Patent ID: 7712280
Filing Date: 2010-05-11
Classification: B27F,B27M,E04B,E04F,F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A floor panel for forming a floor covering, said floor panel having a rectangular or square form and comprising an upper side, an underside, and a first pair and a second pair of opposite side edges including upper side edges adjacent the panel upper side; wherein said floor panel at both pairs of opposite side edges is provided with coupling parts substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, said coupling parts configured such that coupling of two of such panels is enabled by placement of the tongue of one panel within the groove of the other panel with the respective upper side edges adjoining each other; said groove at the first pair of side edges being bordered by an upper lip having a distal end and a lower lip; said coupling parts at said first pair of opposite side edges including integrated mechanical locking elements which prevent the drifting apart of the upper side edges of two coupled floor panels in a direction perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels; the coupling parts and locking elements of the first pair of side edges further including the features: said tongue and groove coupling parts at the second pair of side edges comprising cooperating and complementary locking elements associated with the coupling parts; said coupling parts and locking elements of said second pair of side edges, upon coupling of a pair of the panels at said second pair of side edges, engaging each other and securing said side edges against separation in a vertical direction perpendicular to the underside of the coupled panels upon coupling of two panels, with the tongue of one panel received in the groove of the other panel and with the upper side edges of said side edges in adjoined relationship, and against unintentional separation between said upper side edges that would produce undesired gaps between the upper side edges in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the related side edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels.