Floor panel with the tongue more elastic than the locking element

Abstract

The invention relates to a panel, with a tongue on a longitudinal and a transverse edge, projecting beyond said longitudinal or transverse edge, with essentially parallel tongue surfaces and a groove on the opposing longitudinal or transverse edge, enclosed by lateral panel sections, corresponding to the tongue of an adjacent panel with essentially parallel groove edges. In order to lock two adjacent panels such as to run into each other, a projecting locking element is provided on at least one tongue surface at least in parts and in each region of (a) panel section(s) corresponding to said locking element(s) for connected panels a recess(es) is provided, whereby the region (B) of the tongue with the locking element and/or at least one of the regions of the tongue and the panel sections which are in contact on introducing the tongue into the groove, before the locking element clips into the recess, have an elastic embodiment such that said elasticity is greater than the elasticity of the locking element.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A panel, in particular a floor panel, which, on a longitudinal and/or transverse edge, has a tongue respectively projecting beyond the relevant longitudinal and/or transverse edge and having substantially parallel tongue surfaces and, on the opposite longitudinal and/or transverse edge, has a groove corresponding to the tongue of an adjacent panel, surrounded by lateral panel sections and having substantially parallel groove flanks; in order to lock two adjacent panels plugged into each other, at least one projecting locking element being provided on at least one panel section, in some regions, and a depression assigned to the respective locking element being provided in each case in the region of the tongue surface corresponding to the respective locking element in the panels connected to each other, characterized in that the region of the corresponding panel section bearing the locking element and/or at least one of the regions of the tongue and the panel sections which are in contact as the tongue is inserted into the groove, before the locking element latches into the depression, in each case has a defined area of greater elastically than the respective elasticity of the locking element, wherein the affected area of elasticity compresses upon insertion of the tongue into the groove. 
     
     
         18 . The panel as claimed in  claim 17 , characterized in that the locking element and the region of the panel section bearing the locking element are formed in two parts. 
     
     
         19 . The panel as claimed in  claim 17 , characterized in that at least one locking element is provided on the underside of the upper and/or on the upper side of the lower panel section.