Mechanical locking system for floor panels

US8181416B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• VALINGE INNOVATION AB · SE

Inventors

• Darko Pervan · Viken, SE
• Niclas Hakansson · Viken, SE
• Per Nygren · Helsingborg, SE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 13, 2011
• Grant date: May 22, 2012
• Expiry date: Jun 13, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T29/4998
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Floor panels with a flexible tongue in an insertion groove, the flexible tongue is designed to cooperate, in a connected state with a tongue groove of another panel, the panels are adapted to be locked together by vertical folding, the flexible tongue has a projection portion which, in a connected state projects outside the insertion groove and cooperates with the tongue groove, said projecting portion has a beveled and/or rounded sliding surface and the panels have a sliding surface adapted to cooperate therewith during vertical folding, the flexible tongue during the vertical folding is displaced twice in the horizontal direction, a first displacement is effected by the vertical folding of the fold panel whereby at least a part of the flexible tongue is bent, a second displacement of the flexible tongue towards its initial position is accomplished substantially by a spring effect caused by said bending of said flexible tongue.