Panel with locking device

Abstract

A set of panels includes first and second panels and a mechanical locking device for assembly by vertical relative displacement of the panels. A locking strip extends from a first edge of the first panel in a direction parallel to first and second panel surfaces of the first panel. The locking strip includes a locking strip edge, and first and second locking strip surfaces respectively extending in directions substantially corresponding to those of the first and second panel surfaces. A locking element of the locking strip cooperates with a locking groove at the second edge of the second panel for locking in a direction parallel to the first panel surface. Opposite edges respectively include cooperating tongue and tongue groove for vertical locking. A flexing groove extends from a first locking strip surface/first edge transition and into the first panel at an angle α from the first panel surface.

1 .- 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A set of panels comprising a first panel, a second panel and a mechanical locking device for locking the first panel to the second panel, the mechanical locking device being configured for an assembly by a displacement of the second panel in relation to the first panel in a vertical direction to obtain a locked position of the first panel and the second panel,
 wherein the first panel comprises a first edge, a first panel surface and a second panel surface, and the second panel comprises a second edge,   wherein the mechanical locking device comprises a locking strip extending from the first edge in a direction parallel to the first and second panel surfaces,   wherein the locking strip comprises a first locking strip surface extending in a direction substantially corresponding to the direction of the first panel surface of the first panel,   wherein the locking strip comprises a locking element configured to cooperate with a locking groove at the second edge of the second panel for locking in a direction parallel to the first panel surface,   wherein one of the first or second edge comprises a tongue configured to cooperate with a tongue groove at the other one of the first or second edge for locking in the vertical direction,   wherein the mechanical locking device comprises a flexing groove extending from a transition between the first locking strip surface and the first edge and into the first panel at an angle from the first panel surface,   wherein the locking strip is configured to flex during the assembly,   wherein an opening of the flexing groove that is connected to the first edge is positioned at a distance A 1  in the vertical direction from the first panel surface,   wherein the flexing groove extends a distance A 2  in a direction essentially perpendicular to the second panel surface,   wherein a bottom of the flexing groove is positioned at a distance A 3  in the vertical direction from the second panel surface, and   wherein a ratio between the distance A 2  and the distance A 3  is within the range of about 0.8 to about 3.   
     
     
         26 . The set of panels according to  claim 25 , wherein a distance Q extends between the first panel surface and the second panel surface in the vertical direction, and wherein A 2  is equal to the distance Q minus the sum of the distances A 1  and A 3 . 
     
     
         27 . The set of panels according to  claim 25 , wherein the bottom of the flexing groove extends essentially parallel to the first panel surface. 
     
     
         28 . The set of panels according to  claim 27 , wherein a ratio between a length M of the bottom of the flexing groove and a width T of an opening of the flexing groove is within the range of about 0.5 to about 2. 
     
     
         29 . The set of panels according to  claim 25 , wherein the bottom of the flexing groove is essentially arch-shaped. 
     
     
         30 . The set of panels according to  claim 25 , wherein a ratio between a width T of the opening of the flexing groove and a distance Q between the first panel surface and the second panel surface in the vertical direction is within the range of about 0.05 to about 0.4. 
     
     
         31 . The set of panels according to  claim 25 , wherein the flexing groove extends into the first panel at an oblique angle from the first panel surface. 
     
     
         32 . The set of panels according to  claim 25 , wherein the angle is within the range of about 0° to about 30°. 
     
     
         33 . The set of panels according to  claim 25 , wherein a ratio between a depth D of the flexing groove and a width T of the flexing groove is about 2 to about 10. 
     
     
         34 . The set of panels according to  claim 25 , wherein a core of the first panel and/or of the second panel is a wood-based core. 
     
     
         35 . The set of panels according to  claim 25 , wherein a core of the first panel and/or of the second panel is a plastic core. 
     
     
         36 . The set of panels according to  claim 25 , wherein a core of the first panel and/or of the second panel is a mineral-based board. 
     
     
         37 . A set of panels comprising a first panel, a second panel and a mechanical locking device for locking the first panel to the second panel, the mechanical locking device being configured for an assembly by a displacement of the second panel in relation to the first panel in a vertical direction to obtain a locked position of the first panel and the second panel, wherein the first panel comprises a first edge, a first panel surface and a second panel surface, and the second panel comprises a second edge,
 wherein the mechanical locking device comprises a locking strip extending from the first edge in a direction parallel to the first and second panel surfaces,
 wherein the locking strip comprises a first locking strip surface extending in a direction substantially corresponding to the direction of the first panel surface of the first panel, 
 
 wherein the locking strip comprises a locking element configured to cooperate with a locking groove at the second edge of the second panel for locking in a direction parallel to the first panel surface, 
 wherein the locking strip comprises a locking strip edge, the locking strip edge being positioned at a distance Z from the first edge, 
 wherein one of the first or second edge comprises a tongue configured to cooperate with a tongue groove at the other one of the first or second edge for locking in the vertical direction, 
 wherein the mechanical locking device comprises a flexing groove extending from a transition between the first locking strip surface and the first edge and into the first panel at an angle from the first panel surface, wherein an opening of the flexing groove has a width T, 
 wherein the locking strip is configured to flex by during the assembly, and 
 wherein a ratio between the distance Z and the width T of the opening of the flexing groove is within the range of about 2 to about 10. 
 
     
     
         38 . The set of panels according to  claim 37 , wherein a ratio between the width T of the opening of the flexing groove and a distance Q between the first panel surface and the second panel surface in the vertical direction is within the range of about 0.05 to about 0.4. 
     
     
         39 . The set of panels according to  claim 37 , wherein the flexing groove has a bottom, the bottom extending essentially parallel to the first panel surface. 
     
     
         40 . The set of panels according to  claim 39 , wherein a ratio between a length M of the bottom of the flexing groove and a width T of an opening of the flexing groove is within the range of about 0.5 to about 2. 
     
     
         41 . The set of panels according to  claim 37 , wherein the flexing groove has a bottom that is essentially arch-shaped. 
     
     
         42 . The set of panels according to  claim 37 , wherein the flexing groove extends into the first panel at an oblique angle from the first panel surface. 
     
     
         43 . The set of panels according to  claim 37 , wherein the angle is within the range of about 0° to about 30°. 
     
     
         44 . The set of panels according to  claim 37 , wherein a ratio between a depth D of the flexing groove and the width T of the flexing groove is about 2 to about 10. 
     
     
         45 . A set of panels comprising a first panel, a second panel and a mechanical locking device for locking the first panel to the second panel, the mechanical locking device being configured for an assembly by a displacement of the second panel in relation to the first panel in a vertical direction to obtain a locked position of the first panel and the second panel,
 wherein the first panel comprises a first edge, a first panel surface and a second panel surface, and the second panel comprises a second edge, 
 wherein the mechanical locking device comprises a locking strip extending from the first edge in a direction parallel to the first and second panel surfaces,
 wherein the locking strip comprises a first locking strip surface extending in a direction substantially corresponding to the direction of the first panel surface of the first panel, 
 
 wherein the locking strip comprises a locking element configured to cooperate with a locking groove at the second edge of the second panel for locking in a direction parallel to the first panel surface, 
 wherein one of the first or second edge comprises a tongue configured to cooperate with a tongue groove at the other one of the first or second edge for locking in the vertical direction, 
 wherein the mechanical locking device comprises a flexing groove extending from a transition between the first locking strip surface and the first edge and into the first panel at an angle from the first panel surface, wherein an opening of the flexing groove has a width T, 
 wherein the locking strip is configured to flex during the assembly, and 
 wherein a ratio between the width T of the opening of the flexing groove and a distance Q between the first panel surface and the second panel surface in the vertical direction is within the range of about 0.05 to about 0.4.