IP Library Granted Patent US 7,441,385
Granted Patent B2
US 7,441,385 · App. 11/540,583 · Granted Oct 28, 2008

Building panels

Assignee: PERGO (Europe) AB
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,441,385
App. No.
11/540,583
Granted
Oct 28, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

Flooring material comprising sheet-shaped floor elements with a mainly square or rectangular shape. The floor elements are provided with edges, a lower side and an upper decorative layer. The floor elements are intended to be joined by means of joining members. The floor elements are provided with male joining members on a first edge while a second edge of the floor elements are provided with a female joining member. The male joining member is provided with a tongue and a lower side groove while the female joining member is provided with a groove and a cheek, the cheek being provided with a lip. The floor elements are provided with a male vertical assembly joining member on a third edge while a fourth, opposite, edge is provided with female vertical assembly joining member. The floor elements are alternatively provided with a male vertical assembly joining member on a third edge while a fourth, opposite, edge also is provided with male vertical assembly joining member. Adjacent male vertical assembly joining members are hereby joined by means of a separate vertical assembly joining profile. Two adjacent edges of a floor element can hereby, at the same time, and in the same turning motion, be joined with a floor element adjacent to the first edge and a floor element adjacent to the third or fourth edge.

Claims (72)

1. A method of forming a surface comprising: providing a first surface element comprising:

an upper surfaces

a lower surface;

a first edge and a second edge, opposite said first edge, joining said upper surface to said lower surface, sized and shaped to permit joining to a second surface element by relative rotational movement; and

a third edge and a fourth edge, opposite said third edge, joining said upper surface to said lower surface, sized and shaped to permit snap-action locking to a third surface element by relative vertical movement; and

said third edge comprising a spring part positioned in a cavity wherein said upper surface comprises:

a decorative paper impregnated with a resin;

hard particles to impart an abrasion resistance to the upper surface; and

one or more sheets of alpha-cellulose, impregnated with a resin;

said hard particles being selected from the group consisting of a alpha-aluminum oxide, silicon carbide and silicon oxide;

said spring part is formed from plastic; and

a second surface element, comprising an edge sized and shaped to join with said first edge of said first surface element through relative rotational movement; and

a third surface element, comprising an edge sized and shaped to join with said third edge of said first surface element through relative vertical movement;

wherein said third edge of said first surface element and said edge of said third surface element lock said first surface element to said third surface element limiting relative vertical movement, and

said first edge of said first surface element and said edge of said second surface element lock said first surface element to said second surface element limiting relative vertical movement,

joining said first edge said first surface element to a second surface element through relative rotational movement; and

joining said third edge to a third surface element through relative vertical movement.

2. A system of surface elements forming a surface comprising:

a first surface element comprising:

an upper surface;

a lower surface;

a first edge and a second edge, opposite said first edge, joining said upper surface to said lower surface, sized and shaped to permit joining to a second surface element by relative rotational movement; and

a third edge and a fourth edge, opposite said third edge, joining said upper surface to said lower surface, sized and shaped to permit snap-action locking to a third surface element by relative vertical movement;

said third edge comprising a spring part positioned in a cavity, wherein:

said upper surface comprising:

a decorative paper impregnated with a resin;

hard particles to impart an abrasion resistance to the upper surface; and

one or more sheets of alpha-cellulose, impregnated with a resin;

said hard particles being selected from the group consisting of alpha-aluminum oxide, silicon carbide and silicon oxide;

said spring part is formed from plastic; and

a second surface element comprising an edge sized and shaped to join with said first edge of said first surface element through relative rotational movement; and

a third surface element, comprising an edge sized and shaped to join with said third edge of said first surface element through relative vertical movement;

wherein: said third edge of said first surface element and said edge of said third surface element lock said first surface element to said third surface element limiting relative vertical movement, and

said first edge of said first surface element and said edge of said second surface element lock said first surface element to said second surface element limiting relative vertical movement.

3. The surface element of claim 2 , wherein said spring part forms a snapping hook.

4. The surface element of claim 2 , wherein the spring part forms an undercut.

5. The system of claim 2 , wherein the surface is a floor.

6. A method of forming a surface comprising: providing a first surface element comprising:

an upper surface;

a lower surface;

a first edge and a second edge, opposite said first edge, joining said upper surface to said lower surface, sized and shaped to permit joining to a second surface element by relative rotational movement; and

a third edge and a fourth edge, opposite said third edge, joining said upper surface to said lower surface, sized and shaped to permit locking to a third surface element by relative vertical movement; and

said third edge comprising a spring part positioned in a cavity wherein said upper surface comprises:

a decorative paper impregnated with a resin;

hard particles to impart an abrasion resistance to the upper surface; and

one or more sheets of alpha-cellulose, impregnated with a resin;

said hard particles being selected from the group consisting of a alpha-aluminum oxide, silicon carbide and silicon oxide;

said spring part is formed from plastic; and

a second surface element, comprising an edge sized and shaped to join with said first edge of said first surface element through relative rotational movement; and

a third surface element, comprising an edge sized and shaped to join with said third edge of said first surface element through relative vertical movement;

wherein said third edge of said first surface element and said edge of said third surface element lock said first surface element to said third surface element limiting relative vertical movement, and

said first edge of said first surface element and said edge of said second surface element lock said first surface element to said second surface element limiting relative vertical movement,

joining said first edge said first surface element to a second surface element through relative rotational movement; and

joining said third edge to a third surface element through relative vertical movement.

7. A system of surface elements forming a surface comprising:

a first surface element comprising:

an upper surface;

a lower surface;

a first edge and a second edger opposite said first edge, joining said upper surface to said lower surface, sized and shaped to permit joining to a second surface element by relative rotational movement; and

a third edge and a fourth edge, opposite said third edge, joining said upper surface to said lower surface, sized and shaped to permit locking to a third surface element by relative vertical movement;

said third edge comprising a spring part positioned in a cavity, wherein:

said upper surface comprising:

a decorative paper impregnated with a resin;

hard particles to impart an abrasion resistance to the upper surface; and

one or more sheets of alpha-cellulose, impregnated with a resin;

said hard particles being selected from the group consisting of alpha- aluminum oxide, silicon carbide and silicon oxide;

said spring part is formed from plastic; and

a second surface element, comprising an edge sized and shaped to join with said first edge of said first surface element through relative rotational movement; and

a third surface element, comprising an edge sized and shaped to join with said third edge of said first surface element through relative vertical movement;

wherein:

said third edge of said first surface element and said edge of said third surface element lock said first surface element to said third surface element limiting relative vertical movement, and

said first edge of said first surface element and said edge of said second surface element lock said first surface element to said second surface element limiting relative vertical movement.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 27, 2019
From: PERGO (EUROPE) AB
To: UNILIN NORDIC AB
Reel/Frame 051170/0294 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 19, 2017
From: PALSSON, JORGEN; SJOBERG, AKE
To: PERGO (EUROPE) AB
Reel/Frame 044435/0186 →
Priority Claims (1)
SE 0001149 · Mar 31, 2000 · national
Continuity (5)
Continuation 1028698200 · Nov 4, 2002
Continuation In Part 0967207600 · Sep 29, 2000
Continuation In Part 0998801400 · Nov 16, 2001
Continuation In Part 1024267400 · Sep 13, 2002
Related Publication 20070094988A1 · May 3, 2007