Connecting element

Abstract

A connecting element for connecting flooring panels with a core of wooden material, in particular MDF or HDF, which is provided with a tongue on one side edge and with a groove on the opposite side edge, and the tongue corresponds to the groove of the panel and the groove corresponds to the tongue of the panel, whereby two lips lying opposite one another are embodied on the top side projecting beyond the side edges.

1 . A connecting element for connecting flooring panels with a core of wooden material, comprising a tongue on one side edge and a groove on an opposite side edge, wherein the tongue corresponds to a groove of a panel and the groove corresponds to a tongue of the panel, and two lips lying opposite one another embodied on a top side projecting beyond the one side edge and the opposite side edge.  
   
   
       2 . The connecting element according to  claim 1 , wherein the lips are elastically resilient.  
   
   
       3 . The connecting element according to  claim 1 , wherein in the connection of two panels the lips are structured and arranged to bear on a top side of the panels in a sealing manner.  
   
   
       4 . The connecting element according to  claim 3 , wherein the lips have a flocking on an underside.  
   
   
       5 . The connecting element according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting element comprises a mixture of wood fibers and plastic.  
   
   
       6 . The connecting element according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting element comprises plastic.  
   
   
       7 . The connecting element according to  claim 1 , further comprising locking means in an area of the groove and the tongue of the connecting element that correspond to locking means of the tongue and the groove of the panel.  
   
   
       8 . The connecting element according to  claim 1 , further comprising an inserted clamp.  
   
   
       9 . The connecting element according to  claim 8 , wherein the clamp is curved and extends over an entire length of the connecting element.  
   
   
       10 . The connecting element according to  claim 9 , wherein the clamp essentially corresponds to an enlarged circumferential contour of the groove of the connecting element.  
   
   
       11 . The connecting element according to  claim 8 , wherein the clamp is of metal.  
   
   
       12 . The connecting element according to  claim 1 , wherein the core of wood material is one of MDF and HDF.  
   
   
       13 . The connecting element according to  claim 1 , further comprising a flocking comprising flock fibers arranged vertically on an underside of the lips.  
   
   
       14 . The connecting element of  claim 8 , wherein the clamp is integrated into the connecting element.  
   
   
       15 . A system, comprising: 
 at least one flooring panels with a decorative layer top layer, the at least one flooring panels comprising a tongue and a groove on side edges lying opposite one another; and    a connecting element comprising a groove and a tongue on side edges corresponding to the tongue and the groove of the at least one flooring panels, the connecting element further comprising, in an area of the side edges, lips configured to bear on a top side of the at least one panels and overlap a butt joint between the panels and the connecting element.    
   
   
       16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the connecting element comprising a flocking on an underside thereof.  
   
   
       17 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein the flocking comprises flock fibers that are arranged vertically on the underside of the lips.  
   
   
       18 . The system according to  claim 16 , further comprising a clamp integrated with the connecting element.  
   
   
       19 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein the clamp is metal and the connecting element is plastic.  
   
   
       20 . The system according to  claim 18 , wherein the clamp is curved such that it essentially corresponds to an enlarged circumferential contour of the groove or the tongue of the connecting element.