System for joining building panels

A mechanical locking system for locking a first edge of a first panel to a second edge of a second panel, the mechanical locking system comprising:

• a tongue and groove on the first edge and the second edge for forming a first mechanical connection locking the first and second edges to each other in a first direction at right angles to a principal plane of the panels;
• and
• a locking device arranged on an underside of the first and the second edges, the locking device forming a second mechanical connection locking the first and the second edges to each other in a second direction parallel to the principal plane and at right angles to the edges,
• wherein the groove is defined, in part, by a strip that is made in one piece with the first edge of the first panel,
• wherein the tongue is made in one piece with the second edge of the second panel,
• wherein a thickness of the strip varies as the strip extends from the first panel,
• wherein an inner part of the tongue adjacent the second panel is thicker than a distal, outer part of the tongue,
• wherein the tongue and groove are configured such that, when the first and second edges are joined together, a space exists between an inner part of the groove and the distal, outer part of the tongue, and
• wherein the tongue and groove are configured such that when the second edge is pressed against an upper part of the first edge and is then angled down, the tongue can enter the groove to effect the first and second mechanical connections.

A mechanical locking system for locking a first edge of a first panel to a second edge of a second panel so that the first and second panels form a joint plane, the mechanical locking system comprising:

• a tongue on the first edge;
• and
• a groove on the second edge
• wherein the tongue and the groove form a mechanical connection locking the first edge and the second edge to each other in a first direction at right angles to a principal plane of the panels,
• wherein the groove has a lower surface that is defined, at least in part, by a strip that extends from the second edge of the second panel such that a distal end of the strip extends beyond the joint plane,
• wherein the tongue is made in one piece with the first panel and projecting beyond the joint plane,
• wherein the tongue and the groove are configured such that, when the first edge and the second edge are joined together, a space exists between an inner part of the groove and the distal, outer part of the tongue,
• wherein the strip is substantially coplanar with a bottom surface of the second panel, and
• wherein the tongue and groove are configured such that when the second edge is pressed against an upper part of the first edge and is then angled down, the tongue can enter the groove to effect the mechanical connection, the first panel and the second panel configured so as to enable the panels to be separated by angling the first panel and the second panel with respect to each other.

A floating laminate floor panel comprising a plurality of floor boards, wherein each floor board includes an upper decorative wear layer, a core layer arranged beneath the upper decorative wear layer, the core layer being made of a material that is not as hard as the upper decorative wear layer, a base layer beneath the core layer, and a mechanical locking system for locking a first edge of a first floor board to a second edge of a second floor board, the mechanical locking system comprising:

• a tongue on the first edge and a groove on the second edge forming a first mechanical connection locking the first and second edges to each other in a first direction at right angles to a principal plane of the floor boards, the tongue and groove being formed in the material of the core layer;
• and
• a locking device arranged on an underside of the first and the second edges, the locking device forming a second mechanical connection locking the first and the second edges to each other in a second direction parallel to the principal plane and at right angles to the edges,
• wherein the locking device includes a locking groove which extends parallel to and spaced from the second edge, the locking groove being open at the underside of the second edge and including an internal surface,
• wherein the locking device further includes a strip extending from the first edge, the strip extending throughout substantially an entire length of the first edge and being provided with a locking element projecting from the strip,
• wherein the strip, the locking element, and the locking groove are configured such that when the second edge is pressed against an upper part of the first edge and is then angled down, the locking element can enter the locking groove, and
• wherein the locking element has a locking surface which faces the first edge and is configured so as to contact the internal surface of the locking groove to prevent substantial separation of the joined first edge and second edge.

A floor panel comprising:

• an upper decorative wear layer;
• a core layer arranged beneath the upper decorative wear layer, the core layer being made of a material that is not as hard as the upper decorative wear layer;
• a base layer beneath the core layer;
• and
• a mechanical locking system for locking a first edge of a first floor board to a second edge of a second floor board, the mechanical locking system including a tongue on the first edge and a groove on the second edge, the tongue and groove forming a first mechanical connection locking the first edge and the second edge to each other in a first direction at right angles to a principal plane of the floor boards, the tongue and the groove being formed in the material of the core layer, and a locking device arranged on an underside of the first edge and the second edge, the locking device forming a second mechanical connection locking the first edge and the second edge to each other in a second direction parallel to the principal plane and at right angles to the edges,
• wherein the locking device includes a locking groove which extends parallel to and spaced from the second edge, the locking groove being open at the underside of the second edge and including an internal surface,
• wherein the locking device further includes a strip extending from the first edge, the strip extending throughout substantially an entire length of the first edge and being provided with a locking element projecting from the strip,
• wherein the strip, the locking element, and the locking groove are configured such that when the second edge is pressed against an upper part of the first edge and is then angled down, the locking element can enter the locking groove, and
• wherein the locking element has a locking surface which faces the first edge and is configured so as to contact the internal surface of the locking groove to prevent substantial separation of the joined first and second edges.