Surface covering incorporating a locking joint

Abstract

Surface coverings comprising individual covering elements, such as for decking are known. However, known constructions have problems including separation of the joints between planks as the material of the covering elements contracts over time. Existing products make use of harmful solvent based adhesives for securing the elements together, the application of which is also labour intensive. A surface covering comprising two or more covering elements, each covering element having a first part comprising a female member; a second part comprising a male member for engagement with a female member, the first part having a top surface and a basal surface, the basal surface extending beyond the top surface to provide an open recess for reception of the male member, the second part having a top surface and a basal surface and a male member protruding therebetween, the female member and the male member providing an interference fit upon engagement.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surface covering comprising two or more covering elements, each covering element having
 A first part comprising a female member;   A second part comprising a male member for engagement with a female member,   The first part having a top surface and a basal surface, the basal surface extending beyond the top surface to provide an open recess for reception of the male member,   The second part having a top surface and a basal surface and a male member protruding therebetween, the female member and the male member providing an interference fit upon engagement.   
     
     
         2 . A surface covering according to  claim 1  in which the open recess extends between the top surface and the basal surface beneath the top surface to receive the male member beneath the top surface. 
     
     
         3 . A surface covering according to  claim 1 , in which the top surface terminates adjacent the open recess in an inclined surface. 
     
     
         4 . A surface covering according to  claim 1  in which the first part is further provided with an abutment and the second part is provided with a recess, the abutment being accommodated within the recess upon engagement. 
     
     
         5 . A surface covering according to  claim 4 , in which one of the abutment and recess is provided with a protrusion, the other of the abutment and recess is provided with a groove, the protrusion being received within the groove upon engagement. 
     
     
         6 . A surface covering according to  claim 1 , in which upon engagement of the male and female part a channel is formed in an upper part of the covering between the male and female parts. 
     
     
         7 . A surface covering according to  claim 6 , in which a sealing element is located in the channel. 
     
     
         8 . A surface covering according to  claim 7 , in which upon engagement the sealing element is under compression. 
     
     
         9 . A surface covering according to  claim 7 , in which the sealing element is formed as a co-extrusion with the female or male part of each covering element. 
     
     
         10 . A surface covering according to  claim 9  in which the sealing element is located on the male part above the male member. 
     
     
         11 . A surface covering according to  claim 7 , in which the sealing element is located in the channel subsequent to engagement. 
     
     
         12 . A surface covering according to  claim 1 , in which the upper surface of at least one covering element is provided with one or more of a roughened surface, channels or grooves. 
     
     
         13 . A surface covering according to  claim 1 , in which the lower surface of at least one covering element is provided with one or more of a roughened surface, channels or grooves. 
     
     
         14 . A surface covering according to  claim 1 , in which each covering element is provided with ducts or channels extending along a length of the covering element. 
     
     
         15 . A surface covering according to  claim 1 , in which at least one covering element is provided with at least one photovoltaic cell. 
     
     
         16 . A surface covering according to  claim 14 , in which the at least one photovoltaic cell is retained in an upper surface of the covering element, or in which the photovoltaic cell is retained beneath a transparent or substantially transparent part of the covering element. 
     
     
         17 . A surface covering according to  claim 1 , in which at least one covering element is provided with at least one lighting element. 
     
     
         18 . A surface covering according to  claim 1 , in which at least one covering element is provided with one or more magnetic elements. 
     
     
         19 . A surface covering according to  claim 1 , in which at least one covering element is provided with one or more stiffening elements. 
     
     
         20 . A surface covering according to  claim 1 , in which the basal surface is provided with apertures extending therethrough. 
     
     
         21 . A joint having
 a first part comprising a female member;   a second part comprising a male member for engagement with a female member,   the first part having a top surface and a basal surface, the basal surface extending beyond the top surface to provide an open recess for reception of the male member.   the second part having a top surface and a basal surface and a male member protruding therebetween, the female member and the male member providing an interference fit upon engagement.