Panel for covering a surface

Abstract

The invention relates to a panel (1A, 1B) for cladding a surface, comprising a panel core enclosed by a flat panel surface (2), a flat panel underside (3) spaced apart from and parallel to the panel underside (3), and four panel side surfaces, each connecting the panel surface (2) to the panel underside (3), wherein mutually complementary coupling elements (4, 5) in the form of an upper coupling element (4) and a lower coupling element (5) are arranged on two opposing panel side surfaces, the coupling elements being configured such that they enable a coupling of a first such panel (1A) with a second such panel (1B) by means of a relative movement of the upper coupling element (4) of the first panel (1A) towards the lower coupling element (5) of the second panel (1B), wherein a first, second, and third coupling section of the coupling elements (4,5) is provided and the upper coupling element (4) has a wedge-shaped plug-in element (8) at its distal end and the lower coupling element (5) has a plug-in receptacle (9) at its proximal end, into which the plug-in element (8) is inserted when two panels (1A, 1B) are coupled, characterized in that the surfaces (13A, 13B) of the plug-in receptacle (9) facing each other when two panels (1A, 1B) are coupled have complementary wave structures. In this way, a panel for cladding a surface is provided that has a particularly high fluid resistance and can be installed and uninstalled particularly quickly and easily.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a panel for cladding a surface, in particular a floor panel for cladding a floor area of ​​a building space, comprising a panel core enclosed by a flat panel surface, a flat panel bottom surface spaced therefrom and parallel thereto, and four panel side surfaces each connecting the panel surface to the panel bottom surface, wherein mutually complementary coupling elements in the form of an upper coupling element and a lower coupling element are arranged on two opposite panel side surfaces, which are designed in such a way that they enable a coupling of a first such panel to a second such panel by means of a relative movement of the upper coupling element of the first panel to the lower coupling element of the second panel,the upper coupling element has at its distal end a wedge-shaped plug-in element comprising an upper side and a lower side, and the lower coupling element has at its proximal end a plug-in receptacle with a counter-surface into which the plug-in element is inserted when two panels are coupled, so that the upper side of the plug-in element with the counter-surface forms a first coupling section of the coupling elements and the lower side of the plug-in element together with the plug-in receptacle forms a second coupling section of the coupling elements, the upper coupling element has a locking receptacle adjoining the plug-in element, and the lower coupling element has at its distal end a locking element adjoining the plug-in receptacle, which engages in the locking receptacle when two panels are coupled,so that the locking receptacle together with the locking element form a third coupling section of the coupling element.,

[0002] Such a panel therefore always has a lower coupling element and an upper coupling element, whereby the terms "lower" and "upper" refer to the fact that during the installation of the panels, an upper coupling element of a panel to be installed is swung down onto a lower coupling element of an already installed panel lying on the substrate.

[0003] To form the first coupling section, the wedge-shaped plug element is inserted obliquely into the plug receptacle so that the upper side of the wedge-shaped plug element at least partially touches the mating surface of the plug receptacle. By pressing down the upper coupling element and the associated leverage, the wedge-shaped plug element slides further into the plug receptacle so that the lower side of the wedge-shaped plug element also comes into contact with the plug receptacle. Thus, the first coupling section is formed by the interaction of the beveled upper side of the plug element and the mating surface, and the second coupling section is formed by the interaction of the lower side of the plug element with the plug receptacle. The third coupling section is formed by the locking receptacle, which accommodates the locking element when the first coupling element is pressed down.

[0004] The relatively large contact area between the upper and lower coupling elements already achieves a high fluid resistance of a composite of such panels. "Fluid resistance" refers to the ability of a composite of panels to resist the passage of fluids, such as water, from the top of the panels and between adjacent panels to the underside of the panels, and ideally to prevent this passage entirely. However, such systems are often complex to install and remove. The panels are usually forced into place and can therefore only be removed again with several manual steps.

[0005] FR 2 922 568 A1 discloses a panel according to the preamble of claim 1. It discloses that, in cross-section, the tongue of a first panel on its underside and the lower lip of the groove of an adjacent second panel, identical to the first, on its upper side each have two projections projecting downwards and two recesses which are complementary to each other and which engage when one panel is rotated with respect to another to form a double means for engaging the tongue in the groove.

[0006] DE 198 51 200 C1 discloses a floor panel with two connecting edges arranged on opposite sides for engagement with similar floor panels. A first connecting edge has an upper projection and a lower projection as well as a recess arranged therebetween. A second connecting edge (11) has a tongue for insertion into the recess of an adjacent first connecting edge. To enable good installation and good sealing of the connecting edges as well as cost-effective production of the panels, it is provided that a lower elevation, lower depression, lower additional elevation and lower additional depression are provided on the lower projection of the first connecting edge. The profile thus formed engages in a corresponding profile on the underside of the tongue, which has an upper depression, upper elevation, upper additional depression and upper additional elevation (15).

[0007] US 2014 / 352248 A1 describes surface coverings, such as floor coverings, with an interlocking design. Methods for manufacturing the surface coverings are also described. A plank including an elastic composite sheet having four sides, a top surface, a bottom surface, and a total thickness, the composite sheet comprising at least one base layer, the at least one base layer comprising at least one polymeric material and at least one filler, opposite sides of the composite sheet comprising a first tongue on a first side and a first groove on the opposite second side, the first tongue and the first groove having a complementary shape to engage with a corresponding tongue or groove on an adjacent floor plank.

[0008] Based on this, the object of the invention is to provide a panel for cladding a surface which has a particularly high fluid resistance and can be installed or uninstalled particularly quickly and easily.

[0009] This object is achieved by the subject matter of patent claim 1. Preferred developments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

[0010] According to the invention, a panel for cladding a surface is provided, in particular a floor panel for cladding a floor area of ​​a building space, comprising a panel core enclosed by a flat panel surface, a flat panel bottom surface spaced therefrom and parallel thereto, and four panel side surfaces each connecting the panel surface to the panel bottom surface, wherein mutually complementary coupling elements in the form of an upper coupling element and a lower coupling element are arranged on two opposite panel side surfaces, which are designed in such a way that they enable a coupling of a first such panel to a second such panel by means of a relative movement of the upper coupling element of the first panel to the lower coupling element of the second panel,the upper coupling element has at its distal end a wedge-shaped plug-in element comprising an upper side and a lower side, and the lower coupling element has at its proximal end a plug-in receptacle with a counter-surface into which the plug-in element is inserted when two panels are coupled, so that the upper side of the plug-in element with the counter-surface forms a first coupling section of the coupling elements and the lower side of the plug-in element together with the plug-in receptacle forms a second coupling section of the coupling elements, the upper coupling element has a locking receptacle adjoining the plug-in element, and the lower coupling element has at its distal end a locking element adjoining the plug-in receptacle, which engages in the locking receptacle when two panels are coupled,so that the locking receptacle together with the locking element form a third coupling section of the coupling element, characterized in that the surfaces of the plug-in receptacle or the lower side of the plug-in element facing each other in the coupled state of two panels have mutually complementary wave structures, wherein the plug-in receptacle has a circular segment-shaped part and the circular segment-shaped part is adjacent to the counter surface.

[0011] It is therefore a key aspect of the invention that the panels can be coupled together by simply inserting the plug-in element into the plug-in receptacle and subsequently pivoting the panels relative to one another, and that the surface of the plug-in element and the surface of the plug-in receptacle each have a wave structure that complements one another. The fact that the wave structures are complementary to one another means that the shape of these wave-shaped surfaces is such that, when two panels are coupled, they lie flat against one another. This is achieved by the surface shapes of the plug-in receptacle and the plug-in element corresponding to one another. Therefore, where the plug-in receptacle has a wave trough, the plug-in element is provided with a wave crest, and vice versa. In this way, an interlocking of the two surfaces is essentially achieved.This makes the interface between the plug-in receptacle and the plug-in element larger than with flat surfaces, which ultimately further impedes the passage of fluid between the plug-in receptacle and the plug-in element. This allows for even greater fluid resistance in a panel assembly consisting of such panels.

[0012] According to a preferred development of the invention, the wave structures in the plug-in receptacle and the lower side of the plug-in element run perpendicular to the panel side surfaces having complementary coupling elements. Because the wave structures run perpendicular to the panel side surfaces, they run almost parallel to the floor or the surface to be covered. The wave structures thus ensure a secure hold and also prevent displacement in the longitudinal direction, i.e. in a direction parallel to the floor. When inserting and pivoting down the upper panel, the wave structures interlock and thus also serve as a type of guide during pivoting down, so that the final position of the upper panel relative to the lower panel can be reached easily and safely.It has been shown that a high fluid strength can be achieved due to the stable interlocking and intermeshing of the vertically arranged wave structures.

[0013] Furthermore, the shape of the wave structures can follow various forms. However, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wave structures in the plug-in receptacle and the lower side of the plug-in element are sinusoidal.

[0014] The number of wave crests and troughs can vary in principle. However, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wave structures have at least three wave crests, preferably at least four wave crests, most preferably at least five wave crests.

[0015] According to a preferred development of the invention, the number of wave troughs of the wave structure of the lower coupling element is at least one greater than the number of complementary wave crests of the wave structure of the upper coupling element. The lower coupling element therefore comprises at least one wave trough more than the upper coupling element comprises wave crests. As a result, a gap is created between the wave structures at the proximal end when inserted, because a wave crest is essentially missing on the upper coupling element so that the wave structures would be flush. Omitting a wave crest at the distal end of the wave structure not only creates a gap when inserted, but also ensures easy handling. At the point where the last wave crest would normally be located, there is preferably a bevel.The slope facilitates insertion and, when pushed down, allows the upper panel to slide down the locking element of the lower panel. The gap also ensures good air circulation between the two panels.

[0016] It has been shown that even a small number of wave crests leads to a significant improvement in fluid strength. Furthermore, it is preferred that the height difference between the wave crests and troughs be between a maximum of 7% and a minimum of 1% of the total panel thickness determined by the distance between the panel surface and the panel base.

[0017] In particular, the material thickness of the lower coupling element between the panel's underside and the plug-in receptacle is intended to be less than the material thickness of the upper coupling element between the panel's surface and the locking receptacle. This means that, when joining two panels, the coupling elements are inserted into each other with less force than previously known panels, thus reducing the risk of material failure or breakage.

[0018] It has been found that the assembly loads on the lower coupling element can generally be better balanced than the assembly loads on the upper coupling element. This is due, among other things, to the fact that the lower coupling element rests on the surface to be clad during assembly of the upper coupling element. The forces acting on the lower coupling element can therefore be directly and evenly supported by the substrate and are therefore less damaging to individual components of the lower coupling element. In contrast, forces acting on the upper coupling element during the joining of two panels have no such opportunity for force distribution, so that the upper coupling element is generally more prone to material failure. Such material failure or fracture usually occurs in areas with high loads and the smallest possible material thickness.The lower coupling element has the smallest material thickness between the panel's underside and the plug-in receptacle. The upper coupling element has the smallest material thickness between the panel's surface and the locking receptacle. In the following, material thickness refers to a minimum or maximum material thickness in this respective area. Where the term "material thickness" is used, this refers to this definition or arrangement.

[0019] Under the aforementioned aspects, it is preferably provided that the material thickness of the lower coupling element between the panel bottom surface and the plug-in receptacle is at least 62%, preferably at least 67%, and particularly preferably at least 72% of the material thickness of the upper coupling element between the panel surface and the locking receptacle. Furthermore, it is preferred that the material thickness of the lower coupling element between the panel bottom surface and the plug-in receptacle is a maximum of 82%, a maximum of 77%, and particularly preferably a maximum of 72% of the material thickness of the upper coupling element between the panel surface and the locking receptacle. It is also preferably the case that the material thickness of the upper coupling element between the panel surface and the locking receptacle is at least 34%, preferably at least 39%, and particularly preferably at least 44% of the total thickness of the panel determined by the distance between the panel surface and the panel bottom surface.

[0020] Furthermore, it is preferred that the material thickness of the upper coupling element between the panel surface and the locking receptacle is a maximum of 54%, preferably a maximum of 49%, particularly preferably a maximum of 44% of the total thickness of the panel determined by the distance between the panel surface and the panel bottom surface. Preferably, the material thickness of the lower coupling element between the panel bottom surface and the plug-in receptacle is at least 24%, preferably at least 29%, particularly preferably at least 34% of the total thickness of the panel determined by the distance between the panel surface and the panel bottom surface. Furthermore, it is preferred that the material thickness of the lower coupling element between the panel bottom surface and the plug-in receptacle is a maximum of 44%, preferably a maximum of 39%, particularly preferably a maximum of 34% of the total thickness of the panel determined by the distance between the panel surface and the panel bottom surface.

[0021] Finally, the panel preferably consists of at least one carrier or core, on or to which various functional layers are applied or attached, such as decorative layers, wear-resistant layers, and / or counter-tension layers. The coupling elements according to the invention described are essentially formed in the carrier or core. The carrier or core of a panel according to the invention can, for example, be a carrier based on a natural material, a plastic, a wood-plastic composite material (WPC), or a mineral-plastic composite material (MPC, SPC). Layered structures composed of several of the aforementioned materials can also be used, for example, plasterboard or wood-plastic laminated panels.

[0022] For example, the carrier plate can be made of a thermoplastic, elastomer, or thermosetting plastic. Mineral plates such as natural and artificial stone plates, concrete plates, gypsum fiber plates, so-called WPC plates (made of a mixture of plastic and wood), so-called MPC or SPC plates (made of a mixture of plastic and mineral or stone flour), as well as plates made of natural raw materials such as cork and wood can also be used as carriers according to the invention. Plates made of biomass as a natural material such as straw, corn stalks, bamboo, leaves, algae extracts, hemp, and oil palm fibers can also be used according to the invention. Furthermore, recycled materials made of the aforementioned materials can be used within the scope of the inventive process. Furthermore, the plates can be based on the natural material cellulose, such as paper or cardboard.

[0023] Wood-based materials within the meaning of the invention include, in addition to solid wood materials, materials such as cross-laminated timber, glued laminated timber, block laminated timber, veneer plywood, laminated veneer lumber, veneer strip lumber, and bending plywood. Furthermore, wood-based materials within the meaning of the invention also include particleboards such as chipboards, extruded boards, oriented structural boards (OSB), and chipboard strip lumber, as well as wood fiber materials such as wood fiber insulation boards (HFD), medium-hard and hard fiberboards (MB, HFH), and, in particular, medium-density fiberboards (MDF) and high-density fiberboards (HDF).Modern wood-based materials such as wood-polymer materials (WPC), sandwich panels made of a lightweight core material such as foam, rigid foam, or paper honeycomb with a wood layer applied thereon, as well as mineral-bonded particle boards, for example, with cement, also constitute wood-based materials within the meaning of the invention. Cork also constitutes a wood-based material within the meaning of the invention.

[0024] For the purposes of the invention, the term fiber materials refers to materials such as paper and nonwovens based on plant, animal, mineral, or even synthetic fibers, as well as cardboard. Examples of fiber materials made from plant fibers include paper and nonwovens made from cellulose fibers, as well as panels made from biomass such as straw, corn stalks, bamboo, leaves, algae extracts, hemp, cotton, or oil palm fibers. Examples of animal fiber materials include keratin-based materials such as wool or horsehair. Examples of mineral fiber materials include mineral wool or glass wool.

[0025] Furthermore, the carrier can be a plastic-based carrier, i.e., comprise or consist of a plastic. Examples of thermoplastics are polyvinyl chloride, polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyamides (PA), polyurethanes (PU), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), or mixtures or copolymers thereof. The plastics can contain conventional fillers, for example, talc, calcium carbonate (chalk), aluminum oxide, silica gel, quartz powder, wood flour, or gypsum. They can also be colored in a known manner. In particular, the carrier material can contain a flame retardant.

[0026] Thermoplastics, in particular, offer the advantage that the products made from them can be easily recycled. Recycled materials from other sources can also be used. This provides a further opportunity to reduce manufacturing costs.

[0027] The carrier material or the material from which the carrier is formed can, for example, be a matrix material and a solid material, wherein the matrix material is present in an amount, based on the carrier material, of ≥ 25 wt.% to ≤ 55 wt.%, in particular of ≥ 35 wt.% to ≤ 45 wt.%, and wherein the solid material is present in an amount, based on the carrier material, of ≥ 45 wt.% to ≤ 75 wt.%, in particular of ≥ 55 wt.% to ≤ 65 wt.%, and wherein the matrix material and the solid material together are present, based on the carrier material, in an amount of ≥ 95 wt.%, in particular ≥ 99 wt.%, and the solid material is formed to at least 50 wt.%, in particular to at least 80 wt.%, in particular to at least 95 wt.%, based on the solid material, from a solid composition consisting of at least one first layered silicate powder and a second layered silicate powder, and the matrix material to at least 50 wt.-%, in particular at least 80 wt.%, in particular at least 95 wt.%, based on the matrix material, is formed by a plastic composition consisting of a homopolymer and at least one first copolymer and one second copolymer.

[0028] Phyllosilicate powder is understood, in the conventional sense, to be a powder made from a phyllosilicate. Phyllosilicates are minerals from the silicate group whose silicate anions are usually arranged in layers. For example, phyllosilicates include minerals from the mica group, the chlorite group, the kaolinite group, and the serpentine group.

[0029] Thus, the solid material can advantageously be formed at least largely from the mineral substance phyllosilicate, whereby this substance can be used, for example, in powder form or can be present in the carrier material in the form of particles. In principle, the solid material can consist of a powdered solid.

[0030] Layered silicates offer the advantage that they can produce a support with good mechanical properties and, at the same time, can be easily processed into corresponding powders due to their layered structure.

[0031] According to the invention, the plug-in receptacle has a circular-segment-shaped part, and the circular-segment-shaped part is adjacent to the counter surface. Such a design allows the wedge-shaped end of the plug-in element to slide along the circular-segment-shaped part and be guided to its end position when inserted into the plug-in receptacle and the upper panel is subsequently pressed down. When inserted, a gap is created between the upper and lower coupling elements because the elements are not flush with one another due to their different shapes. This provides sufficient space for the plug-in element to be guided out of the plug-in receptacle again in order to uninstall the panels without much effort.

[0032] In principle, the wedge shape of the plug-in element can have different sections. However, according to a preferred development of the invention, the wedge-shaped plug-in element comprises a first section at the distal end and a second section adjacent to the first section, each section comprising an upper side and a lower side, and the upper side and the lower side of the first section are designed to taper towards the distal end. Furthermore, according to a further preferred development of the invention, the upper side and the lower side of the second section are each arranged parallel to the panel surface and to the panel underside, respectively, and the lower side of the second section has the wave structure.Furthermore, with regard to the wedge shape of the plug-in element, according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a first angle between the upper side of the first section and a line parallel to the panel surface or to the panel bottom surface is greater than a second angle between the lower side of the first section and the parallel. Regarding the angles, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sum of the first angle and the second angle is less than 90°.

[0033] The plug-in element is therefore composed of a first wedge-shaped section and a second straight section. The lower side of the wedge-shaped tip is flatter than the upper side. This facilitates insertion into the plug-in receptacle. The angle of the upper side is selected so that the upper side can slide particularly easily along the counter surface during insertion and is guided by it. The wedge-shaped design of the tip therefore simplifies handling and simple installation and deinstallation of the panels. The second section comprises the wave structure and thus serves to ensure the stability and fluid resistance of the panels when installed.

[0034] The invention is explained in more detail below using a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawings.

[0035] The drawings show Fig. 1 schematically shows a sectional view of the coupling elements of two panels according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in the uncoupled state, Fig. 2 schematically shows a sectional view of the coupling elements of two panels according to the preferred embodiment of the invention during coupling, and Fig. 3 schematically shows a sectional view of the coupling elements of two panels according to the preferred embodiment of the invention in the coupled state.

[0036] Out of Fig. 1 Two panels 1A, 1B are shown in a schematic sectional view, which are intended for covering a surface. Specifically, the preferred embodiment of the invention shown here is two floor panels for covering a floor area of ​​a building. Fig. 1 shows panels 1A and 1B in an uncoupled state, i.e., separated from each other. The panels 1A and 1B shown here are made of thermoplastic polymers. Alternatively, they can be made of HDF or MDF.

[0037] The two panels 1A, 1B each have a panel core enclosed by a flat panel surface 2, a flat panel bottom surface 3 spaced from and parallel to the panel surface 2, and four panel side surfaces connecting the panel surface 2 to the panel bottom surface 3. As can be seen from Fig. 1 As can be seen, mutually complementary coupling elements 4, 5 in the form of an upper coupling element 4 and a lower coupling element 5 are arranged on two opposite panel side surfaces, which are designed such that they enable a coupling of a first such panel 1A to a second such panel 1B by means of a relative movement of the upper coupling element 4 of the first panel 1A towards the lower coupling element 5 of the second panel 1B.

[0038] The panels 1A, 1B now each have three coupling sections on their coupling elements 4, 5, as follows: The upper coupling element 4 has a wedge-shaped plug-in element 8 with an upper side 6 and a lower side 7 at its distal end. The lower coupling element 5 has a counter-surface 10 which, when two panels 1A, 1B are coupled, rests against the upper side 6, so that the wedge-shaped plug-in element 8 or the upper side 6, together with the counter-surface 10, form the first coupling section of the coupling elements 4, 5.

[0039] On the lower side 7, the wedge-shaped plug-in element 8 has a wave-shaped surface 13A, namely the wave structure according to the invention, and the lower coupling element 5 has a plug-in receptacle 9 which adjoins the counter-surface 10 and also has a wave-shaped surface 13B, into which the plug-in element 8 is inserted when two panels 1A, 1B are coupled, so that the plug-in element 8, in particular with its lower side 7, together with the plug-in receptacle 9, forms the second coupling section of the coupling elements 4, 5.

[0040] Finally, the upper coupling element 4 has a locking receptacle 1 adjoining the plug-in element 8, and the lower coupling element 5 has at its distal end a locking element 12 adjoining the plug-in receptacle 9, which engages in the locking receptacle 11 when two panels 1A, 1B are coupled, so that the locking receptacle 11 together with the locking element 12 form the third coupling section of the coupling elements 4, 5.

[0041] As further stated Fig. 1 As can be seen, the wedge-shaped plug-in element 8 is divided into two sections I, II. The first section I has an upper side 6I and a lower side 7I. Both sides 6I, 7I converge at an angle, with the lower side 7I being flatter than the upper side 6I. This is a direct result of the angle α between the upper side 6I and a line P parallel to the panel surface 2 being greater than the angle β between the lower side 7I and the parallel P. The first section I therefore forms a point which is intended to facilitate handling and installation by making it easier to insert the plug-in element 8 into the plug-in receptacle 9. The second section II is directly adjacent to the first section I and has an upper side 6II and a lower side 7II which are straight and merge smoothly into the panel surface 2 and the panel bottom surface 3 respectively.

[0042] What is crucial is that the surfaces 13A, 13B of the plug-in element 8 or the plug-in receptacle 9 facing each other in the coupled state of two panels 1A, 1B have complementary wave structures. Fig. 1 It can be seen that the wave structures in the plug-in receptacle 9 and the plug-in element 8 run perpendicular to the panel side surfaces having the mutually complementary coupling elements 4, 5 and that the wave structures in the plug-in receptacle 9 and the plug-in element 8 run sinusoidally.

[0043] The Fig. 1 It can be seen that the wave structure of the upper panel 1A has one wave crest 14A less than the wave structure of the lower panel 1B has complementary wave troughs 15B. The oblique edge arranged instead of a wave crest 14A towards the end of the lower side 7II of the second section II facilitates the insertion of the plug-in element 8 into the plug-in receptacle 9. Furthermore, the plug-in receptacle 9 has a part 16 in the shape of a segment of a circle, along which the wedge-shaped tip of the first section I can slide when the plug-in element 8 is inserted into the plug-in receptacle 9, so that the tip of the plug-in element 8 is guided when the upper panel 1A is inserted into the lower panel 1B.

[0044] In addition, the material thickness UM of the lower coupling element 5 between the panel bottom surface 3 and the plug-in receptacle 9 is smaller than the material thickness OM of the upper coupling element 4 between the panel surface 2 and the locking receptacle 11, which leads to the advantages with regard to break resistance mentioned in detail above.

[0045] Fig. 2 shows the two panels 1A, 1B from Fig. 1 in a schematic sectional view during the coupling process The upper panel 1A is partially inserted into the lower panel 1B. The wedge-shaped tip of the first section I is inserted diagonally into the plug-in receptacle 9. Particularly easy handling is ensured by several factors: Firstly, the edge of the counter surface 10 slides along the upper side 6I of the tip; secondly, the tip itself is guided by the circular segment-shaped part 16, so that during a forward movement of the upper panel 1A in the x-direction, due to the arc shape of the circular segment-shaped part 16, the tip is inevitably guided upwards and thus the upper panel 1A is pivoted downwards as a whole. Consequently, the relative movement in the form of a pivoting movement R of the upper panel 1A is forced in a downward movement during the coupling process. Incorrect installation can therefore be virtually ruled out. The downward movement occurs in the negative y-direction.

[0046] Fig. 3 shows the two panels 1A, 1B from Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in coupled state. All three coupling sections are in the coupled state. The plug-in element 8 is fully inserted into the plug-in receptacle 9 so that the upper side 6I rests against the counter surface 10. The wave crests 14A, 14B engage in the complementary wave troughs 15A, 15B. The locking element 12 is received by the locking receptacle 11. The two panels 1A, 1B are plugged into one another and can no longer be moved along the x-direction. The two panels 1A, 1B can only be uncoupled and thus uninstalled by a relative movement, in particular an upward pivoting movement of the upper panel essentially in the y-direction. List of reference symbols

[0047] 1A, 1BPanels 2Panel surface 3Panel bottom surface 4Upper coupling element 5Lower coupling element 6, 6I, 6IIUpper side 7, 7I, 7IILower side 8Plug-in element 9Plug-in receptacle 10Counter surface 11Locking receptacle 12Locking element 13A, 13BSurface 14A, 14BCrest of wave 15A, 15BValley of wave 16Circular segment IFirst section IISecond section PParallels RPivoting direction OMMaterial thickness of the upper coupling element UMMaterial thickness of the lower coupling element αFirst angle βSecond angle

Claims

1. Panel (1A, 1B) for cladding a surface with a panel core that is enclosed by a flat panel surface (2), a flat panel lower surface (3), which is spaced therefrom and parallel thereto, and four panel side surfaces each connecting the panel surface (2) to the panel lower surface (3), wherein complementary coupling elements (4, 5) are arranged on two opposing side surfaces of the panel in the form of an upper coupling element (4) and a lower coupling element (5), which are configured in such a way that they enable a first such panel (1A) to be coupled to a second such panel (1B) by means of a relative movement of the upper coupling element (4) of the first panel (1A) towards the lower coupling element (5) of the second panel (1B), the upper coupling element (4) has at its distal end a wedge-shaped insertion element (8) comprising an upper side (6) and a lower side (7), and the lower coupling element (5) has at its proximal end a insertion receptacle (9) with a mating surface (10) into which, in the coupled state of two panels (1A, 1B), the insertion element (8) is inserted, so that the upper side (6) of the insertion element (8) forms a first coupling section of the coupling elements (4, 5) with the mating surface (10) and the lower side (7) of the insertion element (8) together with the insertion receptacle (9) forms a second coupling section of the coupling elements (4, 5), the upper coupling element (4) has a locking receptacle (11) adjoining the insertion element (8) and the lower coupling element (5) has at its distal end a locking element (12) adjoining the insertion receptacle (9), which locking element engages in the locking receptacle (11) in the coupled state of two panels (1A, 1B), so that the locking receptacle (11) together with the locking element (12) form a third coupling section of the coupling element (4, 5), wherein the surfaces (13A, 13B) of the insertion receptacle (9) and of the lower side (7) of the insertion element (8) facing one another in the coupled state of two panels (1A, 1B) have mutually complementary wave structures, characterised in that the insertion receptacle (9) has a part (16) extending in the form of a circular section and the circular section-shaped part is adjacent to the mating surface (10), and in that the panels can be coupled to one another by simply inserting the insertion element (8) into the insertion receptacle (9) and subsequently swivelling the panels relative to one another, the wedge-shaped end of the insertion element (8) sliding along the circular section-shaped part (16) and being guided towards the end position when it is inserted into the insertion receptacle (9) and the upper panel is then pressed down.

2. Panel (1A, 1B) according to claim 1, characterised in that the wave structures in the insertion receptacle (9) and the lower side (7) of the insertion element (8) run perpendicular to the panel side surfaces having the mutually complementary coupling elements (4, 5).

3. Panel (1A, 1B) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the wave structures in the insertion receptacle (9) and the lower side (7) of the insertion element (8) are sinusoidal.

4. Panel (1A, 1B) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the wave structures have at least three wave crests (14A, 14B).

5. Panel (1A, 1B) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the number of wave troughs (15B) in the wave structure for the lower coupling element (5) is greater by at least one than the number of complementary wave crests (14A) in the wave structure for the upper coupling element (4).

6. Panel (1A, 1B) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the difference in height between the wave crests (14A, 14B) and the wave troughs (15A, 15B) is between a maximum of 7% and a minimum of 1% of the total thickness (G) of the panel given by the distance of the panel surface (2) from the panel undersurface (3).

7. Panel (1A, 1B) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the panel (1A, 1B) comprises at least partially thermoplastic styrene block copolymers as its base material.

8. Panel (1A, 1B) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the wedge-shaped insertion element (8) comprises a first section (I) at the distal end and a second section (II) adjoining the first section (I), wherein one section (I, II) each comprises an upper side (6I, 6II) and a lower side (7I, 7II), and the upper side (6I) and the lower side (7I) of the first section (I) are designed to taper obliquely towards the distal end.

9. Panel (lA, 1B) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the upper side (6II) and the lower side (7II) of the second section (II) are each arranged parallel to the panel surface (2) or to the panel lower surface (3) and the lower side (7II) of the second section (II) has the wave structure.

10. Panel (1A, 1B) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a first angle (α) between the upper side (6I) of the first section (I) and a parallel (P) to the panel surface (2) or to the panel lower surface (3) is greater than a second angle (β) between the lower side (7I) of the first section (I) and the parallel (P).

11. Panel (1A, 1B) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sum of the first angle (α) and the second angle (β) is less than 90°.

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