Device for assembling panel edges

• US 20040250492A1
• Filed: 05/03/2004
• Published: 12/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Espace Production International EPI, Societe Anonyme
• Original Assignee: Espace Production International EPI, Societe Anonyme
• Inventors: Becker, Arnaud
• Application Number:
  US10/494,282
• Publication Number:
  US 20040250492A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/578
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 15/04 only of wood or with a top layer of wood, e.g. with wooden or metal connecting members rollable parquet E04F15/16
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2201/0115 with snap action of the edge connectors
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2201/0138 by moving the sheets, plates or panels perpendicular to the main plane
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2201/023 with a continuous tongue or groove

Abstract

Device for assembling edges of panels, laths or sheathing includes at least a male part provided on a longitudinal edge and/or a transverse edge of the panels, laths or sheathings and at least a female part of matching shape provided on the other two longitudinal and transverse edges of the panels, laths or sheathings. The device is characterized in that the male and female parts are provided with at least an element for assembling by impact or pressure two consecutive panels, laths or sheathings by their adjacent edges along an oblique direction, the panels, laths or sheathings being initially offset in height and mutually parallel and their male and female parts being then partly mutually engaged. The device is applicable in the building sector, for floor, wall or ceiling finish, in the form of panels, laths or sheathings made of different materials.

Claims

1. Device for assembling the edges of panels, laths or sheathings (1), constituted by at least one male portion (2) on a longitudinal and/or transverse edge of said panels, laths or sheathings (1) and by at least one female portion (3) of corresponding shape on the two other longitudinal and transverse edges of said panels, laths or sheathings (1), characterized in that the male and female portions (2 and 3) are provided with at least one element (6 and/or 2″

-3″ and

/or 2′

″

-3′

″ and

5) permitting an assembly by impact or pressure of two consecutive panels, laths or sheathings (1) by their adjacent edges in an oblique direction, said panels, laths or sheathings (1) being initially offset in height and parallel to each other and their male and female portions (2 and 3) being thus partially mutually engaged.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the female portion (3) is provided in its upper sidewall, with a recess or concavity forming an element (6) permitting an assembly without deformation with the male portion (2).

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the male (2) and female portions (3) are provided with elements (2″

-3″

, 2′

″

-3′

″ and

5) permitting assembly by impact or pressure of two consecutive panels, laths or sheathings (1) by their adjacent edges in an oblique direction, these said elements (2″

-3″ and

2′

″

-3′

″ and

5) being in the form of contact surfaces (2″

-3″ and

/or 2′

″

-3′

″

) provided on the male and female portions (2 and 3), these contact surfaces forming oblique ramps for the insertion of the male portion (2) into the female portion (3) of the assembly device and being preferably interconnected by rounded concave guide means (5).

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the contact surfaces (2″

-3″ and

2′

″

-3′

″

) constituting the elements permitting assembly by impact or pressure are disposed discontinuously and offset relative to each other.

5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the male and female portions (2 and 3) have an orientation inclined relative to the upper surface of the panels, laths or sheathings (1).

6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the male and female portions (2 and 3) extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to an oblique plane joining the vertical joint plane between two adjacent sides of the panels, laths or sheathings (1).

7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface of the male portion (2) connecting the sidewalls of the male portion (2), as well as the corresponding surface of the female portion (3), have a flat portion parallel to the upper and lower surfaces of the panels, laths or sheathings (1).

8. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper crest of the female portion (3) is cut or rounded, such that it extends in a vertical plane (PV) parallel to the one (P′

V′

) crossing through the junction crest of the base of the corresponding sidewall of the male portion (2).

9. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the recess or concavity forming an element (6) provided in the upper sidewall of the female portion (3) is combined with the elements (2″

-3″ and

2′

″

-3′

″

) in the form of contact surfaces (2″

-3″ and

2′

″

-3′

″

) and the rounded concave guide (5) provided on the male and female portions (2 and 3).

10. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the male and female portions (2 and 3) are offset out of the vertical joint plane of junction between the upper surfaces of the panels, laths or sheathings (1).

11. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the end of the male portion (2) extends in line with the vertical joint plane of the junction between the upper surfaces of the panels, laths or sheathings (1).