Mechanical locking system for panels and method of installing same
AssigneeVälinge Innovation AB
InventorsDarko Pervan, Niclas Hakansson, Per Nygren
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Floor panels are provided with a mechanical locking system including a flexible locking element in a locking groove, which during a horizontal motion is displaced vertically.
Claims17
A method for disconnecting a first floor panel connected to an adjacent floor panel by a first connection device and a second connection device, the floor panels extending in a planar direction, the second connection device preventing separation of the floor panels in the planar direction and comprising:
- (i) on the adjacent floor panel, a locking strip with a first locking element and a space adjacent to the first locking element,
- (ii) on the first floor panel, a displacement groove, and
- (iii) a displaceable second locking element occupying partially the displacement groove, which displaceable second locking element is biased so that a portion of the displaceable second locking element occupies partially the space, the second locking element cooperating with the first locking element to obtain a horizontal connection in the planar direction,
- wherein the method comprises:
- inserting a tool into the space so as to move the displaceable second locking element from the space into the displacement groove, wherein the direction of the movement is vertical, perpendicular to the planar direction.
A method for disconnecting a first floor panel connected to an adjacent floor panel by a first connection device and a second connection device, the floor panels extending in a planar direction, the second connection device preventing separation of the floor panels in the planar direction and comprising:
- (i) on the adjacent floor panel, a locking strip with a first locking element and a space adjacent to the first locking element,
- (ii) on the first floor panel, a displacement groove, and
- (iii) a displaceable second locking element occupying partially the displacement groove, which displaceable second locking element is biased so that a portion of the displaceable second locking element occupies partially the space, the second locking element cooperating with the first locking element to obtain a horizontal connection in the planar direction,
- wherein the method comprises:
- inserting a tool into the space so as to move the displaceable second locking element from the space into the displacement groove, wherein the direction of the movement is vertical, perpendicular to the planar direction,
- wherein the method further comprises the step of displacing the first floor panel in the planar direction by moving the connected panels apart.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.