Floor panel

Abstract

Floor panel, with a horizontally and vertically active locking system allowing that two of such floor panels can be connected to each other at said sides by providing one of these floor panels, by means of a downward movement, in the other floor panel; wherein the vertically active locking system comprises a locking element in the form of an insert; wherein this locking element comprises at least a pivotable lock-up body; characterized in that the pivotable lock-up body comprises a support portion which is rotatable against a support surface pertaining to the floor panel concerned, and more particularly in a seat.

1 . A floor panel, wherein the floor panel comprises, at least at two opposite sides, coupling parts with which two of such floor panels can be coupled to each other;
 wherein the coupling parts form a horizontally active locking system and a vertically active locking system;   wherein the horizontally active locking system has a male part and a female part, which allow to connect two of such floor panels to each other by providing one of these floor panels with the pertaining male part, by means of a downward movement, in the female part of the other floor panel, the male and the female part being substantially made from the actual panel material;   wherein the vertically active locking system comprises a locking element, which is provided in the form of an insert in one of the sides;   wherein the locking element comprises a lock-up body, said lock-up body forming a stop-forming locking portion which can cooperate with a locking portion of a similar coupled floor panel; and   wherein, in a coupled condition of two of such floor panels, the floor panels at their coupled sides are pressed towards each other by means of a tension force.   
     
     
         2 . The floor panel of  claim 1 , wherein the tension force is generated by elastic bending of a lip bordering the underside of the female part. 
     
     
         3 . The floor panel of  claim 1 , wherein the locking element substantially serves as a locking element taking part in the vertical locking. 
     
     
         4 . The floor panel of  claim 3 , wherein the locking element exclusively serves as a locking element taking part in the vertical locking. 
     
     
         5 . The floor panel of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal locking exclusively is performed by the male and the female part. 
     
     
         6 . The floor panel of  claim 1 , wherein the stop-forming locking portion is situated at an extremity of the lock-up body. 
     
     
         7 . The floor panel of  claim 1 , wherein the lock-up body is lip-shaped. 
     
     
         8 . The floor panel of  claim 1 , wherein the lock-up body is pivotable. 
     
     
         9 . The floor panel of  claim 1 , wherein the male part is formed by a downward-directed extremity of a hook-shaped part and the female part consists of a seat formed by means of an upward-directed hook-shaped part. 
     
     
         10 . The floor panel of  claim 1 , wherein the insert consists of a strip of synthetic material. 
     
     
         11 . The floor panel of  claim 1 , wherein the locking element consists of a strip which is attached in a recess in the floor panel and that thereby attachment provisions are present, which retain the strip in the recess. 
     
     
         12 . The floor panel of  claim 1 , wherein the locking element is situated in a distal side of the male part. 
     
     
         13 . The floor panel of  claim 1 , wherein the locking element is situated in a proximal side of the female part. 
     
     
         14 . The floor panel of  claim 1 , wherein the floor panel is rectangular, either oblong or square;
 wherein coupling parts are also provided at a second pair of opposite sides, which, in coupled condition, also offer a horizontal as well as a vertical locking;   wherein at the second pair of opposite sides the coupling parts allow a mutual coupling by means of a pivoting movement, such that the floor panel can be angled in at one of its sides of the second pair into a preceding row of floor panels and such just next to a preceding floor panel in the same row and, when being angled down, the male part of the floor panel then automatically engages in the female part of the preceding floor panel.   
     
     
         15 . The floor panel of  claim 14 , wherein the floor panel is rectangular and oblong; and
 wherein the second pair of opposite side forms the pair of long sides.