Abstract: The invention relates to a strip for a building board (2), exhibiting a board body (S) which is formed with a gripping stud (24). The strip (10) extends from the body (S) and from which are formed gripping elements (26, 28), which are bent round the gripping stud (24) for mechanical fastening of the strip (10) to the body (S), as well as a locking element (12) for enabling mechanical joining of the board (2) to similar boards.

Abstract: The invention relates to a panel element for forming a floor covering, consisting of several identical interconnectable panel elements and having the following features: two first sides of each panel element, called the “longitudinal sides”, these sides having a groove and a tongue; the tongue of a panel element which is positioned at an angle with an installation level of a first, identical panel element can be introduced into the groove of the first panel element; the tongue interacts with the groove of the adjacent, identical panel element in such a way that two interconnected panel elements are protected against separating forces which are exerted along both of the axes extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal side of the panel elements; two second sides of the panel element, called the end sides, are provided with fixing means and a groove and tongue, these forming an end-side connection between two adjacent panel elements; the end-side grooves and tongue can be interconnected by means of the panel

Abstract: Floor covering, consisting of floor panels (1) based on a fiber-like material bound by a binding agent, more particularly MDF or HDF, which, at least at their edges, are connected to each other by means of a connection, more particularly a tongue-and-groove connection (2-3) which connection consists of coupling parts which are made in one piece with the floor panels and is shaped in such a manner that the floor panels (1) are locked glue-free in the direction parallel to the plane of the floor covering and transverse to the connection, as well as in a direction perpendicular to this plane, characterized in that, at least at the location where the floor panels (1) cooperate with each other, a sliding agent (12-12A) is provided at least on one of the floor panels (1).

Abstract: A joint for two flat structural members, in particular floor panels, wherein a groove and tongue joint joining two flat structural members is provided functionally separate from a twistlock locking the two flat structural members. The twistlock is formed on one of the structural members, is spaced apart from the groove and tongue joint, and engages with a correspondingly formed engaging element of the other structural member. The locking is preferably formed both at the longitudinal edges and at the front edges of a rectangular structural member, such as a floor panel. The locking allows for a joint of the floor panels to occur in flat position, i.e. without twisting.

Abstract: This relates to a locking system for mechanical joining of floorboards (1, 1′), a floorboard having such a locking system and a flooring made of such floorboards. The locking system has mechanical cooperating structure (36, 38; 6, 8, 14) for vertical and horizontal joining of adjoining floorboards. The means for horizontal joining about a vertical plane (F) comprise a locking groove (14) and a locking strip (16) which is located at opposite joint edge portions (4a, 4b) of the floorboard (4). The locking strip (6) projects from the joint plane (F) and has an upwards projecting locking element (8) at its free end. The locking groove (14) is formed in the opposite joint edge portion (4a) of the floorboard at a distance from the joint plane (F). The locking groove (14) and the locking element (8) have operative locking surfaces (10, 11).

Abstract: A process is proposed for laying and mechanically jointing floorboards provided with tongue and groove engagements on all sides for horizontal attachment. The process involves a) jointing of a number of boards and making them engage on their transverse sides n order to lay a first row on the floor of a room, b) jointing of a first board for a second row and making it engage with one or two boards in the first row using the tongue and groove joint on the longitudinal side for the purpose of starting a second row, c) pushing the tongue (or groove) of a second board into the groove (or tongue) on the transverse side of the first board in the second row, with movement from the longitudinal side towards the boards in the first row, and d) making the second board engage with one or two boards in the first row.

Abstract: Laminated materials having decorative motifs and surface textures that are mechanically embossed-in-registration, and that include locking mechanisms. Those locking mechanically are located such that they enable formation of embossed-in-register laminate systems in which the embossed-in-registration continues across connecting joints.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a portable floor comprised of interlocking floor panels which may be used for dancing, theatrical productions, musical performances, trade shows, and other settings where it is desirable to have a firm wooden floor surface. The disclosed invention enables a single person to install or disassemble the portable floor. It eliminates the need for storing any additional hardware to connect the panels to one another. No special tools are required to assemble or disassemble a floor. The floor is easy to assemble. Once the portable floor is assembled each panel is locked at two different places, thus firmly connecting the floor together. Panels may be added as desired to increase the size of the floor.

Abstract: A clamping device for combined floors includes a base member having a snapper, a first rib and a second rib extending upwardly form the base member and adapted to be received in the combined floors for connecting the combined floors. The base member has a &pgr;-shaped bracket extending from a first end of the base member and a T-shaped space defined in a second end of the base member. The &pgr;-shaped bracket is reciprocally and movably received in the T-shaped space of an adjacent base member so that the clamping device is connected to one another.

Abstract: A wood based panel having at least one spacer, spaced at intervals or continuously, on a square edge in which the spacer will deform or be forced into an adjacent panel when subjected to linear expansion forces.

Abstract: Flooring material comprising sheet-shaped floor elements (1) with a mainly square or rectangular shape. The floor elements (1) are provided with edges (2), a lower side (5) and an upper decorative layer (3). The floor elements (1) are intended to be joined by means of joining members (10). The floor elements (1) are provided with male joining members (10I) on a first edge (2I) while a second edge (2II) of the floor elements (1) are provided with a female joining member (10II). The male joining member (10I) is provided with a tongue (11) and a lower side (5) groove (12) while the female joining member (10II) is provided with a groove (13) and a cheek (14), the cheek (14) being provided with a lip (15). The floor elements (1) are provided with a male vertical assembly joining member (10III) on a third edge (2III) while a fourth, opposite, edge (2IV) is provided with female vertical assembly joining member (2IV).

Abstract: A building panel, such as a flooring panel or wall panel and a method of assembling the same into a floor, wall cladding, etc. The panel is provided with a locking means in the form of groove (6) and tongue (7) forming a tongue/groove joint for assembling of the panels. In a preferred embodiment, the groove (6) and the tongue (7) are made of water resistant material and formed with a snap-together joint.

Abstract: A floor tile, in particular a laminate panel, parquet element, veneer floor element, ready-to-lay parquet element or such like comprises an edge profile on at least two opposite edges in the form of a modified groove and tongue joint for the purpose of connecting adjacent tiles, with a coincident arrangement consisting of one groove and one tongue on each of at least two edges, of which the tongue on one edge of a first tile and the groove in an associated edge of a second tile rise obliquely upwards from the bottom of the tile. The edge profiles are contrived directly in the support material of the floor tile, the groove in the first tile is disposed directly above its tongue and the lower wall of this groove falls off towards the back end of the groove by the same degree as the tongue on the first tile rises upwards.

Abstract: The invention concerns a component (1) for building wall elements or the like, comprising a cuboidal base element (2) that has one or more grooves (11) at least in one part of its periphery (5-10). A strip-shaped spring is used as connecting element (3, 4) in said grooves (11) to ensure positive-fit connection of adjacent base elements (2) to one another. This makes it possible to produce a groove-spring type of connection between adjacent components (1).

Abstract: A panel connection, particularly for flooring panels, having a groove (34) that is embodied at a side edge (3); a tongue (32) that is embodied at a side edge (4); a depression (35) that is embodied in the groove (34) and has an interlocking surface (17); an interlocking element (33) that is embodied at the tongue (32) and has an interlocking surface (27); and fitting surfaces (12, 22), which are embodied in the groove (34) and at the tongue (32) and serve as abutments for the interlocking surfaces (17, 27). The properties of interlocking and orientation stability are improved in that the groove (34) has fitting surfaces (14, 15), which extend parallel to the top side (5), in the region of the groove bottom (7), and the tongue (32) has fitting surfaces (24, 25), which extend parallel to the top side (9), in the region of the end surface (8), with the fitting surfaces (14, 24; 15, 25) resting against one another in the interlocked state of the connection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for laying and mechanically joining building panels, especially thin, hard, floating floors. Adjacent joint edges (3, 4) of two panels (1, 2) engage each other to provide a first mechanical connection locking the joint edges (3,4) in a first direction (D1) perpendicular to the principal plane of the panels. In each joint, there is further provided a strip (6) which is integrated with one joint edge (3) and which projects behind the other joint edge (4). The strip (6) has an upwardly protruding locking element (8) engaging in a locking groove (14) in the rear side (16) of the other joint edge (4) to form a second mechanical connection locking the panels (1, 2) in a second direction (D2) parallel to the principal plane of the panels and at right angles to the joint. Both the first and the second mechanical connection allow mutual displacement of joined panels (1, 2) in the direction of the joint.

Abstract: The invention relates to a locking system for mechanical joining of floorboards (1, 1′) which have a body (30), a lower balancing layer (34) and an upper surface layer (32). A strip (6) is integrally formed with the body (30) of the floorboard (1) and extends under an adjoining floorboard (1′). The strip (6) has a locking element (8), which engages a looking groove (14) in the underside of the adjoining floorboard (1′) and forms a horizontal joint. A tongue (38) and a tongue groove (36) form a vertical joint between upper and lower plane-parallel contact surfaces (43, 45) and are designed in such manner that the lower contact surfaces (45) are on a level between the upper side of the locking element (8) and a plane containing the underside (3) of the floorboard. The invention also relates to a floorboard having such a locking system, a floor made of such floorboards, as well as a method for making such a locking system.

Abstract: A panel connection, particularly for flooring panels, having a groove (35) that is formed at a side edge (5); a tongue (32) that is formed at a side edge (6); a depression (39) that is formed in the groove (35) and has an interlocking surface (16); an interlocking groove (34) that is formed at the tongue (32) and has an interlocking surface (26); and fitting surfaces (14, 24), which are formed the groove (35) and at the tongue (32) and serve as abutments for the interlocking surfaces (16, 26). The properties of interlocking and orientation stability are improved in that a recess (40), which is formed by a facing surface (11) that extends perpendicular to the top side (3) and a fitting surface (12) that extends parallel to the top side (3), is provided in the region of the side edge (5). An upper lip (30), which is formed by a facing surface (21) that extends perpendicular to the top side (4) and a fitting surface (22) that extends parallel to the top side (4), is provided in the region of the side edge (6).

Abstract: Flooring panel or wall panel and a use thereof in a wet room. The panel is provided with a locking means in the form of groove (6) and tongue (7) forming a tongue/groove joint for assembling of the panels. The groove (6) and the tongue (7) are made of water tight material and formed with a snap-together joint.

Abstract: A locking system for mechanical joining of floorboards, in which immediately juxtaposed upper parts of taco adjacent joint edges of two joined floorboards together define a joint plane perpendicular to a principal plane of the floorboards, the locking system providing a joining of the two joint edges perpendicular to the joint plane, the locking system including a locking groove which is formed in an underside of and extends in parallel with a first of the two joint edges at a distance from the joint plane and a portion projecting from a lower part of a second of the two joint edges and below the first joint edge and integrated with a body of the board, the projecting portion supporting at a distance from the joint plane a locking element cooperating with the locking groove, the projecting portion being located entirely outside the joint plane seen from a side of the second joint edge, and the projecting portion having a material composition other than that of the body of the board, tie projecting portion inc

Abstract: A building panel, such as a flooring panel or wall panel and a method of assembling the same into a floor, wall cladding, etc. The panel is provided with a locking means in the form of groove (6) and tongue (7) forming a tongue/groove joint for assembling of the panels. In a preferred embodiment, the groove (6) and the tongue (7) are made of water resistant material and formed with a snap-together joint.

Abstract: A building panel, such as a flooring panel or wall panel and a method of assembling the same into a floor, wall cladding, etc. The panel is provided with a locking means in the form of groove (6) and tongue (7) forming a tongue/groove joint for assembling of the panels. In a preferred embodiment, the groove (6) and the tongue (7) are made of water resistant material and formed with a snap-together joint.

Abstract: An article that is suitable for use in surface coverings, such as laminate floorings, wherein the article has at least one interlocking edge of a first profile and at least one interlocking edge of a second profile. The interlocking edges provide the ability to interlock adjacent articles without the need for an adhesive, and yet form a substantially gapless seam between the articles. The articles may be joined and unjoined from each other a plurality of times without any substantial deterioration of the interlocking edge profiles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a locking system for mechanical joining of floorboards (1, 1′) which have a body (30), a lower balancing layer (34) and an upper surface layer (32). A strip (6) is integrally formed with the body (30) of the floorboard (1) and extends under an adjoining floorboard (1′). The strip (6) has a locking element (8), which engages a looking groove (14) in the underside of the adjoining floorboard (1′) and forms a horizontal joint. A tongue (38) and a tongue groove (36) form a vertical joint between upper and lower plane-parallel contact surfaces (43, 45) and are designed in such manner that the lower contact surfaces (45) are on a level between the upper side of the locking element (8) and a plane containing the underside (3) of the floorboard. The invention also relates to a floorboard having such a locking system, a floor made of such floorboards, as well as a method for making such a locking system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for laying and mechanically joining building panels, especially thin, hard, floating floors. Adjacent joint edges (3, 4) of two panels (1, 2) engage each other to provide a first mechanical connection locking the joint edges (3, 4) in a first direction (D1) perpendicular to the principal plane of the panels (1, 2). In each joint, there is further provided a strip (6) which is integrated with one joint edge (3) and which projects behind the other joint edge (4). The strip (6) has an upwardly protruding locking element (8) engaging in a locking groove (14) in the rear side (16) of the other joint edge (4) to form a second mechanical connection locking the panels (1, 2) in a second direction (D2) parallel to the principal plane of the panels (1, 2) and at right angles to the joint. Both the first and second mechanical connections allow mutual displacement of joined panels (1, 2) in the direction of the joint.

Abstract: An article suitable for use in surface coverings such as laminate floorings, such articles having an upper planar decorative surface and a lower planar surface, and at least one male edge and at least one female edge. The male and female edges will interlock with corresponding female and male edges on a complimentary article. These male and female edges have profiles that provide the ability to interlock adjacent articles by approaching one article to the other at an angle, inserting the male edge into the female edge and causing the lower planar surfaces of the two articles to become coplanar, thus forming a gapless seam between the articles which can be formed, if desired, without glue and which can be, if desired, watertight.

Abstract: Partition wall comprising at least one wall element (5) connected to a column (6) by a connecting element (1). The column (6) has a plurality of grooves distributed along its periphery and suitable for interacting with the connecting element (1). The wall element (5) has a connection profile (9) with at least one groove (11) on the edge side bordering on the column. The connecting element (1) has two clamping flanges (2,3) parallel to each other and interconnected by a connecting rod (4), wherein one flange is received in a groove (15) of the column (6) and the other flange is received in a groove (11) of the wall element (5). One (2) of the clamping flanges (2,3) of the connecting element (1) is received in the corresponding groove (11;15) in a rotationally fixed manner while the other clamping flange (13) is received in the corresponding groove (15;11) in such a way that it can rotate around its longitudinal axis (12) within a predetermined angular area.

Abstract: A structure for use in structural, load bearing construction is made from cold rolled shapes and/or shaped from structural grade sheet metals or structural shapes. The structure includes interlocking box trusses containing core members held by four web members in perpendicular alignment and pairs of parallel spaced chord members as well as facing units. Each web member and each chord member has a plurality of alternating, tapering, and projecting teeth and transverse strikes on transverse edge faces and at least one of the opposing primary faces. Each projecting tooth has a shape of a truncated pyramid with a taper on three sides of an inverted trapezoid base and with orthographic projection of a greater side, and has facets joined with at least one primary face at obtuse angles, a distance between the facets at the juncture with the primary face being less than at other respective facets. Chord members are aligned and interconnected with respective chord members of adjacent box trusses.

Abstract: A modular system that includes a plurality of modular elements that can be coupled together in a hidden manner with respect to the visible side. The modules are formed as areal, frame-like or three-dimensional shaped parts and are freely combinable with one another. At least substantially flat modular elements or flat modular element regions have a plurality of mutually spaced apart coupling and fixing members that project beyond a boundary edge of the module. Insert grooves are provided at a rear side of the module for the shape-locked and force-transmitting reception of coupling and fixing members of adjacent modules.

Abstract: A modular structural element, including a planar surface layer of cladding material. A substrate layer is bonded to the surface layer and includes an outwardly-extending attachment flange defined by the thickness of the substrate layer and proximal to the surface layer around two adjacent side edges for receiving fastener elements through the thickness of the substrate layer and into the support member. A tongue projects outwardly from the flange remote from the surface layer. Two spaced-apart elements define a groove therebetween extending along adjacent sides of the substrate layer for receiving the tongue of a complementary adjacent structural element. The flange resides at all points intermediate the tongue and the surface layer for permitting the tongue to float within the groove of the complementary structural element for preventing damage to the surface layer resulting from relative movement between adjacent structural elements.

Abstract: A flooring assembly and fastener therefor is comprised of a plurality of elongated flooring planks, with each flooring plank having on opposing ends a tongue-containing first longitudinal edge and a groove-containing second longitudinal edge. The flooring planks are arranged on a plurality of a supporting members, so that the tongue-containing end of a first flooring plank will engage the groove-containing end of a second flooring plank. The assembled flooring planks are securely held in place by a clip unit which is comprised of a base, at least one fastening means, a leg portion extending vertically from said base and a free, distal end portion sized to be positioned between the lower face of the tongue end of a first flooring plank and the upper face of the grooved end of a second flooring plank.

Abstract: An edge lock is provided for use in a flooring system having a plurality of floor panels. The edge lock mechanically and releasably locks together adjacent edges of pairs of adjacent floor panels during assembly of the flooring system, and when said adjacent floor panels are laying flat on a subfloor with upper corner portions of said adjacent edges being mutually spaced apart, the edge lock includes a lock for forming a first mechanical connection for locking the adjacent edges to each other in a vertical direction, and for forming a second mechanical connection for locking the adjacent edges to each other in a horizontal direction at right angles to the edges. The lock includes a locking groove extending parallel to and spaced from a first one of the adjacent edges of one of the adjacent floor panels and being open at a rear side of the one adjacent floor panel, and a flexible and resilient locking strip integrated with another of the adjacent floor panels.