Abstract
A panel for composing a floor covering or wall covering. A panel system including at least one panel. A method of composing a covering, in particular a floor covering, by using a panel system.
Claims
1. A panel for composing a floor covering or wall covering, comprising: a first edge that comprises a plurality of first coupling profiles, and a second edge, located opposed to the first edge, that comprises a plurality of second coupling profiles, wherein each second coupling profile is configured to engage interlockingly with at least one first coupling profile of an adjacent panel, both in horizontal direction and in vertical direction, wherein said first edge and/or said second edge comprises at least one drainage segment that is free of coupling profiles to facilitate flow-through of water in between the first edge of said panel and a facing second edge of an adjacent panel, in coupled condition of said panels, wherein at least one first coupling profile comprises: a sideward tongue extending in a direction substantially parallel to a plane defined by the panel, wherein an upper side of said sideward tongue comprises at least one first locking element in a form of an upwardly protruding locking element; and wherein at least one second coupling profile comprises: a groove configured for accommodating at least a part of the sideward tongue of at least one first coupling profile of an adjacent panel, said groove being defined by an upper lip and a lower lip, wherein said lower lip extends beyond said upper lip, and wherein a lower side of said upper lip comprises at least one second locking element in a form of a downwardly facing recess, configured to face, and co-act with, the first locking element of an adjacent panel, in coupled condition of said panels to interlock the panels in horizontal direction.
2. The panel according to claim 1, wherein at least one drainage segment is enclosed by adjacent coupling profiles.
3. The panel according to claim 1, wherein at least one edge of the first edge and second edge comprises at least three coupling profiles, wherein a drainage segment is present in between each pair of adjacent first coupling profiles.
4. The panel according to claim 1, wherein at least one drainage segment is substantially delimited by a vertical plane defined by the corresponding edge.
5. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the first edge comprises at least one first drainage segment, and wherein the second edge comprises at least one second drainage segment.
6. The panel according to claim 5, wherein at least one first drainage segment is at least partially aligned with at least one second drainage segment, such that said first drainage segment of said panel is facing said second drainage segment of an adjacent panel, in coupled condition of said panels, and further wherein the length of at least one first drainage segment exceeds the length of at least one second drainage segment.
7. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the length of at least one drainage segment exceeds the length of at least one adjacent coupling profile.
8. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the first and second coupling 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 groove of an adjacent, second panel, and wherein at least one second locking element of said first panel faces, and co-acts with, the first locking element of said adjacent panel to interlock both panels both in horizontal and vertical direction.
9. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the lower lip comprises an inner segment that is positioned directly below the upper lip, and a connecting outer segment that extends beyond an outer vertical plane defined by the upper lip, wherein the maximum height of the inner segment is identical to or exceeds the maximum height of the outer segment, and further wherein an upper surface of the lower lip, the outer segment of the lower lip, comprises at least one upward drainage groove.
10. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the lower lip of said panel is configured to engage a stop surface of the second profile of an adjacent panel, in coupled condition of said panels, wherein said stop surface is located at a lower level than the sideward tongue.
11. The panel according to claim 1, wherein a lower side of the panel is provided with a longitudinal cut-out portion connecting and parallel to the first edge for accommodating each lower lip in coupled condition of adjacent panels.
12. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling profile comprises a first top portion located above the sideward tongue, wherein said first top portion extends in a substantially vertical direction, and wherein an outer end of the upper lip defines a second top portion, wherein said second top portion extends in a substantially vertical direction, and wherein said second top portion is configured to face the first top portion of an adjacent panel, in coupled condition of said panels, such that the first top portion and the facing second top portion are positioned at a distance from each other.
13. The panel according to claim 1, wherein at least one lower lip is provided with at least one curved side edge.
14. The panel according to claim 1, wherein at least one sideward tongue is provided with at least one curved side edge.
15. The panel according to claim 1, wherein at least two first coupling profiles, in particular as seen from a cross-sectional view, are identical.
16. The panel according to claim 1, wherein at least two first coupling profiles, in particular as seen from a top view, are mirror symmetric first coupling profiles, and wherein at least two second coupling profiles, in particular as seen from a top view, are mirror symmetric second coupling profiles.
17. The panel according to claim 1, wherein each pair of at least one pair of adjacent first coupling profiles and at least one pair of opposing adjacent second coupling profiles encloses an accommodating space for accommodating a separate support structure for supporting said panel, wherein accommodating spaces are aligned with each other.
18. A panel system for composing a floor covering or wall covering, in particular for outdoor use, comprising: at least one panel according to claim 1, and at least one first support structure configured to be partially accommodated within at least one pair of aligned accommodating spaces and/or bottom groove applied in the lower side of said panel.
19. The panel system according to claim 18, wherein at least one accommodating space and/or at least one bottom groove of at least one panel comprises at least one third coupling profile, and wherein said first support structure comprises at least one fourth coupling profile configured to interlockingly engage with said third coupling profile, in horizontal direction and/or vertical direction.
20. The panel system according to claim 19, wherein the third coupling profile comprises at least one third sideward tongue, and wherein the fourth coupling profile comprises at least one fourth groove configured to receive at least a part of the third sideward tongue, wherein said fourth groove is defined by a fourth upper lip and a fourth lower lip.
21. The panel system according to claim 20, wherein the third coupling profile comprises two facing third sideward tongues that are at least partially positioned in the same plane at a distance from each other, wherein a space enclosed by said two third sideward tongues is configured to accommodate a part of at least one fourth coupling profile.
22. The panel system according to claim 20, wherein the fourth upper lip is provided with at least one upwardly protruding ridge, that, in coupled condition of adjacent panels, is situated in between facing, distant chamfered surfaces of at least one third coupling profile, and further wherein the upwardly protruding ridge is configured to support the panel.
23. The panel system according to claim 20, wherein each third coupling profile and each fourth coupling profile are configured to be coupled by a translational movement in a direction parallel to the plane defined by the panel.
24. The panel system according to claim 18, wherein the panel system comprises a plurality of interlockable or interlocked panels, wherein first coupling profiles of at least one panel are configured to engage interlockingly with second coupling profiles of at least one other panel, such that pairs of aligned accommodating spaces of adjacent panels are aligned with each other and/or such that bottom grooves of adjacent panels are aligned with each other to collectively accommodate a part of at least one first support structure, and further, wherein the assembly of interlocked panels comprises third coupling profiles that interlockingly engage with at least one fourth coupling profile of said first support structure.
25. The panel system according to claim 18, wherein the panel system comprises a plurality of first support structures, and further wherein a plurality of first support surface is oriented at a distance from each other and in a parallel manner, wherein each first support structure interlockingly engages with a plurality of mutually interlocked panels.
26. The panel system according to claim 18, wherein the panel system comprises at least one second support surface, free of any coupling profiles, configured to merely support at least one panel.
27. The panel system according to claim 18, wherein at least one support structure comprises levelling feet, such as levelling screws, to level the support structure onto a subfloor, and further wherein the panel system comprises at least one base plate configured to simultaneously support a plurality of levelling feet.
28. A panel for composing a floor covering or wall covering, comprising: a first edge that comprises a plurality of first coupling profiles, and a second edge, located opposed to the first edge, that comprises a plurality of second coupling profiles, wherein each second coupling profile is configured to engage interlockingly with at least one first coupling profile of an adjacent panel, both in horizontal direction and in vertical direction, wherein said first edge and/or said second edge comprises at least one drainage segment that is free of coupling profiles to facilitate flow-through of water in between the first edge of said panel and a facing second edge of an adjacent panel, in coupled condition of said panel and said adjacent panel, wherein a lower side of the panel comprises at least one bottom groove, connecting the first edge and the second edge, wherein said bottom groove is configured to accommodate a separate support structure for supporting said panel, and wherein the bottom groove is connected and aligned with a pair of opposing, aligned accommodating spaces to form a continuous accommodating groove for accommodating a part of said separate support structure, and further wherein at least one accommodating space and/or at least one bottom groove comprises at least one third coupling profile configured to interlockingly engage with at least one fourth coupling profile of said separate support structure, in horizontal direction and/or vertical direction.
29. The panel according to claim 1, wherein a second pair of opposing edges, in particular a third edge and fourth edge, of the panel is entirely free of coupling profiles.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The present invention will hereinafter be further elucidated on the basis of the following non-limitative figures, wherein:
(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of according to a first embodiment of the panel system according to the invention;
(3) FIG. 2 shows a top view of the panels system shown in FIG. 1;
(4) FIGS. 3a-3d show different views of the panel according to the invention according to an embodiment;
(5) FIG. 4 shows a side view of a single panel according to the invention;
(6) FIG. 5 shows a side view of the panel system according to the present invention;
(7) FIGS. 6a and 6b show perspective views of parts of the support structure for a panel system according to the invention, and;
(8) FIGS. 7a and 7b show two different perspective views of panels according to the invention in different coupled conditions.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(9) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view according to a first non-limitative embodiment of the panel system 100 according to the present invention. The panel system 100 comprises, in this non-limitative example, two panels 101, 200 according to the invention. Said panels 101, 200, rest on support structures 302, 303 according to the present invention. Said panels 101, 200 and the support structures 302, 303 will be elaborated in more detail based on FIGS. 3a-3d, FIG. 5, and FIGS. 6a-6b. The panel system 100 composes a floor covering or wall covering. The support structures 302, 303 may as such be arranged for providing support to or carrying the panels 101, 200. In this respect, it may be beneficial to provide for one or more base plates 309. Said base plates 309 may be arranged on a surface which is to be provided with a panel covering according to the invention. However, it should be understood that installation without said base plates 309 is also possible. The base plates 309 may provide support to one or more levelling feet 310. In respect of this particular figure, each base plate 309 supports two levelling feet 310, it is however conceivable that more or fewer levelling feet are supported by the base plates 309. The levelling feet may allow the support structures 302, 303 to be levelled to a preferred extent by the user. As such, the covering may be adjusted to be substantially levelled, or in fact at a slight angle for increasing the drainage. Two types of support structures 302, 303 are provided, a first support structure 302, and a second support structure 303. Said first support structure 302 comprises a coupling profile 304, which may be referred to as a fourth coupling profile 304. The fourth coupling profile 304 may be configured to co-act, that is to interlockingly engage with a third coupling profile 221 of a panel 101. The fourth coupling profile 304 comprises at least one fourth groove 305, which is configured to receive a part of the third coupling profile 221 of a panel 101, 200. The fourth coupling profile 304 may as such be at least partially defined by a fourth upper lip 306 and a fourth lower lip 307. Said fourth lower lip 307 may be configured for supporting at least a part of a panel 101, 200. The first support structure 302 may further comprise an upwardly protruding ridge 308. In a coupled condition of the panels 101, 200, the upwardly protruding ridge 308 may be situated between mutually facing edges 226 of a third coupling profile 221. The second support structures 303 are preferably free of any coupling profile, and may comprise a supporting surface 311, which may be configured to support a bottom side of a panel 101, 200 according to the invention. Said second support structures 303 are in particularly suitable at a begin and end portion of a panel 101, 200. The length of the panels 101, 200 according to the present invention may be situated between 1 and 4 meters, preferably between 1.5 and 4 meter, more preferably between 3 and 4 meters. Optionally, and as shown in this embodiment, one or more fake grouts and/or bevels 227 may be provided on a panel 101, 200. Said fake grouts and/or bevels 227 may optically give the impression the single panel 101, 200 is composed out of a number of panels. It is however noted that the fake grouts and/or bevels 227 may also be omitted from the panel 101, 200.
(10) FIG. 2 shows a top view of the panel system as shown in FIG. 1. The figure indicates that according to this particular embodiment, the first support structure 302 and the second support structure 303 oriented substantially perpendicular with respect to the length direction of the panels 101, 200. It may however be conceivable, or in some instances preferred, to arrange said support structures 302, 303 at an acute or oblong angle with respect to the length direction of the panels 101, 200. It furthermore shows that the length of the different first support structures 302 and second support structures 303 may be different. Also the multiple base plates 309, which may rest on a surface to be provided with a panel covering, may be positioned on different positions in the width direction with respect to each other. Hence, also the levelling feet 310, such as the screws 310 are in different positions, which may provide for more flexibility in adjusting the panel system 100. Moreover, this may allow to provide for sufficient support over substantially the entire panel system since it may allow for more contact points between the surface to be provided with a panel covering and the support structures 302, 303. The top view perspective of the panel system 100 according to the present invention provides a better overview of the first edge 202 and second edge 201 of the panel 101, 200 according to the invention. The first panel edge 202 is provided with a number of first coupling profiles 204. Similarly, the second panel edge 201 is provided with a plurality of second coupling profiles 203. At least one portion of the first edge 202 or second edge 201 is preferably free of coupling profiles 203, 204, and comprises a drainage segment 205, 260. Adjacent coupling profiles 203, 204, may preferably enclose one or more drainage segments 205, 206. Said drainage segments 205, 206 allow water to be washed away from the upper, visible, surface 230 of the panel system 100 according to the invention. This may as such prevent pools of water (or other liquids) from forming on the upper surface. The first coupling profiles 204 and second coupling profiles 203 may mutually be of different lengths, such as denoted by the first coupling profile A, and second coupling profile B in this figure. Coupling profile A is larger compared to profile B. According to this non-limitative embodiment, a drainage segment 205, 206, is provided between each of the adjacent first coupling profiles 204 and each of the adjacent second coupling profiles 203. The drainage segments arranged on the first edge 202 may be referred to as first drainage segments 206, and the drainage segments arranged on the second edge 201 may be referred to as second drainage segments 205. This may allow for a high drainage of water (or other liquids). As noted above, it may be possible that a first coupling profile 204 is larger or smaller compared to a second coupling profile 203. In this respect however, it is preferred that at least one first drainage segment 206 is at least partially aligned with at least one second drainage segment 205, such that said first drainage segment 206 of said panel 101, 200, is facing said second drainage segment 205 of an adjacent panel 101, 200, in coupled condition of said panels 101, 200. It is also imaginable that a first drainage segment 206 exceeds the length of a second drainage segment 205. However, the inverse thereof is also imaginable. Yet, also one drainage segment 205, 206 may exceed the length of a coupling profile 203, 204. In order to further enhance the drainage properties of the one or more drainage segments 205, 206, a side edge of at least one coupling profile of the first coupling profile 204 and/or second coupling profile 203 may be provided with a curved side edge 216, 219, in particular as can be seen from this top view perspective.
(11) In respect of FIGS. 3a-3d different aspect of the panel 200 as such will be discussed in more detail. In these figures, FIG. 3a shows a perspective view of a panel according to the invention, showing an upper side of the panel 200. FIG. 3b also shows a perspective view of the panel 200, but showing a bottom side of the panel 200. FIG. 3c shows a top view perspective of the panel 200, and FIG. 3d provides a side view of the panel 200 according to the invention. Starting with FIG. 3a, the second panel edge 201 can be seen in some amount of detail. A plurality of second coupling profiles 203 are arranged on the second panel edge 201. At least two adjacent coupling profiles 203 are arranged in a mirror symmetric manner, as can be seen by the indicative mirror line M. Said mirror symmetric second coupling profiles 203 mutually enclose a drainage segment 205. Mutually facing edges of said mirror symmetric second coupling profiles 203 are substantially straight, whereas the side edges 219 of said mirror symmetric second coupling profiles 203 that are facing away are curved 219. The curved side edges 219 of the second coupling profiles 203 may allow for a smoother drainage of water (or other liquid). As shown from the bottom end of the panel 200 the panel is in particular hollow, which may be achieved via at least one internal channel 224. Said internal channel 224 may extend through substantially the entire panel 200. Said internal channel 224 may debouch in and/or mutually connect an accommodating space 228 (see also FIGS. 3b and 3d) and/or bottom groove, preferably transverse bottom groove, 218. Clear distinction should however be made between the accommodating space 218 and the bottom groove, preferably transverse bottom groove, 218. That is, an accommodating space 228 may be defined, as shown in FIG. 3a, by a pair adjacent second coupling profiles 203 (but also by a pair of first coupling profiles 204, FIG. 3b). Preferably, accommodating spaces 228 defined by a pair of adjacent first coupling profiles 204 and a pair of adjacent second coupling profiles 203 may, in coupled condition of two panels 200 at least partially coincide, or overlap or align. The bottom groove, preferably transverse bottom groove, 218 as such is situated in a central part of a panel 200, as can best be seen in FIG. 3b. The bottom groove, preferably transverse bottom groove, 218 preferably aligns with at least one, preferably each accommodating space 228. If the bottom groove, preferably transverse bottom groove, 218 is aligned with both accommodating spaces, a continuous accommodating groove may be formed, which essentially stretches the entire width of a panel 200. FIG. 2b shows the bottom surface 229 of the panel 200 according to the invention. This figure moreover shows that this particular panel comprises two bottom grooves, preferably transverse bottom grooves, 218, provided at a mutual distance from each other. In this particular embodiment, each of these bottom grooves, preferably transverse bottom grooves, 218 is aligned with a first accommodating space 228, defined by a pair of adjacent first coupling profiles 204, and with a second accommodating space 227, defined by a pair of adjacent second coupling profiles 203. As such, two continuous accommodating groves 218, 228 are formed. These two continuous accommodating grooves 218, 228 allow for at least partially accommodating a part of a first support structure 302 and/or at least a part of a second support structure 303, but most preferably a part of a first support structure 302. FIGS. 3c and 3d provide for a top view and side view of the panel 200 respectively. In FIG. 3c, the accommodating spaces 228 and the bottom grooves, preferably transverse bottom grooves, 218 have also been indicated. FIG. 3d shows the continuous bottom groove, preferably transverse bottom groove, 218, 228. The top view shown in FIG. 3c also shows the fake grouts or bevels 227, two in this non limitative panel 200. What is also indicated in the figure, is that the accommodating space 228 coincides at least partially with the drainage segments 205, at least seen from a top view. It may also be observed that the first coupling profile 204 and the second coupling profile 203 respectively protrude with respect to the first panel edge 202 and second panel edge 201. The third coupling profiles 221, as shown in FIG. 3d, stretch in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the panel 200. The third coupling profile 221 is at least formed by at least one accommodating space 228 and/or at least one bottom groove, preferably transverse bottom groove, 218. Or, in other words, at least one accommodating space 228 and/or at least one bottom groove, preferably transverse bottom groove, 218 comprises at least one third coupling profile 221. The third coupling profile 221 may be configured to engage with at least one fourth coupling profile 304 of a separate support structure 302, 303, for locking at least in horizontal direction and/or vertical direction. To this end, the third coupling profile 221 may comprise at least one sideward tongue 226, configured to be at least partially accommodated in a groove 305 of the fourth coupling profile 304. It is also imaginable that the third coupling profile 221 comprises two opposing sideward tongues 226, preferably mutually facing. Preferably, a space enclosed by said two third sideward tongues 226 is configured to accommodate a part of at least one fourth coupling profile 304. A downward facing side of the third coupling profiles 221 is provided with a chamfered surface, which may be configured for resting on at least a part of the upwardly protruding ridge 308 of the fourth coupling profile 304.
(12) FIG. 4 shows a cross section of a single panel 200 according to the present invention. This figure allows for a more detailed elaboration on the first coupling profile 204 and the second coupling profile 203. At least one of the first coupling profiles 204 comprises a sideward tongue 208. An upper side, or upwardly facing surface of said sideward tongue 208 comprises at least one first locking element 210. In this particular embodiment, said first locking element 210 is formed by an upwardly facing bulge 210. Preferably, said first locking element 210 stretches beyond the average surface height of the sideward tongue 208. As such, said first locking element may function as a horizontal locking element. A lower side of the panel 200 is provided with a cut-out portion 212, which cut-out portion according to this embodiment is connecting to and parallel to the first edge 202. Said cut-out portion is provided for allowing said first edge 202 to accommodate a portion of the second coupling profile 203, in particular a lower lip 209 thereof. A downwardly facing surface of the sideward tongue 208 may be provided with a chamfer 240. Said chamfer 240 may allow the panel to be angled downwardly into the second coupling profile 203 of an adjacent panel 200. This may ease the coupling process of adjacent panels 200. The second coupling profile 203 comprises a groove 207 for accommodating at least a portion of the sideward tongue 208 of a first coupling profile 204. The groove 207 is at least partially defined by a lower lip 209 and an upper lip 211. Said lower lip 209 may be accommodated by a cut-out portion 212 in a coupled condition of adjacent panels 200. In this particular embodiment, a downward facing surface of the upper lip 211 is provided with a second locking element 213. In this embodiment, said second locking element 213 may be formed by a recess 213. Said second locking element configured to receive at least a portion of the first locking element 210, wherein said first locking element 210 and second locking element 213 mutually lock adjacent panels 200. At least one lower lip 209 may be provided with a recessed portion 215, which may function as a drainage channel. It is also conceivable that said recessed portion 215 may be used for providing a screw through the lower lip 209. This may be of benefit in case the lower lip 209, and as such the panel 101, 200, is attached to a mounting structure and/or support structure. In this latter application, the recessed portion 215 may accommodate a head of a screw, such that the screw does not protrude with an upward facing surface of the lower lip 209. Said aforementioned screws may e.g., be placed about every other meter, however the invention is not limited thereto. An upper surface 230 of the panel 200 may be provided with a relief structure 225, which relief structure may comprise a plurality of excavations 225. Said excavations 225 may stretch over substantially the entire length of the panel 200 as such, or may stretch over a part thereof. Although it is conceivable that said excavations 225 are substantially horizontal, it is also conceivable that a first end of the excavations 225 is lower compared to an opposed second end of the excavations 225. Furthermore, at least one through hole may optionally be provided in at least one of the excavations, for allowing water to drain through said hole. In this respect, the hole may extent through the entire panel 200. A central portion of the panel 200 may be substantially hollow 224. This may reduce the weight of the panel, which may reduce costs in terms of material and shipping. The panel 200 may comprise a core portion 241. In this respect, at least one first coupling profile 204 and at least one second coupling profile 203 make integral part of said core 241. The core 241 may at least partially be composed out of thermoplastic material, said thermoplastic material is chosen from the group consisting of: PVC, PET, PP, PS, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), PE, in particular MDPE and/or HDPE; and combinations thereof. The panel may optionally comprise a top structure 222, wherein said top structure 222 is preferably co-extruded with said core 241. Hence said top structure 222 is, directly or indirectly, affixed to the core 241. It is imaginable that each of the first coupling profile 204 and second coupling profile 203 comprise a first top portion 214 and second top portion 217 respectively. Said first top portion 214 and second top portion 217 are preferably extending in a vertical direction. The first top portion 214 is located above the sideward tongue 208 of the first coupling profile 204. The second top portion 217 may be at least partially, preferably entirely, formed by an outer end of the upper lip 211. When adjacent panels are mutually coupled, facing top portions 214, 217 are preferably situated at a distance from each other. As such, the gap between said top portions 214, 217 may function as drainage.
(13) FIG. 5 shows a side perspective view of the panel system 100 according to the present invention. The figure shows two panels 101, 200, in a mutually coupled condition. As can be seen from the figure, the sideward tongue 208 of a first coupling profile 204 of a first panel is at least partially received by a groove 207 of a second coupling profile 203 of a second adjacent panel 200. The first locking element 210 is accommodated partially in the second locking element 213, which mutually locks the two adjacent panels 200 in a horizontal and/or vertical direction with respect to each other. In order to prevent friction between the first coupling profile 204 and second coupling profile 203 during the locking operation, the sideward tongue 208 is provided with a chamfer 240 on a bottom end portion thereof. The sideward tongue 208 of a first panel may be moved, at a downwardly oriented angle, towards the groove 207 of the second locking profile 203 of an adjacent second panel. Once the sideward tongue 208 of said first panel is maximally inserted into the groove 207 of the adjacent second panel, the first panel may be rotated downwardly into a more horizontal position. This may allow the first locking element 210 to engage with the second locking element 213 and establish an interlockingly connection between the first panel and the second panel. Once said mutually coupled condition is established, the first top portion 214 of the second panel and the second top portion 217 of the first panel may be situated at a mutual distance 227. Said mutual distance 217 between adjacent edges of coupled panels may allow for increased drainage of water (or other liquids). The figure further shows the panels 101, 200, are oriented orthogonally with respect to the support structure 302, 303. The support structure 302, 303 as such being provided with levelling feet 310. Said levelling feet 310 are resting on a base plate 309. Said base plate 309 may increase the weight distribution of the panel system 100. That is, it may distribute the pressure caused by the weight of the panels 101, 200 and the support structure 302, 303 better as compared to the ends of the levelling feet 310.
(14) FIGS. 6a and 6b respectively show a second support structure 303 and a first support structure 302 according to the present invention. According to FIG. 6a, the support structure 303 as such is provided with two pairs of levelling feet 310. Said levelling feet 310 are resting on two base plates 309. Said base plates 309 may increase the weight distribution of the panel system 100. That is, it may allow for a better distribution of the pressure caused by the weight of panels 101, 200 resting on said second support structure 303, and the weight of the second support structure 303 itself as compared to the ends of the levelling feet 310. The first support structure 302 is shown without levelling feet 310 and/or base plates 309, it should however be understood that these may also be applied to the first support structure 302. The first support structure 302 comprises a fourth coupling profile 304. The fourth coupling profile 304 being configured for interlockingly engaging with a third coupling profile 221, in horizontal and/or vertical direction. Preferably, the third coupling profile 221 may be coupled to a fourth coupling profile 304 by means of a sliding or translational movement of a panel, preferably a horizontal sliding or translational movement. Said fourth coupling profile 304 is in this non-limitative embodiment formed by a single fourth groove 305. However, variants thereof may also be conceivable. According to FIG. 6b, the fourth groove 305 faces in one direction, but alternatives wherein two or more fourth grooves 305 are present should not be excluded by the present invention. When two fourth grooves 305 are applied, said two fourth grooves 305 are preferably facing in opposing outward directions. The fourth groove 305 may be defined by a fourth upper lip 306 and a fourth lower lip 307. The first support structure 302 further comprises at least one upwardly protruding ridge 308. Said ridge 308 is in coupled condition of adjacent panels situated between facing distant, and preferably chamfered, surfaces 226 of at least one third coupling profile 221. Preferably, said first support structure 302 and second support structure 303 are extruded profiles. Optionally, some additional processing steps may be involved, such as providing holes for the levelling feet 310.
(15) FIG. 7a shows (a segment of) two panels 200 in a first coupled condition. The panels 200 are shown in this figure from a bottom side in order to further elaborate on the third coupling profile 221 and the accommodating spaces 228 and bottom grooves, preferably transverse bottom grooves, 218 according to the present invention. The left panel 200, as shown from the bottom side in this figure is coupled to an adjacent (right, as shown from the bottom side in this figure) panel 200. In this respect a first coupling profile 204 of the right panel 200 is at least partially received by the second coupling profile 203 of the left panel 200. Hence, the tongue 208 of the first coupling profile 204 of the right panel 200 is inserted into the groove 207 of the left panel 200. As such, a mutual coupling in at least vertical and horizontal direction between the left and right panel 200 as shown is established. Each of the (segments of) the panels 200 as shown here comprises a bottom groove, preferably transverse bottom groove, 218, and also comprises a pair of accommodating spaces 228. As elucidated before, the accommodating space 228 may be defined by a pair of adjacent first coupling profiles 204 (but the same holds for a pair of second coupling profiles 203) which are situated at a mutual distance with respect to each other. The bottom groove, preferably transverse bottom groove, 218 is formed by a groove 218 in a central portion of the panel 200, which extends in a direction essentially perpendicular to the length of the panel 200. Preferably, at least one bottom groove, preferably transverse bottom groove, 218 is aligned with at least one accommodating space 228 (hence formed by either a pair of adjacent second coupling profiles 203 or a pair of adjacent first coupling profiles 204). Preferably, the at least one bottom groove, preferably transverse bottom groove, is aligned with two accommodating spaces 228, as is shown in this figure. For each of the panels 200, the bottom groove, preferably transverse bottom groove, 218 is aligned with the two accommodating spaces 228 of the respective panels 200. Hence, a continuous accommodating groove 218, 228 is established for each of the panels 200 in this figure. However, in this particular FIG. 7a, the two continuous accommodating grooves 218, 228 are not mutually aligned. Although the two continuous accommodating grooves 218, 228 of the two panels 200 are mutually parallel (as shown by centrelines C1, C2, they do not coincide. FIG. 7b shows (a segment of) two panels 200 in a second coupled condition. In this particular second example of the coupled panels 200, the two continuous accommodating spaces mutually align, causing the centrelines C1, C2 of said continuous accommodating spaces to coincide. That is, if one were to show a side perspective of the two coupled conditions as shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b respectively, one would be able to see through the coupled panels according to FIG. 7b, at least through the continuous accommodating space formed by the bottom grooves, preferably transverse bottom grooves, 218 and accommodating spaces 228 of the panels 200. In the latter FIG. 7b, it is to be noted that two accommodating spaces 228 mutually coincide, which explains why in this coupled condition of the panels 200 only three accommodating spaces 228 are visible. In this respect, the middle accommodating space 228 may be reflected to as a coinciding accommodating space 228. Yet, in comparing the two coupled conditions according to FIGS. 7a and 7b a second remark should be made. It is, after all, conceivable that a panel covering according to the present invention comprises some bottom grooves, preferably transverse bottom grooves, 218 and accommodating spaces 228, or continuous accommodating spaces, that align, and some that do not align. According to the aligned situation as shown in FIG. 7b, the support structure may be configured to be accommodated in said continuous accommodating groove 218, 228 along the entire length thereof. Moreover, it may be noted that, according to the aligned situation as shown in FIG. 7b, the third coupling profiles 221 of each of the panels 200 mutually align, which may form a common third coupling profile 221. This may allow the support structure 302, 303, to be anywhere along the common coupling profile 221 that is established by the aligned configuration. The third coupling profiles 221 according to FIGS. 7a and 7b comprise two, mutually facing and opposing, sideward tongues 226. Said two, mutually facing and opposing, sideward tongues 226 are configured to be at least partially accommodated in a groove 305 of the fourth coupling profile 304 of a first support structure 302.
(16) Hence, the above-described inventive concepts are illustrated by several illustrative embodiments. It is conceivable that individual inventive concepts may be applied without, in so doing, also applying other details of the described example. It is not necessary to elaborate on examples of all conceivable combinations of the above-described inventive concepts, as a person skilled in the art will understand numerous inventive concepts can be (re)combined in order to arrive at a specific application. Various embodiments of the panel as described above and in the appended claims may be combined with this alternative panel configuration.
(17) By horizontal is meant a direction which extends parallel to a plane defined by the floor panel, and which may intersect the core. By vertical is meant a direction which is perpendicular to said plane defined by the floor panel. The ordinal numbers used in this document, like first, second, and third are used only for identification purposes. Hence, the use of the expressions third coupling profile and fourth coupling profile does therefore not necessarily require the co-presence of a first coupling profile and/or second coupling profile.
(18) By complementary coupling profiles is meant that these coupling profiles can cooperate with each other. However, to this end, the complementary coupling profiles do not necessarily have to have complementary forms. The panel according to the invention may be applied, for example, as floor panel, but also as also applied as wall covering element, ceiling covering element, or alternative covering element. In this document, the directional expression horizontal
(19) should be understood as being parallel to or falling together with a plane defined by the panel(s), and the direction expression vertical should be understood as perpendicular to the plane of the panel(s).
(20) It will be apparent that the invention is not limited to the working examples shown and described herein, but that numerous variants are possible within the scope of the attached claims that will be obvious to a person skilled in the art.
(21) The verb comprise and conjugations thereof used in this patent publication are understood to mean not only comprise, but are also understood to mean the phrases contain, substantially consist of, formed by and conjugations thereof.
