# US 9,518,394 B2 · Set of panels with clip

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 9,518,394 B2
- Document ID: US9518394B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/365,585
- Filed: 2012-12-10
- Published: 2015-03-19
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2011-12-15
- Assignees: Pergo (Europe) AB
- Applicants: Pergo (Europe) AB
- Inventors: Nils-Erik Engström
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9518394B2

## CPC

- E04F 15/02038: {characterised by tongue and groove connections between neighbouring flooring elements}
- E04F 15/02022: {with means for aligning the outer surfaces of the flooring elements (E04F15/02038 takes precedence)}
- 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)
- E04F 15/105: {of organic plastics with or without reinforcements or filling materials}
- E04B 5/00: Floors; Floor construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted therefor (elements for floors, e.g. bricks, stones, filling bodies, girders, E04C; flooring as finishing work, insulation of flooring, sectional false floors, e.g. for computers E04F15/00)
- E04F 2201/0146: with snap action of the edge connectors
- E04F 2201/0552: adapted to be rotated around an axis parallel to the joint edge
- E04F 2201/0588: of organic plastics with or without reinforcements or filling materials
- E04F: FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS (windows, doors E06B)
- E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001})

## Abstract

The invention relates to a set of panels (1, 2), in particular floor panels, comprising a first panel (1) and at least one second panel (2), wherein—the panels (1, 2) are respectively provided with a first edge (10) and with a second edge (30);—the first edge (10) and the second edge (30) are configured to establish a connection between the first and the second panels (1, 2);—the first edge (10) comprises a lower lip (11) with a step (12);—the second edge (30) comprises a downwardly open locking groove (31), which in a connected state of the panels (1, 2), or of the edges (10, 30), cooperates with the step (12) and ensures a lock in a horizontal direction;—the connection can be established by a vertical relative movement of the panels (1, 2) with respect to each other; a separate clip (50) is provided which is disposed on the first edge (10) and comprises—a movable clip head (53), which, in a locking position, in the connected state of the panels (1, 2), cooperates with a blocking surface (33) on the second edge (30) in order to lock the panels (1, 2) in a vertical direction, and—a clip base (54) which cooperates with an activating surface (35) of the second edge (30) in order to press the clip head (53) into the locking position during the establishment of the connection. The set is characterized in that the clip (50) comprises a fixed fastening part (51), a flexible connection area (55) and a movable clip portion (52) comprising the clip base (54) and the clip head (53), the fastening area (51) being firmly connected to the first edge (10) and the flexible connection area (55) connecting the fastening part (51) to the movable clip (52).

## Claims

### Claim 1

A set of panels, in particular floor panels,
wherein the panels are provided with a first pair of opposite edges, consisting of a first edge and a second edge, and with a second pair of opposite edges, consisting of a third edge and a fourth edge;
wherein said third and fourth edge are configured to connect such a panel by a pivoting movement with an already laid row of panels, and wherein said first and second edge are configured to simultaneously connect said panel with such an already laid panel of a row that is being newly created, with the connection between the first and second edges being based on a scissor-like movement;
wherein the first edge comprises a lower lip with a step comprising a step locking surface;
wherein the second edge comprises a downwardly open locking groove with a groove side wall which, in a connected state of the panels, or of the first and second edges, cooperates with the step locking surface of the step, ensuring a lock in a horizontal direction;
wherein said second edge comprises a lower surface, located distally from said groove side wall, which, in the connected state of the panels, rests against the lower lip of the first edge;
wherein a separate clip is provided which is disposed on the first edge, comprising an upper surface and a downward facing locking surface,
wherein, in a locking position, in the connected state of the panels, said upper surface rests against an upper groove wall defining an upper wall of an escape groove of the first edge, and said downward facing locking surface cooperates with a blocking surface on the second edge in order to lock the panels in a vertical direction;
wherein said separate clip executes two movements in opposite directions, both comprising a translational motion component, when the connection between the first and second edges is established, with an activating surface of the second edge pressing the clip first into the escape groove, thereby causing the upper surface and the downward facing locking surface to perform a substantially equal translational movement;
wherein at least the first and second edges are designed such that the connection between the at least first and second edges is subjected to a tension force in the connected state, with the panels being pressed together by these connected edges; and
wherein further said at least first and second edges are configured such that said tension force engages at least at upper mating edges, being located above the clip, of these first and second edges.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The set of panels of claim 1,
wherein the first and second edges are configured such that the clip is under tension in the connected state, with the panels being pressed together in a substantially vertical direction by these connected edges;
wherein further said first and second edges are configured such that said tension, which is ascribed to an elastic returning force in the clip, engages at the cooperating downward facing locking and blocking surfaces; and
wherein said tension force and said tension ascribed to the elastic returning force in the clip supplement each other to result in a total, combined force pressing the panels together in horizontal and vertical direction.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The set of panels of claim 1, wherein both said upper surface and said downward facing locking surface first move in the same direction towards the escape groove during the first movement of the clip and thereafter in the same direction away from the escape groove during the second movement of the clip in opposite direction, when the connection between the first and second edges is established.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The set of panels of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the clip slides along the upper groove wall during the two movements in opposite directions, when the connection between the first and second edges is established.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The set of panels of claim 1, wherein the activating surface of the second edge is inclined relative to the vertical, curved and/or stepped.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The set of panels of claim 1, wherein the downward facing locking surface is inclined relative to the horizontal, and wherein the blocking surface is also inclined relative to the horizontal.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The set of panels of claim 1, wherein the upper mating edge of the second edge lies in a vertical plane Ev, with the blocking surface being entirely located at the same side of said vertical plane Ev as the groove side wall.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The set of panels of claim 1, wherein said step locking surface is substantially vertical, and wherein said groove side wall is substantially vertical.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The set of panels of claim 1, wherein said step locking surface is inclined relative to the vertical, and wherein said groove side wall is inclined relative to the vertical.

### Claim 10

A set of panels, in particular floor panels,
wherein the panels are provided with a first pair of opposite edges, consisting of a first edge and a second edge, and with a second pair of opposite edges, consisting of a third edge and a fourth edge;
wherein said third and fourth edge are configured to connect such a panel by a pivoting movement with an already laid row of panels, and wherein said first and second edge are configured to simultaneously connect said panel with such an already laid panel of a row that is being newly created, with the connection between the first and second edges being based on a scissor-like movement;
wherein the first edge comprises a lower lip with a step comprising a step locking surface;
wherein the second edge comprises a downwardly open locking groove with a groove side wall which, in a connected state of the panels, or of the first and second edges, cooperates with the step locking surface of the step, ensuring a lock in a horizontal direction;
wherein said second edge comprises a lower surface, located distally from said groove side wall, which, in the connected state of the panels, rests against the lower lip of the first edge;
wherein a separate clip is provided which is disposed on the first edge, comprising an upper surface and a downward facing locking surface,
wherein, in a locking position, in the connected state of the panels, said upper surface rests against an upper groove wall defining an upper wall of an escape groove of the first edge, and said downward facing locking surface cooperates with a blocking surface on the second edge in order to lock the panels in a vertical direction;
wherein said separate clip executes two movements in opposite directions, both comprising a translational motion component, when the connection between the first and second edges is established, with an activating surface of the second edge pressing the clip first into the escape groove, thereby causing the upper surface and the downward facing locking surface to perform a substantially equal translational movement;
wherein at least the first and second edges are designed such that the connection between the at least first and second edges is subjected to a tension force in the connected state, with the panels being pressed together by these connected edges;
wherein further said at least first and second edges are configured such that said tension force engages at least at upper mating edges, being located above the clip, of these first and second edges; and
wherein a core material of the panels is selected from one of the following materials: wood, MDF or HDF.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The set of panels of claim 10,
wherein the first and second edges are configured such that the clip is under tension in the connected state, with the panels being pressed together in a substantially vertical direction by these connected edges;
wherein further said first and second edges are configured such that said tension, which is ascribed to an elastic returning force in the clip, engages at the cooperating downward facing locking and blocking surfaces; and
wherein said tension force and said tension ascribed to the elastic returning force in the clip supplement each other to result in a total, combined force pressing the panels together in horizontal and vertical direction.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The set of panels of claim 10, wherein both said upper surface and said downward facing locking surface first move in the same direction towards the escape groove during the first movement of the clip and thereafter in the same direction away from the escape groove during the second movement of the clip in opposite direction, when the connection between the first and second edges is established.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The set of panels of claim 10, wherein the upper surface of the clip slides along the upper groove wall during the two movements in opposite directions, when the connection between the first and second edges is established.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The set of panels of claim 10, wherein the downward facing locking surface is inclined relative to the horizontal, and wherein the blocking surface is also inclined relative to the horizontal.

### Claim 15

A set of floor panels,
wherein the panels are provided with a first pair of opposite edges, consisting of a first edge and a second edge, and with a second pair of opposite edges, consisting of a third edge and a fourth edge;
wherein said third and fourth edge are configured to connect such a panel by a pivoting movement with an already laid row of panels, and wherein said first and second edge are configured to simultaneously connect said panel with such an already laid panel of a row that is being newly created, with the connection between the first and second edges being based on a scissor-like movement;
wherein the first edge comprises a lower lip with a step comprising a step locking surface;
wherein the second edge comprises a downwardly open locking groove with a groove side wall which, in a connected state of the panels, or of the first and second edges, cooperates with the step locking surface of the step, ensuring a lock in a horizontal direction;
wherein said second edge comprises a lower surface, located distally from said groove side wall, which, in the connected state of the panels, rests against the lower lip of the first edge;
wherein a separate clip is provided which is disposed on the first edge, comprising an upper surface and a downward facing locking surface,
wherein, in a locking position, in the connected state of the panels, said upper surface rests against an upper groove wall defining an upper wall of an escape groove of the first edge, and said downward facing locking surface cooperates with a blocking surface on the second edge in order to lock the panels in a vertical direction;
wherein said separate clip executes two movements in opposite directions, both comprising a translational motion component, when the connection between the first and second edges is established, with an activating surface of the second edge pressing the clip first into the escape groove, thereby causing the upper surface and the downward facing locking surface to perform a substantially equal translational movement;
wherein at least the first and second edges are designed such that the connection between the at least first and second edges is subjected to a tension force in the connected state, with the panels being pressed together by these connected edges;
wherein further said at least first and second edges are configured such that said tension force engages at least at upper mating edges, being located above the clip , of these first and second edges; and
wherein a core material of the panels comprises plastic.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The set of panels of claim 15,
wherein the first and second edges are configured such that the clip is under tension in the connected state, with the panels being pressed together in a substantially vertical direction by these connected edges;
wherein further said first and second edges are configured such that said tension, which is ascribed to an elastic returning force in the clip, engages at the cooperating downward facing locking and blocking surfaces; and
wherein said tension force and said tension ascribed to the elastic returning force in the clip supplement each other to result in a total, combined force pressing the panels together in horizontal and vertical direction.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The set of panels of claim 15, wherein both said upper surface and said downward facing locking surface first move in the same direction towards the escape groove during the first movement of the clip and thereafter in the same direction away from the escape groove during the second movement of the clip in opposite direction, when the connection between the first and second edges is established.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The set of panels of claim 15, wherein the upper surface of the clip slides along the upper groove wall during the two movements in opposite directions, when the connection between the first and second edges is established.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The set of panels of claim 15, wherein the downward facing locking surface is inclined relative to the horizontal, and wherein the blocking surface is also inclined relative to the horizontal.

### Claim 20

A set of floor panels,
wherein the panels are provided with a first pair of opposite edges, consisting of a first edge and a second edge, and with a second pair of opposite edges, consisting of a third edge and a fourth edge;
wherein said third and fourth edge are configured to connect such a panel by a pivoting movement with an already laid row of panels, and wherein said first and second edge are configured to simultaneously connect said panel with such an already laid panel of a row that is being newly created, with the connection between the first and second edges being based on a scissor-like movement;
wherein the first edge comprises a lower lip with a step comprising a step locking surface;
wherein the second edge comprises a downwardly open locking groove with a groove side wall which, in a connected state of the panels, or of the first and second edges, cooperates with the step locking surface of the step, ensuring a lock in a horizontal direction;
wherein said second edge comprises a lower surface, located distally from said groove side wall, which, in the connected state of the panels, rests against the lower lip of the first edge;
wherein a separate clip is provided which is disposed on the first edge, comprising an upper surface and a downward facing locking surface,
wherein, in a locking position, in the connected state of the panels, said upper surface rests against an upper groove wall defining an upper wall of an escape groove of the first edge, and said downward facing locking surface cooperates with a blocking surface on the second edge in order to lock the panels in a vertical direction;
wherein said separate clip executes two movements in opposite directions, both comprising a translational motion component, when the connection between the first and second edges is established, with an activating surface of the second edge pressing the clip first into the escape groove, thereby causing the upper surface and the downward facing locking surface to perform a substantially equal translational movement;
wherein at least the first and second edges are designed such that the connection between the at least first and second edges is subjected to a tension force in the connected state, with the panels being pressed together by these connected edges;
wherein further said at least first and second edges are configured such that said tension force engages at least at upper mating edges, being located above the clip, of these first and second edges; and
wherein a core material of the panels is a mixture of wood and plastic.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The set of panels of claim 20,
wherein the first and second edges are configured such that the clip is under tension in the connected state, with the panels being pressed together in a substantially vertical direction by these connected edges;
wherein further said first and second edges are configured such that said tension, which is ascribed to an elastic returning force in the clip, engages at the cooperating downward facing locking and blocking surfaces; and
wherein said tension force and said tension ascribed to the elastic returning force in the clip supplement each other to result in a total, combined force pressing the panels together in horizontal and vertical direction.

### Claim 22 (depends on 20)

The set of panels of claim 20, wherein both said upper surface and said downward facing locking surface first move in the same direction towards the escape groove during the first movement of the clip and thereafter in the same direction away from the escape groove during the second movement of the clip in opposite direction, when the connection between the first and second edges is established.

### Claim 23 (depends on 20)

The set of panels of claim 20, wherein the upper surface of the clip slides along the upper groove wall during the two movements in opposite directions, when the connection between the first and second edges is established.

### Claim 24 (depends on 20)

The set of panels of claim 20, wherein the downward facing locking surface is inclined relative to the horizontal, and wherein the blocking surface is also inclined relative to the horizontal.

### Claim 25

A set of floor panels,
wherein the panels comprise a first pair of opposite edges, comprising a first edge and a second edge, and with a second pair of opposite edges, comprising a third edge and a fourth edge;
wherein said third and fourth edge are configured to connect such a panel by a pivoting movement with an already laid row of panels, and wherein said first and second edge are configured to simultaneously connect said panel with such an already laid panel of a row that is being newly created, with the connection between the first and second edges being based on a scissor-like movement;
wherein the first edge comprises a lower lip with a step comprising a step locking surface;
wherein the second edge comprises a downwardly open locking groove with a groove side wall which, in a connected state of the panels, or of the first and second edges, cooperates with the step locking surface of the step, ensuring a lock in a horizontal direction;
wherein a separate clip is provided which is disposed in a recess on the first edge, comprising an upper surface and a downward facing locking surface,
wherein, in a locking position, in the connected state of the panels, said upper surface rests against an upper groove wall defining an upper wall of an escape groove of the first edge, and said downward facing locking surface cooperates with a blocking surface on the second edge in order to lock the panels in a vertical direction;
wherein said separate clip executes two movements in opposite directions, both comprising a translational motion component, when the connection between the first and second edges is established, with an activating surface of the second edge pressing the clip first into the escape groove, thereby causing the upper surface and the downward facing locking surface to perform a substantially equal translational movement;
wherein at least the first and second edges are designed such that the connection between the at least first and second edges is subjected to a tension force in the connected state, with the panels being pressed together by these connected edges;
wherein further said at least first and second edges are configured such that said tension force engages at least at upper mating edges, being located above the clip, of these first and second edges; and
wherein said separate clip, in the connected state of the panels, is not involved in said lock in the horizontal direction.