Panel

Abstract

The invention relates to a panel with complementary locking means provided in pairs on opposite panel edges. One of the locking means is hook profiles with a receiving hook and a locking hook. The free step end of the locking hook is designed narrower than the width of the receiving opening of the receiving hook. The locking contour of the locking hook protrudes at least partially past the plane of the joint surface of the receiving hook so that the free step end fits into the receiving opening far enough at first that a part of the horizontal locking surface of the locking hook makes contact with the horizontal locking surface of the receiving hook during a joining motion without elastic deformation of the hook profiles, and that the receiving hook bends so that the width of the receiving opening can be expanded so that the locking step can be inserted entirely into the receiving recess and the locking contour of the locking hook is further inserted into a form-fit contour of the receiving hook.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A panel comprising:
 a body with at least one plastic layer, 
 complementary locking means provided in pairs at mutually opposite panel edges, 
 at least one pair of locking means with hook profiles, namely a receiving hook and in opposite relationship thereto an arresting hook, 
 the receiving hook has, remote from the body, a hook edge and arranged nearer to the body a receiving recess, wherein the receiving recess is open towards a top side of the panel, 
 the arresting hook has an arresting recess arranged nearer to the body and open to an underside of the panel and has an arresting step which is arranged remote from the body and which fits in a vertical joining direction into the receiving recess of the receiving hook, 
 the arresting hook has a joining surface remote from the body and, also remote from the body, a vertically acting arresting contour, 
 the receiving hook has a joining surface nearer to the body and, also nearer to the body, a positively locking contour which fits together in positively locking relationship with the arresting contour, that is remote from the body, of the arresting hook so that vertical locking can be implemented, 
 the arresting hook has, arranged nearer to the body, a horizontal locking surface at the arresting step, 
 the receiving hook, arranged remote from the body, has a horizontal locking surface in the receiving recess, 
 formed at the receiving hook is a narrowed receiving opening through which the arresting step can be inserted substantially in the vertical joining direction into the receiving recess, 
 a free step end of the arresting step is narrower than the width of the receiving opening of the receiving hook, 
 the arresting contour, that is remote from the body, of the arresting hook is set back behind the plane of the joining surface of the arresting hook, 
 the positively locking contour, that is nearer to the body, of the receiving hook projects at least partially beyond the plane of the joining surface of the receiving hook, 
 the arresting step and the receiving opening are of a configuration that the free step end during a joining movement initially fits without elastic deformation of the hook profile into the receiving opening to such an extent that a part of the horizontal locking surface of the arresting hook makes contact with the horizontal locking surface of the receiving hook and the receiving hook has a flexural leg so adapted that the width of the receiving opening can be enlarged by elastic bendability of the flexural leg so that the arresting step can be entirely inserted into the receiving recess and also the arresting contour of the arresting hook is inserted into the positively locking contour of the receiving hook, 
 a resilient latching tongue is provided remote from the body at the hook edge of the receiving hook, and 
 the receiving arresting recess near to the body has a latching recess which fits together with the resilient latching tongue. 
 
     
     
       2. A panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the resilient latching tongue is formed in one piece with the body. 
     
     
       3. A panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the resilient latching tongue is rooted at the side remote from the body of the hook edge and the free end of the resilient latching tongue projects inclinedly from the hook edge. 
     
     
       4. A panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the resilient latching tongue has a sliding surface remote from the body. 
     
     
       5. A panel according to  claim 1 , wherein provided between the resilient latching tongue and the hook edge is a free space into which the latching tongue can resiliently springingly engage. 
     
     
       6. A panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the latching recess has a latching contact surface. 
     
     
       7. A panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the latching contact surface forms an inclined abutment surface for the free end of the resilient latching tongue. 
     
     
       8. A panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the arresting step has an inclined sliding surface on its side remote from the body. 
     
     
       9. A panel according to  claim 1 , wherein a pair of pivotal profile portions, namely a groove profile portion with undercut configuration of a groove wall and a tongue profile portion with undercut configuration of a spring side is provided. 
     
     
       10. A panel according  claim 1 , wherein a transparent cover layer provided at a top side is provided and a decorative layer visible through the cover layer is provided. 
     
     
       11. A panel according to  claim 1 , wherein an underside of the panel has a backing layer.