REVERSIBLE COATING PANEL AND ITS INSTALLATION METHOD

Abstract

The interlocking panel is designed to be reversibly fixed to a mounting wall (P) or to the floor. It comprises a first coupling means (C1) and a second coupling means (C2) adapted to each other to allow lateral interlocking of the panel, with reversibility of the panel by longitudinal rotation (around the axis A) of the panel. A first edge (10c) of the panel has a first flange (102-1), the outer face (102b) of which forms, on one side, the extreme part of the facing face (10a), and a second opposite edge (10c) has a second flange (102-2), the outer face (102b) of which forms, on the other side of the panel, the extreme part of the other facing face (10b).Part of the first wing (102-1) is preferably projecting laterally on the first side relative to the rest of the first edge (10c) and part of the second wing (102-2) is projecting laterally on the second side relative to the rest of the second edge (10c). Fig. 14.

Description

Title of the invention: REVERSIBLE COATING PANEL AND ITS INSTALLATION METHOD technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of interior decoration and the installation of cladding panels on a surface, such as a wall or ceiling, or on a floor. In this field, it relates to a new reversible cladding panel as well as its method of installation and fixing to a wall or floor. Previous art

[0002] To date, various types of decorative panels are known which can be laid coplanarly and side by side to form a floor covering or a wall or ceiling covering.

[0003] More specifically, in the field of floor coverings, various types of decorative panels are known to date which have the characteristic of being reversible. Each reversible floor covering panel has two opposing decorative faces (also commonly referred to as facing faces), which may be identical or different, and which generally have a single-layer or multi-layer decorative surface coating.

[0004] A first type of reversible floor covering panel, called interlocking, i.e. interlocking edge to edge with another panel without the use of an additional coupling piece, is described for example in international patent application WO2016 / 010414. The panel has an assembly tongue and an interlocking groove of complementary shape, which are centered and symmetrical with respect to a median plane of the panel, and which allow the panel to be interlocked with a similar neighboring panel, in a lateral interlocking direction parallel to the median plane of the panels, and offering the possibility of orienting either of the two facing faces indifferently outwards, which is therefore the facing face visible once the panel is laid on the floor.

[0005] A second type of reversible floor covering panel is also described in US patent application 2010 / 0083603. In certain embodiments (in particular [Fig. 15] to [Fig. 21]), the reversible panels are of the interlocking type and have, on each side of the panel, hybrid male-female coupling means, which are complementary and reversed and allow for edge-to-edge, reversible and contiguous interlocking of the panels in an interlocking direction, which is not lateral, but which is perpendicular to the median plane of the panels.

[0006] In another embodiment ([Fig.26] to [Fig.28]), the reversible panels are not of the interlocking type, but the side-by-side assembly of two reversible panels is an assembly usually referred to as "false tongue", that is to say an assembly made by means of an additional coupling piece which is inserted into grooves made in the opposite edges of the two panels.

[0007] The floor covering panels described in these two publications WO2016 / 010414 and US 2010 / 0083603 are suitable for being laid on the floor without being fixed thereto (floating installation), and they are not suitable for being laid and fixed, by means of non-through fixings, on a laying surface, such as a wall or ceiling.

[0008] Various interlocking cladding panel solutions are also known, which are suitable for being fixed, in a non-reversible manner, to a surface such as a wall or ceiling.

[0009] International patent application WO02 / 052113 discloses, for example, different variants of interlocking panels, which are adapted to be fixed in a non-reversible manner to a wall, by means of through fixings, of the fixing screw type, which pass through the edge of one of the panels.

[0010] This international patent application WO02 / 052113, together with international patent application WO2007 / 115747, discloses various interlocking panel designs adapted for irreversible fixing to a wall by means of rigid, non-through, hook-shaped fixing clips. These fixing clips, generally made of metal, are partially insertable, for example laterally, into one of the panel edges and have a base that can be used to fix them to the wall.

[0011] The use of through-fasteners can be restrictive. Indeed, when it comes to For interlocking panels, through-fasteners must be oriented approximately perpendicular to the panel face, so that the fastener head interferes as little as possible with the interlocking process. This imposes a constraint on the panel edge design, which must be designed to provide access to the through-fastener in a direction perpendicular to the rear mounting face of the panel. In practice, this necessitates extending the panel edge laterally to provide sufficient lateral surface area for the through-fastener. Furthermore, through-fasteners are not suitable for robustly fixing panels directly to a mounting surface such as a wall, and in practice, the panels must be installed on wooden battens that have been pre-fixed to the wall.

[0012] The use of rigid, non-through fixing brackets, which can be partially inserted into the edge of the panel, is more convenient, as it avoids the aforementioned stress inherent in through fixings and saves material by avoiding of having to extend the edge of the panel. In addition, they advantageously avoid the risk of damage to the panel, which can be fixed in a removable manner if necessary, and if necessary be dismantled and reused.

[0013] Patent application WO2015 / 025104 further discloses a technical solution in which the panels are interlocking edge to edge and are fixed to the wall by means of a flexible fixing tab. The solution described in this publication does not allow for reversibility of the panel.

[0014] A solution for wall cladding panels is also known, for example in French patent application FR 2 671 823, which can be fixed to a wall, with a space between the panels, by means of a fixing rail that is fitted into the back face of the panel and which has a central tongue forming a joint between the two front faces of the panels. This solution does not allow the panel to be reversible.

[0015] U.S. patent application US 2022 / 0090388 discloses two reversible flooring panels, each having two grooves in each edge, which can be joined side by side, without butting, with a gap between the panels, by means of a coupling piece with a false tongue function, which is inserted into grooves in the opposite edges of the two panels. The flooring panels described in this publication are not of the interlocking type and are not suitable for fixing to the floor or to a wall.

[0016] US patent application US 2004 / 0144056 discloses decking boards made of extruded plastic, designed to be reversibly joined edge to edge by means of a coupling piece (false tongue) inserted into grooves formed in the edges of the boards. These extruded plastic boards are reversible and can be laid on a supporting structure, for example, made of wooden joists, by being joined edge to edge, reversibly and without butting, with a gap between the boards (Figs. 3 and 4). Each extruded plastic board can also be fastened to this supporting structure by means of a through fastener, for example, self-tapping screws, passing diagonally through the board and the coupling piece (false tongue) between the boards.The flooring panels described in this publication are not of the interlocking type and are not suitable for fixing to a wall using non-through fixing(s). Presentation of the invention

[0017] A general objective of the invention is to propose a new "interlocking" cladding panel, that is to say, interlocking edge-to-edge on its two sides with another similar adjacent panel without the use of an additional coupling piece, which interlocking panel can be reversibly fixed to a mounting surface, such as a wall or ceiling, or to the floor, by being interlocked edge to edge and reversibly with a similar neighboring panel, and preferably by being interlocked edge to edge in a contiguous manner with that other similar neighboring panel.

[0018] A more particular objective of the invention is to provide a new "interlocking" cladding panel, which can easily be reversibly fixed to a mounting surface, such as a wall or ceiling, or to the floor, by being interlocked edge to edge and reversibly with a similar adjacent panel, and using one or more through-fastener(s).

[0019] A more particular objective of the invention is to provide a new "interlocking" cladding panel, which can be reversibly fixed to a mounting surface, such as a wall or ceiling, or to the floor, by being interlocked edge to edge and reversibly with a similar adjacent panel, and using one or more non-through fixing(s).

[0020] A more specific objective of the invention is to provide a new "interlocking" cladding panel that can be reversibly fixed to a support surface, such as a wall or ceiling, or to the floor, by being interlocked edge-to-edge and reversibly with a similar adjacent panel, and offering the installer the option of choosing the fixing solution from the following, which may optionally be combined: use of one or more non-penetrating fixings; use of one or more through fixings; bonding. Summary of the invention

[0021] The invention thus relates to a cladding panel that can be individually interlocked and reversed, which comprises a first facing face, a second facing face, a first edge which extends over a first side of the panel in a longitudinal direction, and a second edge which extends over a second opposite side of the panel in the longitudinal direction (X); the first edge comprises a first non-detachable coupling means and the second edge comprises a second non-detachable coupling means; the first coupling means and the second coupling means are adapted to each other so as to allow lateral interlocking of the panel, with individual reversibility of the panel by longitudinal rotation of the panel. Definitions:

[0022] In this text, the terms and expressions listed below shall be understood and interpreted in accordance with the following definitions: "Interlocking" means in this text that the cladding panel can be interlocked edge to edge on both sides with another similar panel, without the use of an additional coupling piece. The terms "individually reversible", "individual reversibility" and "in an individually reversible manner" mean in this text that the cladding panel can be individually oriented with respect to the installation wall without having to change the orientation of a neighboring similar panel, in order to choose, from the first facing face and the second facing face of the cladding panel, the one (first or second facing face) to be oriented towards the installation wall, the other facing face (second or first facing face) constituting the visible face. "separable wing" should be interpreted as meaning that a part of the wing, which is designated "wingtip", extending laterally from the distal edge of the wing over at least part of the wing's width and extending longitudinally over all or part of the wing's length, and preferably over the entire wing's length, can be separated from the panel by any means. The term "analogous" means in this text that the panel called "analogous" has a first edge which is identical to the first edge of the cladding panel of the invention, and has a second edge, which is identical to the second edge of the cladding panel of the invention. The term "non-through fixing" means any fixing which can be partially inserted into the first edge and / or the second edge of the cladding panel, without passing through the panel and of which at least a part located outside and on the side of the panel is intended to be fixed to the installation wall or the floor by any means. The term "through fixing" refers to any fixing that passes through the first or second edge of the cladding panel to fix that cladding panel to the installation wall or floor. The "median plane" is the (fictitious) plane at mid-thickness of the panel. The terms "longitudinal", "longitudinally", and "length" each refer to the longitudinal direction in which the first edge and second edge of the panel extend. The terms "laterally", "lateral", "width", "transverse", "transversely", each refer to the direction that is parallel to the median plane of the panel and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first and second edges of the panel.

[0023] In the context of the invention, the material(s) constituting the panel are irrelevant to the invention. The reversible cladding panel may, for example, be made of solid wood, laminate or melamine, or of plastic, in particular PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) or composite materials.

[0024] The reversible cladding panel is preferably solid, but it can also be hollow, and in particular of the honeycomb type.

[0025] The manufacturing process for the reversible cladding panel is irrelevant to the invention, as the cladding panel can be manufactured by machining and / or extrusion and / or molding. However, manufacturing a cladding panel by machining a solid sheet is preferable.

[0026] More specifically, the interlocking and reversible cladding panel may include the following additional and optional features, each additional and optional feature being able to be combined with any of the other technical features of the panel: - The first coupling means and the second coupling means are reversed with respect to each other with respect to the median plane of the panel. - The first coupling means is of the male-female type and comprises a first female coupling part and a first male coupling part; the second coupling means is of the male-female type and comprises a second female coupling part and a second male coupling part. - the first male coupling part and the second male coupling part are flexible so as to allow the panel to be clipped with an analogous panel. - The first male coupling part of the first coupling means includes or is constituted by a first assembly tab and the second male coupling part of the second coupling means includes or is constituted by a second assembly tab. - The first female coupling part of the first coupling means includes or is constituted by a first interlocking groove and the second female coupling part of the second coupling means includes or is constituted by a second interlocking groove. - The first female part of the first coupling means and the second female part of the second coupling means are symmetrical to each other with respect to a longitudinal axis of symmetry (A) of the panel; the first male part of the first coupling means and the second male part of the second coupling means are symmetrical to each other with respect to a longitudinal axis of symmetry (A) of the panel. The first male coupling part protrudes laterally on the first side relative to the rest of the first edge, and the second male coupling part protrudes laterally on the second side relative to the rest of the second edge. The first edge has a first wing, which is distinct from the first male coupling part and whose outer face forms the extreme part of the first facing on the first side of the panel; the second edge has a second wing, which is distinct from the second male coupling part and whose outer face forms on the second side of the panel the extreme part of the second facing on the second side of the panel. The first female part of the first coupling means is delimited at least by at least a part of the inner face of the first wing and the second female part of the second coupling means is delimited at least by at least a part of the inner face of the second wing. The first wing and the second wing are flexible so as to allow the panel to be clipped with a similar panel. A portion of the first wing protrudes laterally on the first side relative to the rest of the first edge, including relative to said first male coupling portion, and a portion of the second wing protrudes laterally on the second side relative to the rest of the second edge, including relative to said second male coupling portion. The said part of the first wing projecting laterally on the first side is adapted for fixing the panel by means of through-fastener(s) passed through said projecting part, and more particularly presents a surface sufficiently large for fixing the panel by means of through-fastener(s) passed through said projecting part; said part of the second wing projecting laterally on the second side is adapted for fixing the panel by means of through-fastener(s) passed through said projecting part, and more particularly presents a surface sufficiently large for fixing the panel by means of through-fastener(s) passed through said projecting part. The first wing has in the inner face of its projecting part at least one first step which extends in the longitudinal direction (X) and / or the second wing has in the inner face of its projecting part at least one second step which extends in the longitudinal direction (X). The said first recess allows to accommodate at least in part, and preferably entirely, the protruding part, and in particular the head, of a through fastener passed through said protruding part and / or the said second recess allows to accommodate at least in part, and preferably entirely, the protruding part, and in particular the head, of a through fastener passed through said protruding part. The first wing has at least one first longitudinal groove made in the inner face of the protruding part of the first wing and / or the second wing has at least one second longitudinal groove made in the inner face of the protruding part of the first wing. The said first longitudinal groove is dimensioned so as to be able to accommodate at least in part, and preferably entirely, the protruding part, and in particular the head, of a through fastener passed through said protruding part and / or said second longitudinal groove is dimensioned so as to be able to accommodate at least in part, and preferably entirely, the protruding part, and in particular the head of a through fastener passed through said protruding part. The first wing is breakable so that a first piece of wing can be removed from the panel when the first facing face is chosen to be oriented towards the installation wall or towards the ground, and in the second wing is breakable so that a second piece of wing can be removed from the panel when the second facing face is chosen to be oriented towards the installation wall or towards the ground. The portion of the first wing projecting laterally on the first side includes or constitutes said first wingtip which is separable from the panel, and the portion of the second wing projecting laterally on the second side includes or constitutes said second wingtip which is separable from the panel, and preferably the first wingtip and the second wingtip are each separable from the panel by being cut and / or broken and / or ripped off and / or torn. The first coupling means includes first lateral locking means and the second coupling means includes second lateral locking means, which are adapted to each other so as to permit lateral locking of the panel laterally fitted with a similar panel. The said first lateral locking means are an integral part of the first male coupling part and the said second lateral locking means are an integral part of the second male coupling part. the first lateral locking means include at least one projecting retaining stop extending in the longitudinal direction (X) and the second lateral locking means include at least one projecting retaining stop extending in the longitudinal direction (X). Each retaining stop is rounded. Each retaining stop is rounded to facilitate the disassembly (especially unclipping) of two interlocking panels. The first lateral locking means comprise at least one retaining stop which is an integral part of the projecting portion of the first wing, which extends in the longitudinal direction (X) and which projects from the inner face of the first wing; the first lateral locking means comprise at least one retaining stop which is an integral part of the first male coupling portion and which extends in the longitudinal direction (X); the second lateral locking means comprise at least one retaining stop which is an integral part of the projecting portion of the second wing, which extends in the longitudinal direction (X) and which projects from the inner face of the second wing; the second lateral locking means comprise at least one retaining stop which is an integral part of the second male coupling portion and which extends in the longitudinal direction. The first male coupling part protrudes laterally from the first female coupling part and the second male coupling part protrudes laterally from the second female coupling part; The first lateral locking means are an integral part of the first male coupling part and the second lateral locking means are an integral part of the second male coupling part. The first coupling means and the second coupling means are deformable during interlocking so as to allow clipping of the panel with a similar panel and are preferably flexible. The first wing and the second wing are identical. The interlocking grooves are the same depth. The assembly tabs have the same width. The two facing surfaces are different. One of the facing faces has hollows and reliefs and is preferably grooved, and the other facing face is flat (without hollows or reliefs). Each facing face has a surface coating, which is preferably different for each facing face. - The panel is massive.

[0027] The invention also relates to a first method of installing and fixing to a wall or to the floor at least a first interlocking and reversible panel referred to above and a second interlocking and reversible panel referred to above, said method comprising at least the following operations: (1) when the first facing face is oriented towards the wall or towards the floor, at least the first edge of the first panel is fixed to the wall or to the floor, by means of at least one through fixing, which is passed through said protruding part of the first wing of the first panel or when the second facing face is oriented towards the wall or towards the floor, at least the second edge of the first panel is fixed to the wall or to the floor, by means of at least one through fixing, which is passed through said protruding part of the second wing of the first panel;(2) the second panel is oriented by choosing, from the two facing faces of the second panel, the one that should be oriented towards the wall on which it is installed or towards the ground and (3) the first edge or the second edge of the second panel is laterally fitted together with the first edge or the second edge of the first panel which has been fixed by means of said at least one through fixing.

[0028] More specifically, this process may include the following additional and optional features, each additional and optional feature being able to be combined with any of the other technical features of the process: - Where the projecting parts of the wings of the panel each have a step or longitudinal groove, the fastening operation (1) is carried out in such a way that a projecting part, in particular the head, of said at least one through-fastening is at least partly, and preferably entirely, housed in the step of said projecting part of the first wing or the second wing of the first panel or is at least partly, and preferably entirely, housed in said longitudinal groove of said projecting part of the first wing or the second wing of the first panel. - The operation (3) of fitting the second panel with the first panel is carried out in such a way as to assemble the two panels edge to edge, covering with the second panel the non-through fixing(s) located outside the first panel, and preferably in such a way as to assemble the two panels edge to edge and in a contiguous manner. - A cutting tool or a cutting blade or wire cutters are used to remove the first wingtip or the second wingtip.

[0029] The invention also relates to a second method of installing and fixing to a wall or to the floor, at least of a first interlocking and reversible cladding panel referred to above and of a second interlocking and reversible cladding panel referred to above, said method comprising at least the following operations: (1) the first wing of the first panel is shortened, by removing a piece of wing from the first wing when the first facing face has been chosen to be oriented towards the wall or towards the floor or the second wing of the first panel is shortened, by removing a piece of wing from the second wing when the second facing face (10b) has been chosen to be oriented towards the wall (P) or towards the floor;(2) The first or second edge of the first panel whose wing has been shortened is fixed to the wall or the ground by means of non-through fixing(s), this fixing operation being able to be carried out before or after the shortening operation (1); (3) The second panel is oriented by choosing, from the two facing faces of the second panel, the one that is to be oriented towards the wall or towards the ground; (4) The first or second edge of the second panel is laterally fitted together with the first or second edge of the first panel whose wing has been shortened.

[0030] More particularly, the operation (4) of fitting the second panel with the first panel is carried out so as to assemble the two panels edge to edge, covering with the second panel a part of the non-through fixing(s) located outside the first panel, and preferably so as to assemble the two panels edge to edge and in a contiguous manner.

[0031] When the first wing and the second wing are separable, a cutting tool or a cutting blade or a cutting pliers is used to remove a first wing end or a second wing end.

[0032] The invention also relates to the use of several of the aforementioned panels to produce at least part of a wall covering or to produce at least part of a floor covering. Description of the figures

[0033] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the detailed description given by way of non-limiting and non-exhaustive example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - [Fig. 1] The [Fig. 1] is an isometric view of a first variant of the realization of a cladding panel to be individually interlocking and reversible. - [Fig.2] Fig.2 shows the fixing, by means of non-fixing device(s) through(s), of a first panel of the type of that of [Fig.1] and the fitting of a second similar panel according to a first fitting configuration. [Fig.3] [Fig.3] shows the fixing, by means of non-through fixing(s), of a first panel of the type of that of [Fig.1] and the fitting of a second analogous panel according to a second fitting configuration. [Fig.4] The [Fig.4] is an enlargement showing the operation of fixing, by means of non-through fixing(s), a first panel of the type of that of the [Fig.1], after removal of one of the wing ends. [Fig.5] [Fig.6] Figures 5 and 6 are enlargements showing the lateral interlocking operation of a second analogous panel with the first panel. [Fig.7] The [Fig.7] is an enlargement showing the fixing of a first panel of the type of that of the [Fig.1] and the fitting of a second analogous panel according to a third fitting configuration. [Fig.8] The [Fig.8] is an enlargement showing the fixing, by means of non-through fixing(s), of a first panel of the type of that of the [Fig.1] and the fitting of a second analogous panel in accordance with a fourth fitting configuration. [Fig.9] Fig.9 represents an example of a cutting tool. [Fig. 10] The [Fig. 10] illustrates a cutting operation of one of the breakable wings of a panel of the type of that of the [Fig.1]. [Fig. 11] The [Fig. 11] is an isometric view of a second variant of an interlocking and reversible cladding panel. [Fig. 12] The [Fig. 12] is an isometric view of a third variant of an embodiment of a cladding panel that can be individually interlocked and reversible. [Fig. 13] The [Fig. 13] is an isometric view of a fourth embodiment variant of a cladding panel that can be individually interlocked and reversed. [Fig. 14] The [Fig. 14] is an isometric view of a fifth embodiment variant of a cladding panel that can be individually interlocked and reversed. [Fig. 15] [Fig. 15] shows the fixing, by means of non-through fixing(s), of a first panel of the type of that of [Fig. 14] and the fitting of a second similar panel in accordance with a first fitting configuration. [Fig. 16] The [Fig. 16] is an enlargement showing a cutting operation of the panel of the [Fig. 14]. [Fig. 17] [Fig. 18] Figures 17 and 18 are enlargements showing respectively the operation of fixing the panel of [Fig. 14] and the lateral interlocking of a second similar panel. [Fig. 19] [Fig. 19] shows the fixing, by means of non-through fixing(s), of a first panel of the type of that of [Fig. 14] and the fitting of a second similar panel in accordance with a second fitting configuration. [Fig.20] [Fig.20] is an enlargement showing the operation of fixing, by means of through fixing(s) of a panel of the type of that of [Fig.14], [Fig.21] The [Fig.21] is an enlargement showing an example of the interlocking of a second analogous panel with the panel of the [Fig.20]. [Fig.22] [Fig.23] Figures 22 and 23 are isometric views showing other variants of non-through fixings that can be used to fix a panel of the invention. [Fig.24] Fig.24 shows another example of fixing two panels conforming to Fig.14, which are fitted together and fixed to a laying wall or floor, and shows a starter profile and a finishing profile which are fitted together with the panels. [Fig.25] The [Fig.25] is an isometric view of a sixth embodiment variant of a cladding panel that can be individually interlocked and reversed. [Fig.26] Fig.26 shows a first panel of the type of that of [Fig.25] fitted and clipped with a similar panel according to a first fitting configuration, the two panels being laterally locked. [Fig.27] The [Fig.27] shows another interlocking configuration of the two panels of the [Fig.26], one of the panels having been turned over by longitudinal rotation of 180° relative to the [Fig.26]. [Fig.28] [Fig.29] [Fig.30] Figures 28 to 30 are enlargements showing a chronology of assembly phases of the two panels of [Fig.26], [Fig.31] The [Fig.31] is an isometric view of a seventh variant of an embodiment of a cladding panel that can be individually interlocked and reversible. - [Fig. 32] [Fig. 32] is an enlargement showing the interlocking locked with a panel of the type shown in [Fig.31] which is fitted and clipped with a similar panel. - [Fig. 33] Fig. 33 is an isometric view of an eighth variant for the production of a cladding panel that can be individually interlocked and reversed. - [Fig. 34] [Fig. 34] shows a first panel of the type of that of the [Fig.33] fitted and clipped with a similar panel according to a first fitting configuration, the two panels being laterally locked. - [Fig. 35] [Fig. 35] shows a first panel of the type of that of the [Fig.33] nested and clipped with a similar panel according to a second nesting configuration in which one of the panels has been reversed by longitudinal rotation of 180° relative to [Fig.34], and the two panels being laterally locked. - [Fig. 36] [Fig. 37] Figures 36 and 37 are enlargements showing two assembly phases of the two panels of the [Fig.34]. - [Fig. 38] Fig. 38 is an isometric view of a ninth variant for the production of a cladding panel that can be individually interlocked and reversed. - [Fig. 39] [Fig. 39] shows a first panel of the type of that of the [Fig.38] fitted and clipped with a similar panel, the two panels being locked laterally. - [Fig. 40] [Fig. 41] [Fig. 42] Figures 40 to 42 are enlargements showing a chronology of assembly phases of two panels of the [Fig.39]. Detailed description

[0034] In the attached figures, the X-axis defines the so-called "longitudinal" direction of a panel. The Y-axis, which is perpendicular to the X and Z axes, defines the so-called "lateral" direction of a panel. The Z-axis, which is perpendicular to the X and Y axes, defines the direction of the thickness of a panel. First variant of the embodiment - Figure 1

[0035] With reference to [Fig. 1], the interlocking and reversible cladding panel 1A comprises a plate 10 having two opposite facing faces 10a and 10b, which are located on either side of a median plane M situated at the mid-thickness of the plate 10 and which are oriented parallel to the (X,Y) plane.

[0036] The IA panel has an axis of symmetry A (fictitious axis), which is parallel to the longitudinal direction X.

[0037] The material(s) constituting the plate 10 are irrelevant to the invention. The plate 10 may, for example, be made of solid wood, laminate or melamine, or of plastic, in particular PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) or composite materials.

[0038] The dimensions XI and Y1 of the panel IA as well as the thickness ZI of the panel IA are not limiting of the invention.

[0039] In this variant, and in a non-limiting manner of the invention, the two facing faces 10a and 10b are different.

[0040] More particularly, the facing face 10a has hollows and reliefs and preferably is grooved as illustrated in [Fig. 1]. The other facing face 10b is flat.

[0041] In another variant, the two facing faces 10a and 10b can be identical.

[0042] Preferably, the facing face 10a has an RS1 surface coating, in particular a decorative and / or wear-resistant surface coating, and the facing face 10b has an RS2 surface coating, in particular a decorative and / or wear-resistant surface coating.

[0043] The surface coatings RS1 and RS2 may be identical or different.

[0044] The surface coating RS1 or RS2 can be of the single-layer or multi-layer type.

[0045] The surface coating RS1 or RS2 can, for example, be a plastic film or It can be made of paper, melamine or wood veneer. It can be fixed by any known means, including gluing and / or heat-sealing.

[0046] The reversible panel IA has a first edge 10c (also commonly called "edge"), which extends longitudinally in the longitude direction X on a first side of the panel and a second edge 1Od (also commonly called "edge"), which extends longitudinally in the longitudinal direction X on a second opposite side of the panel.

[0047] The edge 10c of the panel IA defines a first connecting plane Jl, which is oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction X, and which in this particular example is preferably oriented perpendicular to the median plane M mentioned above.

[0048] This edge 10c forms a first coupling means Cl (or first coupling element) that is non-detachable and of male-female type.

[0049] In this particular example, this first coupling means Cl extends lengthwise in the longitudinal direction X of the panel (in other words parallel to the edge 10c), preferably over the entire length XI of the panel.

[0050] This first coupling means Cl is more particularly constituted by a single assembly tongue L1 and by a single interlocking groove RI, which extend lengthwise in the longitudinal direction X of the panel, preferably over the entire length XI of the panel.

[0051] The assembly tab L1 projects beyond the first connecting plane JL

[0052] The interlocking groove RI is delimited by the internal face 102a of a first breakable wing 102-1, by an internal wall 102c in the extension of the face of the tongue L1 oriented towards the facing face 10a and by a bottom wall 102d connecting the internal face 102a of the first breakable wing 102-1 to said internal wall 102c.

[0053] The outer face 102b of the first wing 102-1 forms, on the first side of the panel, the extreme part of the first facing face 10a.

[0054] Wing 102-1 extends laterally to the first connecting plane JL

[0055] The interlocking groove RI is oriented laterally and is preferably substantially parallel to the median plane M of the panel.

[0056] This lateral RI interlocking groove more particularly (but not necessarily) has a U-shaped transverse profile [in the (Y,Z) plane].

[0057] The other edge lOd defines a second connecting plane J2, which is oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction X, and which in this particular example is preferably oriented perpendicular to the median plane M mentioned above.

[0058] This edge lOd forms a second coupling means C2 (or second coupling element) which is non-detachable and of male-female type.

[0059] In this particular example, this second coupling means C2 extends lengthwise in the longitudinal direction X of the panel (in other words parallel to the edge lOd), preferably over the entire length XI of the panel.

[0060] This second coupling means C2 is more particularly constituted by a single assembly tongue L2 and by a single interlocking groove R2, which extend lengthwise in the longitudinal direction X of the panel, preferably over the entire length XI of the panel.

[0061] The assembly tab L2 protrudes relative to the second connecting plane J2.

[0062] The interlocking groove R2 is delimited by the inner face 102a of a second breakable wing 102-2, by an inner wall 102c in the extension of the face of the tongue L2 oriented towards the facing face 10b and by a bottom wall 102d connecting the inner face 102a of the second breakable wing 102-2 to said inner wall 102c.

[0063] The outer face 102b of the second wing 102-1 forms, on the second side of the panel, the extreme part of the second facing face 10a.

[0064] Wing 102-2 extends laterally to the second connecting plane J2.

[0065] The interlocking groove R2 is oriented laterally and is preferably substantially parallel to the median plane M of the panel.

[0066] This lateral R2 interlocking groove more particularly (but not necessarily) has a U-shaped transverse profile [in the (Y,Z) plane].

[0067] The coupling means Cl and C2 are complementary and adapted to each other so as to allow the panel IA to be fitted edge to edge with a second analogous panel in a lateral fitting direction E ([Fig.2], [Fig.3], [Fig.5], [Fig.7] and [Fig.8]), with individual reversibility of the panel IA by a longitudinal rotation ([Fig.1] - rotation R) of 180° of the panel around a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal direction X, such as the axis of symmetry A of the panel.

[0068] By "individual" reversibility, it is meant that the panel IA is reversible without having to change the orientation of the analogous panel A neighbouring with which it is nestable.

[0069] The lateral interlocking direction E ([Fig.2], [Fig.3], [Fig.5], [Fig.7] and [Fig.8]) is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X axis) of the interlocking edges 10c and lOd and is preferably parallel to the median plane M of the panel.

[0070] More particularly, with reference to [Fig.1], the first male-female coupling means Cl and the second male-female coupling means C2 are reversed with respect to each other with respect to the median plane (M) of the panel, the assembly tongue L1 of the first coupling means Cl and the assembly tongue L2 of the second coupling means C2 being located on either side of the median plane M and the interlocking groove RI of the first coupling means Cl and the interlocking groove R2 of the second coupling means C2 being located on either side of the median plane M.

[0071] More particularly, the assembly tab L1 of the first coupling means Cl and the assembly tab L2 of the second coupling means C2 are symmetrical to each other with respect to the axis of symmetry A; the interlocking groove RI of the first coupling means Cl and the interlocking groove R2 of the second coupling means C2 are symmetrical to each other with respect to the axis of symmetry A.

[0072] In the particular embodiment of [Fig.1], the assembly tongue L1 and the interlocking groove R2 on the one hand and the assembly tongue L2 and the interlocking groove RI on the other hand, allow an interlocking commonly referred to as a tongue-and-groove assembly (without locking the assembly).

[0073] Alternatively, the hybrid coupling means Cl and C2 can nevertheless be designed to allow for a self-locking interlocking of the assembly in the lateral direction, for example by elastic deformation of the assembly tabs and / or the wings 102-1 and 102-2.

[0074] With reference to [Fig.1], the first wing 102-1 of the panel IA is breakable so that a first end of wing 102' can be removed from the panel when the first facing face 10a is chosen to be oriented towards the installation wall P or towards the ground.

[0075] This first wingtip 102' extends laterally (lateral direction Y) from the distal edge 102e of the wing 102-1 over a distance dl, which corresponds to the width of the wingtip 102', and extends longitudinally (direction X) preferably over the entire length XI of the wing.

[0076] The second wing 10-2 is breakable so that a second wing end 102” can be removed from the panel when the second facing face 10b is chosen to be oriented towards the installation wall P or towards the ground.

[0077] This second wingtip 102'e extends laterally (lateral direction Y) from the distal edge 102e of the wing 102-2 over a distance d2, which corresponds to the width of the wingtip 102', and extends longitudinally (direction X) preferably over the entire length XI of the wing.

[0078] More particularly, but not necessarily the first wing 102-1 and the second wing 102-1 are identical and symmetrical to each other with respect to the axis of symmetry A.

[0079] In the example in [Fig. 2], the widths dl and d2 of the wingtips 102' and 102” are identical. In another variant, the widths dl and d2 may be different.

[0080] More specifically, the first wing 102-1 of the panel IA has a first longitudinal pre-cut groove 103-1, which is located under the surface coating RS1 and is thus masked by this surface coating RS1. The second wing 102-2 of the panel IA has a second longitudinal pre-cut groove 103-1, which is located under the surface coating RS2 and is thus masked by this surface coating RS2.

[0081] These pre-cut grooves 103-1 and 103-2 extend lengthwise in the longitudinal direction (X) of the panel, and preferably over the entire length of the wings 102-1 and 102-2 of the panel.

[0082] These pre-cut grooves 103-1 and 103-2 respectively delimit the wingtip 102' and the wingtip 102” which are each separable from the panel and allow for easy removal of the corresponding wingtip.

[0083] Several examples of installation and fixing, to a wall P or to the floor, of a first panel IA fitted with a second panel l'A analogue will now be described with reference to figures 2 to 10.

[0084] Example of implementation - 1 Ê E interlocking configuration

[0085] In [Fig.2], for the sake of simplification, two panels IA and A are shown which are fitted edge to edge, it being specified that in practice a wall or floor covering comprises a larger number of panels.

[0086] In [Fig.2], panel A is a panel analogous to panel IA and has a first edge 10c identical to the first edge 10c of panel IA, and a second opposite edge lOd, which is identical to the second edge lOd of panel IA.

[0087] As illustrated in [Fig. 2], the analogous panel l'A may be identical to panel IA. However, the analogous panel l'A may also be different from panel IA. For example, an analogous panel l'A may, in particular, have a transverse dimension Y1 different from that of panel 1A and / or a longitudinal dimension XI different from that of panel IA and / or facing faces 10a and 10b that are different from the facing faces 10a and 10b of panel IA.

[0088] To obtain the fixing and interlocking configuration of panels IA and A of [Fig.2], the following procedure is carried out.

[0089] We begin by shortening the wing 102-1 of this panel, by removing the aforementioned wing end 102' ([Fig.4]).

[0090] Thus, with reference to [Fig. 4], the distal edge 102f of the part of the wing 102-1 that remains attached to the panel IA is positioned recessed by the plane ratio of the connecting plane JL

[0091] The shortening of the wing 102-1 can generally be achieved by cutting and / or breaking and / or tearing and / or ripping off the wing end 102' by any means.

[0092] When the shortening of wing 102-1 is carried out at least by cutting wing 102-1, this cut can be carried out by any means and for example by using any type of cutting blade or knife and for example a cutter blade or by using cutting pliers.

[0093] Preferably, this longitudinal cut can also be made using a suitable cutting tool 3, such as that of [Fig.9].

[0094] This cutting tool 3 comprises a shoe 30 which can be manipulated by hand and in which is formed a U-shaped guide groove 31, delimited by two opposing guide walls 31a and 31b and by a bottom wall 31c connecting the two guide walls 31a and 31b. The width LC (distance between the two guide walls 31a and 31b) of the guide groove 31 is adapted to the thickness of the wing 102-1, such that the wing 102-1 can be fitted ([Fig. 10]) into the guide groove 31.

[0095] The cutting tool 3 includes a cutting blade 32, which can be made of plastic or metal.

[0096] With reference to [Fig.10], the longitudinal cut of the wing 102-1 is made by longitudinally fitting this wing into the guide groove 31 of the cutting tool 3 such that the distal edge 102e of the wing is abutted against the bottom wall 31c of the cutting tool 3 and allows translational guidance of the cutting tool 3 in the longitudinal cutting direction D and such that the cutting edge of the cutting blade 32 is introduced into the pre-cut groove 103-1 by cutting the surface coating RS1.

[0097] The longitudinal cut of this wing 102-1 of the panel is made along the entire length of the wing 102-1 by sliding the shoe 30 of the cutting tool 3 in the longitudinal direction D, so as to make a longitudinal cut at least of the surface coating RS1 along the pre-cut groove 103-1. During its sliding, the shoe 30 is guided by said wing 102-1 of the panel.

[0098] In this particular variant ([Fig. 10]), the cutting tool 3 can also be advantageously used to separate the wing 102-1 from the rest of the panel, by rotating (Arrow F) the cutting tool 3 relative to the panel so as to move the wing tip 102' away from the panel and separate it from the panel by breaking it and / or tearing it away from the panel.

[0099] In another variant, in particular when the wing 102-1 is devoid of pre-cut groove 103-1, this longitudinal cut can also be made in the wing over a depth corresponding to the entire thickness of this wing 102-1, so as to completely separate the wing end 102' of this wing from the rest of the panel without additional handling.

[0100] In another variant, in particular when the wing 102-1 is devoid of pre-cut groove 103-1, this longitudinal cut can be made so as to make in the wing 102-1 a longitudinal pre-cut, over a depth which is less than the thickness of this wing, but which is sufficient to be able to completely separate the wing end 102' from the rest of the panel by breaking it along said longitudinal cut, for example by bending it and / or tearing it off and / or ripping it.

[0101] In another variant, cutting pliers can also be used. In this case, it is also sufficient to remove, for each non-through fastener 2A, only a part of the wingtip 102', which extends longitudinally (X axis) over a part of the length (i.e. dimension of the wing in the longitudinal direction of the X axis) of the wing, so as to provide an appropriate space for each fastener 2A, without having to shorten the wing over its entire length (direction X).

[0102] Once the wing tip 102' has been removed from the panel, the first panel IA is positioned relative to a mounting surface P, such as a wall or ceiling, or relative to the ground, choosing the facing face that should be oriented towards the mounting surface or towards the ground, the other facing face being the face of the panel intended to be visible. On the [Fig.2], the facing face 10a of the IA panel is the one that was chosen to be oriented towards the wall of installation or towards the ground.

[0103] With reference to [Fig.2], when the IA panel is a starting panel whose edge lOd is not already nested with another neighboring panel, the edge lOd of this IA panel is pre-fixed to the installation wall or to the floor by any means, preferably as illustrated using specific non-through fixings 2B, which are spaced and distributed along the edge lOd of the panel.

[0104] When the IA panel is not a starting panel, the edge lOd is in this case already fixed to the installation wall P or to the ground by being fitted edge to edge with a neighboring similar panel (not shown in the figures).

[0105] Once the edge lOd of the IA panel is fixed to the wall or the floor, the following operations are carried out.

[0106] With reference to [Fig.4], the edge 10c of the IA panel is fixed to the mounting wall P or to the floor, by means of several non-through fixings 2A, which are spaced and distributed along the edge lOd of the panel.

[0107] In this particular example, each fastener 2A is a rigid, thin-walled fastener, for example made of metal. It comprises a base 20a connected, by a transverse connecting wall 20c, to a portion 20b forming a retaining tab. The retaining tab 20b and the connecting wall 20c form a hook.

[0108] In another embodiment, the base 20a of the fastener 2A may also include a through-hole for the passage of a through-fastener such as a screw or nail. In this case, the edge of this through-hole is preferably chamfered so as to accommodate the head of the screw or nail, thus preventing the head of the screw or nail from protruding.

[0109] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the fixing of the second edge 10c of the panel IA to the installation wall P or to the ground, by means of each non-through fixing 2A, is carried out by inserting the retaining tab 20b of the fixing 2A into the groove RI of the panel IA, in contact with the inner face 102a of the wing 102-1, the transverse connecting wall 20c being positioned near the edge 102e of the wing 102-1.

[0110] Next, the base 20a of the fixing 2A, which is offset outside the groove RI, is fixed to the wall P or to the floor, for example by stapling it.

[0111] The fixing piece 2A differs from the aforementioned starting fixing 2B only in that the height of its wall 20c is lower than that of the fixing 2B.

[0112] Once the edge 10c of the IA panel is fixed to the installation wall P or to the ground by means of the fixings 2A, the second analogous panel A is assembled with the first IA panel ([Fig.5] and [Fig.6]).

[0113] To assemble panels IA and A, the facing face of analogous panel A is chosen to be visible, and the other facing face is oriented towards the wall or the floor. In the specific case of Figures 5 and 6, the facing face oriented towards the wall P or the floor is the second facing face 10b.

[0114] Next, ([Fig.6]) the assembly tab L1 of the second panel is fitted the A in the interlocking groove RI of the first panel 1A and the assembly tongue L1 of the first panel IA in the interlocking groove RI of the second panel 1 A, by moving in translation the second panel the A parallel to the installation wall P and in the interlocking direction E.

[0115] Preferably, with reference to [Fig.2], this interlocking is achieved by bringing the distal edge 102e of the wing 102-1 of the second panel IA to a stop, and along its entire length, against the edge of the first panel IA, the connecting plane J1 of the first panel IA thus coinciding with the connecting plane J1 of the second panel IA (close interlocking).

[0116] With reference to [Fig.2] and [Fig.6], the shortening of the wing 102-1 of the first wing panel IA (removal of the wingtip 102') advantageously allows to provide at least between the two panels IA, the A, a space 102-3 sufficient at least for the transverse connecting wall 20c of the fixing 2A and in the particular case of [Fig.2] also for a part of the base 20a of the fixing 2A.

[0117] Shortening the wing 102-1 of the first panel IA (removing the wing tip 102') also allows the distal edge 102e of the wing 102-1 of the second panel IA to be brought abutt, along its entire length, against the edge of the first panel IA, thus enabling a butt-to-edge, flush joint (without gaps between the panels) in the connection planes J1 of panels IA and A. Consequently, the risk of soiling and sealing problems between the two panels are avoided, and the joint between the two panels does not require the installation of inter-panel seals. Furthermore, the joint between the two panels is aesthetically pleasing.

[0118] With reference to [Fig.2], in this interlocking configuration, the assembly tabs L1 and L2 are not interlocked to the bottom wall of the interlocking grooves RI and R2. Alternatively, the coupling means Cl and C2 of the panels IA and A can be designed to obtain an interlocking depth different from that of [Fig.2], and in particular a greater interlocking depth.

[0119] Once the second panel l'A is fitted with panel IA, the second edge lOd of this panel l'A is fixed to the mounting wall P, by means of several fixings 2A, which are spaced and distributed along the edge lOd of panel l'A, and proceeding from in the same manner as previously described for the first panel IA, the wing 102-2 of panel A being oriented towards the laying wall P or towards the ground, and so on...

[0120] Other interlocking and fastening configurations - [Fig. 31 - [Fig. 7] - [Fig. 8]

[0121] In the interlocking and fastening configuration of [Fig. 3], the two panels IA and A have been reversed relative to the panels IA and A of [Fig. 2], each panel IA and A having undergone a rotation of 180° around its axis of symmetry A. In this configuration, it is the wingtip 102” that has been removed from the wing 102-2 of the first panel IA and the second coupling means C2 of the panel IA is interlocked with the second coupling means C2 of the second panel A. The two panels IA and A are joined in their connecting planes J2.

[0122] In the interlocking and fastening configuration of [Fig. 7], only the first panel IA has been reversed relative to the first panel IA of [Fig. 2], having undergone a 180° rotation around its axis of symmetry A. In this configuration, it is the wingtip 102” that has been removed from the wing 102-2 of the first panel IA and the second coupling means C2 of the first panel IA is interlocked with the first coupling means C1 of the second panel A. The two panels IA and A are joined, the connecting plane J2 of the first panel IA coinciding with the connecting plane J1 of the second panel A.

[0123] In the interlocking and fastening configuration of [Fig. 8], only the second panel l'A has been reversed relative to the second panel l'A of [Fig. 2], having undergone a 180° rotation around its axis of symmetry A. In this configuration, it is the wingtip 102' that has been removed from the wing 102-1 of the first panel 1A and the first coupling means Cl of the first panel IA is interlocked with the second coupling means C2 of the second panel l'A. The two panels IA and l'A are joined, the connecting plane J1 of the first panel IA coinciding with the connecting plane J2 of the second panel l'A.

[0124] In the interlocking configurations shown in Figures 7 and 8, the insertion depths of the tongues L1 and L2 in the interlocking grooves R2 and R2 are identical. In another embodiment, these insertion depths may be different, particularly when the interlocking grooves R1 and R2 have different depths and / or when the assembly tongues L1 and L2 have different widths.

[0125] In another embodiment, the panels IA and A are not necessarily fixed directly to the installation wall P or to the floor, but can be fixed indirectly to the installation wall by being placed and fixed on spaced battens previously fixed to the installation wall or to the floor. 2nd embodiment variant - Figure 10

[0126] Figure 10 shows another variant of an individually interlocking and reversible IB cladding panel.

[0127] Panel IB of [Fig.10] differs from panel IA of [Fig.1], in that the pre-cut grooves 103-1 and 103-2 of panel IA have been replaced by pre-cut grooves 104-1 and 104-2, which extend in the longitudinal direction X, preferably over the entire length XI of panel 1. These longitudinal pre-cut grooves 104-1 and 104-2 are made in the inner face 102a respectively of the first wing 102-1 and the second wing 102-2.

[0128] Like the pre-cut grooves 103-1 and 103-2 of panel IA, they allow the wingtips 102' and 102" to be delimited respectively and facilitate the separation of these wingtips from the rest of the panel. 3rd embodiment variant - Figure 12

[0129] Figure 12 shows another variant of an individual interlocking and reversible IC cladding panel.

[0130] Panel IC of [Fig. 12] differs from panel IA previously described, in that the pre-cut grooves 103-1 and 103-2 of panel IA have been replaced respectively by longitudinal notches 105-1 and 105-2 which extend in the longitudinal direction (X).

[0131] The notch 105-2 is formed, at the entrance of the RI slot, in the inner face 102a of the wing 102-1 and allows the wingtip 102' to be delimited with a thickness of lesser el (el <e).

[0132] The notch 105-2 is formed at the entrance of the slotted groove R2 in the inner face 102a of the wing 102-2 and allows the wingtip 102” of lesser thickness el (el to be delimited <e). 4th embodiment variant - Figure 13

[0133] Figure 13 shows another variant of the embodiment of a cladding panel that can be individually fitted and reversible 1D.

[0134] Panel 1D of [Fig. 13] differs from panel IA described previously only in that the wings 102-1 and 102-2 of panel 1D lack pre-cut grooves, but have marks 106-1 and 106-2 respectively, which are made on at least one of the edges 10e of the wings, which is transverse to edges 10c and 10d. These marks 106-1, 106-2 allow the wingtip 102' and wingtip 102' to be visually identified.

[0135] Each registration mark 106-1 and 106-2 may be a registration mark or equivalent made on the panel. Each registration mark 106-1 and 106-2 may also be a different coloration of the wingtip 102' and 102" on the 10th edge of the panel, allowing the wingtip 102' to be distinguished. Each registration mark 106-1 and 106-2 can also be a shallow notch and of just enough depth to allow viewing.

[0136] Each locating mark 106-1 and 106-2 can also be made on or in the inner face 102a of the wings 102-1 and 102-2. 5th embodiment variant - Figures 14 to 21

[0137] Figure 14 shows another embodiment of a cladding panel that can be individually interlocked and reversible 1E, which has the advantage of being able to be fixed to a wall P or to the floor by means of non-through fixings such as, for example, the fixings 2A previously described and which can also be fixed to a wall P or to the floor by means of through fixings, such as nails, screws or staples.

[0138] With reference to [Fig. 14], panel 1E differs from the panels previously described in that its breakable wing 102-1 and its breakable wing 102-2 are wider and extend respectively beyond the distal edge of the assembly tabs L1 and L2. The wings 102-1 and 102-2 therefore each have a portion 102E projecting laterally on the sides of the panel relative to the assembly tabs L1 and L2.

[0139] The projecting part 102E of the wing 102-1 includes the first wingtip 102' separable from the panel and the projecting part 102E of the wing 102-2 includes the first wingtip 102” separable from the panel.

[0140] More particularly, and preferably in the particular example of [Fig.14], the projecting part 102E of the wing 102-1 constitutes the first wing end 102' separable from the panel and the projecting part of the wing 102-2 constitutes the first wing end 102” separable from the panel.

[0141] These wing ends 102' and 102" in projection allow the panel to be fixed where appropriate by means of through fixings, for example ([Fig. 19]) by nailing, screwing or stapling the wing end 102' or 102", when it is not removed from the wing.

[0142] Preferably, but not necessarily, the inner face 102a of each wing 102-1 and 102-2 has a step 105-1, 105-2 which extends in the longitudinal direction (X), so that the thickness el of the wingtip 102', 102" is less than the thickness of the rest of the wing.

[0143] These 105-1 and 105-2 offsets have several uses.

[0144] They allow guidance of a cutting blade 4 during the longitudinal cutting operation ([Fig. 16]). They allow space for the head of through-fasteners ([Fig. 19]) when the panel is fixed by means of through-fasteners.

[0145] In [Fig. 14], the distal edge of the L1 (L2) assembly tab is in a longitudinal PI plane and the 105-1 (105-2) notch is aligned with the distal edge of the 102-1 (102-2) wing in this PI plane

[0146] Alternatively, the step 105-1 (105-2) can be made in the wing 102-1 (102-2) at a lateral position in the wing located beyond this plane PI.

[0147] Alternatively, the notch 105-1 (105-2) can be replaced by longitudinal pre-cut grooves in the wing 102-1 (102-2) similar in particular to the pre-cut grooves 103-1 and 103-2 previously described for the panel IA. Each longitudinal pre-cut groove can be made in the wing 102-1 (102-2) at different lateral positions, namely by being positioned back from the end of the assembly tongue L1 (L2), i.e. back from the plane PI, or by being aligned with the distal edge of the assembly tongue L1 (L2) in the plane PI, or by being positioned beyond the distal edge of the assembly tongue L1 (L2), i.e. beyond the plane PI.

[0148] Figure [Fig.15] shows an example of the interlocking configuration of panel 1E with an analogous panel 1E.

[0149] Obviously, in the same way as for the IA and A panels previously described, the 1E panel and the E panel are each individually reversible by longitudinal rotation of the panel around a longitudinal axis of the panel, such that their axis of symmetry A and the 1E and E panels are nestable in the four nesting configurations that have been described for the IA and A panels, only one of these configurations being illustrated in [Fig.15].

[0150] [Fig. 16] shows a longitudinal cutting operation of one of the two breakable wings of panel 1E, in this case wing 102-1 of panel 1E, which is carried out to cut and remove the end of the wing, in this case wing end 102'. Unlike the cutting operation of [Fig. 10], this longitudinal cutting operation is carried out using a cutting blade 4, of the cutter blade type, and can be carried out before panel 1E is positioned against the installation wall or against the floor or can be carried out after panel 1E has been positioned against the installation wall P or against the floor, as illustrated in [Fig. 15].

[0151] Figure 17 shows the operation of fixing panel 1E using non-through fixing(s) 2A, and Figure 18 shows the operation of interlocking panel 1E with panel 1E to obtain the interlocking configuration of Figure 15. Figures 17 and 18 are comparable to Figures 4 and 6 described previously, respectively.

[0152] Fig. 19 shows the two panels 1E and E fitted together in the same fitting configuration as Fig. 15, with the difference that through-fasteners 5 are used to fix panel 1E.

[0153] With reference to [Fig. 20], instead of using non-through fixings 2A ([Fig. 17]), the wing 102 1 (or 102-2) of the panel 1E is fixed without having removed the wing end 102' (or 102”) and by fixing it to cleats T fixed to the mounting wall P or to the floor (in figures 20 and 21 only one cleat T is shown), by means of through-fasteners 5 passed through the projecting part of the wing 102-l (or 102-2), that is to say in this particular variant through the wing end 102' (or 102”) which is separable from the panel and which has a surface sufficient for each through-fastener 5.

[0154] This wing 102-1 (or 102-2) can for example be nailed, screwed or stapled, the through-fastening 5 being in particular a nail, a screw or a staple.

[0155] The projecting part 102E of the first wing 102- and the projecting part 102E of the second wing 102-2 thus advantageously allow the fixing, in particular nailing, screwing, or stapling, of the panel by means of through fixings which are passed through said projecting part.

[0156] Advantageously, the head 5a of the through fasteners 5 (i.e., the projecting part of these through fasteners 5) is at least partially housed, and preferably, as illustrated in [Fig. 21], is fully housed, in the recess 105-1 (105-2) of the wing 102-1 (102-2) so as not to hinder or obstruct the engagement ([Fig. 21]) of the tongue L2 (or L1) of the second panel E in the groove RI (or R2) of the first panel E. To this end, the depth of each recess 105-1 and 105-2 will thus be adapted to the height of this projecting part 5a of the through fasteners 5.

[0157] Alternatively, the inner face 102a of each wing 102-1, 102-2 may have a longitudinal groove in the projecting part of the wing 102-1, 102-2, and each wing 102-1, 102-2 may or may not have a notch 105-1, 105-2. Like the notch 105-1 or 105-2, this longitudinal groove may be used to house part, and preferably all, of the projecting part 5a of the through fasteners 5 so as not to hinder or obstruct the interlocking ([Fig.21]) of the tongue L2 (or L1) of the second panel E into the interlocking groove RI (or R2) of the first panel E. For this purpose, the depth and width of each longitudinal groove will be adapted to the dimensions of this protruding part 5a of the through fixings 5. This longitudinal groove can also, but not necessarily, be used as a pre-cutting groove.

[0158] In the context of the invention, the first wing 102-1 and the second wing 102-2 of a panel of the invention may not have any notch 105-1, 105-2, nor any longitudinal groove 103-1, 103-2, 104-1, 104-2; for example, the thickness of wing 102-1 and the thickness of wing 102-2 may be constant. In the context of the invention, the first wing 102-1 and the second wing 102-2 of a panel of the invention may not have any mark 106-1, 106-2, nor more generally any means of visual identification allowing the width dl or d2 of the wing end 102' or 102" to be distinguished. In this case, it is the panel installer who chooses and measures The width dl or d2 of the wingtip 102' or 102" which must be separated from the panel can be adjusted using a cutting tool suitable for the panel, such as the cutting tool 3 described previously.

[0159] Panel 1E can also be fixed with non-through fixings and panel l'E can be fixed with through fixings, or conversely, panel 1E can also be fixed with through fixings and panel l'E can be fixed with non-through fixings. Thus, panels 1E and l'E for mixed use (i.e., able to be hung on a wall with through or non-through fixings) can be fixed to a wall or to the floor to form a covering in which all panels 1E are fixed with non-through fixings, or in which all panels are fixed with through fixings, or in which some panels are fixed with non-through fixings and other panels are fixed with through fixings.

[0160] In another variant, the installation of the IA to 1E panels described above can also be carried out by gluing the panels to the installation wall. Other examples of non-through fixings

[0161] For the implementation of the invention, other non-through fastening structures may be considered, the invention not being limited to the implementation of the particular fastening 2A of the accompanying figures. In particular, and without being exhaustive or limiting, one may, for example, use non-through fastenings 2C of the type of that in [Fig. 22] with a thicker base 20a or non-through fastenings 2D, of the type of that in [Fig. 23].

[0162] Non-through fixings are not necessarily fixed by nailing, screwing or stapling to the mounting wall or the floor. For example, as with the 2D fixing in [Fig. 23], non-through fixings can be mounted, preferably by sliding, in transverse fixing rails R which have been fixed to the mounting wall P or to the floor by being aligned parallel to the lateral direction Y. Starter profiles and finishing profiles

[0163] Figure 24 shows two interlocking cladding panels 1E and E fixed to a wall or floor by means of non-through fixings 2C.

[0164] In this [Fig.24], the first panel 1E being a starting panel, a specific starting profile 6E is used which is fitted with the first panel 1E. This starting profile 6E is fixed to the installation wall or to the floor by means of non-through fixings 2C.

[0165] On this [Fig. 24], the second panel, E, being the last panel to be assembled, the installation of the panels is completed by fitting a specific finishing profile 7E with the second panel E. This finishing profile 7E does not need to be fixed to the mounting wall P or to the floor. 6th embodiment variant - Figures 25 to 30

[0166] Figure [Fig.25] shows another variant of the embodiment of a 1F interlocking and individually reversible cladding panel by longitudinal rotation of the panel by 180° around its longitudinal axis A.

[0167] In this variant, panel 1F is intended to be clipped edge to edge ([Fig.26] and [Fig.27]) with an analogous panel l’F, with a lateral locking of panels 1F and l’F relative to each other ([Fig.30]).

[0168] Fig. 26 also shows a specific starter profile 6F which is interlocking and clip-on with each of the longitudinal edges 10c and lOd of panel 1F and a finishing profile 7F, which is interlocking and clip-on with each of the longitudinal edges 10c and lOd of panel 1F.

[0169] [Fig.27] shows the two panels 1F and 1F fitted and clipped edge to edge, the panel 1F having been turned over individually, by longitudinal rotation of the panel 1F, relative to the configuration of [Fig.26].

[0170] On this [Fig.27], the starter profile 6F is fitted and clipped with the longitudinal edge lOd of the panel 1F and the finishing profile 7F is fitted and clipped with the longitudinal edge 10c of the panel l'F.

[0171] With reference to [Fig. 25], the longitudinal edge 10c of a panel 1F (or l'F) has a non-detachable coupling means Cl, and the edge lOd of a panel 1F (or l'F) has a second non-detachable coupling means C2. The first coupling means Cl and the second coupling means C2 are adapted to each other so as to allow lateral interlocking of the panel, with individual reversibility of the panel by longitudinal rotation of the panel and with lateral locking of the panel.

[0172] More particularly, the first coupling means Cl and the second coupling means C2 are identical and reversed with respect to each other with respect to the median plane M of the panel.

[0173] The first coupling means Cl is of male and female type and comprises a first male coupling part, in the form of an assembly tongue Ll, and a first female coupling part comprising a longitudinal groove RL. The longitudinal groove RI is delimited between the assembly tongue Ll and a first wing 102-1, the outer face 102b of which forms the extreme part of the first facing face 10a.

[0174] The second coupling means C2 is of the male and female type and comprises a first male coupling part, in the form of an assembly tab L2, and a first female coupling part comprising a snug groove longitudinal R2. The longitudinal interlocking groove R2 is delimited between the assembly tongue L2 and a second wing 102-2, the outer face 102b of which forms the extreme part of the second facing face 10b.

[0175] More particularly the first female part RI of the first coupling means Cl and the second female part R2 of the second coupling means C2 are symmetrical to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of symmetry A of the panel and the first male part L1 of the first coupling means Cl and the second male part L2 of the second coupling means C2 are symmetrical to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of symmetry A of the panel.

[0176] A portion 102F of the first wing 102-1 is projecting laterally on the first side of the panel relative to the rest of the first edge 10c, and in this case relative to the assembly tongue Ll.

[0177] A part 102F of the second wing 102-2 is projecting laterally on the second side of the panel relative to the rest of the second edge lOd, and in this case relative to the assembly tongue L2.

[0178] In this variant, the protruding parts 102F of the first wing 102-1 and of the second wing 102-2 are respectively part of the first coupling means Cl and of the second coupling means C2.

[0179] Preferably, each longitudinal edge 10c and lOd has a step 107 in L allowing a contiguous positioning of the two panels 1F and l'F ([Fig.30]) as described below.

[0180] Preferably but not necessarily, each projecting part 102F has in its inner face 102a a longitudinal groove 105-3, which is provided ([Fig.30]) to house, where appropriate, at least in part, and preferably entirely, the projecting part 5a, and in particular the head, of a through-fastener 5 passed through said projecting part 102F.

[0181] Each assembly tab L1 and L2 is slightly flexible, [in a plane parallel to the plane (Y;Z) and transverse to the interlocking direction E of panels 1F and l'F], so as to allow edge-to-edge clipping of panel 1F with an analogous panel l'F.

[0182] The longitudinal edges 10c and lOd of each panel 1F, l'F each have a lateral locking means 108F integrated into the longitudinal edge.

[0183] In this particular example, the lateral locking means 108F is an integral part of the assembly tab L1 for the edge 10c and of the assembly tab L2 for the edge lOd.

[0184] More particularly, in this example the lateral locking means 108F comprises ([Fig.25]) two retaining stops 108-1 and 108-3, which extend in the longitudinal direction X and which project from the face of the assembly tongue L1 (respectively L2) opposite wing 102-1 (respectively wing 102-2) and a longitudinal groove 108-2 between the two retaining stops 108-1 and 108-3.

[0185] The retaining stops 108-1 and 108-3 preferably have a rounded shape.

[0186] Panel 1F is, for example, previously fixed by any means to a wall of pose P ([Fig.28]).

[0187] In this particular example of [Fig.28], this fixing is achieved by means of through fixings 5 ​​passed through the projecting part 102F of the longitudinal edge 10c of the panel 1F.

[0188] In another embodiment variant, the panel 1F can also be glued to the installation wall P, with or without the implementation of through fixings 5.

[0189] In another embodiment variant (not shown), the panel 1F can also be fixed to the installation wall P, by means of non-through fixings, after cutting and separating one end of the wing 102-1 (or 102-2), in order to shorten the wing 102-1 (or 102-2), i.e. the wing oriented towards the installation wall P, as described previously in the other embodiment variants of panel IA to 1E.

[0190] With reference to the particular example of implementation of [Fig.29], the edge-to-edge and contiguous assembly of panel l'F with panel 1F, previously fixed to the installation wall, is obtained by laterally fitting (fitting direction E) the first coupling means Cl of panel l'F with the first coupling means Cl of panel 1F.

[0191] When the panel l'F is turned over as illustrated in [Fig.27], in this case the edge-to-edge and contiguous assembly of the panel l'F with the panel 1F, previously fixed to the installation wall, is obtained by laterally fitting (lateral fitting direction E) the second coupling means C2 of the panel l'F with the first coupling means Cl of the panel 1F.

[0192] During this lateral interlocking ([Fig.29]), each assembly tongue (in this particular case assembly tongues Ll) enters the interlocking groove of the edge of the other panel (in this particular case the interlocking groove RI) until the locking means 108F of the assembly tongues are in contact with each other.

[0193] The locking means 108F are profiled such that in a first phase of interlocking ([Fig.29]), the two assembly tongues undergo a slight elastic deformation which temporarily separates them, so that by continuing the interlocking of the panel l'F, in a second phase of interlocking, the two assembly tongues elastically return substantially to their initial rest position, as illustrated in [Fig.30], the locking means 108F of the two assembly tongues L1 and L2 hooking into each other cooperating so as to laterally lock the two panels 1F and l'F to each other.

[0194] This lateral locking allows the panel 1F to be locked relative to the panel l'F in the aforementioned lateral interlocking direction E of the panel l'F and allows the panel l'F to be locked relative to the panel 1F in the lateral disengagement direction opposite to the aforementioned lateral interlocking direction E.

[0195] Preferably, in this locked configuration of [Fig. 30], the assembly tab L1 of panel 1F forms with the protruding part 102F of the wing 102-1, a clamp which allows the assembly wing L1 of panel 1F to be clipped. Conversely, the assembly tab L1 of panel 1F forms with the protruding part 102F of wing 102-1, a clamp which allows the assembly wing L1 of panel 1F to be clipped.

[0196] The clipping force helps to keep the lateral locking means 108F of the two panels hooked into each other and also contributes to holding the two panels longitudinally (X axis) relative to each other.

[0197] The lateral locking of the panels advantageously allows the two panels to remain laterally joined over time, despite the lateral expansions that the two panels could undergo.

[0198] The notches 107 allow the projecting part 102F of the first wing 102-1 of the panel l'F (or second wing 102-2 of the panel l'F when the panel l'F is reversed as in [Fig.27]) to be butted with the longitudinal edge of the other panel 1F, so as to obtain a tight fit of the two panels, without space between the visible facing faces of the panels.

[0199] The preferred rounded shape of the retaining stops 108-1 and 108-3 makes it easier to disassemble (unclip) the 1F 'l'F panels. 7th embodiment variant - Figures 31 to 32

[0200] Figures 31 and 32 show another embodiment of IG interlocking and reversible cladding panel individually by longitudinal rotation of the panel by 180° around its longitudinal axis A.

[0201] In this variant, the IG panel is designed to be clipped with an analogous panel l'G ([Fig.32]), so as to obtain a lateral locking of the IG and G panels relative to each other, in a manner comparable to the above-mentioned 1F and l'F panels.

[0202] In this variant, the parts 102G of the wings 102-1 and 102-2, which project laterally from the rest of the longitudinal edges 10c and lOd, correspond to the projecting parts 102F previously described for panel 1F.

[0203] In this variant, panels IG and G differ from panels 1F and F by the structure of their lateral locking means 108G, which are integrated into the assembly tabs L1, L2, and which each comprise a single retaining stop 108-1 and a longitudinal groove 108-2 which extend in the longitudinal direction X. 8th embodiment variant - Figures #33 to 37

[0204] Another variant of the panel embodiment is shown in [Fig.33]. 1H interlocking and reversible coating individually by longitudinal rotation of the panel by 180° around its longitudinal axis A.

[0205] In this variant, panel 1H is designed to be clipped with an analogous panel l'H, so as to obtain a lateral locking of panels 1H and l'H relative to each other.

[0206] With reference to [Fig.33], the longitudinal edge 10c of a panel 1H (or the H) has a non-detachable coupling means Cl of male and female type (interlocking groove RI / assembly tongue Ll / wing 102-1) and the edge lOd of a panel 1H (or the H) has a second non-detachable coupling means C2 of male and female type (interlocking groove R2 / assembly tongue L2 / wing 102-2).

[0207] The first coupling means Cl and the second coupling means C2 are adapted to each other so as to allow lateral interlocking of the panel, with individual reversibility of the panel by longitudinal rotation of the panel and with lateral locking of the panel.

[0208] More particularly, the first coupling means Cl and the second coupling means C2 are identical and reversed with respect to each other with respect to the median plane M of the panel.

[0209] More particularly the first female part RI of the first coupling means Cl and the second female part R2 of the second coupling means C2 are symmetrical to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of symmetry A of the panel and the first male part L1 of the first coupling means Cl and the second male part L2 of the second coupling means C2 are symmetrical to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of symmetry A of the panel.

[0210] More particularly the first female part RI of the first coupling means Cl and the second female part R2 of the second coupling means C2 are symmetrical to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of symmetry A of the panel and the first male part L1 of the first coupling means Cl and the second male part L2 of the second coupling means C2 are symmetrical to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of symmetry A of the panel.

[0211] In this variant, the parts 102H of the wings 102-1 and 102-2, which project laterally from the rest of the longitudinal edges 10c and 1Od, correspond to the projecting parts 102F of panel 1F and to the projecting parts 102G of panel IG.

[0212] Each longitudinal edge 10c, lOd of the panel 1H has lateral locking means 108H, which are an integral part of the longitudinal edge 10c or lOd

[0213] More particularly, a lateral locking means 108H includes a first lateral locking means 108-4 integrated into the assembly tab L1 for the edge 10c and integrated into the assembly tab L2 for the edge lOd and a second lateral locking means 108-5 integrated into the wing 102-1 for the edge 10c and integrated into the wing 102-2 for the edge lOd.

[0214] The first lateral locking means 108-4 includes a retaining stop, which is integrated into the assembly tab L1 for the edge 10c and into the assembly tab L1 for the edge 10c, which extends in the longitudinal direction X, and which is projecting from the face of the assembly tab L1 (respectively L2) oriented opposite to the wing 102-1 (respectively wing 102-2).

[0215] The second lateral locking means 108-5 more particularly comprises a retaining stop, which is integrated into the wing 102-1 for the edge 10c and into the wing 102-2 for the edge lOd, which extends in the longitudinal direction X, and which projects from the inner face 102a of the wing 102-1 for the edge 10c or from the inner face 102a of the wing 102-2 for the edge lOd. This retaining stop of the second lateral locking means 108-5 is oriented towards the assembly tab L1 for the edge 10c and towards the assembly tab L1 for the edge lOd.

[0216] The retaining stop of a first lateral locking means 108-4 of each panel 1H (respectively H) is adapted to cooperate with the retaining stop of the second lateral locking means 108-5 of the neighboring panel H (respectively H) so as to obtain the lateral locking of the two panels 1H and H.

[0217] Figures 36 and 37 illustrate lateral interlocking operations (lateral interlocking direction E) of the panel l'H with a panel 1H previously fixed to a mounting wall P. During this lateral interlocking with force, the coupling means Cl and C2 deform slightly temporarily under the effect of the interlocking thrust, then return to their initial shape, so as to obtain ([Fig.37]) a clipping of the two longitudinal edges of the panels 1H and l'H, with a lateral locking of the panels 1H and l'H relative to each other.

[0218] In the particular example of [Fig.37], the assembly tongue L2 of panel 1H forms with the wing 102-2 of panel 1H a clamp which allows the assembly tongue L1 of the other panel l'H to be clipped (or the assembly tongue L2 of the other panel l'H when panel l'H is turned over).

[0219] Conversely, the L1 assembly tongue of the H panel (or the L2 assembly tongue of the H panel when the H panel is reversed) forms with the 102-1 wing of the H panel (or with the 102-2 wing of the H panel when the panel (H is reversed) a clip which allows the assembly wing L2 to be clipped to the other panel of panel 1H (or to the assembly wing L1 when panel 1H is reversed).

[0220] In another embodiment variant, the 1H panel can also be glued to the installation wall P, with or without the implementation of through fixings 5.

[0221] In another embodiment variant (not shown), the panel 1H can also be fixed to the installation wall P, by means of non-through fixings, after cutting and separating one end of the wing 102-1 (or 102-2), in order to shorten the wing 102-1 (or 102-2), i.e. the wing oriented towards the installation wall P, as described previously in the other embodiment variants of panel IA to 1E. 9th variant of the embodiment - Figures #38 to 42

[0222] Figure [Fig.38] shows another variant of the interlocking and individually reversible IJ cladding panel by longitudinal rotation of the panel by 180° around its longitudinal axis A.

[0223] In this variant, the IJ panel is designed to be fitted and preferably clipped with an analogous J panel, with lateral locking of the IJ and J panels relative to each other.

[0224] With reference to [Fig.38], the longitudinal edge 10c of a panel IJ (or the J) has a non-detachable coupling means Cl of male and female type (interlocking groove RI / assembly tongue L1) and the edge lOd of a panel IJ (or the J) has a second non-detachable coupling means C2 of male and female type (interlocking groove R2 / assembly tongue L2).

[0225] The first coupling means Cl and the second coupling means C2 are adapted to each other so as to allow lateral interlocking of the panel, with individual reversibility of the panel by longitudinal rotation of the panel and with lateral locking of the panel.

[0226] More particularly, the first coupling means Cl and the second coupling means C2 are identical and reversed with respect to each other with respect to the median plane M of the panel.

[0227] More particularly the first female part RI of the first coupling means Cl and the second female part R2 of the second coupling means C2 are symmetrical to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of symmetry A of the panel and the first male part L1 of the first coupling means Cl and the second male part L2 of the second coupling means C2 are symmetrical to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of symmetry A of the panel.

[0228] Each assembly tab L1, L2 is projecting from the rest of the edge 10c, lOd.

[0229] Each longitudinal edge 10c, lOd of the panel IJ has a lateral locking means 108J, which is an integral part of the longitudinal edge 10c or lOd.

[0230] The locking means 108J of the edge 10c is made in the inner face of the assembly tongue L1, in the part of the tongue which is projecting relative to the insertion groove RI and the locking means 108J of the other edge lOd is made in the inner face of the assembly tongue L2, in the part of the tongue which is projecting relative to the insertion groove RI.

[0231] Similar to the panel 1F described above, each locking means 108J comprises two retaining stops 108-1 and 108-3, which extend in the longitudinal direction X and project from the inner face of the assembly tongue L1 (respectively L2), and a longitudinal groove 108-2 between the two retaining stops 108-1 and 108-3.

[0232] Figure 39 shows an example of IJ and J panels fitted edge to edge in a tight fit and laterally locked

[0233] Figures 40 to 42 illustrate lateral interlocking operations (lateral interlocking direction E) of the panel l'J with a panel IJ previously fixed to a mounting wall P.

[0234] Fig. 41 shows an intermediate interlocking phase in which the assembly tongue L1 of panel l'J is inserted only partially into the groove R2 of panel U, the assembly tongue L2 of panel U is inserted only partially into the groove RI of panel l'J and the locking means 108J are in contact.

[0235] As the interlocking continues, under the effect of the interlocking push, the assembly tongue Ll of the panel l'J temporarily deforms by moving slightly apart, until the lateral locking means 108J interlock with each other, the assembly tongue Ll of the panel l'J returning to its initial shape, so as to obtain ([Fig.42]) a clipping of the two longitudinal edges of the panels 1H and l'H, with a lateral locking of the panels 1H and l'H relative to each other.

[0236] In another embodiment variant, the U panel can also be glued to the installation wall P, with or without the implementation of through fixings 5.

Claims

Demands

1. Cladding panel (1A / 1B / 1C / 1D / 1E / 1F / 1G / 1H / 1J) to be individually interlocking and reversible, comprising a first facing face (10a), a second facing face (10b), a first edge (10c) which extends over a first side of the panel in a longitudinal direction (X), and a second edge (1Od) which extends over a second opposite side of the panel in the longitudinal direction (X), in which the first edge (10c) has a first non-detachable coupling means (Cl) and the second edge (1Od) has a second non-detachable coupling means (C2), and in which the first coupling means (Cl) and the second coupling means (C2) are adapted to each other so as to permit lateral interlocking of the panel, with individual reversibility of the panel by longitudinal rotation of the panel.

2. Panel according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling means (Cl) is of male and female type and comprises a first female coupling part (RI) and a first male coupling part (Ll), wherein the second coupling means (C2) is of male and female type and comprises a second female coupling part (R2) and a second male coupling part (L2).

3. Panel according to claim 2, wherein the first male coupling part (L1) and the second male coupling part (L2) are flexible so as to allow the panel to be clipped with an analogous panel.

4. Panel (1A / 1B / 1C / 1D / 1J) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first male coupling part (L1) is projecting laterally on the first side relative to the rest of the first edge (10c) and the second male coupling part (L2) is projecting laterally on the second side relative to the rest of the second edge (1Od).

5. Panel (1A / 1B / 1C / 1D / 1E / 1F / 1G / 1H) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first edge (10c) comprises a first wing (102-1), which is distinct from the first male coupling portion (11) and whose outer face (102b) forms the extreme part of the first facing face (10a) on the first side of the panel, and wherein the second edge (10d) comprises a second wing (102-2), which is distinct from the second part of male coupling (L2) and whose outer face (102b) forms on the second side of the panel the extreme part of the second facing face (10b) on the second side of the panel.

6. Panel (1A / 1B / 1C / 1D / 1E / 1F / 1G / 1H) according to claim 5, wherein the first female part (RI) of the first coupling means (Cl) is delimited at least by at least a part of the inner face (102a) of the first wing (102-1) and wherein the second female part (R2) of the second coupling means (C2) is delimited at least by at least a part of the inner face (102a) of the second wing (102-2).

7. Panel according to any one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the first wing (102-1) and the second wing (102-2) are flexible so as to allow the panel to be clipped with a similar panel.

8. Panel (1E / 1F / 1G / 1H) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein a portion (102E / 102F / 102G / 102H) of the first wing (102-1) is projecting laterally on the first side relative to the rest of the first edge (10c), including relative to said first male coupling portion (L1), and a portion (102E / 102F / 102G / 102H) of the second wing (102-2) is projecting laterally on the second side relative to the rest of the second edge (L1d), including relative to said second male coupling portion (L2).

9. Panel according to claim 8, wherein said part of the first wing (102-1) projecting laterally on the first side is adapted for fixing the panel by means of through fastener(s) (5) passed through said projecting part, and more particularly has a surface sufficiently large for fixing the panel by means of through fastener(s) (5) passed through said projecting part and wherein said part of the second wing (102-2) projecting laterally on the second side is adapted for fixing the panel by means of through fastener(s) (5) passed through said projecting part, and more particularly has a surface sufficiently large for fixing the panel by means of through fastener(s) (5) passed through said projecting part.

10. Panel according to any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the first wing (102-1) has in the inner face (102a) of its projecting part at least a first step (105-1) which extends in the longitudinal direction (X) and / or in which the second wing (102-2) has in the inner face (102a) of its projecting part at least a second step (105-2) which extends in the longitudinal direction (X).

11. Panel according to claim 10, wherein said first recess (105-1) allows to accommodate at least in part, and preferably entirely, the projecting part (5a), and in particular the head, of a through fastener (5) passed through said projecting part and / or wherein said second recess (105-1) allows to accommodate at least in part, and preferably entirely, the projecting part (5a), and in particular the head, of a through fastener (5) passed through said projecting part.

12. Panel according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the first wing (102-1) has at least one first longitudinal groove made in the inner face (102a) of the projecting part of the first wing (102-1) and / or wherein the second wing (102-2) has at least one second longitudinal groove made in the inner face (102a) of the projecting part of the first wing (102-1).

13. Panel according to claim 12, wherein said first longitudinal groove (105-3) is dimensioned so as to be able to accommodate at least in part, and preferably entirely, the projecting part (5a), and in particular the head, of a through fastener (5) passed through said projecting part and / or wherein said second longitudinal groove (105-3) is dimensioned so as to be able to accommodate at least in part, and preferably entirely, the projecting part (5a), and in particular the head of a through fastener (5) passed through said projecting part.

14. A panel according to any one of claims 5 to 13, wherein the first wing (102-1) is breakable so as to allow the removal of a first wing end (102') from the panel when the first facing (10a) is chosen to be oriented towards the installation wall (P) or towards the ground, and wherein the second wing (102-2) is breakable so as to allow the removal of a second wing end (102') from the panel when the second facing (10b) is chosen to be oriented towards the installation wall (P) or towards the ground, and preferably wherein the first wing end (102') and the second wingtips (102”) are each separable from the panel by being cut and / or broken and / or ripped off and / or torn.

15. Panel according to claim 14, wherein a portion of the first wing (102-1) projecting laterally on the first side comprises or constitutes said first wing end (102') which is separable from the panel, and wherein a portion of the second wing (102-2) projecting laterally on the second side comprises or constitutes said second wing end (102”) which is separable from the panel.

16. Panel according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the first coupling means (C1) comprises first lateral locking means (1O8F / 1O8G / 1O8H / 1O8J) and the second coupling means (C2) comprises second lateral locking means (1O8F / 1O8G / 1O8H / 1O8J), which are adapted to each other so as to permit lateral locking of the panel laterally nested with a similar panel.

17. Panel (1F / 1G / 1L) according to claim 16, wherein said first lateral locking means (1O8F / 1O8G / 1O8J) are an integral part of the first male coupling part (L1) and wherein said second lateral locking means (1O8F / 1O8G / 1O8J) are an integral part of the second male coupling part (L2).

18. Panel according to claim 17, wherein the first lateral locking means (1O8F / 1O8G / 1O8J) comprise at least one protruding retaining stop (108-1 or 108-2) extending in the longitudinal direction (X) and the second lateral locking means (1O8F / 1O8G / 1O8J) comprise at least one protruding retaining stop (108-1) extending in the longitudinal direction (X).

19. Panel according to claim 3 and claim 17, wherein each retaining stop is rounded.

20. Panel (1H) according to claim 16 and any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the first lateral locking means (108H) comprise at least one retaining stop (108-5) which is an integral part of the projecting portion (102H) of the first wing (102-1), which extends in the longitudinal direction (X) and which projects from the inner face (102a) of the first wing (102-1), wherein the first lateral locking means (108H) comprise at least one retaining stop (108-4) which is an integral part of the first male coupling portion (L1) and which extends in the longitudinal direction (X), wherein the second lateral locking means (108H) comprise at least one retaining stop (108-5) which is an integral part of the projecting part (102H) of the second wing (102-2), which extends in the longitudinal direction (X) and which is projecting from the inner face (102a) of the second wing (102-2), wherein the second lateral locking means (108H) comprise at least one retaining stop (108-4) which is an integral part of the second male coupling part (L2) and which extends in the longitudinal direction (X).

21. Panel according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the first coupling means (Cl) and the second coupling means (C2) are deformable during interlocking, so as to allow clipping of the panel with a similar panel and are preferably flexible.

22. A method for installing and fixing to a mounting wall (P) or to the floor, at least one first interlocking and reversible panel (1E / 1F / 1G / 1H) according to any one of claims 8 to 13 and a second interlocking and reversible panel (1E / 1F / 1G / 1H) according to any one of claims 8 to 13, said method comprising at least the following steps: (1) when the first facing face (10a) is oriented towards the mounting wall (P) or towards the floor, at least the first edge (10c) of the first panel (1E / 1F / 1G / 1H) is fixed to the mounting wall (P) or to the floor, by means of at least one through-fastener (5), which is passed through said protruding part of the first wing (102-1) of the first panel (1E / 1F / 1G / 1H) or when the second facing face (10b) is oriented towards the installation wall (P) or towards the ground, at least the second edge (10c) of the first panel (1E / 1F / 1G / 1H) is fixed to the installation wall (P) or to the ground,by means of at least one through-fastener (5), which is passed through said projecting part of the second wing (102-2) of the first panel (1E / 1F / 1G / 1H); (2) the second panel (1E / 1F / 1G / 1H) is oriented by selecting, from the two facing faces (10a, 10b) of the second panel, the one which is to be oriented towards the installation wall (P) or towards the ground and (3) the first edge (10c) or the second edge (10d) of the second panel is laterally fitted with the first edge (10c) or the second edge, (lOd) of the first panel which was fixed by means of said at least one through fixing (5).

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein at least the first panel (1E / 1F / 1G / 1H) is made in which the fastening operation (1) is carried out in such a way that a projecting part (5a), in particular the head, of said at least one through-fastener (5) is at least partly, and preferably entirely, housed in a recess (105-1 or 105-2) of said projecting part of the first wing (102-1) or the second wing (102-2) of the first panel (1E / 1F / 1G / 1H) or is at least partly, and preferably entirely, housed in a longitudinal groove (105-3) of said projecting part of the first wing (102-1) or the second wing (102-2) of the first panel (1E / 1F / 1G / 1H).

24. Method of installing and fixing to a mounting wall (P) or to the floor, at least of a first interlocking and reversible cladding panel according to any one of claims 14 or 15 and of a second interlocking and reversible cladding panel according to any one of claims 14 or 15, said method comprising at least the following operations: (1) the first wing (102-1) of the first panel is shortened, by removing a wing end from the first wing (102-1) when the first facing face (10a) has been chosen to be oriented towards the mounting wall (P) or towards the floor or the second wing (102-2) of the first panel is shortened, by removing a wing end (102”) from the second wing (102-2) when the second facing face (10b) has been chosen to be oriented towards the mounting wall (P) or towards the floor;(2) the first edge (10c) or the second edge (1Od) of the first panel whose wing has been shortened is fixed to the installation wall (P) or to the ground, this fixing operation being able to be carried out before or after the shortening operation (1); (3) the second panel is oriented by choosing, from the two facing faces (10a, 10b) of the second panel, the one which is to be oriented towards the installation wall (P) or towards the ground; (4) the first edge (10c) or the second edge (1Od) of the second panel is laterally fitted together with the first edge (10c) or the second edge (1Od) of the first panel whose wing has been shortened.

25. Use of several panels according to any one of claims 1 to 21 to make at least part of a wall covering or to create at least part of a floor covering.

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