Panel connection

Abstract

A panel connection for, in particular, floor panels makes provision for two tongues ( 14 a , 14 b ) which engage in a groove ( 16 ) without any web or wedge locking said tongues.

1 . Panel, in particular a floor panel ( 10 ,  12 ), having two integral tongues, an upper tongue ( 14   a ) and a lower tongue ( 14   b ), on one side and a groove ( 16 ) formed out in the material of the panel on the opposite side, which tongues and groove are constructed in such a way that a number of panels can be connected to one another by the joining-together of the tongues ( 14   a ,  14   b ) and grooves ( 16 ), the tongue-and-groove connection being provided with interlatching means ( 18 ,  20 ) which prevent the separation of two panels, characterised in that the tips ( 28 ,  30 ) of the tongues ( 14   a ,  14   b ) protrude freely into the groove ( 16 ) on the inside in the joined-together condition.  
   
   
       2 . Panel according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the base ( 16   a ) of the groove ( 16 ) is round.  
   
   
       3 . Panel according to  claim 1 , characterised in that a vacant indentation ( 32 ) having a depth ( 34 ) of at least 1 mm is provided between the tongues ( 14   a ,  14   b ) in the joined-together condition.  
   
   
       4 . Panel according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the interlatching means ( 18 ,  20 ) are disposed on the upper tongue ( 14   a ).  
   
   
       5 . Panel according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the lower tongue ( 14   b ) is shorter than the upper tongue ( 14   a ).  
   
   
       6 . Panel according to  claim 1 , characterised in that a region ( 26 ) with continuous support from top to bottom is provided at or near a junction plane ( 24 ) of two panels ( 10 ,  12 ) which have been joined together.  
   
   
       7 . Panel according to  claim 6 , characterised in that the region ( 26 ) of continuous support is at least 1 mm wide.  
   
   
       8 . Panel according to  claim 6 , characterised in that the region ( 26 ) of continuous support is at least 1.5 mm wide.  
   
   
       9 . Panel according to  claim 5 , characterised in that the lower tongue ( 14   b ) is rounded off at the bottom at its tip ( 30 ).  
   
   
       10 . Panel according to  claim 1 , characterised in that a lower bottom projection ( 12   a ), which delimits the groove ( 16 ) at the bottom, protrudes at least 1.5 mm (distance  36 ) beyond the tip ( 30 ) of the lower tongue ( 14   b ) in the joined-together condition.