Panel Suitable as a Floor, Ceiling or Wall Covering, and Covering for a Floor, Ceiling or Wall, Which is Constituted by a Multitude of Such Panels

Abstract

Provided is a panel suitable as a floor, ceiling or wall panel, which panel is of a planar design having an upper side, a bottom side and side edges which include a first side edge provided with a first profile and a second side edge provided with a second profile. The first profile and the second profile are interacting profiles that can be coupled to each other, so that a first panel can be coupled in one common plane to a second, identical panel by the interacting profiles. The first profile and the second profile in coupled condition establish an interlocking with each other both in a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction. The first profile and the second profile are configured to allow for a coupling of the interacting profiles of the first panel with the second panel by a vertical insertion of the interacting profile of the first panel into the interacting profile of the second panel.

Claims

1-30. (canceled)

31. A panel suitable as a floor, ceiling or wall panel, which panel is of a planar design having an upper side, a bottom side and side edges which comprise a first side edge provided with a first profile and a second side edge provided with a second profile, wherein the first profile and the second profile are interacting profiles that can be coupled to each other, so that a first panel can be coupled in one common plane to a second, identical panel by the interacting profiles, wherein the first profile and the second profile in coupled condition establish an interlocking with each other both in a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction, wherein the first profile and the second profile are configured to allow for a coupling of the interacting profiles of the first panel with the second panel by a downward insertion of the interacting profile of the second panel into the interacting profile of the first panel, and wherein the first profile comprises an upward tongue, and the second profile comprises a downward tongue, the respective tongues being configured to interlock with each other in coupled condition by respective interlocking surface areas, wherein the entire interlocking surface area of the upward tongue is inclined upwardly towards the first side edge, and the interlocking surface area of the downward tongue is inclined upwardly away from the second side edge, wherein the interlocking surface areas of both the upward tongue and the downward tongue, each comprises a section which is vertically divided in a plurality of area sections comprising an upper area section and at least one lower area section that are adjacent to each other, which section comprises a crease between the upper area section and the adjacent lower area section, and wherein at least proximal to the crease, the upper area section and the adjacent lower area section are each inclined differently under an inclination angle which is measured relative to an upward vertical vector of the panel, such that the inclination angle of the upper area section is smaller than the inclination angle of the adjacent lower area section.

32. The panel according to claim 31, wherein the first and second profile are essentially complementary profiles.

33. The panel according to claim 31, wherein the interlocking surface areas of the downward tongue and the upward tongue are configured to be facing each other, preferably in abutting contact, when the first and second panel are in coupled condition.

34. The panel according to claim 31, wherein the respective creases extend linearly in the longitudinal direction of the respective side edges on which the creases are provided, and preferably extend in a horizontal plane of the panel.

35. The panel according to claim 31, wherein the inclination angle of the upper area section of the interlocking surface area of the upward tongue is in the range of 1 to 5 degrees, preferably 1 to 3 degrees, and is similar or equal to the inclination angle of the upper area section of the interlocking surface area of the downward tongue.

36. The panel according to claim 31, wherein the inclination angle of the lower area section of the interlocking surface area of the upward tongue, is in the range of 5 to 20 degrees, preferably 5 to 10 degrees, and is similar or equal to the inclination angle of the lower area section of the interlocking surface area of the downward tongue.

37. The panel according to claim 31, wherein the crease defines a cornered structure between the upper area section and lower area section, which cornered structure when viewed in a vertical plane perpendicular to the respective side edge, has an obtuse angle in the range of 179 to 160 degrees, preferably 178 to 171 degrees, most preferably 177 to 172 degrees, wherein, preferably, the height of the cornered structure is less than 0.5 mm, preferably less than 0.3 mm.

38. The panel according to claim 31, wherein the upper area sections and the lower area sections are essentially flat sections.

39. The panel according to claim 31, wherein the upward and downward tongue each have a rounded surface area above the upper area section, and a rounded surface area below the lower area section.

40. The panel according to claim 31, wherein at least one of the interlocking surface areas of the downward tongue and the upward tongue, is provided with a malleable coating, in particular a wax coating.

41. The panel according to claim 40, wherein the lower area section of the downward tongue and/or the upper area section of the upward tongue, is provided with a wax coating.

42. The panel according to claim 31, wherein a frontal side of the downward tongue of the second profile and a horizontally opposed side of the first edge comprise respective upper contact surfaces which extend substantially vertically towards the upper side of the panel, and are configured to be in abutting contact when the first and second profile are in coupled condition.

43. The panel according to claim 31, wherein a frontal side of the downward tongue of the second profile is provided with at least one locking element, preferably comprising an upper protrusion, and a horizontally opposed side of the first profile is provided with at least one counterlocking element, preferably comprising an upper recess, which said locking element and said counterlocking are substantially complementary, such that in a coupled condition of the two profiles, the locking element of the second profile interlocks with the counterlocking element of the first profile.

44. The panel according to claim 31, wherein the upward tongue is connected to the first side edge by a lower bridge part extending parallel to the plane of the panel at the bottom side of the panel, and wherein the lower bridge part delimits a downward groove which is enclosed between the upward tongue and the first side edge; and the downward tongue is connected to the second side edge by an upper bridge part extending parallel to the plane of the panel at a top side of the panel, and wherein the upper bridge part delimits an upward groove which is enclosed between the downward tongue and the second side edge; further wherein the downward groove and the upward groove are configured to receive respectively the downward tongue and the upward tongue in a coupled condition of the two interacting profiles.

45. The panel according to claim 31, wherein an interstitial space is present between a frontal side of the upward tongue of the first profile and a horizontally opposed side of the second edge, in particular the second profile.

46. The panel according to claim 31, wherein an interstitial space is present which is enclosed by the downward tongue, the upward tongue, and the downward groove.

47. The panel according to claim 31, wherein the downward tongue comprises a convex, heel-shaped transition zone situated in between a bottom side and the interlocking surface area of the downward tongue.

48. The panel according to claim 31, wherein the downward groove comprises a concave, hollow-shaped transition zone situated in between a bottom side of the downward groove and the interlocking surface area of the upward tongue.

49. The panel according to claim 31, wherein a frontal side of the upward tongue of the first profile is provided with a lower protrusion and/or lower recess, and a horizontally opposed side of the second profile is provided with a lower recess and/or lower protrusion, wherein the protrusion and/or recess of the first profile and the recess and/or protrusion of the second profile are substantially complementary, such that in a coupled condition of two interacting profiles, the protrusion of the first profile and the recess of the second profile interlock with each other.

50. The panel according to claim 31, wherein the panel is a decorative panel, comprising: at least one core layer, and at least one decorative top section, directly or indirectly affixed to said core layer, wherein the top section defines a top surface of the panel, a plurality of side edges at least partially defined by said core layer and/or by side top section, comprising said first side edge provided with said first profile and said second side edge provided with said second profile.

51. The panel according to claim 31, wherein the panel comprises a third edge provided with a third profile and a fourth edge provided with a fourth profile, wherein the third profile of said panel and the fourth profile of another panel are preferably arranged to be coupled by means of an angling down motion.

52. The panel according to claim 51, wherein the third profile comprises: a sideward tongue extending in a direction substantially parallel to the upper side of the core, at least one second downward flank lying at a distance from the sideward tongue, and a second downward groove formed between the sideward tongue and the second downward flank, and wherein the fourth profile comprises: a third groove configured for accommodating at least a part of the sideward tongue of the third coupling profile of an adjacent panel, said third groove being defined by an upper lip and a lower lip, wherein said lower lip is provided with an upward locking element, wherein the third profile and the fourth profile are configured such that two of such panels can be coupled to each other by means of a turning movement, wherein, in coupled condition: at least a part of the sideward tongue of a first panel is inserted into the third groove of an adjacent, second panel, and wherein at least a part of the upward locking element of said second panel is inserted into the second downward groove of said first panel.

53. A covering for a floor, ceiling or wall, which is constituted by a multitude of panels according to claim 31, which panels are coupled to each other by first profiles and second profiles that are interlocked with each other.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0086] The invention will be further elucidated with reference to preferred examples of the invention that are shown in the appended figures, wherein:

[0087] FIG. 1 shows in perspective a panel according to the invention;

[0088] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of two panels according to the invention;

[0089] FIGS. 3A and 3B show in cross-section details of two interacting profiles according to the invention;

[0090] FIG. 4 shows the interacting profiles of FIGS. 3A and 3B in a coupled condition in a common plane.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0091] FIG. 1 shows a panel 1 suitable as a floor, ceiling or wall panel, which panel is of a planar design having an upper side 7, a bottom side and side edges 3a-d which comprise a first side edge 3a provided with a first profile 10 and a second side edge 3c provided with a second profile 11.

[0092] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the panel 1 of FIG. 1, perpendicular to the first and second side edges 3a and 3c, which are provided with a first profile 10 and a second profile 11. The bottom side 9 of the panel 1, is laid on a substrate layer for instance a floor surface S. Another identical panel 1′ is shown in part, of which the second side edge 3c is to be coupled to the panel 1, by a downward vertical movement indicated by vector D.

[0093] The first profile 10 and the second profile 11 of both panels 1 and 1′ are mutually interacting profiles that can be coupled to each other. During coupling, the second profile 11 of panel 1′ is vertically inserted in the first profile 10 of panel 1, which involves the downward tongue 22 of panel 1′ being inserted in the first groove 23 of panel 1, and the upward tongue 21 of panel 1 being inserted in the second groove 24 of panel 1′. When coupled, the panels 1 and 1′ lie in a common plane which is parallel to the floor surface S.

[0094] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B respectively show in detail a preferred embodiment of the first profile 10 and second profile 11 provided at the first side edge 3a and the second side edge 3c, which are suitable for application in a panel shown in the preceding FIGS. 1 and 2. Features of the respective profiles 10 and 11 which correspond with the features shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, are indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0095] FIG. 3A, shows a first profile 10 wherein the upward tongue 21 is provided with an interlocking surface area 30, which is vertically divided in an upper area section 32 and a lower area section 34 that are adjacent to each other, and wherein a crease 36 is present as a joint between the upper area section and the lower area section.

[0096] Proximal to the crease 36, the upper area section 32 and the lower area section 34 are each inclined differently under according to inclination plane IU resp. IL. Relative to an upward vertical vector V of the panel, the inclination angle of the plane IU is about 1 to 3 degrees, and the inclination angle of the plane IL is about 6 to 10 degrees. At the intersection of the indicated inclination planes IU and IL, the crease is present which forms a cornered structure having an obtuse angle that results from the difference in angles of the inclination planes IU and IL, i.e. an obtuse angle of about 177 to 171 degrees. The upward tongue 21 has a rounded surface area above the upper area section 32, and a rounded surface area below the lower area section 34.

[0097] The upward tongue 21 is connected to the first side edge 3a by a lower bridge part 38 extending parallel to the plane of the panel at the bottom side 9 of the panel. An upper contact surface 40 the first side edge 3a extends substantially vertically towards the upper side of the panel, and is provided with an upper recess 42.

[0098] FIG. 3B, shows a second profile 11 wherein the downward tongue 22 has an interlocking surface area 50, which is vertically divided in an upper area section 52 and a lower area section 54 that are adjacent to each other, and wherein a crease 56 is present at the joint between the upper area section and the lower area section.

[0099] Proximal to the crease 56, the upper area section 52 and the lower area section 54 are each inclined differently according to inclination plane IU resp. IL. Relative to an upward vertical vector V of the panel, the inclination angle of the plane IU is about 1 to 3 degrees, and the inclination angle of the plane IL is about 6 to 10 degrees. At the intersection of the indicated inclination planes IU and IL, the crease 56 is present which forms a cornered structure having an obtuse angle that results from the difference in angles of the inclination planes IU and IL, i.e. an obtuse angle of about 177 to 171 degrees. The downward tongue 22 has a rounded surface area above the upper area section 52, and a rounded surface area below the lower area section 54.

[0100] The downward tongue 22 is connected to the second side edge 3c by an upper bridge part 58 extending parallel to the plane of the panel at the upper side 7 of the panel. An upper contact surface 60 of the second side edge 3c extends substantially vertically towards the upper side of the panel, and is provided with an upper protrusion 62.

[0101] FIG. 4 shows the profiles 10 and 11 of FIG. 3A resp. 3B, in a coupled condition wherein a horizontal and vertical locking is achieved. Herein, the respective contact surface areas 30 and 50 are facing each other in abutting contact, so that a horizontal and vertical locking of the two profiles is achieved. The creases 36 and 56 are also facing each other, thus forming an additional locking feature between the coupled profiles. At the same time, the upper contact surfaces 40 and 60 are in abutting contact, and the upper protrusion 62 and upper recess 42 are interlocked with each other.

[0102] As shown by FIG. 4, the two profiles are essentially complementary profiles, wherein it is allowed for that some parts of the facing surfaces of the two profiles are not in abutting contact when in coupled condition. Accordingly, interstitial spaces 70 are present between the downward tongue 22 and the lower bridge part 38, and an interstitial space 72 is present between the upward tongue 21 and the upper bridge part 58. Furthermore, a vertical interstitial space 74 is present between a frontal side 76 of the upward tongue 21 and a horizontally opposed side 78 of the second side edge 3c.