Abstract
A wall or ceiling panel includes a substrate layer and a top layer. The substrate layer, on at least one pair of opposite edges, is provided with mechanical coupling parts, and a backing layer is provided onto the surface of the substrate layer opposing the top layer, which backing layer at least partly covers the substrate layer. The backing layer at least partly extends beyond one of the edges. An assembly of a wall or ceiling panel, and a A connection member for an assembly of a wall or ceiling panel is configured to connect to the mechanical coupling parts on at least one of the edges of the substrate layer, and to at least partly extend beyond one of the edges of the substrate layer.
Claims
1.-41. (canceled)
42. A wall or ceiling panel, which comprises a substrate layer and a top layer, said top layer optionally comprising a decoration layer, and a wear layer provided above said decoration layer, wherein said substrate layer, on at least one pair of opposite edges is provided with mechanical coupling parts, and wherein a backing layer is provided onto the surface of the substrate layer opposing the top layer, wherein said backing layer at least partly covers said substrate layer, and wherein said backing layer at least partly extends beyond one or more of said edges.
43. The wall or ceiling panel according to claim 42, wherein said backing layer at least partly extends beyond two non-opposing edges of said substrate layer.
44. The wall or ceiling panel according to claim 42, wherein said backing layer at least partly extends beyond at most two edges of said substrate layer.
45. The wall or ceiling panel according to claim 42, wherein said backing layer at least partly extends beyond at most one edge of said substrate layer.
46. The wall or ceiling panel according to claim 42, wherein said backing layer extends uninterruptedly along said one or more edges of said substrate layer.
47. The wall or ceiling panel according to claim 42, wherein at the height of said one or more edges of the substrate layer, beyond which the backing layer extends, the backing layer extends interruptedly along approximately the entire length of said one or more edges of said substrate layer.
48. The wall or ceiling panel according to claim 42, wherein said backing layer is positioned off-set with regard to the edges of said substrate layer.
49. The wall or ceiling panel according to claim 42, wherein said backing layer at least partly extends beyond a first edge of said substrate layer over a first distance, and wherein at an opposing second edge of said substrate layer, said backing layer is absent over a second distance, wherein said second distance is at least the same or larger than said first distance.
50. The wall or ceiling panel according to claim 42, wherein said backing layer has a tensile strength of between 5 and 50 MPa and/or a Young's modulus of between 0.01 and 5.00 GPa.
51. The wall or ceiling panel according to claim 42, wherein said backing layer comprises a material chosen from the group of a woven textile material, a non-woven textile material, a glass fiber cloth, a polymer material, a foamed polymer material, an elastomeric material, a thin metallic or polymeric foil, or combinations thereof.
52. The wall or ceiling panel according to claim 42, wherein said backing layer comprises one or more connection regions, which connection regions are configured for receiving one or more connection elements chosen from the group of nails, screws, staples, or combinations thereof.
53. An assembly of a wall or ceiling panel and a connection member, wherein said wall or ceiling panel comprises a substrate layer, and a top layer, said top layer optionally comprising a decoration layer, and a wear layer provided above said decoration layer, wherein said substrate layer, on at least one pair of opposite edges, is provided with mechanical coupling parts wherein said connection member is configured to connect to said mechanical coupling parts on at least one of the edges of said substrate layer, and is configured to at least partly extend beyond one of the edges of said substrate layer.
54. The assembly according to claim 53, wherein said connection member comprises a panel-side part and a wall-side part, wherein said panel-side part is configured to at least partly engage with said mechanical coupling parts on at least one of the edges of said substrate layer.
55. The assembly according to claim 54, wherein said wall-side part comprises at least a first material zone having a tensile strength of between 5 and 50 MPa and/or a Young's modulus of between 0.01 and 5.00 GPa.
56. The assembly according to claim 54, wherein said wall-side part comprises at least a first material zone comprising a material chosen from the group of a woven textile material, a non-woven textile material, a glass fiber cloth, a polymer material, a foamed polymer material, an elastomeric material, a thin metallic or polymeric foil, or combinations thereof.
57. The assembly according to claim 54, wherein said wall-side part comprises at least a second material zone which at least partly surrounds said first material zone, wherein said second material zone is more rigid than said first material zone.
58. The assembly according to claim 54, wherein said wall-side part comprises one or more connection regions, which connection regions are configured for receiving one or more connection elements chosen from the group of nails, screws, staples, or combinations thereof.
59. The assembly according to claim 58, wherein said wall-side part comprises at least a first material zone and said connection regions comprise a material which is more rigid than said first material zone.
60. A connection member for installing wall or ceiling panels, said wall or ceiling panels being provided with at least one profiled edge, said connection member comprising: means for interacting with said profiled edge, and a connection region configured for receiving one or more connection elements, wherein said connection region is flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to said means for interacting with said profiled edge.
61. The connection member according to claim 60, wherein said connection region is flexibly and/or movably mounted at least by means of one of the following or a combination thereof: a portion having a material composition different from another portion of said connection member; a compressible and/or expandable material portion; a folded material portion; a bendable material portion; one or more spring portions, hinge portions, angle portions, sliding portions, or combinations thereof.
Description
[0110] In order to better demonstrate the features of the invention, some preferred embodiments are described below, by way of example and without any limiting character, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0111] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of wall or ceiling panels according to the first independent aspect of the invention;
[0112] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view according to line II-II in FIG. 1;
[0113] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a wall or ceiling panel applied in FIG. 1;
[0114] FIG. 4 gives an enlarged view on the area by F4 in FIG. 3;
[0115] FIGS. 5 and 6 in a similar view as FIG. 3 illustrates alternatives;
[0116] FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 in a view similar to that of FIG. 2 illustrate a cross-sectional view of several embodiments of an assembly of a wall or ceiling panel and a connection member according to the second independent aspect of the invention;
[0117] FIG. 9 illustrates a top view following F9 in FIG. 8 of a connection member according to the invention;
[0118] FIG. 10 illustrates a variant of a connection member according to the invention, in a same view as FIG. 9;
[0119] FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 illustrate some steps in a method for installing wall or ceiling panels according the third independent aspect of the invention;
[0120] FIG. 14 in a view similar to that of FIG. 7 illustrates a variant;
[0121] FIG. 15 illustrates a top view in accordance with F15 indicated in FIG. 14 of the connection member used therein;
[0122] FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of the connection member of FIG. 15; and
[0123] FIGS. 17 to 22 in a similar view illustrate variants;
[0124] FIG. 23 illustrates a top view of a panel according to the first embodiment of the invention:
[0125] FIG. 24 gives an enlarged view on the area F24 in FIG. 23;
[0126] FIG. 25 illustrate a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an assembly of a wall or ceiling panel and a connection member according to the second independent aspect of the invention;
[0127] FIG. 26 illustrates the connection member shown in FIG. 25.
[0128] FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively show a plurality of wall panels 1, one panel 1 being installed in with a rotational movement R, and a cross-section of such a wall or ceiling panel 1 according to line II-II, which panels 1 comprises a substrate layer 2 and a top layer 3. Said top layer 3 may comprise a decoration layer and a wear layer provided above said decoration layer. It may be possible that the top layer 3 further comprises one or more lacquer layers provided above, or forming part of said wear layer. As shown in FIG. 1, said substrate layer 2, on at least one pair of opposite edges 4, 4, 5, 5, is provided with mechanical coupling parts 6, 7, wherein a backing layer 8 is provided onto the major surface of the substrate layer 2 opposing the top layer 3, which backing layer 8 at least partly covers said substrate layer 2, and wherein said backing layer 8 at least partly extends beyond one of said edges 4, 4, 5, 5 of said substrate layer 2. In this case, the backing layer 8 extends beyond two non-opposing edges 4 and 5. More in particular, FIG. 1 shows the horizontally oriented installation of a plurality of wall or ceiling panels 1, wherein said panels 1 are interconnected to one another by means of the coupling parts 6, 7, and wherein the panels 1 are connected to a wall or ceiling by means of the backing layer 8, more particularly by means of portions 8A of the backing layer 8 that extend beyond the two non-opposing edges 4-5. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the backing layer 8 is at least partly covering the substrate layer 2 and at least partly extending beyond the edges 4-5 of the substrate layer 2. This allows for easy installation of the plurality of wall or ceiling panels 1, wherein the backing layer 8 is in its entirety concealed behind the installed panels 1. The mechanical coupling parts 6, 7 allow effecting a locking between two of such panels 1 in a first direction perpendicular to the plane of the coupled panels 1, and in a second direction parallel to the plane of the coupled panels 1 and perpendicular to the coupled edges 4, 4. The mechanical coupling parts 6, 7 may be shaped as a tongue 7A at one edge 4 and a groove 6A at an opposite edge 4. The groove 6A is e.g. delimited by an upper lip 6B and a lower lip 6C. The tongue 7A and groove 6A are essentially responsible for said locking in said direction perpendicular to the plane of the coupled panels 1 and/or in said direction parallel to the plane of the coupled panels 1 and perpendicular to the coupled edges 4, 4. The tongue 7A and groove 6A may further comprise locking means preventing the drifting apart of the tongue 7A and the groove 6A, when in coupled condition. The locking means may comprise a protrusion on the upper side of the lower lip 6C for cooperation with an excavation at the bottom of the tongue 7A. The panels 1 are rectangular panels comprising long edges 4, 4 and short edges 5, 5, of course square panels 1 are also a possibility. The long edge 4, 4 respectively comprise a said groove 6A and a said tongue 7A and the short edges 5, 5 respectively comprise a groove and a tongue.
[0129] As stated, it is shown that the backing layer 8 at least partly extends beyond two non-opposing edges 4-5, and, in this case at most said two non-opposing edges 4-5 of the substrate layer 2. As more specifically shown in FIG. 2, the backing layer 8 may at least partly extend beyond a first edge 4 of said substrate layer 2 over a first distance D1. In such a case, at an opposing second edge 4 of said substrate layer 2, said backing layer 8 is absent over a second distance D2 that about equals said first distance D1. It may be possible that said backing layer 8 is absent over a larger distance than said first distance D1. The backing layer 8 may comprise one or more connection regions 9, which connection regions 9 are configured for receiving one or more connection elements 10 which may be chosen from the group of nails, screws, staples, or combinations thereof. More specifically shown in FIG. 2 is a screw 10 which is fitted through the connection region 9. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 23 the backing layer 8 at least partly extends beyond one edge 4. As more specifically shown in FIG. 23, the backing layer 8 may at least partly extend beyond a first edge 4 of said substrate layer 2 over a first distance D1, said first edge 4 comprising the groove 6A. In such a case, at an opposing second edge 4 of said substrate layer 2, said backing layer 8 is absent over a second distance D2 that about equals said first distance D1. It may be possible that said backing layer 8 is absent over a larger distance than said first distance D1.
[0130] FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively show a perspective view on the wall panel 1 from FIGS. 1 and 2, and a detailed view of a corner portion of this wall panel 1. As specifically shown in FIG. 3, said backing layer 8 extends uninterruptedly beyond two non-opposing edges 4, 5 of said substrate layer 2. In this regard, the backing layer 8 is found to be positioned off-set with regard to the edges 4, 4, 5, 5 of said substrate layer 2, as indicated by means of the dashed lines.
[0131] FIGS. 3 and 4 furthermore show that the backing layer 8 comprises one or more connection regions 9. The connection region 9 may comprise holes 9A, for example applied in the factory, to indicate the preferred position of the connecting elements, though this is not necessarily the case. The connection region 9 may alternatively comprise a print indicating the connection region 9 or the preferred position and/or preferred distance between connecting elements 10. The connection region 9 may also be free from any indication whatsoever regarding the position of the connecting elements. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 23, the backing layer 8 only extends beyond the first edge 4 of the panel 1e.g. beyond the long edge 4 comprising the groove 6A, as such forming a rectangular shaped connection region 9, which extends next to said long edge 4 and approximately has the length of said long edge 4. The connection region 9 comprises a band-shaped print 9C which indicates the preferred area in which the connecting elements 10 are to be inserted, for example where stapling should take place. As can be seen in FIG. 23, this band-shaped print 9C has a certain height H2 and is at a certain distance H1 from said edge 4 and is also at a certain distance H3 from the corner of the connection region 9 opposite said edge 4. For example H1 can be approximately 5 mm, H2 can be approximately 10 mm and H3 can be approximately 5 mm.
[0132] It is clear that the panels 1 of the previous Figures illustrate an embodiment in accordance with the first and second practical example listed in the introduction. The parts 8A of the backing layer 8 that extend beyond the respective edge 4-5, extend in one piece along the majority of the respective edge, while the respective edge is free from other backing layer portions. Moreover the embodiments of the previous Figures form an illustration in accordance with the second special possibility of the second practical example in that the backing layer 8 extends beyond said two non-opposing edges 4-5 only, and the remaining edges 4 and 5 are free from other backing layer parts or portions. The wall panel 1 comprises a single one piece backing layer 8 having about the size of the substrate layer 2, and that, thanks to said off-set positioning, extends uninterruptedly beyond said two non-opposing edges 4-5. A continuous border serving as a connection region 9 is formed adjacent the two non-opposing edges 4-5.
[0133] It is further clear that the panels 1 shown in the FIGS. 1 to 4 may also be used as ceiling panels.
[0134] FIGS. 5 and 6 concern alternative embodiments of a wall or ceiling panel 1 according to first aspect of the invention. These embodiments basically show the characteristics of the wall or ceiling panel 1 of the previous Figures. In the cases of FIGS. 5 and 6, however, different practical examples are illustrated for the manner in which the backing layer 8 extends beyond the one or more edges 4, 4, 5, 5.
[0135] FIG. 5 illustrates the first special possibility of the first practical example mentioned in the introduction in that the backing layer 8 extends beyond edge 4 only. In FIG. 5 the backing layer portion 8A extends uninterruptedly along the edge 4 only. A continuous border adjacent to the edge 4, forming the connection region 9, is thus provided.
[0136] FIG. 6 alternatively shows that the backing layer 8 extends interruptedly along the edge 4 only. It is of course possible that the backing layer 8 extends along a plurality of edges 4, 4, 5, 5 in an interrupted manner. The backing layer portions 8A may be formed in one piece from a single backing layer 8. In the illustrated case, the backing layer portions 8A are formed as separated backing layer portions.
[0137] In any of the FIGS. 1 to 6, said backing layer 8 may have a tensile strength of between 5 and 50 MPa, may have a Young's modulus of between 0.01 and 5.00 GPa, and/or may comprise a material chosen from the group of a woven textile material, a non-woven textile material, a glass fiber cloth, a polymer material, a foamed polymer material, an elastomeric material, a thin metallic or polymeric foil, or combinations thereof. As is shown in particular in FIG. 2, said coupling parts 6, 7 allow effecting a locking between two of such wall or ceiling panels 1 in a first direction L1 perpendicular to the plane of the coupled wall or ceiling panels 1, and in a second direction L2 parallel to the plane of the coupled wall or ceiling panels 1 and perpendicular to the coupled edges 4, 5.
[0138] It is clear that, in the embodiments of the FIGS. 1 to 6, the backing layer 8 at least extends beyond one or more edges 4-5 having a mechanical coupling part 6 that is basically shaped as a groove 6A.
[0139] FIGS. 7 and 8 show an assembly of a wall or ceiling panel 1 and a connection member 11, wherein said wall or ceiling panel 1 comprises a substrate layer 2, and a top layer 3, wherein said substrate layer 2, on at least one pair of opposite edges 4, 5 is provided with mechanical coupling parts 6, 7, and wherein said connection member 11 is configured to connect to said mechanical coupling parts 6 on at least one of the edges 4 of said substrate layer 2, and is configured to at least partly extend beyond one of the edges 4 of said substrate layer 2. In particular, said connection member 11 comprises a panel-side part 12 and a wall-side part 13, wherein said panel-side part 12 is configured to at least partly engage with said mechanical coupling parts 6 on at least one of the edges 4 of said substrate layer 2. In this case, the connection member 11, more particularly its means 16 for interacting, is configured to cooperate with a mechanical coupling part 6 basically shaped as a groove 6A. It is furthermore shown that said wall-side part 13 comprises one or more connection regions 9, which connection regions 9 are configured for receiving one or more connection elements 10 which may be chosen from the group of nails, screws, staples, or combinations thereof. For this, the connection regions 9 can comprise one or more connection holes 9A. More specifically shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is a screw 10 which is fitted through the connection region 9.
[0140] It is remarked that the embodiment of FIG. 8 is basically the same as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, with this exception that an excavation 17 has been provided at the bottom of the panel 1, at the location of both opposite edges 4-4 to accommodate for at least a part of the thickness T of said connection member 11.
[0141] FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show a connection member 11, said connection member 11 comprising a panel-side part 12 and a wall-side part 13. A connection with a wall may be obtained through connecting means, such as screws, through the connection region 9. The connection member 11, and in particular the wall-side part 13 may comprise at least a first material zone 14 having a tensile strength of between 5 and 50 MPa, a Young's modulus of between 0.01 and 5.00 GPa, and/or may be chosen from the group of a woven textile material, a non-woven textile material, a glass fiber cloth, a polymer material, a foamed polymer material, an elastomeric material, a thin metallic or polymeric foil, or combinations thereof. The wall-side part 13 may further comprise at least a second material zone 15 which at least partly surrounds said first material zone 14, wherein said second material zone 15 is more rigid than said first material zone 14. As particularly shown in FIG. 10, the connection regions 9 may comprise a material, here in the form of a ring 9B, surrounding a connection hole 9A, which is more rigid than said first material zone 14. FIG. 9 specifically shows an embodiment wherein the first material zone 14 is a continuous material zone. Alternatively, FIG. 10 shows an embodiment wherein the first material zone 14 may comprise a non-continuous material zone, such as one or a plurality of deformable legs 18. The panel-side part 12 may comprise a material chosen from the group of polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyether ether ketone, glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, acrylics, thermoset polyesters, high impact polystyrene, metallic material or combinations thereof. The panel-side part 12 may also comprise alternative hard and/or rigid synthetic materials.
[0142] As is also shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10, the connection member 11 may comprise a means 16 for interacting with the mechanical coupling parts 6, such as a perpendicular element 16A as the case is here, which is positioned as to divide the connection member 11 into the panel-side part 12 and the wall-side part 13, and which is shaped as such to effectively surround at least a part of the mechanical coupling parts 6 at an edge 4 of the substrate layer 2. It is clear that this perpendicular element 16A requires sufficient clearance to be available between the mechanical coupling parts 6, 7 in a coupled condition thereof, as to provide for sufficient space for this perpendicular element 16A to fit in between the coupling parts 6, 7.
[0143] FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 show some preferred steps in a method for installing wall or ceiling panels 1 according to the third independent aspect of the invention. As is shown, said wall or ceiling panels 1 comprise a substrate layer 2 and a top layer 3, wherein said substrate layer 2, on at least one pair of opposite edges 4, 4, 5, 5 is provided with mechanical coupling parts 6, 7, and wherein a backing layer 8 is provided onto the surface of the substrate layer 2 opposing the top layer 3, which backing layer 8 at least partly covers said substrate layer 2, and wherein said backing layer 8 at least partly extends beyond one of said edges 4,5, said method comprising the steps of: [0144] bending a first wall or ceiling panel 1 at least partly away from the wall or ceiling, the backing layer 8 of said first wall or ceiling panel 1 being only partly fixed to the wall or ceiling, [0145] coupling a second wall or ceiling panel (not shown) onto the first wall or ceiling panel 1, [0146] fixing the backing layer 8 of the first wall or ceiling panel 1 completely to the wall or ceiling, and [0147] fixing the backing layer of the second wall or ceiling panel (not shown) only partly to the wall or ceiling.
[0148] By bending away the first wall or ceiling panel 1 as illustrated, a subsequent second wall or ceiling panel may be efficiently connected with its short edge 5 onto the short edge 5 of the first panel 1 that is pulled away, whereafter the connected first and second panels may be coupled with their long edge 4 onto an already installed horizontal row of panels. In order to allow bending away the first wall or ceiling panel 1, its backing layer 8 is only partly fixed onto the wall or ceiling. When all couplings have been performed, the backing layer 8 of the first panel 1 which was pulled away may be further fixed or fixed completely onto the wall or ceiling, and the backing layer 8 of the just installed panel 1 may be fixed partly on the wall or ceiling, thus allowing efficient coupling of a next panel. In FIGS. 11 and 12, an embodiment is shown wherein the first wall or ceiling panel 1 is bent away such that the coupling of the long edge 4 with an already installed horizontal row of panels 1 is partly undone. A variant is shown in FIG. 13, wherein the first wall or ceiling panel 1 is bent away such that the coupling of the long edge 4 with an already installed horizontal row of panels 1 is not undone. Such method is conveniently executed with wall or ceiling panels 1 that are somewhat or substantially flexible, or with wall or ceiling panels 1 having a thickness of 6 mm or less.
[0149] FIG. 14 shows an assembly according to the second aspect of the invention, while FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate the connection member 11 applied therewith. The connection member 11 in itself forms an example of the particular independent aspect mentioned in the introduction.
[0150] FIG. 14, shows an assembly of a wall or ceiling panel 1 and a connection member 11, wherein said wall or ceiling panel 1 comprises a substrate layer 2, and a top layer 3, said top layer 3 comprising a decoration layer, and a wear layer provided above said decoration layer, wherein said substrate layer 2, on at least one pair of opposite edges 4, 4 is provided with mechanical coupling parts 6, 7. Said mechanical coupling parts 6, 7 provided at said pair of opposite edges 4, 4 are basically shaped as a tongue 7A at one edge 4 and a groove 6A at an opposite edge 4. The groove 6A is delimited by an upper lip 6B and a lower lip 6C. Said mechanical coupling parts 6, 7 allow effecting a locking between two of such wall or ceiling panels 1 in a first direction L1 perpendicular to the plane of the coupled wall or ceiling panels 1, and in a second direction L2 parallel to the plane of the coupled wall or ceiling panels 1 and perpendicular to the coupled edges 4, 4. The tongue 7A and groove 6A basically achieve said locking in said direction L2, while locking parts 6D-7D basically achieve said locking in said direction L1. The locking part 6D is, in this example, at least formed by a protrusion on the upper side of the lower lip 6C of the groove 6A, while the locking part 7D is, in this example at least formed by a cooperating therewith, excavation at the bottom of the tongue 7A. The connection member 11 is configured to connect to said mechanical coupling parts 6, in particular onto the lower lip 6C or onto said locking part 6D on the upper side of said lower lip 6C, on at least one of the edges 4 of said substrate layer 2, and to at least partly extend beyond one of the edges 4 of said substrate layer 2, namely beyond the edge 4 comprising said groove 6A. In particular, said connection member 11 comprises a panel-side part 12 and a wall-side part 13, wherein said panel-side part 12 is configured to at least partly engage with said mechanical coupling parts 6, in particular with the lower lip 6C, on at least one of the edges 4 of said substrate layer 2. It is furthermore shown that said wall-side part 13 comprises one or more connection regions 9, which connection regions 9 are configured for receiving one or more connection elements 10, which may e.g. be chosen from the group of nails, screws, staples, or combinations thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, a screw 10 which is fitted through the connection region 9 is shown.
[0151] As can be seen in FIG. 14, the connection member 11 comprises a means 16 for interacting or a perpendicular element 16A which is positioned as to divide the connection member 11 into the panel-side part 12 and the wall-side part 13, and which is shaped as such to, preferably effectively, interact with at least a part of the mechanical coupling parts 6 at an edge 4 of the substrate layer 2.
[0152] In the embodiment shown, the perpendicular element 16A is hook-shaped, thereby, preferably effectively, interacting with at least a part of the mechanical coupling parts 6, in particular with the lower lip 6C of the groove 6A. The perpendicular element 16A and the coupling parts 6, 7 are shaped as such that, in a coupled state of two adjacent wall or ceiling panels 1, the perpendicular element 16A is locked tightly in between the coupling parts 6, 7 of two adjacent panels 1, in particular in between the lower lip 6C of the groove 6A and a lower region of the tongue 7A, more particularly a surface 32 of the edge 4 with the tongue 7A opposite the distal end 33 of the lower lip 6C of the groove 6A.
[0153] The means 16 for interaction with the profiled edge 4 comprising said groove 6A is hook shaped. The hook-shaped means 16 for interacting limits the movement of the panel 1 in said first direction L1. The means 16 for interacting comprise a first portion 34 that protrudes transversally from the connection member 11 away from the wall or ceiling. The first portion 34, in a coupled condition, is seated between the mechanical coupling parts 6, 7 at the location of the distal end 33 of the lower lip 6C of the groove 6A. Said means 16 for interacting comprise a second portion 35 protruding transversally with respect to said first portion 34. The second portion 35, in a coupled condition, is seated between the mechanical coupling parts 6, 7 between the upper side of said locking part 6D on the upper side of the lower lip 6C of the groove 6A and the bottom of the tongue 7A.
[0154] FIGS. 15 and 16 and 25 show the connection member 11 applied in the assembly of FIG. 14. Said connection member 11 comprises a panel-side part 12 and a wall-side part 13. The wall-side part 13 is provided with a connection region 9, which connection region 9 is configured for receiving one or more connection elements 10, such as a nail or a screw. The wall-side part 13 furthermore comprises a plurality of deformable legs 18, which are shaped as such that controlled movement of the connection region 9 within the wall-side part 13 remains possible. The wall-side part 13 are, in the example of FIGS. 15 and 16, shaped as a frame 20 forming the outer edges of the wall-side part 13, wherein the connection region 9 is positioned within said frame 20. Herein, the deformable legs 18 connect the frame 20 of the wall-side part 13 with the connection region 9 being positioned inside said frame 20. Each of said deformable legs 18, may comprise a plurality of angling points 19. In particular, said angling points 19 may be positioned at an inner edge of the frame 20 of the wall-side part 13, at the outer edge of the connection region 9, and/or substantially halfway in between the inner edge of the frame 20 of the wall-side part 13 and the outer edge of the connection region 9. In the specific embodiment as illustrated, angling points 19 are present in all of the aforementioned positions. The panel-side part 12 is provided with a perpendicular element 16A. In particular, said perpendicular element 16A is hook-shaped as explained above. The connection member 11 may be made from a single material, or may comprise a combination of materials, such as polypropylene (PP) and/or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). In FIG. 25, the wall-side part 13 comprises a frame 20, forming the outer edges of the wall-side part 13, and comprises deformable legs 18 and a connection region 9, wherein said deformable legs 18 connect the connection region 9 in a movable manner to the frame 20. This wall-side part 13 preferably is made from a plastic material. The panel-side part 12 comprises a frame-shaped part 20A and a hook-shaped element 16 to connect to the lower lip 6C of a coupling part 6 of a said panel 1, and is made from metal, such as stainless steel. The frame-shaped part 20A of the panel-side part 12 is connected to the frame 20 of the wall-side part 13, and this for example by overmolding. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the panel-side part 12 can only comprise the hook-shaped element, and all the other parts are then part of the wall-side part 13. In FIG. 25, the panel-side part 12 is thinner than the wall-side part 13, and this is possible because the panel-side part 12 is a metallic part. For example the panel-side part 12 has a thickness of at most 0.5 mm, preferably at most 0.3 mm, most preferably at most 0.2 mm. The wall-side part 13 can have a thickness of between 1 mm and 2 mm.
[0155] FIG. 14 further illustrates that the connection region 9 locally protrudes from the side of the connection member 11 that is facing the wall or ceiling. Hereby the flexibility of the plurality of deformable legs 18 is less hindered by a sturdy connection of the connection member 11 to the wall or ceiling.
[0156] FIGS. 17 to 22 illustrate a number of preferred embodiments of a connection member 11 according to the invention. The connection members 11 shown comprise means 16 for interacting with a profiled edge of a wall or ceiling panel 1, and a connection region 9 configured for receiving one or more connection elements 10, wherein said connection region 9 is flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to said means 16 for interacting with said profiled edge. Said connection member 11 comprises a panel-side part 12 and a wall-side part 13, wherein said panel-side part 12 comprises said means 16 for interacting with said profiled edge of a wall or ceiling panel 1, in particular with a profiled edge comprising a mechanical coupling part 6, 7 and/or a groove 6A.
[0157] The means 16 for interacting comprises a perpendicular element 16A or an upstanding element, which is positioned as to divide the connection member 11 into said panel-side part 12 and said wall-side part 13, and which is configured to interact, with the profiled edge of the wall or ceiling panel 1, in particular with the mechanical coupling part 6 and/or the groove 6A.
[0158] A particular embodiment is shown in FIG. 17, wherein the connection region 9 is flexibly and/or movably mounted at least by means of a compressible and/or expandable material portion 28. Said compressible and/or expandable material portion 28 is shaped as a non-continuous material zone, in particular as two legs, more in particular deformable legs 18 and at least an angling point 19 or hinge positioned on the outside edge of the connection region 9. The embodiment shown may allow two-dimensional movement in the plane of the connection member 11, however while restricting movement in said first direction L1 perpendicular to the plane of the connection member 11.
[0159] FIG. 18 shows a particular embodiment wherein the connection region 9 is flexibly and/or movably mounted at least by means of a folded material portion 29. The folded material portion 29 may be deformed by compression and/or expansion according to a one-dimensional movement in the plane of the connection member 11, and perpendicular to the folds of the material portion 29. In the represented embodiments the foldable portion 29 comprises apexes 36 positioned in planes substantially parallel to the main plane of the connection member 11.
[0160] FIGS. 19 and 20 show a particular embodiment, wherein said connection region 9 is flexibly and/or movably mounted at least by means of a bendable material portion 30. More in particular, in FIG. 19, said bendable material portion 30 is shaped as a deformable leg 18. In FIG. 20, said bendable material portion 30 is shaped as a portion which is shaped thinner than an adjacent region of the connection member 11 such that it may be more bendable. The embodiment of FIG. 19 may allow two-dimensional movement in the plane of the connection member 11. The embodiment of FIG. 20 may allow one-dimensional movement in the plane of the connection member 11, and in the length direction L of the connection member 11.
[0161] FIG. 21 shows a particular embodiment, wherein said connection region 9 is flexibly and/or movably mounted inside a frame 20 forming the outer edges of the wall-side part 13, at least by means of a compressible and/or expandable material portion 28. In this particular embodiment, the compressible and/or expandable material portion 28 is shaped as a non-continuous material zone, in particular as a plurality of deformable legs 18. Herein, the deformable legs 18 are grouped as pairs, taking on the shape of a plurality of compressible and/or expandable oval-shaped elements. Said deformable legs 18 connect said frame 20 of the wall-side part 13 with the connection region 9 positioned inside said frame 20. The embodiment shown may allow two-dimensional movement in the plane of the connection member 11, however while restricting movement in said first direction L1 perpendicular to the plane of the connection member 11.
[0162] FIG. 22 shows a particular embodiment, wherein the connection region 9 is flexibly and/or movably mounted at least by means of one or more sliding portions. For example, in the embodiment shown, the wall-side part 13 is slidable with regard to the panel-side part 12 according to a one-dimensional movement in the plane of the connection member 11, and in the length direction L1 of the connection member 11. It is clear that an embodiment is possible, though not shown here, with a slidable portion allowing two-dimensional movement in the plane of the connection member 11.
[0163] In general it is remarked that, preferably, the connection member 11 at least allows a one-dimensional movement of the connection region 9 towards or away from said means 16 for interacting with said profiled edge, namely in said length direction L1 of said connection member 11 and/or in a direction L2 perpendicular to the edge 4 where the connection member 11 is engaged with. The movement in a direction L3 in the plane of the wall or ceiling covering and perpendicular to the direction L of said one-dimensional movement may be obtained by the respective profiled edge sliding along said means 16 for interacting.
[0164] It is further remarked that the means 16 for interacting, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 take part in the locking in said second direction L2 in that they are available at the location where the locking parts 6D and 7D provide for said locking. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 and with the connection members 11 of FIGS. 14 to 22, the means 16 for interacting are not available at said location. In these figures it is the direct cooperation of said locking parts 6D and 7D that provides for said locking in said second direction L2.
[0165] The aspects and concepts disclosed in the claims and drawings may be combined with one another as long as they are not mutually contradictory. The present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described above, however the wall or ceiling panel, the connection member, and the assembly of the wall or ceiling panel and the connection member, may be realized according to various variants without departing from the scope of the present invention.
