Mechanical coupling means for flooring or covering panels and flooring or covering panel provided with such means

Abstract

A coupling device couples first and second edges of first and second flooring or covering panels. The coupling device includes a projection on at least a portion of the first edge and a groove in at least a portion of the second edge, the coupling device locking the first and second edges one in a first direction perpendicular to the lying plane of the panels and in a second direction parallel to the lying plane. The projection includes first and second retaining appendages, the first projecting from the first edge along an axis inclined by a first angle with respect to the main plane of the first panel, the second being arranged below the first appendage and projecting along an axis orthogonal to the lying plane of the first panel, the groove having a first and second retaining seats counter-shaped with respect to the first and second retaining appendages.

1 . A coupling means for coupling a first edge of a first flooring or covering panel and a second edge of a second flooring or covering panel, both adapted to be arranged adjacent on a resting surface, the coupling means comprising a projection provided for on at least a portion of the first edge and a groove provided for on at least a portion of the second edge, the coupling means being shaped so as to lock the first and second edge one with the other in a first direction perpendicular to the lying plane of the panels and in a second direction parallel to the lying plane of the panels,
 wherein   the projection comprises a first and a second retaining appendage, the first retaining appendage projecting from the first edge along an axis inclined by a first angle with respect to the lying plane of the first panel, the second retaining appendage being arranged below the first retaining appendage and projecting therefrom along an axis orthogonal to the lying plane of the first panel, the groove comprising a first and a second retaining seat counter-shaped with respect to the first and second retaining appendage.   
     
     
         2 . The coupling means according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and the second retaining appendage each have a rounded end head lying on a respective curved surface having the same radius of curvature, the first and the second retaining seat each having a rounded bottom portion lying on a curved surface having the same radius of curvature as the end heads of the corresponding retaining appendages. 
     
     
         3 . The covering or flooring panel comprising:
 a parallelepiped-shaped body defining a lying plane of the panel and provided with a lower surface and an upper surface, opposite and parallel, the lower surface being adapted to be arranged on a resting surface; and   coupling means obtained at least on one pair of opposite longitudinal edges of the panel, so that different panels can be mutually coupled to each other, the coupling means comprising a projection obtained on at least a portion of a first longitudinal edge and a groove obtained on at least a portion of a second longitudinal edge,   wherein   the projection comprises a first and a second retaining appendage, the first retaining appendage projecting from the first longitudinal edge along an axis inclined by a first angle with respect to the lying plane of the panel, the second retaining appendage being arranged below the first appendage and projecting therefrom along an axis orthogonal to the lying plane of the panel, the groove comprising a first and a second retaining seat counter-shaped with respect to the first and second retaining appendage.   
     
     
         4 . The panel according to  claim 3 , comprising at least one body layer, the coupling means being made in a single piece with the material forming the body layer. 
     
     
         5 . The panel according to  claim 4 , wherein the body layer is made of a wooden multilayer having a first thickness, whereon a covering layer made of wood having a second thickness lower than the thickness of the body layer is coupled at the top part. 
     
     
         6 . The panel according to  claim 4 , wherein the projection and the groove are formed by milling the material forming the body layer. 
     
     
         7 . The panel according to  claim 3 , wherein the first and the second retaining appendage have a rounded end head lying on a respective curved surface having the same radius of curvature. 
     
     
         8 . The panel according to  claim 7 , wherein the first and the second retaining seat having a rounded bottom portion lying on a curved surface having the same radius of curvature as the end heads of the corresponding retaining appendages. 
     
     
         9 . The panel according to  claim 3 , wherein the first retaining appendage is connected at the top part to the upper surface through a first edge portion lying on a first plane orthogonal to the upper surface, the second retaining appendage being connected at the bottom part to the lower surface through a second edge portion lying on a second plane parallel to the first plane and arranged more receded toward the internal of the body of the panel with respect to the latter. 
     
     
         10 . The panel according to  claim 9 , wherein between the first edge portion and the first retaining appendage a connecting section having an extension substantially parallel to the upper surface is provided. 
     
     
         11 . The panel according to  claim 3 , wherein the first retaining seat is connected at the top part to the upper surface through a third edge portion lying on a third plane, the second retaining seat being connected at the bottom part to the lower surface through a fourth edge portion lying on a fourth plane orthogonal to the upper surface and arranged more advanced toward the external of the body of the panel with respect to the third plane. 
     
     
         12 . The panel according to  claim 11 , wherein the third plane is inclined with respect to the upper surface toward the external of the body of the panel by a second angle. 
     
     
         13 . The panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the coupling means are also provided for on a pair of opposite transversal edges of the panel, the projection being obtained on at least a portion of a first transversal edge and the groove being obtained on at least a portion of a second transversal edge.