EP3450651B1 - Floor panel for forming a coating - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to the field of floor coverings and more particularly to a floor panel for producing a floor covering or the like, said panel having the shape of a blade and/or slab and being made of a plastic material such as PVC.

PRIOR ART

It is well known to produce floor coverings from modular elements in the form of strips and/or tiles. They are fixed to the ground usually by a bonding operation and/or by an interlocking assembly of the blades and/or tiles having male-female connection or assembly means.

Such panels are described in particular in the documents UK 2,256,023 , EP 1 026 341 Or WO 2012/004701 .

The document UK 2,256,023 describes a joint between the adjacent side edges of two similar panels, in which one panel comprises a U-shaped cross-section groove opening on the side of the panel and a second panel comprises a side tab comprising a rib facing the underside of the panel, said tongue cooperating with the groove in order to limit the separation of the panels.

The document EP 1 026 341 describes a hard floor panel for providing floor covering. This floor panel comprises two edges on two opposite sides provided with coupling elements which give two adjacent panels the ability to cooperate with each other, said coupling elements being essentially in the form of a tongue and a groove. Said coupling means are provided with integrated mechanical locking means made in one piece with the panel so that, when two adjacent panels are coupled, said means prevent said panels from moving away from each other in a direction perpendicular to the relevant edges and parallel to the underside of the mated floor panels.

The document WO 2012/004701 describes a floor panel comprising a substrate and an upper layer placed on the substrate, the upper layer being composed of at least one print and a transparent thermoplastic layer, said floor panel being provided, on at least two opposite edges, a straight or curved chamfer. Furthermore, two opposite edges of a panel respectively comprise a U-shaped cross-section groove opening onto the side of the panel and a lateral tab capable of cooperating with the groove in order to limit the separation of the panels.

The assembly of this type of panels is carried out by an oblique presentation of a panel intended to be positioned, which is presented in a position towards the anchoring panel, which ends in a horizontal plane to be locked and in alignment. to the previous one. This suggests particular shapes and also a free space to allow the amplitude of the movement necessary for the installation of the successive panels.

There are also a large number of patents describing male-female means for assembling panels constituting coatings with pre-positioning obliquely or laterally with a view to inserting the assembly means between them. This is particularly the case for international patent applications WO 01/77461 And WO 01/53628 .

This type of panel has the same drawbacks during installation and, to overcome these drawbacks, panels have already been devised comprising male-female coupling means allowing vertical assembly of the panels. This is particularly the case of the European patent application EP 1 190 149 notably.

The document EP 1 190 149 discloses a fastening system for panels with retaining profiles that can be arranged on the narrow sides of the panels where opposing retaining profiles of one panel fit together so that adjacent panels can be attached to each other. Said holding profiles consist of a so-called proximal groove opening onto the lower face of the panel and respectively onto the upper face of the panel, and of a hook-shaped distal tab, said hook being oriented towards the groove, extending at the end of the edge of the panel towards the lower face and respectively towards the upper face of said panel so that, during assembly, the hook-shaped tongue of a first panel cooperates with the hook-shaped tongue of a second adjacent panel.

Although this type of panel requires a smaller free space given the fact that the assembly is done vertically, this type of panel nevertheless has the disadvantage of requiring a high force for assembly and low resistance to unclipping.

It is also known the document US 2013/0309441 which describes a floor panel according to the preamble of claim 1. However, the assembly/disassembly of two adjacent panels disclosed in this document is made difficult and the clipping/unclipping forces of the panels are mainly transmitted to the clipping lugs which leads to a rapid deterioration of these ergots.

In fact, when clipping the male coupling means into the female coupling means, the distal flexible tongue of the female coupling means moves apart by elasticity to allow the distal flexible tongue of the male coupling means to penetrate into the proximal groove of the female coupling means. However, the spacing of the tongue is done against bearing against the ground so that a force opposing the clipping is exerted on the flexible tongue of the male coupling means, which is in particular transmitted to the lug of clipping.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

One of the aims of the invention is therefore to remedy this drawback by proposing a floor panel of simple and inexpensive design, limiting the inconvenience for the installer in his manipulations for the installation of panels and in particular near areas of corners or walls, making it easier to adjust the position of the panels between them once assembled, and ensuring perfect reliability in the holding of the assembly, the panels being all in the same plane after assembly and with no upper or lower overflow with respect to their upper and lower external surfaces.

Another object of the invention is to facilitate the assembly/disassembly of two adjacent panels, while avoiding the risk of damage to the clipping lugs.

To this end, the invention proposes a floor panel as defined by claim 1, having the shape of a blade and/or slab and being made of a plastic material for the production of a floor covering or the like. In a known way, the panel comprises at least two pairs of opposite sides defining two adjacent edges comprising male coupling means, and two opposite adjacent edges comprising female coupling means. The assembly kinematics of these panels is vertical.

The male coupling means consist of at least one so-called proximal groove opening onto a lower face of the panel and of a flexible distal tongue extending at the end of the edge of the panel towards the lower face of said panel.

The female coupling means consist of at least one proximal groove opening onto an upper face of the panel and of a flexible tongue extending at the end of the edge of the panel, towards the upper face of said panel.

The flexible distal tongue of the male coupling means has a proximal wall inclined at an angle β with respect to a vertical plane downwards and towards the outside of the panel.

The flexible tongue of the female coupling means has a proximal wall inclined at an angle α with respect to a vertical plane upwards and outwards from the panel.

The distal tab of at least one of the male or female coupling means has a distal wall comprising at least one lug or a notch capable of cooperating with a notch or a lug made on a proximal wall that the proximal groove has corresponding female or male coupling means to form a stopper, preventing a vertical displacement of a panel with respect to the adjacent panel.

It follows from these characteristics that the fact that the proximal wall of the flexible tongue is oriented makes it possible to limit the clipping forces and to promote the transfer of force for the unclipping action.

According to the invention, the flexible tongue of the female coupling means has a bottom wall comprising a chamfered part forming an angle of between 2° and 20°, and preferably 10° with respect to the main plane of the panel. This chamfered part provides a reduction in the clipping force so that it is easier to assemble two adjacent panels.

Indeed, this range of values of the angle of the chamfered part makes it possible to produce a recess of material over substantially the entire width of the flexible tongue. Thus, before clipping of two adjacent panels, the chamfered part of the flexible tongue is not in contact with the ground so that, during clipping, the tongue pivots until the chamfered part comes to rest on the ground in thus limiting the forces opposing clipping. In this way, it is easier to assemble two adjacent panels, and the risks of damaging the lug are reduced. The presence of the chamfer allows deformation and mobility of the flexible tongue, one then speaks of a deformable flexible tongue.

According to the invention, the distal walls of the deformable distal tongues of the male and female coupling means respectively comprise a lug and a notch capable of cooperating with a notch and a lug respectively formed on the proximal walls of the proximal grooves of the coupling means corresponding females and males to form a stopper, preventing a vertical displacement of a panel with respect to the adjacent panel.

Preferably, the angles α and β are between 1 and 45°, and preferably between 5° and 15°. According to a particular embodiment, the angle α is equal to the angle β.

According to the invention, the distal wall of the deformable flexible tongue of the female coupling means comprises two parts, an upper part inclined at an angle of between 1° and 20° relative to the vertical and a lower part also inclined at a angle between 1° and 20° from the vertical. The upper and lower parts extend parallel on either side of the notch or respectively of the lug. The proximal wall of the proximal groove of the male coupling means also comprises two parts, an upper part inclined at an angle between 1° and 20° relative to the vertical and an upper lower part inclined at an angle between 1° and 20° from the vertical. Said upper and lower parts extend parallel on either side of the lug capable of cooperating with the notch capable of cooperating with the notch or respectively of the notch capable of cooperating with the lug, in order to improve clipping. Preferably, the proximal wall of the proximal groove of the female coupling means is inclined at an angle comprised between 1 and 45°, and preferably between 5° and 15° with respect to a vertical plane.

Preferably, the flexible deformable tongue and the proximal groove of the male coupling means, and the flexible deformable tongue and the proximal groove of the female coupling means are inclined towards the exterior of the panel.

In this way, the inclinations favor the deformation of the deformable distal tongue of the male coupling means and of the flexible deformable tongue of the female coupling means limiting, during vertical clipping, the friction of the lug of the coupling means males on the proximal wall of the proximal groove of the female coupling means as well as the friction of the lug of the male coupling means on the distal wall of the tongue of the female coupling means. Clipping is not completely vertical but is inclined at an angle to a vertical plane. This thus makes it possible to have better dimensioned lugs, to preserve said lugs from friction, and therefore to reduce the clipping forces and the risks of deterioration.

In addition, the inclinations favor, during unclipping, the transfer of the shearing forces perceived by the lugs into torsion/compression forces in all the profiles of the male and female coupling means, thus increasing the unclipping forces.

According to a particular embodiment, the distal and proximal walls of the deformable flexible tabs of the male and female coupling means are parallel and respectively inclined at an angle to a vertical plane, and the proximal walls of the proximal grooves of the male and female coupling means are parallel to the proximal walls respectively of the flexible tabs deformable male and female coupling means.

Furthermore, advantageously, the underside of the floor panel comprises a chamfered part opening onto the proximal groove, forming an angle of between 2° and 20°, and preferably 10° with respect to the main plane of the panel, said chamfered part allowing the lowering of the panel during clipping to come, by deformation, into contact with the ground and thus promote the viability of said clipping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

• la figure 1 est une représentation schématique de deux panneaux adjacents suivant l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue partielle en coupe transversale d'une forme d'exécution des moyens d'accouplement mâles et d'accouplement femelles de deux panneaux, avant clippage, cette forme d'exécution n'étant pas en accord avec l'invention,
• la figure 3 est une vue correspondant à la figure 2, montrant le pré-clippage des panneaux,
• la figure 4 est une vue correspondant à la figure 2 en cours de clippage des panneaux,
• la figure 5 est une vue correspondant à la figure 2 en position clippée des panneaux,
• la figure 6 est une vue en coupe transversale d'une autre forme d'exécution des moyens d'accouplements mâles et femelles de deux panneaux, les panneaux étant montrés avant clippage, cette forme d'exécution n'étant pas en accord avec l'invention,
• la figure 7 est une vue correspondant à la figure 6, montrant le pré-clippage des panneaux,
• la figure 8 est une vue correspondant à la figure 6 en cours de clippage des panneaux,
• la figure 9 est une vue correspondant à la figure 6, les panneaux étant représentés en position clippée,
• la figure 10 est une vue en coupe transversale d'une autre forme d'exécution des moyens d'accouplements mâles et femelles de deux panneaux dans le cas de panneaux de faibles épaisseurs, les panneaux étant représentés avant clippage, cette forme d'exécution étant en accord avec l'invention,
• la figure 11 est une vue correspondant à la figure 10, montrant le pré-clippage des panneaux,
• la figure 12 est une vue correspondant à la figure 10, en cours de clippage des panneaux,
• la figure 13 est une vue correspondant à la figure 10, en position clippée des panneaux,
• la figure 14 est une vue en coupe transversale d'une forme d'exécution des moyens d'accouplements mâles et femelles de deux panneaux, illustrant l'ergot ménagé seulement sur les moyens d'accouplement femelles, et l'encoche ménagée seulement sur les moyens d'accouplement mâles, cette forme d'exécution étant en accord avec l'invention,
• la figure 15 est une vue en coupe similaire à celle de la figure 14, illustrant cette fois l'ergot ménagé seulement sur les moyens d'accouplement mâles, et l'encoche ménagée seulement sur les moyens d'accouplement femelles, cette forme d'exécution n'étant pas en accord avec l'invention,
• la figure 16 est une représentation graphique illustrant la différence entre les efforts de clippage pour une même version de moyens d'accouplement, avec et sans partie chanfreinée sur la partie inférieure desdits moyens d'accouplement,
• la figure 17 est une représentation graphique illustrant la réduction de l'effort de clippage,
• la figure 18 est une représentation graphique illustrant le gain d'effort de déclippage.

Other advantages and characteristics will emerge better from the description which follows, of several variant embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, of the floor panel according to the invention, from the appended drawings in which:

• there figure 1 is a schematic representation of two adjacent panels according to the invention,
• there figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the male coupling and female coupling means of two panels, before clipping, this embodiment not being in accordance with the invention,
• there picture 3 is a view corresponding to the figure 2 , showing the pre-clipping of the panels,
• there figure 4 is a view corresponding to the picture 2 in the process of clipping the panels,
• there figure 5 is a view corresponding to the figure 2 in the clipped position of the panels,
• there figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the male and female coupling means of two panels, the panels being shown before clipping, this embodiment not being in accordance with the invention,
• there figure 7 is a view corresponding to the figure 6 , showing the pre-clipping of the panels,
• there figure 8 is a view corresponding to the figure 6 in the process of clipping the panels,
• there figure 9 is a view corresponding to the figure 6 , the panels being shown in the clipped position,
• there figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the male and female coupling means of two panels in the case of thin panels, the panels being shown before clipping, this embodiment being in accordance with invention,
• there figure 11 is a view corresponding to the figure 10 , showing the pre-clipping of the panels,
• there figure 12 is a view corresponding to the figure 10 , in the process of clipping the panels,
• there figure 13 is a view corresponding to the figure 10 , in the clipped position of the panels,
• there figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the male and female coupling means of two panels, illustrating the lug formed only on the female coupling means, and the notch formed only on the means of male coupling, this embodiment being in accordance with the invention,
• there figure 15 is a sectional view similar to that of the figure 14 , this time illustrating the lug provided only on the male coupling means, and the notch provided only on the female coupling means, this embodiment not being in accordance with the invention,
• there figure 16 is a graphic representation illustrating the difference between the clipping forces for the same version of coupling means, with and without a chamfered part on the lower part of said coupling means,
• there figure 17 is a graphical representation illustrating the reduction of the clipping force,
• there figure 18 is a graphical representation illustrating the unclipping force gain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description of the floor panel according to the invention, the same reference numerals designate the same elements. Furthermore, the various views are not necessarily drawn to scale. In addition, the floor panels described below are preferably obtained in plasticized PVC and comprising a mineral filler; however, it is obvious that the floor panels can be obtained in any plastic material.

Each floor panel (1) includes two pairs of opposite sides defining the edges of the panel. Two adjacent edges comprise male coupling means (2) while two opposite adjacent edges comprise female coupling means (3). The assembly kinematics of two panels (1) is vertical according to a force (F). Said male coupling means (2) consist of a so-called proximal groove (4) opening onto an underside of the panel (1) and of a distal tongue (5) extending at the end of the edge of the panel (1) towards the underside of said panel (1). The distal tab (5) has a substantially rectangular cross section. Said female coupling means (3) consist of a proximal groove (6) of substantially rectangular cross-section, opening onto an upper face of the panel (1) and of a deformable flexible tongue (7) extending to the end of the edge of the panel (1), towards the upper face of said panel (1). The deformable flexible tongue (7) has a proximal wall inclined upwards and towards the outside of the panel (1) at an angle (α) with respect to the vertical plane, so that the distal tongue (5) of the means of male coupling (2), is introduced into the proximal groove (6) of the female coupling means (3) at an angle by resting on the deformable flexible tongue (7) which deforms to allow the introduction of the distal tongue ( 5) in the proximal groove (6). The distal tongue (5) also deforms during its insertion into the proximal groove (6).

The proximal wall of the deformable flexible tab (7) is inclined upwards and outwards from the panel (1) at an angle (α) of between 1° and 45° relative to the vertical, and preferably, along an angle (α) of between 5° and 15° with respect to the vertical. Furthermore, the proximal groove (4) of the male coupling means (2) has a proximal wall inclined downwards and towards the outside of the panel (1) at an angle (β) with respect to the vertical plane of said panel ( 1). Said angle (β) is between 1° and 45° and, preferably, between 5° and 15°. In this particular embodiment, the angle (α) is substantially equal to the angle (β). It is obvious that the angle (α) may be different from the angle (β) without departing from the scope of the invention.

Furthermore, the distal tongue (5) of the male coupling means (2) has a distal wall comprising at least one lug (11) capable of cooperating with a notch (12) made on a proximal wall that the groove has. proximal (6) to form a stopper, preventing a vertical displacement of a panel (1) relative to the adjacent panel.

According to the invention, and for example with reference to the figure 9 , the deformable flexible tongue (7) has a bottom wall comprising a chamfered part (13) forming an angle of between 2° and 20°, preferably 10° with respect to the main plane of the panel (1). This chamfered part (13) provides a reduction in the clipping force so that it is easier to assemble two adjacent panels. In this regard, with reference to the figure 16 , it will be noted that the clipping force of the floor panel according to the invention is markedly lower than the clipping force of a floor panel having no chamfered part. This chamfered part (13) limits the clipping forces and allows a more suitable dimensioning of the lug (11). This range of values of the angle of the chamfered part (13) makes it possible to produce a recess of material over substantially the entire width of the deformable flexible tongue (7). Thus, before clipping of two adjacent panels, the chamfered part (13) of the deformable flexible tongue (7) is not in contact with the ground so that, during clipping, the tongue (7) pivots until that the chamfered part (13) comes to rest on the ground, thus limiting the forces opposing clipping. In this way, it is easier to assemble two adjacent panels, and the risks of damaging the lug (11) are reduced.

According to the embodiment illustrated in figures 2 to 5 , the deformable flexible tongue (7) has a distal wall comprising two parts, namely, an upper part inclined relative to the vertical at an angle of between 1° and 45°, and preferably between 1° and 20° and a lower part extending vertically. The proximal wall of the proximal groove (4) also comprises two parts, namely, an upper part inclined relative to the vertical at an angle of between 1° and 45°, and preferably between 1° and 20° in order to improve the unclipping, and a lower part extending vertically, in order to improve the clipping.

According to the embodiment illustrated in figures 6 to 9 , the underside of the floor panel (1) may also comprise a chamfered part (14) opening onto the proximal groove (4), and forming an angle of between 2° and 20°, ideally 10° with respect to the main plane of the panel (1). This chamfered part (14) allows the lowering of the panel (1) during clipping to come, by deformation, into contact with the ground and thus promote the viability of said clipping.

In this embodiment, the distal wall of the flexible deformable tongue (7) also comprises an upper part inclined at an angle of between 1° and 20° relative to the vertical and a lower part also inclined at an angle of between 1° and 20° from the vertical. The upper and lower parts extend parallel on either side of a notch (15). The proximal wall of the proximal groove (4) also has two parts, an upper part inclined at an angle between 1° and 20° relative to the vertical, and a lower part inclined at an angle between 1° and 20° relative to the vertical. The upper and lower parts extend parallel on either side of a shoulder forming a lug (16) capable of cooperating with the notch (15), in order to improve clipping.

It will be noted that the clipping force of the floor panels according to the invention is slightly lower than the clipping force of the panels of the prior art during the first millimeters of engagement of the male and female parts, and that the force unclipping is significantly greater than that of the panels of the prior art.

Furthermore, it will be observed that the orientation at an angle of between 1° and 45°, and preferably between 5° and 15° relative to the vertical of the proximal walls of the tongues (5, 7) of the male coupling means (2) and female (3) provides an opening of the male (2) and female (3) parts during clipping so that the lug (11) does not rub on the proximal wall of the proximal groove (6) thus preserving the lug (11) and reducing the clipping forces. Furthermore, this orientation at an angle of between 1° and 45°, and preferably between 5° and 15° relative to the vertical of the proximal walls of the tongues (5, 7) of the male coupling means (2) and female (3) makes it possible to transfer the shearing force of the lug in compression/torsion in all the profiles of the male (2) and female (3) parts increasing the unclipping forces.

Advantageously, the deformable flexible distal tongue (5) and the proximal groove (4) of the male coupling means (2), and the deformable flexible tongue (7) and the proximal groove (6) of the female couplings (3) are inclined towards the outside of the panel (1). In other words, the deformable flexible distal tongues (5, 7) comprise distal walls substantially parallel to their proximal walls and are in particular inclined respectively at an angle (β, α) relative to a vertical plane towards the outside of the sign. Similarly, the proximal grooves (4, 6) comprise proximal walls substantially parallel to the proximal walls respectively deformable flexible tongues (5, 7).

In this way, the inclinations favor the deformation of the deformable flexible distal tongue (5) of the male coupling means (2) and of the deformable flexible tongue (7) of the female coupling means (3) limiting, during clipping vertical, the friction of the lug (11) of the male coupling means (2) on the proximal wall of the proximal groove (6) of the female coupling means (3) as well as the friction of the lug (16 ) male coupling means (2) on the distal wall of the tongue (7) female coupling means (3) thus making it possible to have better sized lugs, to preserve said lugs from friction, and therefore to reduce the clipping forces, as illustrated in figure 17 .

In addition, said inclinations favor, during unclipping, the transfer of the shear forces perceived by the lugs into torsion/compression forces in all the profiles of the male (2) and female (3) parts, thus increasing the forces of unclipping, as shown in figure 18 .

The execution variant, with reference to the figures 10 to 13 is particularly intended for thin floor panels. As already indicated each floor panel (1) comprises two pairs of opposite sides defining the edges of the panel, two adjacent edges comprising male coupling means (2) and two opposite adjacent edges comprising female coupling means (3) . The said means male couplings (2) consist of a so-called proximal groove (4) opening onto the underside of the panel (1) and of a distal tab (5) extending to the end of the edge of the panel (1 ) towards the underside of said panel (1). The distal tab (5) has a substantially rectangular cross section. Said female coupling means (3) consist of a proximal groove (6) of substantially rectangular cross-section opening onto the upper face of the panel (1) and of a deformable flexible tongue (7) extending to the end of the edge of the panel (1), towards the upper face of said panel (1). The proximal wall of the deformable flexible tab (7) extending at an angle between 1° and 45°, and preferably between 5° and 15° with respect to the vertical, upwards and towards the exterior of the panel (1). Furthermore, the proximal wall of the deformable flexible tongue (5) of the male coupling means (2) also extends at an angle of between 1° and 45°, and preferably between 5° and 15° with respect to vertically, downwards and outwards from the panel (1).

In the same way as for the illustrated embodiment figure 6 , the distal wall of the distal tongue (5) of the male coupling means (2), comprises a lug (11) capable of cooperating with a notch (12) made on the proximal wall of the proximal groove (6) to form a stopper, preventing the vertical displacement of a panel (1) relative to the adjacent panel (1).

Similarly, as already indicated, the lower wall of the deformable flexible tongue (7) comprises a chamfered part (13) which provides a reduction in the clipping force so that it is easier to assemble two adjacent panels.

The distal wall of the deformable flexible tongue (7) comprises two parts, an upper part inclined at an angle of between 1° and 20° relative to the vertical and a lower part also inclined at an angle of between 1° and 20° relative to the vertical. The upper and lower parts extending parallel on either side of a notch (15). The proximal wall of the proximal groove (4) also has two parts, an upper part inclined at an angle between 1° and 20° relative to the vertical and an upper lower part inclined at an angle between 1° and 20° relative to the vertical. Said upper parts and lower extend parallel on either side of a shoulder forming a lug (16) capable of cooperating with the notch (15), in order to improve clipping.

Finally, it is quite obvious that the examples which have just been given are only specific illustrations and in no way limiting as to the field of application of the invention.

Indeed, for example and with reference to figures 14 and 15 it is obvious that the lug (11, 16) and the notch (12, 15) can be provided only on one of the coupling means (2, 3), or on both without leaving the frame of the invention.

• le clippage a une cinématique verticale, mais le fait que les parois proximales des languettes flexibles déformables soient orientées permet de limiter les efforts de clippage et de favoriser le transfert d'effort pour l'action de déclippage.
• l'orientation fait que l'on ouvre au clippage de sorte que l'ergot qui présente la languette ne frotte pas au moment de la descente, préservant ledit ergot et réduisant les efforts de clippage,
• la partie chanfreinée inférieure sur le profil inférieur limite les efforts de clippage et permet de mieux dimensionner l'ergot,
• la partie chanfreinée sur le profil supérieur permet de descendre plus bas lors du clippage et par conséquent, de favoriser la viabilité du clippage.

The advantages are clearly apparent from the description, and in particular, it is emphasized and recalled that:

• the clipping has a vertical kinematics, but the fact that the proximal walls of the deformable flexible tongues are oriented makes it possible to limit the clipping forces and to promote the transfer of force for the unclipping action.
• the orientation means that the clipping is opened so that the lug which presents the tab does not rub during the descent, preserving the said lug and reducing the clipping forces,
• the lower chamfered part on the lower profile limits the clipping forces and allows better sizing of the lug,
• the chamfered part on the upper profile makes it possible to descend lower during clipping and therefore to promote the viability of clipping.

The following technical effects and results emerge from the characteristics of the invention:
When a vertical force is applied in order to assemble two panels (1) together, the deformable flexible distal tongue (5) of the male coupling means (2) comes into contact with the deformable flexible tongue (7) of the coupling means (3), this contact causes deformation of the deformable flexible distal tongue (5) of the male coupling means (2) as well as the deformation of the deformable flexible tongue (7) of the female coupling means (3), this deformation allows the introduction of the deformable flexible distal tongue (5) of the male coupling means (2) into the proximal groove (6) of the female coupling (3) as well as the introduction of the deformable flexible tongue (7) of the female coupling means (3) into the proximal groove (4) of the male coupling means (2).

When no more vertical force is applied, the deformable flexible distal tongue (5) of the male coupling means (2) resumes its initial shape, thus allowing the lug (11) of the male coupling means ( 2) to cooperate with the notch (12) of the female coupling means (3), and the deformable flexible tongue (7) of the female coupling means (3) resumes its initial shape, thus allowing the lug (16 ) male coupling means (2) to cooperate with the notch (15) of the female coupling means (3).

When applying a force aimed at disassembling two panels (1) the cooperation of the lug (11) of the male coupling means (2) with the notch (12) of the female coupling means (3) as well that the lug (16) of the male coupling means (2) with the notch (15) of the female coupling means (3) causes a shear force between the lug (11) of the coupling means males (2) and the notch (12) of the female coupling means (3) as well as between the lug (16) of the male coupling means (2) and the notch (15) of the mating females (3). The shearing force between the lug (11) of the male coupling means (2) and the notch (12) of the female coupling means (3) causes deformation of the deformable flexible distal tongue (5) of the male coupling means (2), the shearing force between the lug (16) of the male coupling means (2) and the notch (15) of the female coupling means (3) causes a deformation of the deformable flexible tongue (7) of the female coupling means (3). The joint deformation of the deformable flexible distal tongue (5) of the male coupling means (2) and of the deformable flexible tongue (7) of the female coupling means (3) causes a predominant contact/wedging between the flexible distal tongue deformable (5) of the male coupling means (2) and of the deformable flexible tongue (7) of the female coupling means (3). This contact preponderant makes it possible to transfer the shearing force between the lug (11) of the male coupling means (2) and the notch (12) of the female coupling means (3) as well as the shearing force between the lug (16) of the male coupling means (2) and the notch (15) of the female coupling means (3) under torsion/compression force in all the profiles of the male (2) and female parts (3) thus increasing the unclipping forces.

Claims (6)

1. A floor panel (1) having a blade and/or slab shape, being made of a plastic material for producing a floor covering or similar, said panel (1) comprising at least two pairs of opposite sides defining two adjacent edges comprising male coupling means (2), and two opposite adjacent edges comprising female coupling means (3), the kinematics of assembling of two adjacent panels being vertical:

   - the male coupling means (2) comprising at least a so-called proximal groove (4) intended to open onto a bottom face of the panel (1), and a flexible distal tab (5) intended to extend at one end of a first edge of the panel (1) towards the bottom face of said panel (1);

   - the female coupling means (3) comprise at least a proximal groove (6) intended to open on an upper face of the panel (1) and a flexible distal tab (7) intended to extend at an end of a second edge of the panel (1), towards the upper face of said panel (1);

   - the flexible distal tab (5) of the male coupling means (2) has a proximal wall inclined at an angle β relative to a downwardly and outwardly vertical plane;

   - the flexible tab (7) of the female coupling means (3) has a proximal wall inclined at an angle α relative to an upwardly and outwardly vertical plane;

   - the flexible distal tab (7) of the female coupling panels (3) has a distal wall comprising, at least, a lug or a notch (15) capable of cooperating with a notch or a lug (16) arranged on a proximal wall of the proximal groove (4) of the corresponding male coupling means (2) of an adjacent panel, to form a stop, preventing any vertical movement of the panel (1) from occurring relative to the adjacent panel, characterised in that

   - the flexible distal tab (7) of the female coupling means (3) comprises a lower wall comprising a chamfered portion (13) intended to form an angle of between 2° and 20° relative to the main plane of the panel (1), said chamfered portion providing a reduction in the clipping force and a deformation of the flexible distal tab (7) so that it is easier to assemble two adjacent panels,

   - the distal wall of the flexible distal tab (7) of the female coupling means (3) comprises an upper portion inclined at an angle of between 1° and 20° relative to the vertical, and a lower portion also inclined at an angle of between 1° and 20° relative to the vertical, the upper and lower portions extending parallel on either side of the notch (15) or of the lug, and

   - the proximal wall of the proximal groove (4) of the male coupling means (2) comprises an upper portion inclined at an angle of between 1° and 20°, relative to the vertical, and a lower portion inclined at an angle of between 1° and 20° relative to the vertical, the upper and lower portions extending parallel on either side of the lug (16) capable of co-operating with the notch (15) or respectively of the notch capable of co-operating with the lug.
2. The floor panel (1) according to Claim 1, characterised in that the angle α is equal to the angle β.
3. The floor panel (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 2, characterised in that angle α and angle β are between 1° and 45°, preferably between 5° and 15°.
4. The floor panel (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the chamfered portion (13) forms an angle of 10° relative to the main plane of the panel (1).
5. The floor panel (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the distal walls of the male (2) and female (3) coupling means respectively comprise a lug or a notch (15) capable of co-operating with a notch or a lug (16) arranged respectively on the proximal walls of the proximal groove (6, 4) of the corresponding female (3) and male (2) coupling means of an adjacent panel to form a stop, preventing any vertical movement of the panel (1) from occurring relative to the adjacent panel.
6. The floor panel (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the distal wall of the flexible distal tab (5) of the male coupling means (2) comprises an upper portion inclined at an angle of between 1° and 20° relative to the vertical, and a lower portion also inclined at an angle of between 1° and 20° relative to the vertical, the upper and lower portions extending parallel on either side of the notch (15) or of the lug, and in that the proximal wall of the proximal groove (6) of the female coupling means (3) comprises an upper portion inclined at an angle of between 1° and 20°, relative to the vertical, and a lower portion inclined at an angle of between 1° and 20° relative to the vertical, the upper and lower parts extending parallel to each other on either side of the lug (16) or of the notch (15).

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