Panel With Improved Coupling Means

Abstract

The present invention relates to a new floor or wall panel with improved coupling means and is aimed at offering a solution for the drawbacks of the “fall down” joining system.

1 . Profiled strip ( 1 ) comprising a visible side ( 11 ), a first end side provided with first male ( 1 ′C) and first female connecting means ( 1 ′D), and a second end side which is situated opposite the first end side and is provided with second male ( 1 B) and second female ( 1 A) connecting means, in which the connecting means are suitable to join the end sides of adjoining profiled strips ( 1 ,  1 ′) with one another by engagement of the male and the female connecting means, in which the profiled strip furthermore comprises first vertical locking means which are provided to produce a vertical lock between adjoining profiled strips, wherein the first vertical locking means are made from the same material as the profiled strip ( 1 ) and comprise a pliable projection ( 1 ′ 7 ) which forms part of the first or second male connecting means. 
     
     
         2 . Profiled strip ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the first vertical locking means furthermore comprise a recess which forms part of the first or second female connecting means, and in that the pliable projection is configured to carry out a bending movement during the joining of the adjoining profiled strips in the direction of the adjoining end side by moving in the recess ( 1 ′ 6 ) in order then to at least partly bend back into its original position when the first or second male connecting means engage in the first or second female connecting means. 
     
     
         3 . Profiled strip ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the profiled strip is made in a single part. 
     
     
         4 . Profiled strip ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the profiled strip is made from plastic. 
     
     
         5 . Profiled strip ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the visible side comprises a decorative top layer. 
     
     
         6 . Profiled strip ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the profiled strip ( 1 ) furthermore comprises second vertical locking means which are configured to provide a second vertical lock between adjoining profiled strips. 
     
     
         7 . Profiled strip ( 1 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein the second vertical locking means are formed by providing the one end side with an oblique side ( 15 ) or a recess (a) and providing the other side with a similar oblique side ( 1 ′ 5 ), respectively, or a projection fitting in the recess. 
     
     
         8 . Method for forming a profiled strip ( 1 ) comprising: a first end side provided with first male and first female connecting means, a second end side situated opposite the first end side and provided with second male and second female connecting means, and first vertical locking means which are configured to produce a vertical lock between adjoining profiled strips, in which said locking means comprise a pliable projection, wherein the method comprises the following steps:
 forming a plate-shaped profile from plastic;   sawing the formed profile to the desired length;   performing a machining operation on the end sides of the sawn profile in order to form the connecting means and the first vertical locking means.   
     
     
         9 . Method according to  claim 8 , wherein said profiled strip furthermore comprises second vertical locking means which are configured to produce a second vertical lock between adjoining profiled strips, in which said second vertical locking means are provided during said machining operation.