Joining system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a joining system comprising a locking device ( 1 ) and a first element ( 2 ) and a second element ( 3 ) to be joined by the locking device ( 1 ). The locking device ( 1 ) comprises a first end section ( 4 ), a centre section ( 5 ), and a second end section ( 6 ). The first and second end sections ( 4, 6 ) extend in opposite directions from the centre section ( 5 ), and at least one surface ( 7 ) of each of the first and second end sections ( 4, 6 ) are provided with at least one barb ( 8 ). The barb ( 8 ) is angled in a direction towards the centre section ( 5 ). The first and second elements ( 2, 3 ) are each provided with a groove ( 9 ). The locking device ( 1 ) is completely enclosed by the grooves ( 9 ) when the first and second elements ( 2, 3 ) are joined by the locking device ( 1 ).

1 . A joining system comprising a locking device ( 1 ) and a first element ( 2 ) and a second element ( 3 ) to be joined by said locking device ( 1 ), said locking device ( 1 ) comprising
 a first end section ( 4 ), a centre section ( 5 ), and a second end section ( 6 )   said first and second end sections ( 4 ,  6 ) extending in opposite directions from said centre section ( 5 ),   at least one surface ( 7 ) of each of said first and second end sections ( 4 ,  6 ) being provided with at least one barb ( 8 ), said barb ( 8 ) being angled in a direction towards said centre section ( 5 ),   said first and second elements ( 2 ,  3 ) each being provided with a groove ( 9 ),   said locking device ( 1 ) being completely enclosed by said grooves ( 9 ) when said first and second elements ( 2 ,  3 ) are joined by said locking device ( 1 ).   
     
     
         2 . A joining system according to  claim 1 , wherein said groove ( 9 ) comprises at least one surface ( 10 ) provided with at least one angled recess ( 14 ) adapted for locking engagement with said barbs ( 8 ). 
     
     
         3 . A joining system according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein said locking device ( 1 ) substantially has a shape of a right parallelepiped. 
     
     
         4 . A joining system according to any of  claims 1 - 3 , wherein said groove ( 9 ) is contained within a separate strip ( 11 ) provided in a slot ( 12 ) in said element ( 2 ,  3 ). 
     
     
         5 . A joining system according to  claim 4 , wherein said strip ( 11 ) and/or locking device ( 1 ) is made of plastic, metal, wood, or wood based material. 
     
     
         6 . A joining system according to any of the previous claims, wherein said centre section ( 5 ) comprises a protrusion ( 13 ) which extends in a direction perpendicular to said surface ( 7 ). 
     
     
         7 . A joining system according to  claim 6 , wherein said protrusion ( 13 ) is shaped as a ridge, said ridge comprising two straight surface portions extending at an angle away from the surface of said centre section ( 5 ) and towards each other such that they have a common peak at the very centre of said locking device ( 1 ). 
     
     
         8 . A joining system according to any of the previous claims, wherein a plurality of locking devices ( 1 ) is arranged spaced apart from one another along a ribbon. 
     
     
         9 . A joining system according to any of the previous claims, wherein said first and second elements ( 2 ,  3 ) are floor boards. 
     
     
         10 . A joining system according to  claim 9 , wherein said groove ( 9 ) is provided along a peripheral edge ( 15 ) of said floor boards ( 2 ,  3 ). 
     
     
         11 . A joining system according to  claim 9 , wherein said slot ( 12 ) is provided along a peripheral edge ( 15 ) of said floor boards ( 2 ,  3 ). 
     
     
         12 . A joining system according to  claim 10  or  11 , wherein the configuration of said peripheral edges ( 15 ) is substantially the same for said floor boards ( 2 ,  3 ). 
     
     
         13 . A joining system according to  claim 10  or  11 , wherein said groove ( 9 ) and/or slot ( 12 ) is provided along all peripheral edges ( 15 ) of said floor boards. ( 2 ,  3 ) 
     
     
         14 . Method of joining a first and a second element ( 2 ,  3 ) using a locking device ( 1 ), comprising the steps of:
 fitting a first end section ( 4 ) of said locking device ( 1 ) into a groove ( 9 ) in said first element ( 2 ), and   fitting a second end section ( 6 ) of said locking device ( 1 ) into a groove ( 9 ) in said second element ( 3 ),   where after said locking device ( 1 ) is in locking engagement with said grooves ( 9 ) such that said first and second elements ( 2 ,  3 ) are completely enclosed by said grooves ( 9 ).   
     
     
         15 . A floor comprising a joining system according to any of  claims 1 - 13 .