Patent ID: 7146772

Claim:
A panel locking system with edge profiles provided on at least two opposite edges of the panel for the positive connection of similar panels, wherein one of the opposite edges of the panel has an edge profile designed as a groove profile, with an upper groove wall, a lower groove wall, and a base, said upper groove wall having an abutting surface and a flank, and wherein the second of the opposite edges of the panel has an edge profile designed as a tongue profile with a tongue having a notch projection on the underside of the tongue that engages a notch recess in the lower groove wall of an adjacent panel in the assembled state, wherein the lower groove wall must be slightly elastically expanded in order to join adjacent panels, such that the engaged edge profiles form an articulated joint that acts to restore the panels to their installation plane when deflected either up or down, the flank comprises an angularly displaced face formed on a lower portion of the upper groove wall such that, in the assembled state, no more than 25 percent of the upper surface of the tongue is in contact with the upper groove wall and only in the region of the distal end of the tongue.