A set consisting of two panels and panel connecting elements for cladding a surface, panel connecting elements and use of panel connecting elements

Abstract

The present invention relates to a set comprising two panels (1A, 1B) for cladding surfaces and a panel connecting element (9) for connecting the two panels (1A, 1B), wherein the two mutually opposite panel side surfaces have mutually complementary coupling elements (4, 5) in the form of an upper coupling element (4) and a lower coupling element (5); the lower coupling element (5) has a groove (8); the panel connecting element (9) has a first part (I) and a second part (II) coupled to the first part (I) through a connecting piece (10); the first part (I) is introduced into the groove (8) when the two panels (1A, 1B) are coupled; and the second part (II) is pivotable about the connecting piece (10) with respect to the first part (I). The second part (II) comprises an upper part (II.I) having a latching element (11) and a lower part (II.II) having a lever (12), wherein the latching element (11) has a bulge (13) at a distal end; the locking element (7) has a contact surface (14) that is supported against the lever (12) when the two panels (1A, 1B) are in a locked state; and the locking element (7) has a latching receptacle (15) that is complementary to the latching element (11) and engages with the bulge (13) of the latching element (11) when the two panels (1A, 1B) are in a locked state. In this way, a set consisting of two panels and a panel connecting element is provided, which allows for a particularly fast and simple connection of the two panels through the panel connecting element.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a set comprising two panels for cladding a surface and panel connecting elements for connecting the two panels, wherein each panel has a flat panel upper surface, a flat panel lower surface parallel to and spaced apart from the flat panel upper surface, and a panel core enclosed by four panel sides connecting the panel upper surface to the panel lower surface, respectively, and mutually complementary coupling elements in the form of upper coupling elements and lower coupling elements are arranged on two mutually opposite panel sides, and the coupling elements are configured in such a manner that coupling of such a first panel to such a second panel is enabled by the relative movement of the upper coupling element of the first panel toward the lower coupling element of the second panel and by connection by the panel connecting elements. The present invention also relates to panel connecting elements and the use of such panel connecting elements. Background Technology

[0002] As described above, the panel therefore always has a lower coupling element and an upper coupling element, and the terms “lower” and “upper” refer to the fact that the upper coupling element of the panel to be mounted is placed on the subsurface and pivoted downward onto the lower coupling element of the mounted panel during the assembly of the panel.

[0003] To couple the panels together, the locking element of the upper coupling element is inserted into the latching receptacle of the lower coupling element. Insertion is preferably performed by a pivoting movement in which the upper coupling element is lowered into the lower coupling element. The lower coupling element includes a panel connecting element that is actuated by the locking element and connects the lower coupling element to the upper coupling element.

[0004] Conventional panels have panel connecting elements arranged between two panels to be connected to a recess provided for this purpose in order to ensure high point stability and prevent the combination of panels from jumping up at the head joint.

[0005] In particular, for panels with greater thickness, panel connecting elements known from the prior art may not provide sufficient holding force in the vertical locking direction to securely connect panels connected in this manner, even under load. This may be the case for panels with a thickness of 12 mm or more, such as laminate or prefabricated wood carving panels. In particular, for prefabricated wood carving panels with a multi-layer structure, thicknesses of 14 mm or more, such as 15 mm or 16 mm, are also known. The problem to be solved

[0006] Based on this, the object of the present invention is to provide a set comprising two panels and a panel connecting element, which enables a particularly fast, simple, and reliable connection of two panels through the panel connecting element with additionally increased point stability, and particularly reliable prevention of jumping up the combination of panels. means of solving the problem

[0007] These objectives are achieved by the subject matter of claim 1. Preferred additional improvements can be found in the sub-claims.

[0008] According to the present invention, a set comprising two panels for cladding a surface and a panel connecting element for connecting the two panels, in particular floor panels for covering a floor area of ​​a building room, wherein each panel comprises a flat panel upper surface, a panel lower surface spaced apart from the panel upper surface and extending parallel thereto, and a panel core enclosed by four panel side surfaces each connecting the panel upper surface to the panel lower surface, wherein mutually complementary coupling elements in the form of an upper coupling element and a lower coupling element are arranged on the side surfaces of two mutually opposite panels, and said coupling elements are configured in such a manner that coupling of such first panel to such second panel is enabled by relative movement of the upper coupling element of the first panel toward the lower coupling element of the second panel, wherein the lower coupling element comprises a latching receptacle, and the upper coupling element comprises a locking element, said locking element engages with the latching receptacle in the coupled state of the two panels, so that the locking element connects the latching receptacle and the first coupling section of the coupling element A lower coupling element comprises a groove adjacent to a latching receptacle, and a panel connecting element comprises a first part and a second part coupled to the first part through a connecting web, wherein the first part is inserted into the groove in the coupled state of two panels, and the second part is pivotable relative to the first part around the connecting web, and the second part comprises an upper part comprising a latching element and a lower part comprising a lever, wherein the latching element comprises a bulge such as a wedge-shaped tip at the distal end, and a locking element comprises a contact surface that abuts against the lever in the coupled state of two panels, and the locking element comprises a latching receptacle complementary to the latching element and the bulge of the latching element engages with the latching receptacle in the coupled state of two panels, such that the bulge of the latching element forms a second coupling section of the coupling element with the latching receptacle.Preferably, the latching receptacle and the bulge of the latching element have essentially complementary geometries. For example, as previously mentioned, the bulge of the latching element can be formed as a wedge-shaped tip, and the latching receptacle can have a shape inverted with respect to the wedge-shaped tip.

[0009] Accordingly, the point of the present invention is that a panel connecting element can be pre-assembled by inserting it into a groove, and a locking element applies force to a lever during insertion and pushes this lever backward. As a result, the latching element of the panel connecting element is pivoted forward, specifically the bulge is pivoted into the latching receptacle of the locking element, and two panels are connected to each other through the panel connecting element. Here, a significant advantage of the panel connecting part according to the present invention is that the panel connecting element does not need to be moved out of the groove to perform the connection or locking of two panels to each other or to each other. In this way, the panel connecting element can be fitted precisely to the groove or even slightly oversized to the groove, and an offset height between the panels under load can be avoided.

[0010] The first coupling section is formed by the interaction of the locking element and the latching receptacle. The second coupling section is formed by the engagement of the latching element in the latching receptacle. Both coupling sections are formed by the shape- and / or pressure-fit engagement of each element in the associated receptacle.

[0011] Furthermore, it has been found that a set according to the present invention, comprising two panels and corresponding panel connecting elements, can also be easily separated again after connection. Such simple separation of the connected panels is particularly advantageous when disassembling corresponding cladding surfaces, such as floorings. Accordingly, separation of the second connected panels according to the present invention is possible, for example, by vertically lifting and tilting the connected panels. In particular, the connected panels can be disassembled safely and inherently non-destructively and thus also reused. This increases the sustainability of the corresponding panels and thus provides ecological and economic benefits.

[0012] According to a preferred further improvement of the present invention, the lower coupling element comprises a protrusion adjacent to the groove and a second contact surface adjacent to the protrusion, and the upper coupling element comprises a third contact surface adjacent to the latching receptacle. More preferably, the second contact surface and the third contact surface are positioned flat relative to each other in the coupled state of the two panels. Thus, the upper coupling element can be inserted into or into the lower coupling element until the respective contact surfaces of the coupling elements come into contact with each other. This facilitates assembly because there is no need to pay attention to how far the panels are inserted relative to each other. The upper coupling element can be inserted into the lower coupling element simply up to the stop portion.

[0013] In principle, it is possible to lock the coupling element by using a single locking element and a mutually complementary latching receptacle. According to a preferred further improvement of the present invention, the lower coupling element includes a second locking element at its distal end, and the upper coupling element includes a second latching receptacle, wherein the second locking element engages with the two panels in a coupled state so that the second locking element forms a third coupling section of the coupling element with the second latching receptacle.

[0014] According to a preferred further improvement of the present invention, the latching element comprises a rear forming portion, such as a tip, at a proximal end. The region between the bulge and the rear forming portion may preferably be in the shape of a circular section, so that the latching element is composed of a region in the shape of a circular section having a front bulge and a rear forming portion.

[0015] Additionally, the projection preferably has a mating surface on which the rear forming portion of the upper section of the latching element rests when the two panels are coupled. In particular, the projection may be divided into a proximal part and a distal part. The proximal part is connected to the distal part via an edge that slides when the latching element is pivoted into position. Once the latching element slides along the edge when pivoting, it cannot move backward. This essentially reflects the principle of a barb. In this sequence, the interaction between the proximal part, the edge, and the distal part takes the form of an ascending step. The edge includes a mating surface on which the rear forming portion rests when the two panels are coupled. The edge forms a barb that prevents the latching element from folding backward, thereby enabling a constant and rigid connection of the panels.

[0016] Generally, the upper surfaces of the two panels are at the same height when the two panels are coupled according to the present invention. Thus, the locking or connecting mechanism is not visible from the outside when the two panels are coupled. The flat surface not only ensures an attractive and uniform appearance, but also has the advantage that edges or similar disturbance factors can be avoided in relation to cleaning. According to a preferred additional improvement, a chamfer may be provided on the upper surface of the panels in the area of ​​the panel edges. One advantage of this design is that a slight vertical offset of the panel edges relative to each other, which may occur due to, for example, dimensional tolerances or an uneven subfloor, is visually concealed, particularly in the case of point loads in the area of ​​the joint between the panels.

[0017] According to a further improved embodiment of the present invention, a first part of a panel connecting element comprises a base element that, in an inserted state, is essentially the same height as the groove on all contact sides.

[0018] According to a preferred further improvement of the present invention, a first part of a panel connecting element comprises a base element and a plurality of spaced support elements adjacent to the lower side of the base element, whereby the base element is supported in a vertical direction. The support elements function as feet on which the base element stands. In contrast to a panel connecting element that is at the same height as the groove on all contact sides when inserted, the flexibility of the panel connecting element is increased in a panel connecting element that is supported on the feet and does not lie flat against the lower groove side at least on the lower side. In this embodiment, for example, two, three, four, or more support elements may be provided. In a further embodiment, the thickness of the base element including the support elements may be greater than the opening width of the groove, and the support elements may be bent during insertion so that they apply a restoring force that holds the panel connecting element in the groove in a pressure-fit manner.

[0019] In principle, the mobility of the connecting web can be ensured by various mechanisms. However, according to a preferred further improvement of the present invention, the connecting web is formed by a film hinge. The film hinge ensures the mobility of the second part of the panel connecting element while the first part of the panel connecting element is inserted immovably into a groove. The second part of the panel connecting element can be folded forward and backward through the film hinge.

[0020] Alternatively, according to a preferred further improvement of the present invention, a panel connecting element is provided to be designed as a single piece. To this end, the material of the panel connecting element must be sufficiently elastic. The high hardness of the material ensures the breaking strength in a connecting web designed to be movable and relatively thin.

[0021] According to a preferred further improvement of the present invention, the lower end of the lever protrudes into the latching receptacle. This ensures that the lever can move freely and be easily actuated by a locking element inserted into the latching receptacle.

[0022] In principle, panel connecting elements may be manufactured from different materials. However, according to a preferred further improvement of the present invention, panel connecting elements comprise plastic and / or metal. Any plastic characterized by its hardness and / or elasticity, such as polyethylene (PE) and / or polypropylene (PP) and / or polyamide (PA) and / or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) and / or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and / or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and / or polystyrene (PS), may be selected as the plastic.

[0023] In particular, the material thickness of the lower coupling element between the lower side of the panel and the upper side or floor of the first latching receptacle is provided to be smaller than the material thickness of the upper coupling element between the upper surface of the panel and the lower side or top of the second latching receptacle. This means dimensions that, due to customized dimensions compared to previously known panels, tend to cause the coupling elements to interlock with each other with less force when joining two panels, and thus have a reduced risk of material breakage or failure.

[0024] Such material fracture or failure generally occurs in the zone with the highest load and the lowest possible material thickness. The lower coupling element has the lowest material thickness between the lower side of the panel and the first latching receptacle. The upper coupling element has the lowest material thickness between the upper surface of the panel and the second latching receptacle. Hereinafter, material thickness refers to the minimum or maximum material thickness in each of these zones. Where the term material thickness is used, it refers to this definition or arrangement.

[0025] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the panel connecting element may be manufactured by extrusion and / or injection molding. In particular, the panel connecting element may be provided to be manufactured from several different materials, particularly several different plastics. Thus, for example, a base element and a plurality of spaced support elements adjacent to the lower side of the base element may be provided to be manufactured from a first material, particularly plastic, while the first part and / or second part may be provided to be manufactured from a second and / or third material, particularly plastic. Here, the first, second, and possibly third materials may differ in their material properties, such as elastic modulus, flexural modulus, hardness, impact strength, etc.

[0026] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, for example, the connecting web between the first and second parts of the panel connecting element together with the base element may be made of a material having a lower elastic modulus than the material in which the first and / or second parts of the panel connecting element are made, while the first and / or second parts of the panel connecting element are made of a material having a higher hardness. This makes it advantageously possible to achieve that the first and / or second parts of the panel connecting element can pivot more easily due to the high elasticity of the connecting web, but on the other hand, a higher locking force is achieved compared to coupling elements due to the higher hardness of the material in which the first and / or second parts of the panel connecting element are made. This, in turn, can reduce the force required to establish a connection between two panels during installation, and at the same time ensure sufficient locking force to prevent the panels from sliding apart under load.

[0027] According to additional embodiments, it may be provided that one part of the panel connecting element is manufactured by extrusion and another part is manufactured by injection molding. Thus, for example, a first and / or second part of the panel connecting element may be manufactured by extrusion, and a connecting web and / or base element may be molded onto the first and / or second part by injection molding. In this regard, parts of the panel connecting element may be provided as semi-finished products by extrusion, and these may be completed to form a final panel connecting element by molding other elements by injection molding.

[0028] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a panel connecting element may be manufactured by co-extrusion of different materials.

[0029] Depending on the desired application of the panels, they may be manufactured from different materials. In particular, the panel may comprise a carrier and a decorative layer applied thereon. Here, the material of the carrier can be selected according to the application. For example, the carrier may be manufactured from wood or wood-based materials if the decorative panel is not exposed to excessive moisture or weather conditions. On the other hand, if the panel is intended to be used, for example, in a damp room or outdoors, the carrier may be manufactured from, for example, plastic or mineral or ceramic materials.

[0030] In this context, solid wood materials as well as wood-based materials in the sense of the present invention are also materials such as cross-laminated wood, glue-laminated wood, blockboard, veneer plywood, laminated veneer lumber, parallel strand lumber, and bending plywood. In addition, wood-based materials in the sense of the present invention are also chipboards, e.g., pressboards, extruded boards, oriented structural boards (OSB), and laminated strand lumber, as well as wood fiber materials, e.g., wood fiber insulation boards (HFD), medium hard and hard fiber boards (MB, HFH), and in particular medium density fiber boards (MDF) and high density fiber boards (HDF). Even modern wood-based materials, for example, wood polymer materials (wood-plastic composites, WPC), lightweight core materials, for example, sandwich boards made of foam, rigid foam or honeycomb paper and layers of wood applied thereto, and chipboards, for example, mineral-bonded with cement, are wood-based materials in the sense of the present invention. Additionally, cork represents a wood-based material in the sense of the present invention.

[0031] Plastic materials that can be used to manufacture the corresponding panels are, for example, thermoplastic resins such as polyvinyl chloride, polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP)), polyamide (PA), polyurethane (PU), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), or blends or copolymers thereof. The plastic materials may also include conventional fillers, for example, calcium carbonate (chalk), aluminum oxide, silica gel, quartz flour, wood powder, and gypsum. They may also be colored in a known manner. In particular, the carrier material may be provided to include a flame retardant.

[0032] Additionally, the panel may include mineral and / or ceramic materials, or, in particular, a carrier made of such materials.

[0033] The present invention also relates to a panel connecting element comprising a first part and a second part coupled to the first part through a connecting web, wherein the second part is pivotable with respect to the first part with respect to the connecting web, and the second part comprises an upper portion comprising a latching element and a lower portion comprising a lever, and the latching element comprises a bulge at a distal end. A preferred further improvement of such a panel connecting element occurs similarly to a preferred further improvement of the set described above.

[0034] Finally, the present invention also relates to the use of a previously described panel connecting element for connecting two panels when cladding a surface.

[0035] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a coupling element and a panel connecting element according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in an uncoupled state; FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a coupling element and a panel connecting element according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a coupled state; FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed schematic cross-sectional view of a panel connecting element according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a coupling element and a panel connecting element according to an additional embodiment of the present invention in a coupled state. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of two panels (1A, 1B) provided for cladding a surface. Specifically, a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated herein comprises two floor panels for cladding a floor area of ​​a room in a building. FIG. 1 illustrates panels (1A, 1B) in an uncoupled state, i.e., separated from each other. The panels (1A, 1B) illustrated herein comprise wood, or a wood-based material such as laminate, as a base material, such as in the case of finished parquet or so-called engineered wood. Consequently, the carrier comprises wood or a wood-based material, preferably the carrier is made of such material.

[0038] Two panels (1A, 1B) each comprise a panel core enclosed by a flat panel upper surface (2), a flat panel lower surface (3) spaced apart from and extending parallel thereto, and four panel side surfaces connecting the panel upper surface (2) to the panel lower surface (3). As can be seen from FIG. 1, complementary coupling elements (4, 5) in the form of upper coupling elements (4) and lower coupling elements (5) are arranged on the sides of the two panels facing opposite directions, such that the first panel (1A) can be coupled to such second panel (1B) by the relative movement of the upper coupling element (4) of the first panel (1A) toward the lower coupling element (5) of the second panel (1B).

[0039] The upper coupling element (4) includes a first locking element (7) and a second latching receptacle (20) adjacent to the locking element (7). At the distal end of the first locking element (7), there is a recess forming a latching receptacle (15). A contact surface (14) is positioned below the latching receptacle (15) and immediately adjacent to the latching receptacle (15). The lower coupling element (5) includes a first latching receptacle (6) into which the first locking element (7) of the upper coupling element (4) is inserted. At the distal end of the lower coupling element (5), adjacent to the first latching receptacle (6), a second locking element (19) is positioned to be inserted into the second latching receptacle (20) of the upper coupling element (4). Additionally, a groove (8) into which a panel connecting element (9) can be inserted is disposed adjacent to the first latching receptacle (6) but at the proximal end of the coupling element (5). In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, both coupling elements (4, 5) each have second and third contact surfaces (17, 18) disposed adjacent to their panel upper surfaces (2) and abutting each other in a coupled state.

[0040] The coupling elements (4, 5) are connected via the panel connecting element (9). The panel connecting element (9) includes a latching element (11) and a lever (12). In an uncoupled state, the panel connecting element (9) can be pre-assembled by inserting it, along with its first part (I), into the groove (8) of the lower coupling element (5) provided for this purpose. The second part (II) of the panel connecting element (9) is placed in an initial position. The latching element (11) is pivoted backward, and accordingly, the lever (12) protrudes.

[0041] By coupling two coupling elements (4, 5), two or three coupling sections are essentially created.

[0042] A first coupling section is created by inserting a locking element (7) into a latching receptacle (6) provided for this purpose. The contact surface (14) of the locking element (7) strikes the lever (12) during insertion, acting the panel connecting element (9) or triggering a pivoting movement of the part of the latching element (9) not located in the locking groove (8). When the lever (12) is pushed backward, the latching element (11) is pivoted forward accordingly to engage with the latching receptacle (15) complementary to the locking element (7) and establish a second coupling section. A third coupling section is formed by an additional pair of locking elements (19) and latching receptacles (20). By joining the coupling sections (4, 5) together, the second locking element (19) is also inserted into the latching receptacle (20) provided for this purpose. The first and third coupling sections fix the panels (1A, 1B) by preventing displacement of the panels (1A, 1B) in the horizontal or longitudinal direction. The second coupling section fixes the panels (1A, 1B) by preventing displacement in the vertical direction. As a result, the panels (1A, 1B) may not move in either the horizontal or vertical direction while coupled.

[0043] FIG. 2 illustrates, as an embodiment of the present invention, a set consisting of two panels (1A, 1B) and a panel connecting element (9) in a coupled and fully assembled state. A locking element (7, 19) is inserted into its respective latching receptacle (6, 20). In this embodiment, the second contact surface (17) of the lower coupling element (5) is positioned flat against the third contact surface (18) of the upper coupling element (4). A lever (12) is pushed backward by the lower contact surface (14) of the locking element (7). The latching element (11) is pivoted forward accordingly, so that it pivots into the latching receptacle (15) of the locking element (7) and connects or locks the lower coupling zone (5) to the upper coupling zone (4) in such a way that the two panels (1A, 1B) are prevented from moving apart in the vertical direction. Locking between the lower coupling zone (5) and the upper coupling zone (4), acting in a vertical direction, occurs only when the movable second part of the panel connecting element (9) is actuated by pushing the lever (12) backward and thus pivoting the latching element (11) into the latching receptacle (15).

[0044] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a panel connecting element (9) in detail. The panel connecting element (9) can basically be divided into two parts (I, II). The first part (I) is a part that is inserted into a groove (8). The second part (II) is a movable part. It includes a latching element (11) and a lever (12). The first part (I) and the second part (II) are connected to each other through a connecting web (10). The connecting web (10) is thin and elastic enough to ensure the mobility of the second part (II) relative to the first part. The second part (II) can be pivoted around this connecting web (10). The connecting web (10) can also be formed by a film hinge (5) or a similar mechanism.

[0045] The first part (I) consists of a base element (23) and, in this example, three support elements (24). The support elements (24) serve as a kind of foot on which the base element (23) stands. This design increases the flexibility of the first part (I) and facilitates the assembly or insertion of the first part (I) into the groove (8). Furthermore, such an embodiment results in material savings compared to an embodiment of the base element (23) as a solid body. It may also be advantageous if the thickness of the base element (23) including the support elements (24) is slightly larger than the opening width of the groove (8). In this embodiment, the support elements (24) are elastically deformed when the latching element (9) is inserted into the groove (8), and due to the restoring force caused in this way, a press-fit connection is created between the panel connecting element (9) and the upper and lower walls of the groove (8), thereby allowing the panel connecting element (9) to be retained within the groove and prevented from slipping out.

[0046] The second part (II) may be divided in turn into an upper section (II.I) and a lower section (II.II). The upper section (II.I) includes a latching element (11). The latching element includes a front bulge (13) and a rear forming part (21). The area between the front bulge (13) and the rear forming part (21) may preferably be in the shape of a circular section. The lower section (II.II) includes a lever (12). The upper section (II.I) and the lower section (II.II) are directly coupled to each other by being formed as a single piece. A single-piece configuration within the meaning of the present invention also includes panel connecting elements (9) such as those manufactured from different materials, for example, during a co-extrusion process of different plastics. In particular, the latching element (11) and the lever (12) may be formed from a less elastic plastic material, while the connecting web (10) and / or support element (24) may be formed from a more elastic plastic material. Pivoting of the lever (12) inevitably causes pivoting of the latching element (11). The pivoting motion occurs in an arc around the connecting web (10). Due to the fact that the connecting web (10) is placed at a level between the upper section (II.I) and the lower section (II.II), the latching element (11) and the lever (12) move in opposite directions. This means that when the lever (12) pivots backward, the latching element (11) pivots forward, and vice versa.

[0047] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of coupling elements (4, 5) and panel connecting elements (9) according to a further preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a coupled state as an embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated exemplary embodiment differs from the exemplary embodiments of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 in that the lower coupling element (5) includes a protrusion (16) adjacent to the groove (8). At the protrusion (16), an edge having a matching surface (22) is arranged, and the rear forming portion (21) of the latching element (11) abuts thereon. The matching surface (22) of the edge acts as a kind of barb and prevents the latching element (11) from pivoting backward once it is coupled and pivoted forward. In the initial position, the latching element (11) is pivoted backward, and the rear forming portion (21) is positioned behind the edge or the matching surface (22). When the latching element (11) pivots forward during coupling, the rear forming part slides across the edge so that the rear forming part (21) comes into contact with the matching surface (22). In this embodiment of the invention, it is impossible for the latching element (11) to pivot further backward. This additionally secures the connection between the lower coupling element (5) and the upper coupling element (4) because the latching element (11) must pivot outward from the latching receptacle (15) so that the connection can be released. However, this is prevented by the matching surface (22) of the protrusion (16). Explanation of the symbols

[0048] Panels 1A and 1B 2 panel upper surface 3 Panel bottom surface 4 upper coupling element 5 lower coupling element 6 Latching Receptacle 7 Locking Elements 8 Home 9 panel connection elements 10 connecting webs 11 Latching Elements 12 levers 13 bulges 14 contact surfaces 15 Latching Receptacle 16 protrusions 17 Second contact surface 18 Third contact surface 19 Second Locking Element 20 Second Latching Receptacle 21 Rear forming part 22 Matching surface 23 Base Elements 24 Support Factors I Part 1 II Part 2 II.I Upper Section of Part 2 II.II Subsection of Part 2

Claims

Claim 1 A set comprising two panels (1A, 1B) for cladding a surface and a panel connecting element (9) for connecting the two panels (1A, 1B), wherein each of the panels (1A, 1B) comprises a panel core surrounded by a flat panel upper surface (2), a flat panel lower surface (3) spaced apart from and parallel to the flat panel upper surface, and four panel side surfaces each connecting the panel upper surface (2) to the panel lower surface (3), and mutually complementary coupling elements (4, 5) in the form of an upper coupling element (4) and a lower coupling element (5) on two mutually opposite panel side surfaces are arranged such that they are designed to enable coupling of the first panel (1A) to the second panel (1B) by the relative movement of the upper coupling element (4) of the first panel (1A) toward the lower coupling element (5) of the second panel (1B), and the lower coupling The element (4) includes a latching receptacle (6), and the upper coupling element (5) includes a locking element (7) that engages with the latching receptacle (6) in the coupled state of the two panels (1A, 1B), the locking element (7) together with the latching receptacle (6) to form a first coupling section of the coupling elements (4, 5), the lower coupling element (5) includes a groove (8) adjacent to the latching receptacle (6), and the panel connecting element (9) includes a first part (I) and a second part (II) coupled to the first part (I) through a connecting web (10), the first part (I) is inserted into the groove (8) in the coupled state of the two panels (1A, 1B), and the second part (II) is relative to the first part (I) with respect to the connecting web (10). Pivotable, and the second part (II) comprises an upper section (II.I) including a latching element (11) and a lower section (II.I) including a lever (12).II) including, wherein the latching element (11) includes a bulge (13) at a distal end, and the locking element (7) includes a contact surface (14) that abuts against the lever (12) in the coupled state of the two panels (1A, 1B), and the locking element (7) includes a latching receptacle (15) that is complementary to the latching element (11) and engages with the bulge (13) of the latching element (11) in the coupled state of the two panels (1A, 1B), the bulge (13) of the latching element (11) together with the latching receptacle (15) forms a second coupling section of the coupling elements (4, 5), and the second panel (1B) has a second contact surface (17), and the second contact surface (17) is a third contact of the first panel (1A) in the coupled state. A set of panel connecting elements characterized by contacting a surface (18), wherein the second contact surface (17) protrudes from the proximal wall of the latching receptacle (6). Claim 2 A set comprising two panels (1A, 1B) for cladding a surface and a panel connecting element (9) for connecting the two panels (1A, 1B), wherein each of the panels (1A, 1B) comprises a panel core surrounded by a flat panel upper surface (2), a flat panel lower surface (3) spaced apart from and parallel to the flat panel upper surface, and four panel side surfaces each connecting the panel upper surface (2) to the panel lower surface (3), and mutually complementary coupling elements (4, 5) in the form of an upper coupling element (4) and a lower coupling element (5) on two mutually opposite panel side surfaces are arranged such that they are designed to enable coupling of the first panel (1A) to the second panel (1B) by the relative movement of the upper coupling element (4) of the first panel (1A) toward the lower coupling element (5) of the second panel (1B), and the lower coupling The element (4) includes a latching receptacle (6), and the upper coupling element (5) includes a locking element (7) that engages with the latching receptacle (6) in the coupled state of the two panels (1A, 1B), the locking element (7) together with the latching receptacle (6) to form a first coupling section of the coupling elements (4, 5), the lower coupling element (5) includes a groove (8) adjacent to the latching receptacle (6), and the panel connecting element (9) includes a first part (I) and a second part (II) coupled to the first part (I) through a connecting web (10), the first part (I) is inserted into the groove (8) in the coupled state of the two panels (1A, 1B), and the second part (II) is relative to the first part (I) with respect to the connecting web (10). Pivotable, and the second part (II) comprises an upper section (II.I) including a latching element (11) and a lower section (II.I) including a lever (12).II) including, wherein the latching element (11) includes a bulge (13) at the distal end, and the locking element (7) includes a contact surface (14) that abuts against the lever (12) in the coupled state of the two panels (1A, 1B), and the locking element (7) includes a latching receptacle (15) that is complementary to the latching element (11) and engages with the bulge (13) of the latching element (11) in the coupled state of the two panels (1A, 1B), the bulge (13) of the latching element (11) together with the latching receptacle (15) forms a second coupling section of the coupling elements (4, 5), and the latching element (11) includes a posterior forming portion (21) at the proximal end, and the lower coupling element (5) includes a protrusion (16) adjacent to the groove (8). A set of panel connecting elements comprising, wherein the protrusion (16) includes a mating surface (22) to which the rear forming portion (21) of the upper section (II.I) of the latching element (11) contacts in a coupled state of the two panels (1A, 1B). Claim 3 A set of panel connecting elements according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower coupling element (5) comprises a second locking element (19) at a distal end, and the upper coupling element (4) comprises a second latching receptacle (20) to which the second locking element (19) engages with the two panels (1A, 1B) in a coupled state, and the second locking element (19) together with the second latching receptacle (20) forms a third coupling section of the coupling elements (4, 5). Claim 4 A set of panel connecting elements according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower coupling element (5) comprises a protrusion (16) adjacent to the groove (8) and a second contact surface (17) adjacent to the protrusion (16), and the upper coupling element (4) comprises a third contact surface (18) adjacent to the latching receptacle (15), and the second contact surface (17) and the third contact surface (18) are flat against each other in a coupled state of the two panels (1A, 1B). Claim 5 In claim 1 or 2, the panel connecting element (9) is a set of panel connecting elements substantially statically arranged in the groove (8). Claim 6 In claim 1, the latching element (11) is a set of panel connecting elements comprising a rear forming portion (21) at a proximal end. Claim 7 A set of panel connecting elements, wherein the lower coupling element (5) comprises a protrusion (16) adjacent to the groove (8), and the protrusion (16) comprises a mating surface (22) to which the rear forming portion (21) of the upper section (II.I) of the latching element (11) contacts in the coupled state of the two panels (1A, 1B). Claim 8 In claim 1 or 2, the upper surfaces (2) of the two panels (1A, 1B) are a set of panel connecting elements that end at the same height (flush) in the coupled state of the two panels (1A, 1B). Claim 9 A set of panel connecting elements according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first part (I) of the panel connecting element (9) comprises a base element (23) and a plurality of mutually spaced supporting elements (24) arranged adjacent to the lower side of the base element (23) and supporting the base element (23) in a vertical direction. Claim 10 In claim 1 or 2, the connecting web is a set of panel connecting elements formed by a film hinge. Claim 11 In claim 1 or 2, the panel connecting element (9) is a set of panel connecting elements designed as a single piece. Claim 12 A set of panel connecting elements, wherein the lower end of the lever (12) protrudes into the latching receptacle (6) in claim 1 or 2. Claim 13 A panel connecting element (9) comprising a first part (I) and a second part (II) coupled to the first part (I) via a connecting web (10), wherein the panel connecting element (9) is used to connect two panels (1A, 1B) in a surface cladding, the second part (II) is pivotable with respect to the first part (I) around the connecting web (10), and the second part (II) comprises an upper section (II.I) comprising a latching element (11) and a lower section (II.II) comprising a lever (12), wherein the latching element (11) comprises a bulge (13) at a distal end and a rear forming part (21) at a proximal end, and wherein the rear forming part (21) is formed on panel (1B) and adjacent to the rear forming part (21) in the coupled state of the two panels (1A, 1B). A panel connecting element (9) characterized by contacting the matching surface (22) of the protrusion (16). Claim 14 In paragraph 13, the first part (I) of the panel connecting element (9) comprises a base element (23) and a plurality of spaced support elements (24) arranged adjacent to the lower side of the base element (23) and supporting the base element (23) in a vertical direction. Claim 15 In paragraph 13 or 14, the panel connecting element comprises plastic and / or metal, panel connecting element (9).

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