Patent ID: 7681371
Filing Date: 2010-03-23
Classification: B27F,B27M,E04B,E04F,F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A floor panel, for forming a floor covering, said floor panel being rectangular and having a first pair of opposite side edges and a second pair of opposite side edges, said side edges defining the sides of the panel, said side edges including upper side edges located at upper ends of the side edges; wherein the floor panel at the first pair of opposite side edges includes the following features: wherein for both pairs of side edges, the locking surface provided at the groove is located in the respective groove lower lip at a location such that the locking surface is located at least partially beyond the distal end of the respective groove upper lip; wherein at least the coupling parts and locking elements of the first pair of opposite side edges are configured such that said coupling of a pair of panels is enabled by a turning movement wherein one panel by a first side edge is angled-in to a side edge of the other panel until a tongue of a coupling part is fully received in a groove of a cooperating coupling part with the locking surfaces of the respective locking elements in contact with each other and with the respective upper side edges of the first pair of side edges adjoining each other; said locking surfaces of at least said first pair of side edges contacting each other when a pair of the panels are coupled by placement of the tongue of the coupling part at a side edge of said first pair of side edges of one panel into the groove of a coupling part at an opposite side edge of said first pair of side edges of the other panel, with the respective upper side edges of the panels adjoining each other, to thereby secure the upper side edges of said coupled panels in adjoined relationship while preventing unintentional separation between the upper side edges that would produce undesired gaps between the upper side edges in a direction perpendicular to the related side edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels; and the tongue, groove and the locking elements of at least said first pair of side edges having a configuration such that in coupled condition of a pair of panels at said first pair of side edges with the respective upper side edges adjoining each other and the respective locking surfaces in contact with each other, a chamber is provided between the distal end of the lower lip of one panel and a portion of the other panel from which the tongue extends which faces said distal end of the lower lip.