Covering, as well as panels and auxiliary pieces used therewith

Abstract

A floor covering formed by a plurality of panels each having two opposite edges arranged to couple adjacent panels to each other. The coupling parts include a tongue and a groove, as well as locking parts preventing the drifting apart of two such adjacent panels. A separately manufactured insert is provided between at least two of the coupled panels, and the tongue and groove. The insert comprises at least two portions functioning as fixed spacing elements with a first portion between the upper side of the tongue and the lower side of the upper lip, and a second portion between the locking parts.

1 . Panel, wherein this panel, at least at two opposite edges, is provided with coupling parts, which comprise hook-shaped parts and which allow that two such panels can be coupled to each other by means of a downward movement of one panel in respect to the other, wherein these parts comprise locking surfaces, whereas in the coupled condition of two of such panels, one hook-shaped part defines a seat for the other one; wherein the panel is provided with an associated, preferably pre-mounted, insert and comprises a vertically active locking system with an elastically displaceable locking part, which forms part of the insert, and which, in the coupled condition, cooperates with an opposite locking part, preferably in the form of a stop;
 wherein the locking part is supported towards its back side; and   wherein the elastic displacement of the locking part during coupling is generated mainly by the elastic compressibility of a first part of which the locking part forms part.   
     
     
         2 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein said insert is clamped in the panel in an elastic manner, such that the insert remains at its place. 
     
     
         3 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein said first part has a bend-out shape, wherein it is bent in the direction of the locking part. 
     
     
         4 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein said insert consists of a strip of synthetic material. 
     
     
         5 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein said insert is provided at the edge with the hook-shaped part defining the seat; wherein the insert comprises said first part as well as a second part, said second part situated at the bottom of said seat; and wherein said first part adjoins to said second part. 
     
     
         6 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is oblong; wherein said two opposite edges form the short sides of the panel; wherein the panel, at the opposite edges forming the long sides of the panel, is provided with coupling parts that allow that the panel is coupled with one of its edges forming the long sides by means of a downward turning movement to the edges forming the long sides of a preceding row of similar panels; and wherein the coupling parts at the edges forming the short sides allow that, simultaneously with said downward turning movement, an engagement is realized between a short side of the panel and a short side of a similar panel already installed in the same row. 
     
     
         7 . Panel, wherein this panel, at least at two opposite edges, is provided with coupling parts, which comprise hook-shaped parts and which allow that two such panels can be coupled to each other by means of a downward movement of one panel in respect to the other, wherein these parts comprise locking surfaces, whereas in the coupled condition of two of such panels, one hook-shaped part defines a seat for the other one; wherein the panel is provided with an associated, preferably pre-mounted, insert and comprises a vertically active locking system with an elastically displaceable locking part, which forms part of the insert, and which, in the coupled condition, cooperates with an opposite locking part, preferably in the form of a stop;
 wherein, at the height of the locking part, different material portions are applied, on the one hand, a first material portion, of which the actual locking part is formed, and a second material portion, which forms a back support for the locking part, wherein the second material portion consists of a material which can be compressed more supple than the material of the first material portion.   
     
     
         8 . The panel of  claim 7 , wherein the elastic displacement of the locking part during coupling is generated at least partially and preferably entirely by the elastic compressibility of the second material portion. 
     
     
         9 . The panel of  claim 7 , wherein said second material portion is situated at least behind the portion of the locking part which during coupling temporarily is pushed away laterally. 
     
     
         10 . The panel of  claim 7 , wherein said insert is clamped in the panel in an elastic manner, such that the insert remains at its place. 
     
     
         11 . The panel of  claim 7 , wherein at least said first and second material portions are manufactured in one piece by means of co-extrusion. 
     
     
         12 . The panel of  claim 7 , wherein said insert is provided at the edge with the hook-shaped part defining the seat; wherein the insert comprises a first part of which the locking part forms part, as well as a second part, said second part situated at the bottom of said seat; and wherein said first part adjoins to said second part. 
     
     
         13 . The panel of  claim 7 , wherein the panel is oblong; wherein said two opposite edges form the short sides of the panel; wherein the panel, at the opposite edges forming the long sides of the panel, is provided with coupling parts that allow that the panel is coupled with one of its edges forming the long sides by means of a downward turning movement to the edges forming the long sides of a preceding row of similar panels; and wherein the coupling parts at the edges forming the short sides allow that, simultaneously with said downward turning movement, an engagement is realized between a short side of the panel and a short side of a similar panel already installed in the same row. 
     
     
         14 . Panel, wherein this panel, at least at two opposite edges, is provided with coupling parts, which comprise hook-shaped parts and which allow that two such panels can be coupled to each other by means of a downward movement of one panel in respect to the other, wherein these parts comprise locking surfaces, whereas in the coupled condition of two of such panels, one hook-shaped part defines a seat for the other one; wherein the panel is provided with an associated, preferably pre-mounted, insert and comprises a vertically active locking system with an elastically displaceable locking part, which forms part of the insert, and which, in the coupled condition, cooperates with an opposite locking part, preferably in the form of a stop;
 wherein the insert at least comprises a first part which, on the one hand, on one side thereof comprises the locking part and, on the other hand, at the other side thereof, is bendable in its central part in respect to the vertically displaced extremities thereof, more particular can be pressed into a there behind situated space; and   wherein the first part has a bend-out shape in the direction of the locking part.   
     
     
         15 . The panel of  claim 14 , wherein said insert is clamped in the panel in an elastic manner, such that the insert remains at its place. 
     
     
         16 . The panel of  claim 14 , wherein said insert consists of a strip of synthetic material. 
     
     
         17 . The panel of  claim 14 , wherein said insert is provided at the edge with the hook-shaped part defining the seat; wherein the insert comprises said first part as well as a second part, said second part situated at the bottom of said seat; and wherein said first part adjoins to said second part. 
     
     
         18 . The panel of  claim 14 , wherein the panel is oblong; wherein said two opposite edges form the short sides of the panel; wherein the panel, at the opposite edges forming the long sides of the panel, is provided with coupling parts that allow that the panel is coupled with one of its edges forming the long sides by means of a downward turning movement to the edges forming the long sides of a preceding row of similar panels; and wherein the coupling parts at the edges forming the short sides allow that, simultaneously with said downward turning movement, an engagement is realized between a short side of the panel and a short side of a similar panel already installed in the same row. 
     
     
         19 . Panel, wherein this panel, at least at two opposite edges, is provided with coupling parts, which comprise hook-shaped parts and which allow that two such panels can be coupled to each other by means of a downward movement of one panel in respect to the other, wherein these parts comprise locking surfaces, whereas in the coupled condition of two of such panels, one hook-shaped part defines a seat for the other one; wherein the panel is provided with an associated, preferably pre-mounted, insert and comprises a vertically active locking system with an elastically displaceable locking part, which forms part of the insert, and which, in the coupled condition, cooperates with an opposite locking part, preferably in the form of a stop;
 wherein the insert comprises a first part which, on the one hand, on one side thereof comprises the locking part and, on the other hand, at the other side thereof, is bendable in its central part in respect to the vertically displaced extremities thereof, this against the force of a material portion functioning as an elastically compressible matter.   
     
     
         20 . The panel of  claim 19 , wherein said first part has a bend-out shape in the direction of the locking part. 
     
     
         21 . The panel of  claim 19 , wherein said insert is clamped in the panel in an elastic manner, such that the insert remains at its place. 
     
     
         22 . The panel of  claim 19 , wherein said material portion is made in one piece, for example, by co-extrusion, with the remainder of the insert. 
     
     
         23 . The panel of  claim 19 , wherein said insert is provided at the edge with the hook-shaped part defining the seat; wherein the insert comprises said first part as well as a second part, said second part situated at the bottom of said seat; and wherein said first part adjoins to said second part. 
     
     
         24 . The panel of  claim 19 , wherein the panel is oblong; wherein said two opposite edges form the short sides of the panel; wherein the panel, at the opposite edges forming the long sides of the panel, is provided with coupling parts that allow that the panel is coupled with one of its edges forming the long sides by means of a downward turning movement to the edges forming the long sides of a preceding row of similar panels; and wherein the coupling parts at the edges forming the short sides allow that, simultaneously with said downward turning movement, an engagement is realized between a short side of the panel and a short side of a similar panel already installed in the same row. 
     
     
         25 . A panel substantially made from a panel material, wherein said panel has coupling parts at least at two opposite edges and arranged to couple adjacent panels to each other;
 wherein the coupling parts include a tongue and a groove, and locking parts preventing the drifting apart of two such adjacent panels, said locking parts including a protrusion on a lower portion of the tongue;   wherein the groove is bordered by an upper lip and a lower lip; wherein the upper lip, the lower lip and the tongue are formed at least partially from the aforementioned panel material;   wherein in a coupled condition of two such adjacent panels, the tongue, at least with a portion consisting of the panel material, reaches underneath a portion of the upper lip consisting of the panel material;   wherein the panel includes at least one associated insert arranged to be provided between the coupling parts of two such adjacent panels; and wherein the coupling parts and the insert are configured such that, in the coupled condition of two such adjacent panels, the insert fits between the tongue and the groove of the coupling parts, wherein the insert includes at least two portions functioning as fixed spacing elements, a first portion between the upper side of the tongue and the lower side of the upper lip, and a second portion between the locking parts of the coupled panels, respectively; and   wherein, seen in cross-section, the length of said insert is less than the length of the contour of the edges.   
     
     
         26 . The panel of  claim 25 , wherein said insert is provided with a glue or a reactive product for effecting an adherence of the insert to the respective edge of the panel.