Covering Panel and Method for Assembling a Plurality of Same

Abstract

A covering panel. The panel includes multiple lips disposed around the edges of the panel. Each lip projects from a corresponding edge of the panel and extends along at least a portion of the edge. Each lip also includes the features of at least one flange, which projects from the lip. Each lip also includes at least one groove, which receives the at least one flange of a separate, or the same lip. The groove is substantially contiguous with the flange. The panel can also include an elastomeric core, made of PVC or uPVC material. The groove and the flange can be mushroom shaped, and can be complementary such that they share the same shape, but are inversed.

1 . A floor panel comprising:
 an elongated core;   a plurality of edges disposed about the core; and   a plurality of lips, each lip projecting from a corresponding edge of the core and extending along at least a portion of said edge, each lip comprising:
 at least one flange projecting from the lip and being provided with a flange base and a flange cap; and 
 at least one groove being configurable for receiving the flange base and the flange cap of a separate lip, the at least one groove being substantially complementary with the at least one flange of a same lip 
   
       wherein the at least one flange and the at least one groove of each lip form a lip profile, the lip profile of a first floor panel being the same as the lip profile of a separate floor panel being connectable to the first floor panel. 
     
     
         2 . A floor panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the flange cap and flange base form a mushroom-shaped projection. 
     
     
         3 . A floor panel according to  claim 2 , wherein the mushroom-shaped projection is elastically deformable. 
     
     
         4 . A floor panel according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one groove forms a mushroom-shaped depression, the mushroom-shaped depression being configured for compressively receiving the mushroom-shaped projection of a separate lip. 
     
     
         5 . A floor panel according to  claim 4 , wherein the mushroom-shaped depression is elastically deformable upon compressively receiving the mushroom-shaped projection. 
     
     
         6 . A floor panel according to  claim 4 , wherein a snap fit is produced upon compressively receiving the mushroom-shaped projection in the mushroom-shaped depression, thereby indicating that a secure connection has been established. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A floor panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongated core is substantially rectangular, and wherein the rectangular elongated core comprises four edges, each edge being disposed substantially perpendicularly to two other edges. 
     
     
         9 . A floor panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the core is made from a flexible material selected from the group consisting of a macromolecule material, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), vinyl, and unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (uPVC). 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A floor panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lips comprises at least two lips in opposed relation, and wherein the at least two lips face in opposite directions. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A floor panel according to  claim 1 , wherein each lip has a lip thickness and the elongated core has a core thickness, the lip thickness being less than the core thickness. 
     
     
         15 . A floor panel according to  claim 1 , comprising at least one surface, the at least one surface being laminated. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A floor panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one groove is disposed closer to the corresponding edge than the at least one flange. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A floor panel comprising:
 an elongated core;   a plurality of edges disposed about the core; and   a plurality of lips, each lip projecting from a corresponding edge of the core and extending along at least a portion of said edge, each lip comprising:
 at least one flange projecting from said lip and being provided with a flange base and a flange cap, the flange cap and flange base forming a mushroom-shaped projection; and 
 at least one groove provided with a groove passage and a groove bottom, the groove passage and the groove bottom forming a mushroom-shaped depression; 
   wherein the mushroom-shaped projection is substantially contiguous with the mushroom-shaped depression, both the mushroom-shaped projection and the mushroom-shaped depression having a same form.   
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . (canceled)