Coating for surfaces and stabilising element for said coating

Abstract

The present invention relates to a surface coating comprising a plurality of panels, longitudinal profiles and securing elements. The panels are arranged on said profiles such that a lower surface of the panels faces the profiles. The profiles and panels are connected to each other by securing elements, such that the panels can dilate and contract in response to temperature and humidity changes.

Description

[0001] SURFACE COATING AND STABILIZING ELEMENT

[0002] FOR SUCH COATING

[0003] DESCRIPTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a surface coating and an accessory for said coating.

[0005] Surface coverings comprising a plurality of panels and longitudinal profiles are known. At the intersections between panels and profiles, a plurality of fasteners are simultaneously housed in cavities arranged in the panels and profiles. This type of covering can be suitable for vertical or horizontal surfaces and for installation in a herringbone pattern, Hungarian Point pattern, or any other installation pattern defining parallel panel patterns.

[0006] Various surface coatings according to the previous description are known, for example, those disclosed in the Utility Model of the same applicant, ES1225774U and by the documents corresponding to Patents ES2504665B1 and WO2015159136, also from the same applicant.

[0007] Document ES2504665B1 discloses a covering comprising a structure formed by a plurality of panels provided on their lower face with at least one guide formed by a slot and longitudinal profiles, with staples located in the intersection area between the guides and panels, housed simultaneously in the cavities of both guides of the panel and the profile. The staples have a thickened head intended to be introduced into one of the cavities, and an elastic body (comprising at least two legs) whose elasticity allows it to present a first compressed position in which it can pass transversely through the slot corresponding to the guide and is housed in an expanded position in the cavity corresponding to the guide. The head of the staple is a flat area that has projections in its free area to make contact with the wall opposite the slot of the cavity in which it is introduced.For installation, the clip must be elastically deformed by exerting a vertical force. Document ES1225774U describes a covering comprising a structure formed by a plurality of panels secured to profiles by means of clips positioned simultaneously in cavities of said panels and profiles.

[0008] Document WO2015159136 discloses a covering comprising panels, fasteners, and longitudinal profiles. Each profile has a guide designed to work together with a fastener. The profile guide is composed of a slot that provides access to a cavity of larger cross-sectional dimensions than the slot. The sides of each panel have a slot into which a head of the fastener is inserted to join the profile to the panel. The base of the fastener has dimensions that allow rotation between a first and a second position when inserted into the guide slot. The fastener has a first shape with a first cross-section and a second shape with a second cross-section. The second shape comes into dimensional interference with the guide in the second position (blocking the position of the fastener), while the first shape allows free movement along the profile in the first position.The dimensions of the fastener head determine the separation distance between adjacent panels, defining a panel gap.

[0009] In this type of coating, it is necessary to provide a certain amount of clearance to allow the system elements, particularly the panels, to expand and contract in response to changes in ambient temperature and humidity. This necessary clearance initially results in very narrow, imperceptible gaps. However, the expansion and contraction of the elements is generally not uniform in all directions, due to the heterogeneity of the material and the existence of areas and directions in the coating that offer less resistance to expansion and / or contraction than others. Consequently, after various expansion and / or contraction cycles, the panels shift in preferred directions, tightening in some areas and separating in others, leaving gaps that are visible and therefore aesthetically undesirable.

[0010] An objective of the present invention is to provide means for solving the problem posed above. In this document, "lower" refers to the element or part of an element closest to or in contact with a surface on which a covering is placed. "Upper" refers to the element or part of an element furthest from the surface on which the covering is placed.

[0011] To address the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides a surface covering comprising a structure formed by a plurality of panels, longitudinal profiles, fastening elements, and a stabilizing element. The stabilizing element comprises an upper pointed end that is driven into the lower surface of one of said panels and a lower fastening element that secures the interlocking element to one of said profiles.

[0012] By using a stabilizing element with a pointed end simultaneously fixed to the lower surface of one of the panels and a lower end nailed to one of the profiles, the panels have an anchor point from which their dimensions can be widened or narrowed. This anchor point means that each panel can continue to vary in size due to temperature fluctuations, humidity, or other factors, but that if it returns to its normal size, these dimensional variations will not cause the panel to shift. This ensures that the normal distances between panels remain stable over time. Likewise, movements caused by external forces, such as walking on the panels or dragging elements resting on them, are also prevented.

[0013] By attaching the stabilizing element to both the panel and the profile or strip supporting the panels, a fixed point is created with respect to possible expansions in all dimensions (particularly both longitudinal and transverse with respect to the panels and / or profiles). This serves as a reference for said expansions / contractions and prevents shifting as a result of expansion / contraction cycles. Additionally, the upper pointed end allows for convenient installation of the stabilizing elements without unduly complicating the installation tasks of the covering. Preferably, the lower fixing element comprises a pointed element that is nailed into one of said profiles.In this embodiment, the stabilizing element has two pointed ends, such that an upper pointed end has the function of being nailed into a lower surface of one of the aforementioned panels and the lower end has the function of being nailed into one of the aforementioned profiles.

[0014] Preferably, the stabilizing element is composed of two pieces. The two-piece structure facilitates installation. The two pieces allow the installation of the stabilizing element to be separated into its upper and lower interlocking. Ultimately, the two-piece construction of the stabilizing element results in simpler manufacturing while providing greater versatility. Preferably, one of the pieces is configured as a central body and the other as a piercing element. The piercing element can be, for example, a punch, which can have the upper piercing element and the lower fixing element at its ends.

[0015] Furthermore, having a two-piece stabilizing element also allows for variation in the relative position of both pieces, allowing the stabilizing element to present different states in which it can perform different functions.

[0016] In preferred embodiments, the stabilizing element comprises a central body having a width conjugated to the width of the guide slot of one of said profiles.

[0017] Comprising a central body with a width equal to the width of the profile guide groove, the stabilizing element can be easily inserted at any point along the profile's length and can even slide longitudinally if necessary, while its movement transverse to the profile, and even its rotation, can be locked. This means that the stabilizing element, due to its configuration, is already fixed in most of its movements, simply by being inserted into the profile groove, automatically.In particularly preferred embodiments, the stabilizing element is composed of at least two pieces, a first piece, of said at least two pieces, being a central punch comprising the upper and lower sharp ends and a longitudinal body that joins said sharp ends, and a second piece, of said at least two pieces, being the central body with a width conjugated to the width of the guide slot of one of said profiles.

[0018] The main body can be manufactured by extrusion or other commonly known methods, and its dimensions can be varied as appropriate for each application. The other part can consist, for example, of a punch with two pointed ends. This also makes the punch easy to manufacture.

[0019] More preferably, the central punch is located on a central axis of the central body, said central punch comprising, at its upper end, said upper piercing end, and, at its lower end, said lower piercing end.

[0020] Placing the punch on a central axis of the main body optimizes the compensation of the stresses that the punch may receive in all directions, making the assembly more robust.

[0021] Even more preferably, the central body comprises a through hole with a section conjugated to the section of the central punch, such that said central punch can slide through the central body.

[0022] The ability to slide the punch through a through hole in the central body of the stabilizing element allows for quick and easy configuration changes. By varying the relative position of the parts that make up the stabilizing element, different states of the stabilizing element can be achieved, allowing for different functions to be performed as required.

[0023] Even more preferably, the central punch has at least two different positions, a first rest position, in which the lower piercing end is located inside the through hole and the upper piercing end protrudes, with respect to a peripheral surface of the central body, at least a distance equal to the sum of the length of the two piercing ends, and an operating position, in which both upper and lower piercing ends protrude with respect to said peripheral surface of the central body.

[0024] When the punch has two positions relative to the central body, the stabilizing element has at least two different configurations or states, in which it is capable of performing different functions. In a first configuration or rest position, in which the lower piercing end is hidden inside the through hole, the stabilizing element can be placed in and slide along a slot in a profile of the coating, since in this position, said lower piercing end, being hidden within the through hole, does not interfere with any of the surfaces of said profile. By being able to slide comfortably along the profile, the stabilizing element can be easily located at any point on said profile. In a second configuration or operating position, both ends protrude relative to the central body, on both sides of the through hole.In this operating position, the lower pointed end is actually driven into the base surface of the profile, so that its longitudinal translational movement is no longer possible, thus securing it relative to the profile. Thanks to this fixation in the operating position, in which the lower pointed end is driven into the profile, the stabilizing element is fixed to the panel.

[0025] Even more preferably, in the resting position the lower pointed end is flush with the perimeter surface of the central body.

[0026] By having the lower pointed end flush with the perimeter surface of the central body, the central body can slide within the profile slot without interference, while also reducing the distance that the upper pointed end protrudes, which reduces the likelihood of interference with other elements of the covering.

[0027] Preferably, the upper piercing end comprises an extreme tip and a base, the base having a section of smaller dimensions than the section of the longitudinal body of the punch. The fact that the upper piercing end has a base of smaller dimensions than the longitudinal body of the punch causes an abrupt change in section between the base of the piercing end and the longitudinal body of the punch, which generates a flat surface of annular section, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the punch. This flat surface serves as a clear stop for the piercing end, such that from this point on, the punch stops piercing or penetrating the surface with which it is in contact with the panel, and is pushed, by direct and normal contact, between said flat annular surface and the surface of the panel to be pierced.

[0028] Also preferably, the lower piercing end comprises an extreme tip and a base, the base section being of smaller dimensions than the section of the longitudinal body of the punch.

[0029] In this case, the effect of this abrupt section change is similar to that described above, generating a flat, annular surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the punch, acting as a stop up to which the lower punching end pierces the profile. This also achieves greater stability when the punch is engaged.

[0030] The center punch can have any shape. Preferably, the punch is an elongated element. More preferably, the punch has a prismatic shape, preferably a rectangular prismatic shape, or a cylindrical shape.

[0031] In certain embodiments, the lower fixing element may be a screw or a nail.

[0032] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the stabilizing element comprises a central body comprising the pointed end intended to be embedded in the panel. More preferably, the central body comprises a hole for receiving said screw or nail. Even more preferably, the central body comprises a laminar element having said hole.

[0033] This embodiment allows for the implementation of a universal stabilizing element, which can be installed on a wide range of cladding types. In this case, the stabilizing element is fixed or nailed to the bottom profile or strip, with the pointed end facing outwards. This way, when the panel is installed, the pointed end is nailed into the panel.

[0034] Preferably, the central body has a fold that defines a flat upper portion and a flat lateral portion, with the pointed end located on the flat upper portion and the aforementioned hole on the flat lateral portion. In this way, the stabilizing element can be attached to a profile on one side, reserving the upper portion for the pointed end.

[0035] Likewise, the central body may preferably have more than one piercing element, preferably two piercing elements facing each other. Among the advantages of this embodiment is the possibility of placing the stabilizing element at the interface between two panels, such that one piercing element is embedded in one panel and the other piercing element of the stabilizing element is embedded in an adjacent panel.

[0036] The present invention is applicable to a wide range of coverings, especially those coverings that have fastening elements (for example, staples) that allow the expansion and contraction of the panels.

[0037] Therefore, the present invention also encompasses coverings having the aforementioned stabilizing element. Preferably, the coverings according to the present invention relate to coverings in which a series of panels are supported on a series of profiles, the profiles facing a lower face of the panels in such a way that intersection zones are generated. The stabilizing element can be located under the central zone of a panel or at its ends. The stabilizing element is preferably attached to one of the aforementioned profiles. The stabilizing element can have any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0038] The fastening elements can be movable or fixed (and therefore immobile). However, the present invention is particularly advantageous for coatings in which the fastening elements are not permanently fixed, since in these coatings, the displacements due to expansion and contraction cycles can be greater.

[0039] The present invention is also particularly applicable to coverings in which the panels are arranged on said profiles, the profiles facing a lower face of the panels in such a way that intersection zones are generated, the fastening elements being located in the intersection zones between the profiles and the panels, in which:

[0040] - said panels have on their side faces a guide formed by a groove positioned at an intermediate height that runs longitudinally along the side face of the panel and gives access to a cavity,

[0041] - said profiles have a guide comprising a guide slot giving access to a guide cavity of larger cross-sectional dimensions than the guide slot,

[0042] - said fastening elements have a head for insertion into a side cavity of the panel and are housed simultaneously in the side cavity of the panel and in the cavity of the profile.

[0043] Preferably, the fastening element has an elastic body that is connected to the head through a neck of smaller dimensions than the head, the elasticity of the elastic body allowing it to pass through the slot corresponding to the cavity of the profile and also allowing the elastic body to slide inside the cavity of said profile.

[0044] In addition to the covering, the present invention also provides embodiments of stabilizing elements especially suitable for the covering object of the present invention. In a basic embodiment, the stabilizing element may comprise a central body, an upper pointed end for being nailed into the lower surface of one of said panels, and a lower fixing element for fixing the interlocking element to one of said profiles. Preferred embodiments of the stabilizing element have been indicated when describing preferred embodiments of the covering object of the present invention.

[0045] For your better understanding, some drawings of embodiments of the present invention are attached by way of explanatory but non-limiting example. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a stabilizing element for a surface coating according to the present invention.

[0046] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a punch of the stabilizing element for a surface coating according to the present invention.

[0047] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a central body of the stabilizing element for a surface coating according to the present invention.

[0048] Figure 4 shows a front elevation view of the stabilizing element for a surface covering, in the resting position, according to the present invention.

[0049] Figure 5 shows a front elevation view of the stabilizing element for a surface covering, in operating position, according to the present invention.

[0050] Figure 6 shows, in a side elevation view, the operation of a stabilizing element for a surface coating according to the present invention.

[0051] Figure 7 shows, in a front elevation view, the placement of a stabilizing element for a surface coating according to the present invention.

[0052] Figure 8 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a stabilizing element according to the present invention.

[0053] Figure 9 shows a top plan view of the stabilizing element shown in Figure 8.

[0054] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the process of locking the stabilizing element to the lower profile.

[0055] Figure 11 shows a second embodiment of a coating according to the present invention using a stabilizing element as shown in Figure 8. Figure 12 is a schematic plan view showing the placement of a stabilizing element in a coating as shown in Figure 11.

[0056] Figure 13 is an elevation view, in which unseen elements have been marked with dashed lines, showing the placement of the stabilizing element.

[0057] Figure 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a stabilizing element according to the present invention.

[0058] Figure 15 is a perspective view showing, schematically, the placement of the stabilizing element of the previous figure in a profile.

[0059] Figure 16 is a perspective view corresponding to the previous figure, in which other elements of a coating have also been represented.

[0060] Figure 17 shows a top view of a coating according to the present invention, which has the stabilizing element shown in Figures 14 to 17.

[0061] Figures 1 to 7 show a first example of a coating according to the present invention, with a first example of a stabilizing element according to the present invention. Figures 8 to 13 show another example of a coating according to the present invention, with a second example of a stabilizing element according to the present invention.

[0062] In Figure 1, a stabilizing element 1 for surface coating can be seen, comprising a central body 15, an upper piercing end 11, a lower piercing end 12, and a flat surface 13 with an annular section. This figure shows how the stabilizing element 1 is composed of two distinct parts, the central body 15 and a punch 10. The punch 10 comprises, at each of its ends, which protrude from the central body 15, piercing ends 11 and 12. The main functions of the central body 15 are to fit into a profile groove and to reinforce the stability of the punch. Figure 2 shows the punch 10 in greater detail. This view shows a longitudinal body 14, of a cylindrical shape. At one end of said longitudinal body 14 is the upper piercing end 11, which in turn comprises an extreme tip 16 and a base 17.At this same end, the punch 10 also comprises an annular flat surface 13, which extends from the base 17 of the upper piercing end 11 to the peripheral surface of the longitudinal body 14. At the other end of the longitudinal body 14, the punch 10 also comprises the lower piercing end 12. In the example shown, the longitudinal body 14 is elongated cylindrical, while the piercing ends 11 , 12 are conical. Alternatively, the longitudinal body 14 could be prismatic. Also alternatively, the piercing ends 11 , 12 could be pyramidal, for example with a square base. Pyramidal piercing ends have the advantage of being able to be locked more easily.

[0063] In Figure 3, the central body 15 can be seen on its own, which makes it easier to see a through hole 18 that runs through the center on a vertical axis of said central body 15.

[0064] In Figure 4, it can be seen how the punch is located inside the through hole 18 of the central body 15. Furthermore, in this figure the stabilizing element 1 is seen in its resting position. In this position it can be seen how the lower sharp end 12 is hidden inside the through hole 18 of the central body 15, such that it does not protrude from the perimeter of said central body 15. This allows this lower sharp end 12 to not interfere too much with the placement of the stabilizing element 1 in a slot of a profile. On the other hand, the punch 10 protrudes more with respect to an upper surface of the central body. Due to this position of the punch 10, its longitudinal body 14 also protrudes, and the upper sharp end 11 can also be seen, with its extreme tip 16 and its base 17 and the annular flat surface 13.In this position the stabilizing element can be easily placed and wait to be pressed by a panel, into which it is nailed, at the top end, and thus slide through the through hole 18 and consequently be nailed into a base surface of the profile on which it is located.

[0065] In Figure 5, the stabilizing element 1 can be seen in its operating position. In this position, the longitudinal body 14 is completely hidden in the through hole 18 of the central body 15, such that only the upper 11 and lower 12 piercing ends protrude from the perimeter of said central body 15. In this position, the annular flat surface 13 is flush with an upper surface of the central body 15, such that it is difficult to continue pushing the punch 10 through the through hole 18 by pressure of a panel on the upper piercing end 11. In the example shown in these figures, the upper 11 and lower 12 piercing ends are symmetrical, having the same shape and dimensions, but obviously they can be of different dimensions and even slightly different shapes as appropriate.For example, according to the described operation and the example shown, there is no need to have a flat annular surface at the lower end of the punch 10, since the stop function for the perforation is performed by the presence of the same central body 15 when it hits the panel that exerts the force.

[0066] In Figure 6, an example of the stabilizing element 1 in operation is seen, placed on a covering of a surface 40. In this figure, two profiles 50 can be seen frontally. Each profile comprises cavities in the form of a guide 53 with slots 51 that give access to said guides 53. Said guides 53 also comprise a base surface 52. In this figure, a fastening element 20 of panels 3 can be seen. The function of said fastening element 20 is to join two panels 3 together and, in turn, fasten them to a profile 50. This is achieved by placing the fastening element 20 under pressure in one of the cavities of the guides 53, such that it is fastened to one of the profiles 50 and, in turn, fastens the panels 3 to which it is attached. On the other hand, the stabilizing element 1 is located in another adjacent guide 53. As can be seen, the width of the stabilizing element is conjugated with the width of the slot 51 through which it is inserted into the guide 53.This restricts movement of the stabilizing element 1 in a direction transverse to the profile 50. Consequently, since the upper pointed end 11 is nailed to a lower surface 31 of one of the panels 3, in this example, the panel 3 to which it is nailed, it is anchored in its longitudinal direction to a respective panel 3 to which it is nailed. In addition to this effect, the stabilizing element 1 is also nailed to a base surface 52 of one of the profiles 50, so that its movement or sliding in the longitudinal direction of the guide 53 of the profile 50 in which it is located is also restricted. In the same way, the panel 3 to which it is nailed through the upper pointed end 11 is also anchored in its transverse direction.

[0067] Although in the embodiment of figure 6, each profile has two adjacent guides 53, with the fastening element 20 being located in one guide and the stabilizing element 1 in the adjacent guide, it is also possible for the profile to have a single guide, in which case the fastening elements and the stabilizing elements 1 can be arranged in the same guide.

[0068] Figure 7 shows the placement of a panel 3 of the covering on a surface 40. In this view, a profile 50 can be seen positioned above the surface 40, running across the figure from side to side. It can also be seen better how fastening elements 20 are attached to the profile 50 and are located between panels 3, holding them to the profile 50. On the other hand, a stabilizing element 1 can be seen already in place and in its operating position, with the lower pointed end 12 nailed to the profile 50 and the upper pointed end 11 to a central panel 3, such that it performs its anchoring function on said central panel 3.It can also be seen how a right panel 3 is being placed, being held at one end by a holding element 20, and with a lower surface 31 being pierced by the sharp end of a stabilizing element 1, which is still in its rest position, with part of the longitudinal body of the punch 10 protruding, and the lower sharp end 12 being hidden inside the through hole 18. In this way, only by pressing in the indicated direction, the panel exerts a force on the punch 10, through the upper sharp end 11 which digs further into the panel, until the lower surface 31 of the panel 3 and the annular flat surface 13 of the punch 10 abut, pushing the punch 10 through the through hole 18 of the central body 15 and nailing the lower sharp end 12 to the profile 50.

[0069] To better understand how the coating works and the functions of its various elements, a method for installing and removing it is also detailed. This installation method includes:

[0070] - distribute a plurality of profiles 50 in a parallel and level manner on a firm surface 40,

[0071] - insert one side of a head of a fastening element 20 into a side guide of a first panel 3 so that the head is fixed to the panel 3, - insert the central body 15 of the stabilising element 1 into the desired anchoring point of a profile 50, preferably in a groove 51,

[0072] - positioning an elastic body of the clamping element 20 facing a groove 51 of a profile 50,

[0073] - applying a vertical compression force on the side of the upper face of the panel 3 where the fastening element 20 is located to introduce the elastic body inside a cavity 53 of the profile groove, driving the upper sharp end 11 into the lower surface 31 of the panel 3 until reaching the annular surface 13 of the punch 10 which acts as a stop and continue applying the force until the punch 10 slides inside the through hole 18 and driving the lower sharp end 12 of the punch 10 into a base surface 52 of the profile 50,

[0074] - horizontally move a second panel 3 until a free side of the head of the fastening element 20 is inserted into a lateral guide of the second panel 3 in such a way that they are fixed together.

[0075] The described coating is suitable for installation on horizontal and vertical surfaces (exterior and interior), whether in a herringbone pattern, Hungarian Point or any other installation pattern in which parallel panel patterns are defined.

[0076] Figures 8 to 13 show a second embodiment of stabilizing element and a second embodiment of coating according to the present invention.

[0077] Figures 8 to 10 show a second embodiment of a stabilizing element comprising a central body 15 of laminar form. A pointed end 11 protrudes from the central body 15. In the example shown, the pointed end protrudes perpendicularly with respect to the laminar central body 15. Furthermore, the pointed end corresponds to the vertex of a cone. The laminar body 15 also has two holes 181 whose function is to receive a nail or a screw 121. The function of the screw 121 is to lock into the profiles that support the cladding panels, such that the screw 121, in conjunction with a hole 181, form a fixing element of the stabilizing element.

[0078] An installation mode is shown in Figures 10 and 11. First, the stabilizing element is fixed to the profile 50, and then, subsequently, the panel 3 is placed. When placing the panel, the pointed end 11 is nailed into the lower surface of the panel 3.

[0079] This second embodiment of a stabilizing element can be used with a multitude of different coverings. For example, Figures 11 to 12 show a covering whose fastening elements 20 are clips, and the profiles 50 are slats arranged perpendicular to the panels 3 and supporting them. The clips are screwed into the profiles 50 and are therefore fixed. Said clips can be made, for example, from sheet metal. In the example, the arms of the clips are inserted into lateral slots of the panels 3. The profiles can be positioned as shown in Figure 11. First, one of the arms of the clips is inserted into the lateral slot, with the panel tilted, and then the panel 3 is dropped onto the slat, such that the piercing element 11 comes into contact with the panel.

[0080] Figure 12 shows, schematically, that the stabilizing element can be placed in a central position with respect to panel 3, corresponding to a crossing between a profile 50 and panel 3. In Figure 12, the stabilizing element would not be visible, but it has been shown solely for illustrative purposes.

[0081] Figure 13 shows how the stabilizing element is positioned with respect to profile 50 and panel 3, with screw 121 and sharp end 1 1 embedded, respectively, in profile 50 and panel 3.

[0082] Figures 14 to 16 show a third embodiment of the stabilizing element according to the present invention. In the figures, elements identical or equivalent to those shown in the previous embodiments have been identified with identical numerals and, therefore, will not be described in depth.

[0083] Figure 14 shows the third embodiment of the stabilizing element, which comprises a central laminar body 15, formed, for example, by a die-cut plate. The laminar body has a fold, in this case a 90° fold. e, which divides the laminar body into two flat parts, an upper flat part 151 and a lateral flat part 152 which, in this case, are perpendicular to each other. From the central body 15, and more specifically from the upper flat part, two sharp ends 11 , 11 ' protrude. In the example shown, the sharp end protrudes perpendicularly with respect to the upper flat part 151 of the laminar central body 15. The sharp ends, in this case, correspond to two pointed cuts of the upper flat part 151 bent perpendicular to the upper flat part. The flat side part 152 of the laminar body 15 also has a hole 181 whose function is to receive a nail or a screw 121. The screw 121 has the function of locking into the profiles that support the covering panels, such that the screw 121, in conjunction with the hole 181, forms a fixing element of the stabilizing element.

[0084] An installation mode is shown in Figures 15 and 16. First, the stabilizing element is fixed to the profile 50. To do this, the stabilizing element is screwed or nailed to a profile 50. In the example in the figures, a screw 121 is used for this purpose, which is screwed to one side of the profile 50 using the hole 181 of the flat lateral part 152 of the central laminar body 15 and then, subsequently, the panel 3 is placed. When placing the panel 3, a pointed end 11 ' is nailed into the lower surface of the panel 3. As can be seen, by joining the stabilizing element to a lateral face of the profile 50, the placement tasks and, in particular, the maintenance tasks that may require the removal of only some panels are facilitated. In general, the installation process of the covering shown in Figures 15 and 16 may be similar to that shown for the second embodiment.

[0085] Figure 17 shows a covering according to the present invention that uses stabilizing elements as shown in Figures 14 to 16. Elements equal to or similar to those shown in previous figures have been identified with identical numerals. In the figure, two panels 3 of the covering have been removed to partially observe the profiles 50 and the fastening elements 20. The elements and parts of elements hidden by the remaining panels 3 have been represented with broken lines. The lateral separations between panels 3 have been exaggerated for reasons of clarity. The stabilizing elements are located in profiles 50, nailed to them. Additionally, in the figure, the stabilizing elements are located in intermediate positions of panels 3, being hidden beneath them.However, thanks to the presence of two pointed ends 11 , 11 ' on the stabilising elements, it would also be possible to position stabilising elements at the ends of panels, such that each pointed end is interlocked under a different panel 3. In the central stabilising element, the screw 121 has been shown not screwed into the corresponding profile 50 for didactic reasons only. In reality, the screw 121 is screwed into the corresponding profile 50 to secure the stabilising element before placing the corresponding panel 3 on top. In general, the installation process of the covering in Figure 17 may be similar to that shown for the second embodiment.

[0086] Although the invention has been presented and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it is understood that these are not limiting of the invention, and that numerous construction or other details may be variable and may become apparent to those skilled in the art after interpreting the material disclosed in this description, claims, and drawings. Thus, all variants and equivalents will be included within the scope of the present invention if they can be considered to fall within the broader scope of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Surface covering comprising a plurality of panels, longitudinal profiles and fastening elements, the panels arranged on said profiles such that a lower surface of the panels faces the profiles, characterized in that the profiles and the panels are joined together by fastening elements, such that expansion and contraction of the panels is allowed in response to changes in temperature or humidity characterized in that it comprises at least one stabilizing element comprising an upper pointed end that is stuck into the lower surface of one of said panels and a lower fixing element that fixes the interlocking element to one of said profiles.

2. Covering according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each panel comprises a stabilizing element.

3. Covering, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each stabilizing element is located in the center of each panel.

4. Covering according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower fixing element comprises a piercing element that is nailed into one of the aforementioned profiles.

5. Covering according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stabilizing element is composed of at least two pieces 6. Coating according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a first part of said at least two parts is a central punch comprising the upper and lower sharp ends and a longitudinal body that joins said sharp ends, and a second part, of said at least two parts, is a central body.

7. Covering according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the stabilizing element comprises a central body with a width equal to the width of the guide slot of one of said profiles.

8. Covering according to claim 5, characterized in that the lower fixing element is a screw or a nail.

9. Covering, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the central body comprises a hole to receive said screw or nail.

10. Coating according to any of claims 8 to 9, characterized in that the first piece of said two pieces is a central body comprising the sharp end.

11. Stabilizing element for covering according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a central body, an upper pointed end for being nailed into the lower surface of one of the aforementioned panels and a lower fixing element for fixing the interlocking element to one of the aforementioned profiles.

12. Stabilizing element, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is composed of at least two pieces.

13. Stabilizing element, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first part, of said at least two parts, is a central punch comprising upper and lower sharp ends and a longitudinal body that joins said sharp ends, and a second part, of said at least two parts, which is the aforementioned central body.

14. Stabilizing element, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the central body has a width conjugated with the width of the guide slot of one of said profiles.

15. Stabilizing element according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the central punch is located on a central axis of the central body, said central punch comprising, at its upper end, said upper piercing end, and, at its lower end, said lower piercing end.

16. Stabilizing element according to any of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the central body comprises a through hole with a section conjugated to the section of the central punch, such that said central punch can slide through the central body.

17. Stabilizing element according to any of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the central punch has at least two different positions, a first rest position, in which the lower piercing end is located inside the through hole and the upper piercing end protrudes, with respect to a peripheral surface of the central body, at least a distance equal to the sum of the lengths of the two piercing ends, and an operating position, in which both upper and lower piercing ends protrude with respect to said peripheral surface of the central body.

18. Stabilizing element, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that in the resting position the lower pointed end is flush with the perimeter surface of the central body.

19. Stabilizing element according to any of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that the upper piercing end comprises an extreme tip and a base, the base being of a section with dimensions smaller than the section of the longitudinal body of the punch.

20. Stabilizing element, according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises a first piece with a central body comprising the sharp end, and a hole to receive a screw or nail that acts as the aforementioned fixing element.

Images