 2b.
  • Figures 1 to 5 illustrate the steps of the mutual assembly ( Figures 1 and 2) and disassembly ( Figures 4 and 5) of a first and second cladding elements 1a and 1b.
  • Assembly is performed by arranging the cladding elements on the floor 3 so that a first lateral edge 4a, provided with a tongue 6, of the first element 1a is arranged at the groove 8 of the respective second lateral edge 5b of the second cladding element 1b.
  • the interconnection between the first cladding element 1a and the second cladding element 1b is provided.
  • This characteristic allows the cladding according to the invention to adapt to the flatness defects that are often present in floors of buildings, particularly in renovated buildings.
  • a cladding element particularly suitable for wood-block floorings and pre-finished laminate and wood floors having been provided which can be assembled and disassembled easily and quickly, allowing optional subsequent partial or complete replacement of said cladding elements.

Abstract

A cladding element (1), particularly usable for wood-block flooring, for pre-finished hardwood floors and for floors made of laminate of different thicknesses, which is flat and advantageously rectangular and has two first contiguous lateral edges (4a,4b) which have a first snap-action interconnection means (6) which interacts with a complementarily shaped second interconnection means (8) formed on two second contiguous lateral edges (5a,5b).

Description

  • The present invention relates to a cladding element particularly for wood-block flooring, such as parquet, for pre-finished hardwood floors and floors made of laminate of different thicknesses, for example for the interior of buildings.
  • Known types of cladding elements for floors of buildings are currently used which are usually constituted by rectangular panels made of wood.
  • A groove and a complementarily shaped tongue are formed respectively along two opposite lateral edges of such cladding elements, so that each cladding element can be associated longitudinally with another one by mating the groove of the former with the tongue of the latter.
  • Such cladding elements are arranged side by side, so as to allow their permanent interconnection, preferably by bonding with adhesive.
  • A first drawback of this known type of cladding element structure is the fact that the interconnection is ensured exclusively by the presence of the adhesive: accordingly, poor bonding or deterioration over time of the effectiveness of the adhesive causes possible partial disconnection of two adjacent cladding elements.
  • Another drawback is due to the fact that said interconnection system is permanent and does not allow to partly or fully disassemble the flooring or to replace one or more cladding elements if they break.
  • Another disadvantage occurs if the cladding comes into contact with water or other liquids: in joints where an insufficient amount of adhesive has been used, moisture may in fact seep in the region of the two lateral edges that are in contact.
  • Since said cladding elements are usually obtained from particleboard or MDF with a top and bottom veneer provided by bonding two sheets of laminate, the presence of water proximate to the lateral edges, where the material is porous and not impermeable, often causes damage to the cladding elements, since the particlewood that is present tends to become impregnated and swell with water.
  • A different known type of cladding element structure partially solves the above mentioned problems by providing a longitudinal and transverse connection between one cladding element and the cladding elements that are adjacent thereto.
  • This interconnection occurs by way of the overlap of a first lateral edge, which has a downward L-shaped wing, on a complementary upward L-shaped wing which protrudes from the lateral edge of the next cladding element.
  • This cladding element structure has the disadvantage that it allows interconnection, by interposing parts, only on the plane of arrangement of the cladding elements and may require adhesive in order to lock the lower face.
  • Accordingly, effective use of this known type of cladding element requires a permanent interconnection, thus losing any of the advantages arising from a detachable interconnection.
  • The aim of the present invention is therefore to solve the problems mentioned above in the prior art, by providing a cladding element, particularly for hardwood flooring blocks, such as parquet, and floors made of pre-finished laminate and wood, which can be easily assembled and disassembled so as to allow optional partial or total replacement of the cladding elements.
  • Within this aim, an object is to provide a cladding element which can be assembled effectively and durably.
  • Another object of the invention consists in allowing to lay a floor cladding which is aesthetically and structurally valid even if such floor is not perfectly flat but has, as occurs in the case of old renovated houses, a somewhat undulated surface.
  • Another object is to provide a cladding element which associates with the preceding characteristics that of being structurally simple and of having low manufacturing costs.
  • This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a cladding element, particularly for wood-block flooring, having a rectangular flat shape, characterized in that it has two first contiguous lateral edges which have first snap-action interconnection means which interacts with complementarily shaped second interconnection means formed on two second contiguous lateral edges.
  • Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the detailed description of some particular but not exclusive embodiments, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
  • Figures 1 to 5 are successive side views of the steps of assembly and disassembly of two adjacent cladding elements;
  • Figure 6 is a perspective view of the cladding element according to the invention;
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of a detail of Figure 6.
  • With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 designates a cladding element particularly usable for wood-block flooring, such as parquet.
  • The cladding element 1, preferably made of wood, is advantageously flat and rectangular, with an upper face 2a, usually cladded with an aesthetically valuable material, and a lower face, designated by the reference numeral 2b, for contact with a floor 3 to be covered.
  • The cladding element 1 has two first contiguous lateral edges, 4a and 4b, which have a first snap-acting interconnection means which interacts with a complementarily shaped second interconnection means formed on two second contiguous lateral edges, designated by the reference numerals 5a and 5b.
  • Said first snap-acting interconnection means is conveniently constituted by a tongue 6 which protrudes along each edge of said two first lateral edges 4a and 4b and has a triangular shape in side view; a circular protrusion, designated by the reference numeral 7, is formed proximate to its free vertex.
  • The second interconnection means is constituted by a groove, designated by the reference numeral 8, which is formed at the second lateral edges 5a and 5b.
  • Such groove 8 is conveniently shaped complementarily to the tongue 6 and therefore has two converging oblique surfaces 9a and 9b which are connected to the lateral surfaces of a cylindrical cavity, designated by the reference numeral 10, adapted to accommodate the protrusion 7.
  • The cylindrical cavity 10 is connected to an adjacent slot, designated by the reference numeral 11, which has an approximately squared rectangular shape which is adapted to prevent the cladding, during use, from cracking along the horizontal plane that passes through the groove 8.
  • The dimensions of the groove 8 can be advantageously slightly larger than the dimensions of the tongue 6, thus forming a gap, designated by the reference numeral 12, which is advantageously directed toward the lower face 2b.
  • Operation is therefore as follows: Figures 1 to 5 illustrate the steps of the mutual assembly (Figures 1 and 2) and disassembly (Figures 4 and 5) of a first and second cladding elements 1a and 1b.
  • Assembly is performed by arranging the cladding elements on the floor 3 so that a first lateral edge 4a, provided with a tongue 6, of the first element 1a is arranged at the groove 8 of the respective second lateral edge 5b of the second cladding element 1b.
  • By applying a certain pressure, optionally by means of a mallet struck against the second lateral edge 5a of the cladding element 1a that is parallel to the first lateral edge 4a and is not shown in the figures, the interconnection between the first cladding element 1a and the second cladding element 1b is provided.
  • Such interconnection is allowed by the partial deformation of the second lateral edge 5a, which widens temporarily when the protrusion 8 passes beyond the converging oblique surfaces 9a and 9b until it is arranged in the complementarily shaped cylindrical cavity 10.
  • If it is necessary to disassemble the first cladding element 1a, it is sufficient, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, to lift the second lateral edge 5a, not shown in the figures, of the element 1a, thus forcing the rotation of the first lateral edge 4a.
  • This rotation leads to the disengagement of the protrusion 7 from the cylindrical cavity 10 and to the consequent separation of the first element 1a from the second element 1b.
  • The particular cylindrical shape of said protrusion 7 and the presence of the gap 12 allow the first and second elements 1a and 1b, which are interconnected, to perform a slight oscillation about the axis that passes through said protrusion 7.
  • This characteristic allows the cladding according to the invention to adapt to the flatness defects that are often present in floors of buildings, particularly in renovated buildings.
  • It has thus been observed that the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects, a cladding element particularly suitable for wood-block floorings and pre-finished laminate and wood floors having been provided which can be assembled and disassembled easily and quickly, allowing optional subsequent partial or complete replacement of said cladding elements.
  • The invention is of course susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.
  • The materials used, as well as the dimensions that constitute the individual components of the invention, may of course be more pertinent according to requirements.
  • The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. TV2000A000124 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.
  • Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims (13)

  1. A cladding element, particularly for wood-block flooring, having a rectangular flat shape, characterized in that it has two first contiguous lateral edges (4a,4b) which have a first snap-action interconnection means (6,7) which interacts with a complementarily shaped second interconnection means (8) formed on two second contiguous lateral edges (5a,5b).
  2. The cladding element according to claim 1, characterized in that the interconnection between a first edge (4a) of said two first lateral edges (4a,4b) of a first cladding element (1) and a second edge (5b) of said two second lateral edges (5a,5b) of a second cladding element (1) allows a slight oscillation along the interconnection axis.
  3. The cladding element according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said first snap-acting interconnection means is constituted by a tongue (6) which protrudes along each edge of said two first lateral edges (4a,4b) and has a triangular lateral profile, a circular protrusion (7) being formed proximate to the free vertex.
  4. The cladding element according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that said second interconnection means is constituted by a groove (8) formed at each one of said two second lateral edges (5a,5b).
  5. The cladding element according to claims 1 and 4, characterized in that said groove (8) is shaped complementarily to said tongue (6) and has two converging oblique surfaces (9a,9b) being connected to the lateral surfaces of a cylindrical cavity (10) adapted to accommodate said protrusion (7).
  6. The cladding element according to claims 1 and 5, characterized in that said cylindrical cavity (10) is connected to an adjacent slot (11) preferably rectangular and adapted to ensure greater resistance to cracking along the horizontal plane that passes through said groove (8).
  7. The cladding element according to claims 1 and 6, characterized in that said groove (8) is slightly larger than said tongue (6), so as to form a gap (12) between said first and second cladding elements (1).
  8. The cladding element according to claims 1 and 7, characterized in that said gap (12), which is directed toward the lower faces (2b) of said first and second cladding elements (1), is adapted to facilitate their uncoupling.
  9. A method for mutually assembling a first cladding element and a second cladding element for covering a floor, characterized in that it consists in the following steps:
    arranging said first and second cladding elements on said floor so that a first lateral edge provided with a tongue of said first cladding element is arranged at a groove of a respective second lateral edge of said second cladding element;
    interconnecting said first and second cladding elements by inserting a cylindrical protrusion formed at the free end of said tongue in a complementarily shaped cylindrical cavity formed in said groove.
  10. The assembly method according to claim 9, characterized in that the interconnection between said first and second cladding elements is obtained by way of a forcing action which is performed by acting on a separate second lateral edge of said first cladding element which is parallel and opposite with respect to said first lateral edge.
  11. The assembly method according to claims 9 and 10, characterized in that said forcing is performed by using a tool, such as a mallet, which is struck against said second lateral edge of said first cladding element.
  12. The assembly method according to claims 9 and 11, characterized in that said interconnection is provided by means of the partial deformation of said second lateral edge, which widens temporarily when said protrusion passes within said groove.
  13. A method for mutually disassembling a first cladding element and a second cladding element for covering a floor, characterized in that it provides for the lifting of said second lateral edge of said first cladding element so as to turn said first cladding element about said protrusion of said tongue.
EP01123272A 2000-10-09 2001-10-04 Cladding element, particularly for wood-block flooring Withdrawn EP1195477A3 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITTV000124 2000-10-09
IT2000TV000124A ITTV20000124A1 (en) 2000-10-09 2000-10-09 STRUCTURE OF COATING ELEMENT PARTICULARLY FOR PARQUET FLOORING

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1195477A2 true EP1195477A2 (en) 2002-04-10
EP1195477A3 EP1195477A3 (en) 2002-12-04

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01123272A Withdrawn EP1195477A3 (en) 2000-10-09 2001-10-04 Cladding element, particularly for wood-block flooring

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20020050114A1 (en)
EP (1) EP1195477A3 (en)
HK (1) HK1044811A1 (en)
IT (1) ITTV20000124A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1338722A1 (en) * 2002-05-03 2003-08-27 Berg & Berg AB Joining system and method for floor boards and boards therefor
BE1016328A5 (en) * 2004-11-19 2006-08-01 Dumaplast Nv PROFILE STRIP.
WO2007020088A1 (en) * 2005-08-19 2007-02-22 Bauer Joerg R Detachable, flat components that can be fastened to each other, in particular floor covering components and corresponding component

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA2312527A1 (en) * 2000-06-27 2001-12-27 Lloyd Knafelc Apparatus for roadways, and the like
AT414252B (en) * 2002-07-02 2006-10-15 Weitzer Parkett Gmbh & Co Kg PANEL ELEMENT AND CONNECTION SYSTEM FOR PANEL ELEMENTS
CN101932780B (en) 2008-01-31 2012-10-17 瓦林格创新比利时股份有限公司 Mechanical locking of floor panels, methods to install and uninstall panels, a method and an equipement to produce the locking system, a method to connect a displaceable tongue to a panel and a tongue blank
MX2011008076A (en) * 2009-01-30 2011-09-06 Vaelinge Innovation Belgium Bvba Mechanical lockings of floor panels and a tongue blank.
US9284736B1 (en) 2011-09-30 2016-03-15 Gunter Preuss Composite siding with improved interlaced end-grain corner configuration and false chinking joint
US9045909B1 (en) 2011-10-11 2015-06-02 Gunter Preuss Systems and methods for wide engineered siding
USD823487S1 (en) * 2016-01-05 2018-07-17 Ryan Peterson Rubber cushion with interlocking tabs
KR101754194B1 (en) * 2016-02-22 2017-07-19 주식회사 한샘 An unbonded and floor-contact assembly floor plate wherein the installation, removal and maintenance are improved, and a contact installation method of floor plate using thereof

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US753791A (en) * 1903-08-25 1904-03-01 Elisha J Fulghum Method of making floor-boards.
EP0652332A1 (en) * 1993-11-10 1995-05-10 M. Faist GmbH & Co. KG Isolating panel made of thermally insulating materials
US6101778A (en) * 1995-03-07 2000-08-15 Perstorp Flooring Ab Flooring panel or wall panel and use thereof

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US753791A (en) * 1903-08-25 1904-03-01 Elisha J Fulghum Method of making floor-boards.
EP0652332A1 (en) * 1993-11-10 1995-05-10 M. Faist GmbH & Co. KG Isolating panel made of thermally insulating materials
US6101778A (en) * 1995-03-07 2000-08-15 Perstorp Flooring Ab Flooring panel or wall panel and use thereof

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1338722A1 (en) * 2002-05-03 2003-08-27 Berg & Berg AB Joining system and method for floor boards and boards therefor
BE1016328A5 (en) * 2004-11-19 2006-08-01 Dumaplast Nv PROFILE STRIP.
WO2007020088A1 (en) * 2005-08-19 2007-02-22 Bauer Joerg R Detachable, flat components that can be fastened to each other, in particular floor covering components and corresponding component

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1195477A3 (en) 2002-12-04
ITTV20000124A0 (en) 2000-10-09
US20020050114A1 (en) 2002-05-02
HK1044811A1 (en) 2002-11-01
ITTV20000124A1 (en) 2002-04-09

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