WO2025120491A1

WO2025120491A1 - Connection member for installing panels

Info

Publication number: WO2025120491A1
Application number: PCT/IB2024/062108
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wiebe VAN GANSBEKE; Steven Vindevogel; Benny Schacht; Julien Brunet
Original assignee: Unilin BV
Current assignee: Unilin BV
Priority date: 2023-12-05
Filing date: 2024-12-03
Publication date: 2025-06-12
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-05

Abstract

A connection member (1) for installing panels (2), said panels (2) being provided with at least one profiled edge (3), said connection member (1) comprising: a panel part (4) comprising a holding section (5) for holding said profiled edge (3); and a wall part (6) comprising a connection section (7) for receiving one or more fasteners (8); wherein said connection section (7) is flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to said holding section (5), wherein said panel part (4) comprises a first material and wherein said wall part (6) comprises a second material different from said first material.

Description

Connection member for installing panels

The present invention relates to a connection member for installing panels, more particularly, the present invention relates to a connection member for installing panels for a wall covering.

Panels for mounting on walls are commonly installed by gluing, or by fixing, for example nailing or screwing, said panels to a wall. As such installation methods only allow installation of panels to a wall in a substantially fixed way, there are clearly some disadvantages related thereto. In particular, panels may be prone to expansion and/or crimping, for example the panels can comprise a substrate material that is prone to expansion and/or crimping, for example thermal expansion and/or crimping and/or moisture-induced expansion and/or crimping. As the panels cannot move freely, such expansion and/or crimping may lead to gaps between panels, and/or to doming of the panels. In case of gluing, deformation of the panels may furthermore lead to loosening of the panels from the wall, or, in case of nailing or screwing, deformation of the panels may lead to breakage and/or ripping of the panels in those spots where a screw or nail is applied. Furthermore, glue, nails or screws may be partially visible, which is not esthetically pleasing in a wall covering.

Alternative installation methods are for example described in WOO 1/38668 Al, which aim to solve some of the aforementioned problems. Herein, clips are being used to click on the backside of the panels in their entirety, thus providing a largely invisible installation. WO2022/115025 relates to a connecting device for connecting building panels to a wall, in order to obtain a wall covering. However, the installation as described in WO‘668 and WO’ 025 does not appear to solve the problem related to expansion and/or crimping of the panels. W002/052113A2 aims to improve installation by screwing, with the screw being located inside the coupling means, thus providing a largely invisible installation. The problem of expansion and/or crimping is however not solved in this way. As an alternative, WO‘ 113 provides for a fastening device which loosely slides on a predetermined receiving part of the panel, thereby being both invisible and optionally allowing free movement of the panel with regard to the fastening device. However, by allowing such a free movement of the panel with regard to the fastening device, such panel is not adequately supported onto a wall.

The present invention in the first place aims at providing a connection member, wherein in accordance with preferred embodiments, one or more problems of the state-of-the-art may be solved. In particular, the present invention seeks to provide a connection member for installing panels, preferably for a wall covering, in such a way that they can overcome certain problems related to the expansion and/or crimping of said panels, while providing sufficient support onto for example a wall.

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a connection member for installing panels, said panels being provided with at least one profiled edge, said connection member comprising: a panel part comprising a holding section for holding said profiled edge, and a wall part comprising a connection section for receiving one or more fasteners, wherein said connection section is flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to said holding section, wherein said panel part comprises a first material and wherein said wall part comprises a second material different from said first material.

In light of the present invention, the wording “mounted” is preferably interpreted in a broad sense, such as positioned, configured and the like.

With a wall is preferably indicated an upright standing wall. Such a wall can be a partition wall and/or a support wall. Said wall can comprise a flat surface made by for example construction panels, such as oriented strand boards, gypsum panels, etc. Said wall can also only comprise a frame, for example a wooden frame or a metal frame. With a wall can also be indicated a horizontal extending wall such as a ceiling or an underground. This ceiling or underground can comprise a flat surface made by for example construction panels, such as oriented strand boards, gypsum panels, etc. Said ceiling or underground can also only comprise a frame, such as a wooden frame or a metal frame. With a wall is therefore indicated a support structure onto which the panels of a covering are provided to be connected by connection members according to the invention. The connection member of the invention is preferably used for obtaining a wall covering. Said wall covering comprising at least a panel, preferably a plurality of panels. Preferably, the connection members are provided to connect panels comprising profiled edges against a wall. Said profiled edges preferably comprise coupling means, for example coupling means in the form of a tongue and/or a groove, wherein a tongue can be connected to a groove, resulting in a tongue and groove connection. Preferably said groove is limited at the bottom by a lower groove lip. Said lower groove lip preferably comprises an upwardly protruding portion. Said coupling means can for example be of the type described in WO 97/47834, WO 2021/070022, WO 2021/105798 or WO 2021/059062, and/or for example of the type described in WO 2017/115202, WO 2021/111210, WO 2017/068523 or WO 2009/066153. The coupling means of these patent publications are incorporated by reference.

The connection member is a separate element. This connection member is preferably used to install and connect panels to a wall. Thus an installed condition of said connection member preferably indicates that said connection member is connected to a wall by means of a fastener and said connection member is connected to at least one panel. Said at least one panel preferably comprises at least one profiled edge and said at least one profiled edge preferably comprises coupling means. In said installed condition, said connection section is fixed to said wall, which results in said holding section being flexibly and/or movably mounted, with respect to said connection section. Said flexibly and/or movably mounting is preferably made possible by elastic deformation. The connection member as a separate element is from here on forward referred to in its undeformed state and not in its installed condition, unless mentioned otherwise. The connection member in installed condition can be in an undeformed state as well as in a deformed state. Deformed state preferably indicates an elastic deformation of one or more parts and/or sections and/or portions of said connection member.

Preferably a said panel comprises a substrate layer, and a top layer, said top layer comprising a decoration layer, and optionally a wear layer provided above said decoration layer, wherein said panel, on at least one pair of opposite edges, is provided with coupling means, and wherein said connection member is configured to connect to said coupling means on at least one of the edges of said panel.

When said connection member is in installed condition, the connected panel extends along a panel plane which is preferably substantially parallel to the wall, for example parallel to the surface of the wall or parallel to the frame which forms the wall, to which said connection member is connected. Said connection member is connected to said wall by providing a fastener, for example a screw, staple or nail through said connection section. Said panel is at least partially movable in said panel plane, with respect to said connection section.

It is noted that in the context of the connection member in its installed condition, the panels are at least movable in said panel plane, with respect to the connection section, and in the context of the connection member, when viewed as a separate element, said connection section is flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to the holding section.

Said connection member can be connected to said coupling means in multiple locations along the length and/or width of the panel. It can be possible that the panel is able to slide, although in a limited fashion, along the holding section of the connection member, such that the panel is able to slightly slide with regard to the wall after installation, which may help in compensating expansion and/or crimping of the panel.

A complete wall covering can be obtained by connecting a plurality of connection members to a wall and connecting a plurality of panels to said connection members. Connecting a said panel to a connection member can or cannot be done simultaneously with connecting a said connection member to the wall. Said wall covering extends along a wall covering plane, which is preferably substantially parallel to said wall. Preferably all the panels of a said wall covering extend in the same plane, such that the wall covering plane equals a said panel plane. The connection member of the invention has the advantage that the connection section is able to move with respect to the holding section, which may thus allow panels installed by means of said connection member to move with respect to for example a wall upon which they are installed. In particular, although the panel may be subject to expansion and/or shrinkage, for example as a result of changing temperature and/or humidity, the connection member of the invention may allow movement which at least partly compensates for or copes with the expansion and/or shrinkage of said panel, and may thereby ensure good installation to for example a wall, also during expansion and/or crimping. For example, said connection member can cope with a said movement of at least 0.1 mm, preferably of at least 0.2 mm, more preferably of at least 0.3 mm, even more preferably of at least 0.4 mm, most preferably of at least 0.5 mm without damaging and/or without causing damage to the panel. It is even possible that a said connection member can cope with a said movement of at least 1 mm. More in particular, in the case of a wall covering, said movement may take place in a horizontal and/or vertical direction. Preferably said movement is according to a direction which extends in a plane substantially parallel to said wall, more preferably in the wall covering plane mentioned in the description above.

Preferably, said connection section is able to move with respect to said holding section, and preferably therefore with respect to said panel part, which comprises said holding section, over at least 0.1 mm, at least 0.3 mm, at least 0.5 mm, or even at least 1 mm, without becoming damaged. Preferably, the connection section is able to move away and towards said holding section over these distances. Preferably the connection section, when moved out of its nominal position is pushed back towards its nominal position, for example by means of a spring portion. As a result of the flexibility and/or movability of said connection section, the connection member is able to compensate for crimping and/or expansion of the connected one or more panels when in installed condition.

Several practical embodiments for mounting the connection section flexibly and/or movably with respect to said holding section are possible. Possible examples are given in this description, the detailed description of the figures and/or in the figures. Said panel part comprises a first material and said wall part comprises a second material different from said first material. Due to this advantageous feature, each material can be chosen for its desired function. For example said first material can be chosen for the rigidity and strength of said panel part. Said second material can be chosen for the flexibility and/or compressibility and/or movability of the wall part.

It is preferred that said second material comprises a rubber and/or a plastic material. More preferably said wall part is substantially or even entirely made from a rubber or a plastic material. This can be advantageous for the overall flexibility and elasticity of said wall part, allowing for a better compensation for crimping and/or expansion of the panels, when said connection member is in installed condition. More particularly in the case said wall part comprises a rubber, said wall part can have an increased shock absorption, which can be beneficial for use in conditions where impact and/or sudden force, for example due to earthquakes, traffic or industrial activity, is a concern. Preferably said wall part is substantially made from a rubber or a plastic material. This can be advantageous in terms of ease of manufacturing, since rubbers and plastic materials can be easily molded in the desired shape, even in complex shapes. Examples of said rubber include, but are not limited to: natural rubber (NR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, neoprene, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), silicone rubber, polyurethane rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber and combinations thereof. Said second material could also be metal or a metal alloy, for example spring steel. However a drawback of the second material being metal or metal alloy can be that there is movement in unwanted directions. Plastic material is very suitable as second material since movement in only the desired directions can be obtained.

Preferably said plastic material comprises a thermoplastic polymer such as: thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate (PET-G), polylactic acid (PLA), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and the like and/or combinations thereof. Said plastic material can also comprise a recycled content. This list of examples is not exhaustive. When the plastic material comprises a thermoplastic polymer, said plastic material can also be referred to as a thermoplastic material. Said plastic material can also comprise plasticizers. Said plastic material can be a filled synthetic material composite comprising a thermoplastic polymer and fillers, such as chalk, talcum, calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and the like, and/or plasticizers. It is also conceivable that said plastic material comprises a thermosetting polymer, such as epoxy, silicone, thermosetting polyurethane and the like. Said wall part can comprise at least said second material and an additional material, for example two types of plastic material. As such different sections of the wall part can have the desired properties.

The inventors have found that compensation for expansion and/or shrinkage of the connected panels may be, at least partially, achieved either by allowing movement of the panels through compressing and/or expanding at least a portion of the material from said wall part or by allowing movement of the panels through elastically deforming, for example bending, the geometry of at least a portion of said wall part.

Preferably said first material comprises a metal or an alloy. Preferably said panel part comprises a sheet metal or a sheet alloy. Said panel part is more preferably substantially made from a sheet metal or a sheet alloy. Said panel part comprising a metal or an alloy can result in high rigidity and/or high strength of said panel part, which in term results in a high structural integrity of the connection member in installed condition. Said metal or alloy preferably has a modulus of elasticity at room temperature higher than 20 GPa, preferably more than 30 GPa, more preferably more than 50 GPa. Examples of said metal or said alloy are given in the following, non-exhaustive list: aluminum, brass, copper, steel, tin, nickel, titanium. Said alloy is preferably stainless steel or spring steel. The steel can be austenitic, ferritic or martensitic steel. The steel can be a low-alloy manganese medium-carbon steel or high-carbon steel.

In one embodiment, the connection section, and more preferably the entire wall part comprises a rubber. In this embodiment, it is preferred that said panel part comprises a sheet metal or a sheet alloy, and said panel part is preferably substantially made from a sheet metal or a sheet alloy. Preferably at least said holding section is made from a sheet metal or a sheet alloy and said sheet metal or said sheet alloy has a thickness of between 0.1 and 3 mm, preferably of between 0.1 and 1 mm, more preferably of between 0.1 and 0.6 mm. In installed condition, the holding section of the connection member can be situated, at least partially, between the coupling means of a first panel and the coupling means of a second panel, for example between a groove of a first panel and a tongue of a second panel. By limiting the thickness of said holding section, said holding section can be situated between said coupling means of said panels, without compromising the connection between said first and said second panel. In this embodiment it is preferred that the entire panel part is made out of said sheet metal or said sheet alloy.

In another embodiment, the entire wall part is preferably made out of a rubber. In this embodiment, preferably said holding section, and more preferably the entire panel part, is made out of a sheet metal or a sheet alloy.

Preferably said panel part comprises a punched sheet, and said punched sheet is preferably made from stainless steel or spring steel. One of the primary advantages of stainless steel is its resistance to corrosion, making it suitable for applications in environments with moisture or exposure to corrosive substances. Spring steel on the other hand is specifically designed to exhibit high elasticity or springiness, which results in a high fatigue resistance, meaning it can endure repeated cycles of stress and deformation without breaking or losing its performance. This is an important property for applications which require frequent deformation and/or flexing and/or bending. Spring steel typically has a high yield strength, allowing it to withstand significant stress without permanent deformation.

Preferably said panel part is obtained through at least a punching operation and/or a bending operation. By manufacturing said panel part through a punching and/or a bending operation, the overall production time and cost can be reduced to a minimum when compared to other metal part or alloy part manufacturing techniques such as milling, welding, additive manufacturing and the like. In a preferred embodiment, the connection section, more preferably the entire wall part, comprises a thermoplastic material, for example a filled synthetic material composite, and the entire panel part is preferably made out of a sheet metal or a sheet alloy, preferably a stainless steel sheet or a spring steel sheet. The connection between said wall part and said panel part is preferably established by an overmold. Compensation for expansion and/or shrinkage of the connected panels is preferably achieved by allowing movement of the panels through elastically deforming, for example bending, the geometry of at least a portion of said wall part.

In another embodiment, the panel part is preferably entirely made out of a sheet metal or a sheet alloy, preferably a stainless steel sheet or a spring steel sheet. Said panel part is preferably obtained by a punching operation and/or a bending operation. The connection section is preferably substantially made out of a plastic material, preferably a thermoplastic material, for example a filled synthetic material composite, and a remaining section or sections of the wall part is preferably substantially made out of a rubber material, wherein said plastic material has a higher Shore A hardness than said rubber. By providing said connection section with a harder material than the rubber used in other sections of said wall part, the risk of loosening of a fastener, preferably a screw, in said connection section, is mitigated. Also, a better connection between the connection member and the wall can be achieved in this manner, compared to placing said fastener in a connection section made out of a rubber with a lower Shore A hardness. Preferably said rubber has a higher compressibility and/or flexibility (flexural modulus) than said plastic material. In this embodiment, the rubber section of said wall part preferably compensates for the expansion and/or shrinkage of the panels, and the plastic connection section preferably accommodates for a firm connection between the connection member and the wall.

In a very preferred embodiment, said holding section is connected to a base section of the panel part, wherein said base section extends along a base plane, wherein said holding section comprises a retaining portion for contacting said profiled edge (3) and wherein, seen according to a direction perpendicular to said base plane, the holding section extends beyond said base section and said retaining portion is located at a distance from said base section. Said base section can be plate shaped and comprise a wall facing surface and a panel facing surface. Said wall facing surface is then situated opposite to said panel facing surface. Said distance is preferably measured as the maximum distance between said panel facing surface and said holding section, in a direction perpendicular to said base plane, when the connection member is in its undeformed state. By having said retaining portion located at a distance from said base section, said retaining portion of the connection member in installed condition, can more easily connect with coupling means of a panel. For example, said retaining portion makes contact with an upwardly protruding portion of a lower groove lip of a first panel. Preferably said distance between said base section and said retaining portion equals the thickness of said upwardly protruding portion of said lower groove lip. The thickness of said upwardly protruding portion of said lower groove lip of a said panel is the maximum dimension of said upwardly protruding portion according to a direction perpendicular to the panel plane. In the installed condition of said connection member, said wall facing surface preferably faces the wall and said wall facing surface is more preferably substantially parallel to said wall, while said panel facing surface preferably faces the wall covering comprising one or more panels and said panel facing surface is more preferably substantially parallel to the wall covering. Preferably said wall covering and said wall are substantially parallel. In said installed condition it is preferred that said panel makes contact with the base section.

Further preferably said panel part comprises an edge section which at least partially envelops said base section and wherein said edge section faces away from said base plane, wherein said edge section preferably at least partially envelops the circumference of said base section. Preferably said edge section envelops at least 10%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably fully envelops, the circumference of said base section. Said edge section provides additional bends to said panel part, therefore increasing the overall stiffness and/or rigidity of said connection member. Preferably said edge section is obtained by bending, for example by bending a sheet metal or sheet metal alloy, more preferably said edge section is obtained by a punching operation and/or a bending operation. It is preferred that said edge section comprises a sheet metal and/or a sheet alloy, more preferably said edge section is made out of the same material as the rest of said panel part.

Preferably said edge section is facing away from said base plane. Preferably, in installed condition, said edge section is facing away from said base plane towards the wall. Preferably said edge section makes contact with said wall when said connection member is in its installed condition. It is also possible that said edge section does not make contact with said wall in installed condition. Preferably said edge section extends substantially perpendicular to said base plane.

Further, it is preferred that said retaining portion and said edge section, as seen according to said base plane, each substantially extend on opposing sides of the base section. Preferably, in installed condition, said edge section extends towards the wall and said retaining portion extends towards a panel. Since the edge section faces away from the base section, there is a maximum distance, said distance is preferably measured as the maximum distance between the wall facing surface and the edge section in a direction perpendicular to said base plane.

It is preferred that said holding section comprises a joining portion, wherein said joining portion connects said retaining portion to said base section, wherein said joining portion, seen according to a direction perpendicular to said base plane, at least partially extends beyond said base section, such that the retaining portion is situated at a distance from the base section, and wherein said joining portion is movably and/or flexibly connected to said base section such that the distance between said retaining portion and said base section, in a direction perpendicular to said base plane, is adjustable. As indicated earlier in this description, the connection member in its installed condition is preferably connected to at least one panel, wherein said panel preferably comprises at least one profiled edge, said profiled edge preferably comprising coupling means, for example a groove, said groove being limited at the bottom by a lower groove lip. This adjustable distance is advantageous for accommodating a connection with a plurality of panel formats, more particularly with a plurality of lower groove lip thicknesses. For example said joining portion extends in a direction, wherein, if said direction is split into a vertical component perpendicular to said base plane and a horizontal component parallel to said base plane, said direction at least comprises a vertical component. Said direction can also comprise a horizontal component. If the latter is the case the vertical component is preferably greater than the horizontal component.

Preferably said distance between said retaining portion and said base section is measured as the maximum distance between the panel facing surface and the retaining portion, in a direction perpendicular to said base plane. More preferably said distance between said retaining portion and said base section is equal to or greater than the dimension of said joining portion in a direction perpendicular to the base plane. Said distance can be different when said connection member is in installed condition, for example when said retaining portion is connected to a first panel, it is possible that said joining portion and/or said base section is elastically deformed, resulting in an increased distance between said base section and said retaining portion. In said installed condition it is preferred that said panel makes contact with the base section, preferably said panel is pushed against said base section due to a pretension caused by the elastic deformation of said joining portion and/or said base section.

In one embodiment, said joining portion is provided to at least partially extend towards a panel in installed condition. Said distance between said retaining portion and said base section is adjustable by elastically deforming said holding section, more particularly by deforming said joining portion, more particularly by elastically bending said joining portion.

One advantage of the distance between said retaining portion and said base section, in a direction perpendicular to said base plane being adjustable, is that a plurality of panel formats can be connected to the connection member. With a plurality of panel formats is preferably indicated a plurality of panel thicknesses.

Preferably, the connection members are provided to connect panels comprising profiled edges against a wall. Said profiled edges preferably comprise coupling means, for example coupling means in the form of a tongue and a groove, wherein a tongue can be connected to a groove, resulting in a tongue and groove connection. Preferably said groove is limited by a lower groove lip. The thickness of said lower groove lip can depend on the overall thickness of the panel. Since the connection between the retaining portion of said connection member, in installed condition, and the panel is preferably situated at the height of said lower groove lip, a plurality of lower groove lip thicknesses can be connected to the connection member because the distance between said retaining portion and the base section, in a direction perpendicular to the base plane, is adjustable.

In one embodiment, the distance between the retaining portion and the base section, in a direction perpendicular to said base plane is adjustable by at least partially elastically deforming the joining portion and/or the base section. In this embodiment, the retaining portion is preferably connected to at least a lower groove lip of a profiled edge of a first panel, in installed condition. Preferably a second panel, comprising a profiled edge, said profiled edge comprising a tongue, can be connected to said profiled edge of said first panel, more preferably said second panel is connected to said first panel by means of a tongue and groove connection. In installed condition, said retaining portion is preferably situated at least partially between said tongue of said second panel and said lower groove lip of said first panel. The benefit of having said adjustable distance between the retaining portion and the base section, is that a wall covering having panels with a first thickness, can be connected to a wall by the same type of connecting member as a wall covering having panels with a second thickness being different than the first thickness. This because said retaining portion can be connected to lower groove lips with different thicknesses. For example the difference between said first thickness and said second thickness can be at most 1 mm, preferably at most 2 mm. A thicker lower groove lip can lead to an increased elastic deformation of the joining portion and/or the base section. For example, in the case that said second thickness is greater than said first thickness, the elastic deformation of the joining portion and/or the base section of a connection member connected to the panels with a first thickness, is lower than the elastic deformation of the joining portion and/or the base section of said connection member connected to the panels with a second thickness. The connection member, seen as a separate element, is in an undeformed state. The connection member in installed condition can be in an undeformed state as well as in a deformed state. Deformed state preferably indicates an elastic deformation of one or more parts and/or sections and/or portions of said connection member. It is preferred that a connection member is provided to accommodate for a plurality of possible panel thicknesses, more particularly lower groove lip thicknesses. More preferably the distance between the retaining portion and the base section, in a direction perpendicular to said base plane, in an undeformed state, should be dimensioned to accommodate for a plurality of possible panel thicknesses. In an installed condition, the distance between the retaining portion and the base section, in a deformed state and in a direction perpendicular to the base plane, will be different from said distance in an undeformed state.

For example, a panel, preferably a floor panel, comprising a substrate, said substrate comprising a wood-based material such as medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and/or high-density fiberboard (HDF) can be provided. Such MDF and/or HDF panel typically has a thickness of between 6 and 12 mm. The connection member, according to any one of the previous embodiments, can then be dimensioned to accommodate for a panel with a thickness of for example 6 mm in undeformed state, and a panel with a thickness of for example up to 9 mm in deformed state, hence the distance between the retaining portion and the base section, in a direction perpendicular to said base plane, would be adjustable to connect panels with a thickness difference of up to 3 mm in this example. Another connection member, according to any one of the previous embodiments, can then be dimensioned to accommodate for a panel with a thickness of for example 9 mm in undeformed state, and a panel with a thickness of up to for example 12 mm in deformed state.

Another example is given for a panel, preferably a floor panel, comprising a substrate, said substrate comprising a plastic-based material such as PVC. Such a panel can be a stone polymer composite (SPC) panel and/or a luxury vinyl tile (LVT) . Such SPC and/or LVT panel typically has a thickness of between 3 and 7 mm. The connection member, according to any one of the previous embodiments, can then be dimensioned to accommodate for a panel with a thickness of 3 mm in undeformed state, and a panel with a thickness of up to 5 mm in deformed state, hence the distance between the retaining portion and the base section, in a direction perpendicular to said base plane, would be adjustable to connect panels with a thickness difference of up to 2 mm in this example. Another connection member, according to any one of the previous embodiments, can then be dimensioned to accommodate for a panel with a thickness of 5 mm in undeformed state, and a panel with a thickness of up to 7 mm in deformed state.

Preferably the base section of the panel part at least partially envelops the wall part and said wall part is connected to said base section by overmolding. Said wall part is then connected to said panel part by overmolding. By connecting said wall part to said base section by overmolding, the manufacturing process can be streamlined by reducing the amount of assembly steps. This can lead to cost savings and increased production efficiency. Also, by overmolding, it is possible that no additional fastening materials need to be provided, which in term increases the recyclability of the connection member. Said wall part can also be or can additionally be, connected to said base section by means of an adhesive or by using fasteners, such as screws. Another possibility is to connect said panel part and said wall part by means of ultrasonic welding and/or ultrasonic sealing.

Preferably said wall part is produced by an overmolding process. Said wall part can also be produced by for example injection molding, profile extrusion, 3D-printing and other methods.

Preferably the base section comprises a frame-shaped portion which surrounds a space, wherein said wall part is at least partially, and preferably substantially, situated within said space. Preferably said space is a circular-shaped or rectangular-shaped space with or without rounded corners. Circular and/or rectangular shaped spaces have a limited complexity, which can increase the ease of manufacturing, preferably by means of a punching operation, of the panel part. Said space can be shaped in a multitude of different possibilities, for example triangular or polygonal or rectangular with or without rounded corners. Said space is preferably an opening through the base section. Preferably said frame-shaped portion extends along a plane which is substantially parallel to the base plane. Preferably said frame-shaped portion comprises a bent portion of said base section. Said additional bent portion can improve the overall rigidity of the connection member.

In a preferred embodiment, said frame-shaped portion comprises a plurality of holes and/or cavities, said holes and/or cavities being substantially filled with the second material, for example rubber and/or plastic material, from the wall part, by means of overmolding said rubber and/or plastic material over and/or onto the panel part. In this embodiment, said filled rubber and/or plastic material is not completely situated within said space surrounded by said frame-shaped portion.

In another embodiment, the wall part is produced by means of injection molding or 3D- printing. The panel part is preferably made out of a sheet metal and/or a sheet alloy. Preferably said wall part comprises a plurality of protrusions and said panel part comprises a plurality of holes and/or cavities, wherein said protrusions can fit into said holes and/or cavities. In this embodiment, said protrusions are provided into said holes and/or cavities. Preferably said protrusions extend at least partially beyond said panel part after said protrusions are provided into said holes and/or cavities. Preferably said protrusions comprise a portion which extends beyond said frame-shaped portion, after said protrusions are provided into said holes and/or cavities, is at least partially deformed by means of a pressing and/or ultrasonic operation, in a way that inhibits the separation of said panel part and said wall part. It is also possible that an additional rubber and/or plastic material is attached to said protrusion by means of ultrasonic welding in a way that inhibits the separation of said panel part and said wall part.

Preferably the connection section is at least flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to the panel part in the base plane, or in a plane parallel to said base plane.

It is preferred that said wall part comprises a joining section, which connects said connection section to said panel part. Said connection section can be flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to the panel part in the base plane, or in a plane parallel to said base plane. Said mounting can be flexible and/or movable at least by the geometry of a joining section, which may be such that it allows for compression or expansion. An example of such geometry includes hinging portions, spring portions, folded portions, bendable portions, angle portions, sliding portions and the like. For example, said bendable portion may be bendable out of the base plane or out of a plane parallel to said base plane, i.e. bulging out of said plane, or may be bendable in the base plane or in a plane parallel to said base plane, i.e. bulging out in a direction in said plane.

In a specific embodiment the connection section comprises a fastener receiving portion, said fastener receiving portion comprising a passage through said connection section such as a countersunk hole for receiving at least one fastener, and wherein said connection member comprises a security member, wherein said security member at least partially envelops said passage and/or comprises a further passage which joins to the passage of the fastener receiving portion for receiving said at least one fastener, wherein said security member is manufactured from a material which has a higher fire resistance than said second material for retaining said at least one fastener in the event of fire, and wherein preferably

-said panel part comprises said security member, wherein said security member is connected to said base section, and wherein more preferably said security member is enveloped by said wall part by overmolding; or

-said security member is attached to the side of the wall part which is provided to face a panel, wherein, seen according to the base plane, the contours of the security member partially overlap the contours of the base section. If for some reason the connection between a said fastener and a said connection section fails, for example due to fire, the said security member reduces the risk of panels becoming loose. Said material of the security member is for example a metal or a metal alloy, while the wall part is for example manufactured from a thermoplastic material or rubber. If the security member is part of the panel part, the latter is especially beneficial if the panel part is made from a metal or a metal alloy and the wall part is made from plastic material and/or rubber. Said panel part will be more fire-resistant than said wall part, such that it is possible that the connection section degrades due to fire, while said panel part does not degrade or degrades more slowly. Said security member of the panel part will be more fire-resistant and will be able to hold the fastener when the connection section fails. If said security member is attached to the side of the wall part which is provided to face a panel, the fact that, seen according to the base plane, the contours of the security member partially overlap the contours of the base section, will ensure that the panel part will not be able to pass along the security member in the event of fire when the connection section fails, e.g. degrades.

Preferably, If said security member is present, said wall part is produced by an overmolding process or by injection molding. Preferably said security member is enveloped by said connection section and said security member at least partially envelops said passage of the fastener receiving portion.

Said connection section may be flexibly and/or movably mounted at least by means of one or more spring portions, hinge portions, angle portions, sliding portions, or combinations thereof. By providing one or more spring portions, hinge portions, angle portions, sliding portions, or combinations thereof, the flexibility and/or movability of the connection section may be accurately set, for example allowing movement out of the base plane or out of a plane parallel to said base plane, or allowing movement in the base plane or in a plane parallel to said base plane. According to some embodiments, said angle portions may be angling points which are provided along one or a plurality of deformable legs.

In installed condition, said one or more spring portions, hinge portions, angle portions, sliding portions, or combinations thereof, can allow movement of the connected panels in and/or out of the panel plane.

According to some embodiments, said bendable portion may for example be shaped as one or a plurality of deformable legs. According to some embodiments, in installed condition, it can be necessary to bend the respective portion upon installation, for example by pushing the connection member towards the profiled edge while fixing it on the wall. An initial bending may be needed to allow that both a compression and an expansion is possible upon the first dimensional variation.

Said connection section can also be flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to the panel part in the base plane, or in a plane parallel to said base plane, at least by means of a compressible and/or expandable portion, preferably in said wall part, more preferably in said joining section. More in particular, said compressible and/or expandable portion may potentially be of a locally different material composition, for example using natural rubber (NR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, neoprene, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), silicone rubber, polyurethane rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber and combinations thereof. By providing a different material composition which is compressible and/or expandable, the mounting flexibility and/or movability of the connection section may be accurately set, in particular in a convenient manner.

In a very preferred embodiment, the wall part of the connection member is entirely made out of a plastic material, for example a thermoplastic material, for example thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate (PET-G), polylactic acid (PLA), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and the like and/or combinations thereof. Said plastic material can also comprise a recycled content. Said plastic material can also comprise plasticizers. Said plastic material may also be a filled synthetic material composite comprising a thermoplastic polymer and fillers, such as chalk, talcum, calcium carbonate and the like, and/or plasticizers. It is also conceivable that said plastic material comprises a thermosetting polymer, such as epoxy, silicone, thermosetting polyurethane and the like. Preferably said plastic material is a rigid plastic, preferably a rigid plastic comprising PVC. Preferably said rigid plastic comprising PVC has a plasticizer content of less than 10 phr, preferably of less than 5 phr. In this embodiment, said wall part preferably comprises a joining section, which comprises at least a geometrical design that allows for compression and/or expansion of said wall part. In this embodiment, said joining section is preferably connected to the panel part by means of an overmold and said panel part is preferably entirely made out of a sheet metal or a sheet alloy.

In another preferred embodiment, the wall part is entirely made out of a rubber material, for example a rubber material natural rubber (NR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, neoprene, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), silicone rubber, polyurethane rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber and combinations thereof; preferably a substantially compressible and/or expandable rubber. In this embodiment, said wall part preferably comprises a joining section, which comprises at least a geometrical design that allows for additional compression and/or expansion. In this embodiment, said joining section is preferably connected to the panel part by means of an overmold and said panel part is preferably entirely made out of a sheet metal or a sheet alloy. This embodiment combines the advantageous feature of compressibility and/or expandability of the used material for said joining section with the feature of compressibility and/or expandability as a result of geometrical design, resulting in an overall improved compressibility and/or expandability to accommodate for the expansion and/or shrinkage of the to be connected panels.

The invention also relates to an assembly of a connection member, a panel and a fastener, wherein said connection member is a connection member according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein said panel has at least one profiled edge, said connection member is connectable to a wall by providing said fastener through said connection section into the wall. Said wall is preferably a wall as mentioned above, e.g. an upright stand wall or a horizontal extending wall.

Preferably in installed condition, said panel is movable with respect to said connection section.

As stated in the context of the first aspect, it is preferred that a distance between the holding section, e.g. said retaining portion, and said base section, in a direction perpendicular to said base plane, is adjustable. This adjustable distance is advantageous for accommodating a connection with a plurality of panel formats, more particularly a plurality of lower groove lip thicknesses. Therefore, the present invention in accordance with its second aspect is a connection member, optionally according to any of the previous embodiments and preferred features of the first aspect, for installing panels, said panels being provided with at least one profiled edge, said connection member comprising: a panel part comprising a holding section for holding said profiled edge, and said panel part comprising a base section extending along a base plane, wherein said holding section is preferably directly connected to said base section; and a wall part comprising a connection section for receiving one or more fasteners; wherein said connection section is flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to said holding section, such that, seen according to the base plane, the maximum distance between the connection section and the holding section is adjustable, and wherein the maximum distance between said holding section and said base section, in a direction perpendicular to said base plane, is also adjustable.

The connection member is preferably used for obtaining a wall covering, and is a separate element. Said connection member is used to connect a wall covering, e.g. panels of said wall covering to a wall. Therefore this connection member also has an installed condition analogous to what is described in the context of the first aspect of the present invention.

Preferably said panel part is substantially made from a punched and/or bent sheet metal or sheet alloy, more preferably at least said holding section is made from a sheet metal or a sheet alloy, even more preferably said panel part is entirely made from a punched and/or bent sheet metal or sheet alloy. Said panel part comprising a metal or alloy can result in high rigidity and/or high strength of said panel part, which in term results in a high structural integrity of the connection member in installed condition. Said metal or alloy preferably has a modulus of elasticity at room temperature higher than 20 GPa, preferably more than 30 GPa, more preferably more than 50 GPa. Examples of said sheet metal or said sheet alloy are given in the following, non-exhaustive list: aluminum, brass, copper, steel, tin, nickel, titanium. Said sheet alloy is preferably stainless steel or spring steel. The steel can be austenitic, ferritic or martensitic steel. The steel can be a low-alloy manganese medium-carbon steel or high-carbon steel. One of the primary advantages of stainless steel is its resistance to corrosion, making it suitable for applications in environments with moisture or exposure to corrosive substances. Spring steel on the other hand is specifically designed to exhibit high elasticity or springiness, which results in a high fatigue resistance, meaning it can endure repeated cycles of stress and deformation without breaking or losing its performance. This is an important property for applications which require frequent deformation and/or flexing and/or bending. Spring steel typically has a high yield strength, allowing it to withstand significant stress without permanent deformation.

Preferably said sheet metal or said sheet alloy has a thickness of between 0.1 and 3 mm, preferably of between 0.1 and 1 mm, more preferably of between 0.1 and 0.6 mm. In this embodiment it is preferred that the entire panel part is made out of said sheet metal or said sheet alloy. In installed condition, the holding section of the connection member can be situated, at least partially, between the coupling means of a first panel and the coupling means of a second panel, for example between a groove of a first panel and a tongue of a second panel. By limiting the thickness of said holding section, said holding section can be situated between said coupling means of said panels, without compromising the connection between said first and said second panel.

It is preferred that said holding section is substantially made from sheet metal or sheet alloy, for example punched and/or bent sheet metal or punched and/or bent sheet alloy, wherein said holding section comprises a joining portion and a retaining portion, wherein said joining portion movably connects said retaining portion to said base section, such that said maximum distance between said holding section and said base section in a direction perpendicular to said base plane, is adjustable.

Preferably said joining portion establishes a movable connection between said retaining portion and said base section by allowing an elastic deformation on at least said joining portion. Preferably said joining portion is made of spring steel, for example a high-carbon spring steel, said spring steel having a high elasticity. It is preferred that said maximum distance between said holding section and said base section can be adjusted by elastically deforming said joining portion.

In installed condition, said elastic deformation of said joining portion can be a result of bending said joining portion in such a way that said retaining portion can connect with a lower groove lip of a first panel.

In one embodiment the maximum distance between said holding section and said base section in a direction perpendicular to said base plane, is adjustable in a direction perpendicular to said base plane, by elastically deforming said joining portion, for example by exerting a force onto said retaining portion, which is connected to said joining portion. Preferably also at least a portion of said base section is elastically deformed.

It is preferred that the base section is plate-shaped, wherein said base section comprises a wall facing surface and an opposing panel facing surface, wherein said joining portion comprises a first part and a consecutive second part, said first part connecting to said base section and facing away from the wall facing surface and said second part connecting said first part to said retaining portion, wherein said second part extends trough said base plane such that said second part extends on both sides of the base section and the retaining portion extends opposite and at a distance from said panel facing surface. In the installed condition of said connection member, said wall facing surface preferably faces the wall and said wall facing surface is more preferably substantially parallel to said wall, while said panel facing surface preferably faces the wall covering comprising one or more panels and said panel facing surface is more preferably substantially parallel to the wall covering. Preferably said wall covering and said wall are substantially parallel.

Preferably said panel part comprises an edge section which at least partially envelops said base section and wherein said edge section faces away from said base plane, wherein said edge section preferably at least partially envelops the circumference of said base section, preferably said edge section envelops at least 10%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably fully envelops the circumference of said base section. It is preferred that said edge section comprises a sheet metal and/or a sheet alloy, more preferably said edge section is made out of the same material as the rest of said panel part.

Preferably said edge section is obtained by bending at least a portion of a sheet metal or sheet alloy, more preferably said edge section is obtained by a punching operation and/or a bending operation.

Preferably said edge section is facing away from said base plane, preferably towards the wall, preferably said edge section makes contact with said wall in the installed condition of said connection member. Said edge section making contact with said wall provides additional support to the wall covering. It is also possible that said edge section does not make contact with said wall in installed condition. This can be of importance if scratching of the edge section against the wall is a concern. Said edge section provides additional bends to said connection member, therefore increasing the overall stiffness and/or rigidity, more particularly bending stiffness of said connection member.

Preferably the joining portion comprises a first part and a consecutive second part, said first part connecting to said base section and facing away from the wall facing surface and said second part connecting said first part to said retaining portion, wherein said second part extends trough said base plane such that said second part extends on both sides of the base section and the retaining portion extends opposite and at a distance from said panel facing surface. Preferably the maximum distance between said wall facing surface and said edge section, seen in a direction perpendicular to said plane, is greater than or equal to the maximum distance between said wall facing surface and said first part of said joining portion, in a direction perpendicular to said plane. This way, in installed condition, the first part of said joining portion will be hindered from touching the wall and will therefore not be restricted in its elastic deformability.

In a preferred embodiment, the maximum distance between said holding section and said base section in a direction perpendicular to said base plane, is adjustable, by elastically deforming at least said holding section, preferably in a way that said second part of said joining portion is pushed towards said base section. In this embodiment, said first part preferably comprises a first bend, said first bend being a connection between said base section and said first part. Said second part preferably comprises a second bend, said second bend being a connection between said first part and said second part. Said second part further extends trough said base plane such that said second part extends on both sides of the base section and the retaining portion extends opposite and at a distance from said panel facing surface. In this embodiment at least a portion of said base section may also be elastically deformed. The inventors found that in this embodiment an easier to handle adjustment of said maximum distance between said holding section and said base section could be obtained.

The invention also relates to an assembly of a connection member, a panel and a fastener, said panel having at least one profiled edge, wherein said connection member is a connection member according to any one of the previous embodiments and/or preferred features of the second aspect of the invention and/or of the first aspect of the invention, wherein said connection member can accommodate for different thicknesses of said panel by adjusting said maximum distance between said holding section and said base section in a direction perpendicular to said base plane, wherein said connection member is connectable to a wall by providing said fastener through said connection section into the wall.

As stated in the context of the first aspect as well as in the context of the second aspect of the present invention, the connection member comprises a connection section for receiving one or more fasteners. It is of particular importance that, in the installed condition said at least one fastener exerts an appropriate pressure and/or force onto the connection section when said connection member is connected to for example a wall. If the pressure is too low, it is possible that the connection member is not tightly secured to the wall, resulting in a weak joint that can fail under load or vibration. If the pressure is too high, it is possible that the structural integrity of the connection member is compromised. This is especially critical for materials that may be prone to damage or deformation under excessive pressure. The material of the connection section may crack and/or splinter and/or tear if subjected to excessive pressure and/or force. This also raises a safety concern, if the connection member is not securely attached to for example a wall, there is an increased risk of failure due to for example stress concentration in said connection section, which can lead to the assembly falling. Excessive pressure exerted by said at least one fastener can also lead to deformation, which can impair the intended function of the connection member. In the case of for example a rubber connection section, excessive pressure can reduce the flexibility and/or elasticity of said connection section, which in term can lead to a decreased ability to compensate for the expansion and/or shrinkage of panels which are connected to a wall or similar with said connection members. Therefore in accordance with its third aspect, the present invention is a connection member, optionally according to any of the preceding embodiments and/or preferred features of the first and/or second aspect, for installing panels, said panels being provided with at least one profiled edge, said connection member comprising: a holding section for holding said profiled edge; and a connection section for receiving one or more fasteners; wherein said connection section is flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to said holding section, and wherein said connection section comprises a fastener receiving portion, said fastener receiving portion comprising a recess for accommodating a load distributing portion of a fastener.

The connection member is preferably used for obtaining a wall covering, and is a separate element. Said connection member is used to connect wall covering, e.g. panels of said wall covering to a wall. Therefore this connection member also has an installed condition analogous to what is described in the context of the first aspect of the present invention.

It is preferred that said recess comprises a bottom surface which delimits the bottom of the recess and which is provided to distribute the load of a load distributing portion of a fastener, wherein said bottom surface extends according to a flat plane.

Preferably said connection section comprises a wall facing surface and an opposite thereto panel facing surface, wherein said wall facing surface preferably makes contact with a wall when said connection member is in installed condition. Preferably said recess is a counterbore or a spotface and said fastener preferably sits flush with or below the level of the panel facing surface. It is preferred that said fastener is a screw, more preferably a socket head cap screw or a fillister head screw or a button head socket screw or a round head slotted screw. It is also possible that said recess is a countersink, in this case said fastener preferably is a countersunk screw.

The invention also relates to an assembly of a connection member, a panel and a fastener , wherein said panel has at least one profiled edge, wherein said connection member is a connection member according to any of the embodiments and/or preferred features of the third aspect of the present invention, and wherein said fastener is a screw or a bolt, and wherein said assembly preferably further comprises a washer, and wherein said connection member is connectable to a wall by providing said fastener through said connection section into the wall.

In the context of the first, second and third aspect of the present invention it is of importance that the connection section is flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to the holding section. The connection member of the invention has the advantage that the connection section is able to move in respect to the holding section, which may thus allow panels installed by means of said connection member to move in respect to for example a wall upon which they are installed. In particular, although the panels may be subject to expansion and/or crimping, for example as a result of changing temperature and/or humidity, the connection member of the invention may allow movement which at least partly compensates for or copes with the expansion and/or shrinkage of said panels, and may thereby ensure good installation to for example a wall, also during expansion and/or crimping. More in particular, in the case of a wall covering, said movement may take place in a horizontal and/or vertical direction, preferably in a plane that extends substantially parallel to the plane of said wall. The panels may also be subject to forces pushing and/or pulling said panels towards and/or away from said wall. Therefore in accordance with its fourth aspect, the invention relates to a connection member, optionally according to any of the preceding embodiments or preferred features of the first aspect, second aspect or third aspect of the invention, for installing panels, said panels being provided with at least one profiled edge, said connection member comprising: a panel part comprising a holding section for holding said profiled edge, and a wall part comprising a connection section for receiving one or more fasteners, wherein, at least in a first plane, said connection section is flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to said holding section, wherein said first plane is provided to extend substantially parallel to the surface of the panel, and wherein said connection section is further flexible and/or movable in directions having a vertical component perpendicular to the first plane.

Said directions can also have a horizontal component, preferably said horizontal component lies in a plane that extends substantially parallel to said first plane.

The present invention, according to its fourth aspect has the advantage of being able to allow movement which at least partly compensates for or copes with the expansion and/or shrinkage of the panels as well as being able to allow movement which at least partly compensates for or copes with forces pushing and/or pulling said panels towards and/or away from said wall. Said forces can for example be the result of vibrations, for example caused by an earthquake or by heavy machinery or by traffic, or of repeated impact on said wall, or of a continuous or prolonged load applied on said wall.

Preferably said panel part and said wall part are two distinct parts which each comprise a substantially different material composition, for example as described in the first aspect of the invention. This way each material can be chosen for its desired function. For example the material of the panel part can be chosen for the rigidity and strength of said panel part. The material of the wall part can be chosen for the flexibility and/or compressibility and/or movability of the wall part.

It is also possible that said panel part and said wall part are entirely made out of the same material and manufactured in the same manufacturing process, for example by means of injection molding or by means of 3D-printing. It can be advantageous to provide said panel part and said wall part in the same material to reduce the amount of manufacturing steps in the production process of the connection member. Preferably said wall part comprises a joining section which connects said connection section to said panel part, wherein said joining section comprises a compressible and/or expandable and/or bendable portion such that the connection section is flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to said holding section.

It is preferred that said joining section comprises a folded portion, preferably said folded portion comprises one or more folds, wherein said one or more folds at least partially extend above and/or below said first plane. Said folded portion can improve the compressibility and/or expandability of said joining section.

Preferably said joining section comprises one or more bendable portions and/or spring portions, hinge portions, angle portions, sliding portions, or combinations thereof. More preferably said bendable portion and/or said spring portions and/or said hinge portions and/or said angle portions and/or said combinations thereof at least partially extend above and/or below said first plane.

In a preferred embodiment, said joining section is able to allow movement which at least partly compensates for or copes with the expansion and/or shrinkage of the panels as well as being able to allow movement which at least partly compensates for or copes with forces pushing and/or pulling said panels towards and/or away from said wall, by at least partially elastically deforming said joining section. Said joining section preferably is able to be elastically deformed in directions having a vertical component perpendicular to the first plane, as well as in directions having a horizontal component, wherein said horizontal component lies in a plane which extends substantially parallel to said first plane.

The invention also relates to an assembly of a connection member, a panel and a fastener, wherein said panel has at least one profiled edge, wherein said connection member is a connection member according to any of the preceding embodiments and/or preferred features of the fourth aspect of the invention, and wherein said panel is at least partially movable in directions having a vertical component perpendicular to the first plane, and wherein said connection member is connectable to a wall by providing said fastener through said connection section into the wall.

With the intention of better showing the characteristics of the invention, herein below, as an example without any limitative character, some preferred embodiments are described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective drawing of an assembly of a connection member, a plurality of panels, a fastener and a wall, wherein said connection member can be according to the first, second, third and/or fourth aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective drawing of the connection member indicated with number 1 in figure 1, according to the first, second and/or third aspect of the invention, and optionally according to the fourth aspect of the invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective drawing representing an alternative embodiment of the connection member of figure 2, according to the first second and/or third aspect of the invention, and optionally according to the fourth aspect of the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective drawing of the connection member indicated with number 2 in figure 1, though of a variant, according to the first second and/or third aspect of the invention, and optionally according to the fourth aspect of the invention;

Figure 5 is a cross-section along the line indicated with V-V in figure 4;

Figure 6, at a larger scale, is a cross-section along the line indicated with VI- VI in figure 1, though of a variant of a connection member according to the first, second and/or third aspect of the invention;

Figure 7 is a similar view to the view displayed in figure 6, though for a variant, of a connection member, according to the first, second and/or third aspect of the invention;

Figure 8, at a larger scale, gives a two dimensional view of the area indicated with F8, in figure 5, though for a variant;

Figure 9 at a larger scale, gives a two dimensional view of the area indicated with F8, in figure 5, though for another variant; Figure 10 is a top view of an embodiment of a connection member according to the first, second, third and/or fourth aspect of the invention;

Figure 11 is a similar view to the view displayed in figure 6, with the connection member from figure 9;

Figure 12 is an enlarged view of the area indicated with F12 in figure 11;

Figure 13 is a perspective drawing of the connection member indicated with number 1 in figure 1, though of a variant, according to the first, second and/or third aspect of the invention, and optionally according to the fourth aspect of the invention;

Figure 14 is a perspective drawing of the connection member indicated with number 1 in figure 1, though of a variant, according to the first, second and/or third aspect of the invention, and optionally according to the fourth aspect of the invention;

Figure 15 is a similar view to the view displayed in figure 6, though for the variant of figure 14;

Figure 17 is a perspective drawing of the panel part of the connection member indicated with number 1 in figure 1, though of a variant, according to the first, second and/or third aspect of the invention, and optionally according to the fourth aspect of the invention;

Figure 16 at a larger scale, is a cross-section along the line indicated with VI- VI in figure 1, though of a variant of a connection member comprising the panel part shown in figure 17;

Figure 18 is a perspective drawing of the connection member indicated with number 1 in figure 1, though of a variant, according to the first, second and/or third aspect of the invention, and optionally according to the fourth aspect of the invention;

Figure 19 at a larger scale, is a cross-section along the line indicated with VI- VI in figure 1, though of the variant of the connection member shown in figure 18.

Figure 1 shows a plurality of panels 2 being connected to a wall 15 by means of a plurality of connection members 1, resulting in a wall covering 28. Preferably, the connection members 1 are provided to connect panels 2 comprising profiled edges 3 against a wall 15. Said profiled edges 3 preferably comprise coupling means, for example coupling means in the form of a tongue 30 and/or a groove 31, wherein a tongue 30 can be connected to a groove 31, resulting in a tongue 30 and groove 31 connection. Preferably said groove 31 is limited at the bottom by a lower groove lip 32. Said lower groove lip 32 preferably comprises an upwardly protruding portion 33. Said connection member 1 comprises a panel part 4 comprising a holding section 5 for holding said profiled edge 3, and a wall part 6 comprising a connection section 7 for receiving one or more fasteners 8. Said connection section 7 is flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to said holding section 5. An installed condition of said connection member 1 preferably indicates that said connection member 1 is connected to a wall 15 by means of a fastener 8 and said connection member 1 is connected to at least one panel 2. The connected panel 2 extends along a panel plane which is preferably substantially parallel to the wall 15, for example parallel to the surface of the wall 15 or parallel to the frame which forms the wall 15, to which said connection member 1 is connected. Said wall covering 28 extends along a wall covering plane, which is preferably substantially parallel to said wall 15. Said panels 2 are kept into place by connecting said at least one profiled edge 3 with a holding section 5 of said connection member 1.

Figure 2 shows a possible embodiment of connection members 1 used in figure 1, a said connection member 1 comprising a panel part 4 and a wall part 6, wherein the panel part 4 is a metal sheet or alloy sheet, and wherein said metal sheet or alloy sheet has preferably undergone at least one punching operation. A punching operation can involve making cuts, bends, and removing pieces of a sheet material to create different sections. The goal is to ensure that all sections are well-connected, minimizing the risk of breakage. Preferably the panel part 4 is a stainless steel sheet or a spring steel sheet. Said panel part 4 further comprises a base section 9, a holding section 5 and an edge section 11. Said base section 9 substantially extends along a base plane and said base section 9 is plate shaped and comprises a wall facing surface 16 and a panel facing surface 17. Said wall facing surface 16 is situated opposite to said panel facing surface 17. Said base section 9 comprises a frame-shaped portion 13. The frame-shaped portion 13 envelops a space, e.g. a circular-shaped opening through the base section 9, wherein said opening extends parallel to the base plane. In the installed condition of said connection member 1, said wall facing surface 16 preferably faces the wall 15 and said wall facing surface 16 is more preferably substantially parallel to said wall 15, while said panel facing surface 17 preferably faces the wall covering 28 comprising one or more panels 2 and said panel facing surface 17 is more preferably substantially parallel to the wall covering 28. Preferably said wall covering 28 and said wall 15 are substantially parallel. The wall part 6 is at least partially, and preferably substantially, situated within said opening. Preferably said frame-shaped portion 13 extends along a plane which is substantially parallel to the base plane. Preferably said frame-shaped portion 13 comprises a portion that is bent with regard to another portion or other portions of said base section 9. The latter can improve the overall rigidity of the connection member 1.

Said holding section 5 comprises a joining portion 12 and a retaining portion 10. Said joining portion 12 serves as a connection between said base section 9 and said retaining portion 10. Said retaining portion 10 is used for contacting said profiled edge 3 of a panel 2. Seen according to a direction perpendicular to said base plane, the holding section 5 extends beyond said base section 9 and said retaining portion 10 is located at a distance dl from said base section 9. Said distance dl is preferably measured as the maximum distance between said panel facing surface 17 and said holding section 5, in a direction perpendicular to said base plane, and in an undisturbed state, e.g. when the connection member 1 is not connected to a panel 2. By having said retaining portion 10 located at a distance dl from said base section 9, said retaining portion 10 of the connection member 1 in installed condition, can more easily connect with coupling means of a panel 2. For example, said retaining portion 10 makes contact with an upwardly protruding portion 33 of a lower groove lip 32 of a first panel 2. Preferably said distance dl between said base section 9 and said retaining portion 10 is equal to or lower than the thickness tl of said upwardly protruding portion 33 of said lower groove lip 32. Said distance dl can also be smaller than said thickness tl, for example in the case a great amount of pretension is desired. The thickness tl of said upwardly protruding portion 33 of said lower groove lip 32 of a said first panel 2 is preferably the maximum dimension of said upwardly protruding portion 33 according to a direction perpendicular to the panel plane. The holding section 5 in this embodiment is hook-shaped. A hook-shaped holding section 5 is very suitable to take hold of a said lower groove lip 32, thus to connect with a said lower groove lip 32.

Said edge section 11 at least partially envelops said base section 9 and faces away from said base plane, preferably in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the base plane. At least 25% of the circumference of said base section 9 is enveloped by said edge section 11. Preferably said edge section 11 has been obtained by bending at least a portion of said sheet metal or sheet alloy, more preferably said edge section 11 has been obtained by a punching operation and/or a bending operation. Said edge section 11 provides additional bends to said connection member 1, therefore increasing the overall stiffness and/or rigidity, more particularly the bending stiffness, of said connection member 1. It is preferred that said edge section 11 and said holding section 5 each face away from opposing sides of the base section 9.

Said wall part 6 is entirely made out of a compressible and/or expandable rubber and said wall part 6 further comprises a joining section 25 and a connection section 7. Said wall part 6 has an overall circular shape. Said joining section 25 connects said connection section 7 to said frame-shaped portion 13 of the base section 9 by means of an overmold 37, effectively providing a connection between the wall part 6 and the panel part 4. Said connection section 7 is flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to said holding section 5 because said joining section 25 is able to compress and/or expand at least partially, resulting in movement of the connection section 7 of the wall part 6 with regard to the base section 9 of the panel part 4. In this embodiment, the connection section 7 comprises a fastener receiving portion 20. Said fastener receiving portion 20 preferably comprises a countersunk hole.

Figure 3 shows another possible embodiment of connection members 1 used in figure 1, a said connection member 1 comprising a panel part 4 and a wall part 6, wherein the panel part 4 is a metal sheet or alloy sheet, and wherein said metal sheet or alloy sheet has preferably undergone at least one punching operation. Preferably the panel part 4 is a stainless steel sheet or a spring steel sheet. Said panel part 4 further comprises a base section 9 which extends along a base plane, a holding section 5 and an edge section 11. Said base section 9 is plate shaped and comprises a wall facing surface 16 and a panel facing surface 17. Said wall facing surface 16 is situated opposite to said panel facing surface 17. Said base section 9 comprises a frame-shaped portion 13. The frame-shaped portion 13 envelops a circular-shaped opening through the base section 9, wherein said opening extends according to the base plane. Said wall part 6 is at least partially, and preferably substantially, situated within said opening.

Said holding section 5 comprises a joining portion 12 and a retaining portion 10. Said joining portion 12 serves as a connection between said base section 9 and said retaining portion 10. Said retaining portion 10 is used for contacting said profiled edge 3 of a panel 2 and wherein, seen according to a direction perpendicular to said base plane, the holding section 5 extends beyond said base section 9 and said retaining portion 10 is located at a distance dl from said base section 9. Said distance dl is preferably measured as the maximum distance between said panel facing surface 17 and said holding section 5, in a direction perpendicular to said base plane. By having said retaining portion 10 located at a distance dl from said base section 9, said retaining portion 10 of the connection member 1 in installed condition, can more easily connect with coupling means of a panel 2. The holding section 5 in this embodiment is hook-shaped.

Said edge section 11 envelops at least 75% of the outer circumference of said base section 9 and faces away from said base plane, preferably in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the base plane. Preferably said edge section 11 is obtained by bending at least a portion of said sheet metal or sheet alloy, more preferably said edge section 11 is obtained by a punching operation and/or a bending operation.

Said wall part 6 is entirely made out of a compressible and/or expandable rubber and said wall part 6 further comprises a joining section 25 and a connection section 7. Said joining section 25 connects said connection section 7 to said frame-shaped portion 13 by means of an overmold 37, effectively providing a connection between the wall part 6 and the panel part 4. Said joining section 25 further comprises a geometrical design which allows for additional compression and/or expansion of said joining section 25. Said joining section 25 comprises a plurality of cavities 38 and a plurality of circular bendable portions 24, which comprise deformable legs 39. Said connection section 7 is flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to said holding section 5 because said joining section 25 is able to compress and/or expand at least partially by means of the material properties of said joining section 25 and by means of the geometrical design of said joining section 25. In this embodiment, the connection section 7 comprises a fastener receiving portion 20. Said fastener receiving portion 20 preferably comprises a countersunk hole.

Figure 4 shows yet another possible embodiment of connection members 1 used in figure 1, said connection member 1 comprising said panel part 4 and said wall part 6, wherein the panel part 4 is a metal sheet or alloy sheet, and wherein said metal sheet or alloy sheet has preferably undergone at least one punching operation. Preferably the panel part 4 is a stainless steel sheet or a spring steel sheet. Said panel part 4 further comprises a base section 9 which extends along a base plane, a holding section 5, according to the holding section 5 described in figure 2 and figure 3, and an edge section 11.

Said base section 9 is plate shaped and comprises a wall facing surface 16 and a panel facing surface 17. Said wall facing surface 16 is situated opposite to said panel facing surface 17. Said base section 9 comprises a frame-shaped portion 13. The frame-shaped portion 13 envelops a square-shaped opening through the base section 9, said square shape preferably having rounded corners, wherein said opening extends according to the base plane. Said wall part 6 is at least partially, and preferably substantially, situated within said opening. Preferably said frame-shaped portion 13 comprises a portion that is bent 34 with regard to another portion or other portions of said base section 9. The latter can improve the overall rigidity of the connection member 1.

Said edge section 11 at least partially envelops said base section 9 and faces away from said base plane, preferably in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the base plane. At least 50% of the outer circumference of said base section 9 is enveloped by said edge section 11. In this embodiment, said edge section 11 comprises two opposing bent edges, which are not connected. Preferably said edge section 11 is obtained by bending at least a portion of the sheet metal or sheet alloy, more preferably said edge section 11 is obtained by a punching operation and/or a bending operation.

Said wall part 6 is entirely made out of a plastic material, preferably a thermoplastic material, more preferably a rigid thermoplastic material, for example a filled synthetic material composite comprising a thermoplastic polymer and comprising plasticizers and/or fillers. The thermoplastic polymer is preferably chosen from the list of: PVC, PP, PE, PET. More preferably the thermoplastic polymer is PP. The filler can be an inorganic filler, such as calcium carbonate or talc. Said filled synthetic material composite preferably has a plasticizer content of less than 10 phr. Said joining section 25 connects said connection section 7 to said frame-shaped portion 13 by means of an overmold 37, effectively providing a connection between the wall part 6 and the panel part 4. Said joining section 25 further comprises a geometrical design which allows for elastic deformation of the plastic material. Said joining section 25 for example comprises a plurality of cavities 38 and a plurality of bendable portions 24, which comprise deformable legs 39. Said connection section 7 is flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to said holding section 5 by means of the geometrical design of said joining section 25. In this embodiment, the connection section 7 comprises a fastener receiving portion 20. Said fastener receiving portion 20 preferably comprises a countersunk hole.

Figure 5, at a different scale, shows a cross-section of the connection member 1 shown in figure 4, along the line indicated with V-V. This cross-section view better shows the overmolding connection 37 between said joining section 25 and said frame-shaped portion 13 of the base section 9, as described in the description of figure 4. Preferably said frame-shaped portion 13 extends along a plane which is substantially parallel to the base plane. Preferably said frame-shaped portion 13 is a portion that is bent 34 with regard to another portion or other portions of said base section 9. The latter can improve the overall rigidity of the connection member 1. Preferably said edge section 11 is obtained by bending at least a portion of the sheet metal or sheet alloy, more preferably said edge section 11 is obtained by a punching operation and/or a bending operation. It is preferred that at least two adjacent edges of a sheet metal or sheet alloy are punched and/or bent to obtain said edge section 11. Said edge section 11 faces away from said base plane. Since the edge section 11 faces away from the base section 9, there is a maximum distance, said distance is preferably measured as the maximum distance between the wall facing surface 16 and the furthest part 40 of the edge section 11 in a direction perpendicular to said base plane.

Figure 13 shows yet another possible embodiment of connection members 1 used in figure 1, said connection member 1 comprising said panel part 4 and said wall part 6, wherein the panel part 4 is a metal sheet or alloy sheet, and wherein said metal sheet or alloy sheet has preferably undergone at least one punching operation. Preferably the panel part 4 is a stainless steel sheet or a spring steel sheet. Said panel part 4 further comprises a base section 9 which extends along a base plane, a holding section 5 and an edge section 11.

Said base section 9 is plate shaped and comprises a wall facing surface 16 and a panel facing surface 17. Said wall facing surface 16 is situated opposite to said panel facing surface 17. Said base section 9 comprises a frame-shaped portion 13. The frame-shaped portion 13 envelops a circular shaped opening through the base section 9, wherein said opening extends according to the base plane. Said wall part 6 is at least partially, and preferably substantially, situated within said opening. Preferably said frame-shaped portion 13 comprises a portion that is bent 34 with regard to another portion or other portions of said base section 9. The latter can improve the overall rigidity of the connection member 1. Also preferably, at the height of the holding section 5, the base section 9 comprises a projecting portion 47 along which the holding section 5 extends at both sides. Said edge section 11 at least partially envelops said base section 9 and faces away from said base plane, preferably in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the base plane. At least 75% of the outer circumference of said base section 9 is enveloped by said edge section 11. Preferably said edge section 11 is obtained by bending at least a portion of the sheet metal or sheet alloy, more preferably said edge section 11 is obtained by a punching operation and/or a bending operation.

Said wall part 6 is entirely made out of one or two types of plastic materials. A said plastic material is preferably a thermoplastic material, more preferably a rigid thermoplastic material, for example a filled synthetic material composite comprising a thermoplastic polymer and comprising plasticizers and/or fillers. The thermoplastic polymer is preferably chosen from the list of: PVC, PP, PE, PET. More preferably the thermoplastic polymer is PP. The filler can be an inorganic filler, such as calcium carbonate or talc. Said filled synthetic material composite preferably has a plasticizer content of less than 10 phr. The shape of said wall part 6 resembles the shape of the wall part 6 shown in figure 4, with the difference that it is circular shaped, since it connects to the frame-shaped portion 13 which envelops a circular shaped opening. It thus has a joining section 25 which connects said connection section 7 with said frame-shaped portion 13 by means of for example an overmold 37, effectively providing a connection between the wall part 6 and the panel part 4. Said joining section 25 further comprises a geometrical design which allows for elastic deformation of the plastic material, similar to that of figure 4. Said joining section 25 for example comprises a plurality of cavities 38 and a plurality of bendable portions 24, which comprise deformable legs 39. Said connection section 7 is flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to said holding section 5 by means of the geometrical design of said joining section 25. In this embodiment, the connection section 7 comprises a fastener receiving portion 20. Said fastener receiving portion 20 preferably comprises a countersunk hole.

The holding section 5 is connected to the base section 9 with two legs which are separated by said projecting portion 47. Said two legs are part of the joining portion 12 which flexibly connects the retaining portion 10 to the base section 9. Because of said two legs, the holding section 5 is flexibly connected to said base section 9, but still in a sufficiently stable manner. Of course said holding section 5 and base section 9 could also be as shown in figures 2 or 3, thus without having said two legs and said projecting portion 47.

Figure 14 shows yet another possible embodiment of connection members 1 used in figure 1, said connection member 1 comprising said panel part 4 and said wall part 6, wherein the panel part 4 is a metal sheet or alloy sheet, and wherein said metal sheet or alloy sheet has preferably undergone at least one punching operation. Preferably the panel part 4 is a stainless steel sheet or a spring steel sheet. Said panel part 4 further comprises a base section 9 which extends along a base plane, a holding section 5 and an edge section 11. Said panel part 4 is similar to the panel part 4 shown in figure 13 and comprises the abovementioned features described in figure 13.

The main difference between wall part 6 shown in figure 14 and the wall part 6 shown in figure 13, is the shape of the joining section 25. Here the joining section 25 for example comprises a plurality of cavities 38 and a plurality of bendable portions 24, which are arc shaped deformable legs. Said connection section 7 is flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to said holding section 5 by means of the geometrical design of said joining section 25.

Figure 6, at a larger scale, shows a cross-section of a possible embodiment of the wall covering 28 shown in figure 1, along the line indicated with VI- VI. Said embodiment shows the wall 15, and an assembly 14 of a said connection member 1, for example a variant of the connection member 1 of figure 2, in its installed condition, a first and a second said panel 2, and a said fastener 8. Said first panel 2 has an upwardly protruding portion 33 of a lower groove lip 32, and wherein said upwardly protruding portion 33 has a first thickness tl .

Said connection member 1 comprises said panel part 4 and said wall part 6, wherein said panel part 4 is according to the panel part 4 from figure 2. Said retaining portion 10 is connected to at least the lower groove lip 32 of the profiled edge 3 of said first panel 2, preferably said retaining portion 10 is connected to an upwardly protruding portion of said lower groove lip 32. Said retaining portion 10 is located at a distance dl from said base section 9. Preferably said distance dl is measured as the maximum distance between the panel facing surface 17 and the holding section 5 of said connection member 1 in its uninstalled condition. In figure 6, this distance dl is the same for the installed condition. Said second panel 2 is preferably connected to said profiled edge 3 of said first panel 2, more particularly said second panel 2 is connected to said first panel 2 by means of a tongue 30 and groove 31 connection. In installed condition, said retaining portion 10 is preferably situated at least partially between said tongue 30 of said second panel 2 and said lower groove lip 32 of said first panel 2. Said first and said second panel 2 are at least partially touching said panel facing surface 17. Said joining portion 12 and/or said base section 9 are at least partially elastically deformed when said retaining portion 10 is connected to at least the lower groove lip 32 of the profiled edge 3 of said first panel 2.

Said wall part 6 is entirely made out of a compressible and/or expandable rubber and said wall part 6 further comprises a joining section 25 and a connection section 7. Preferably said wall part 6 has a circular shape, for example as shown in figure 2. Said joining section 25 connects said connection section 7 to said frame-shaped portion 13 by means of an overmold 37, effectively providing a connection between the wall part 6 and the panel part 4. Said first and said second panel 2 are able to move at least partially in a first plane that extends substantially parallel to the surface of said first and said second panel 2, more particularly said first and said second panel 2 are able to move at least partially in a wall covering plane. Said connection section 7 comprises a fastener receiving portion 20. Said fastener receiving portion 20 comprising a recess 21 for accommodating a load distributing portion 22 of a fastener 8. Said recess 21 comprises a bottom surface 23 which delimits the bottom of the recess 21 and which is provided to distribute the load of a load distributing portion 22 of a fastener 8. Said fastener receiving portion 20 is a counterbore hole and said fastener 8, for example a socket head cap screw, is provided into said fastener receiving portion 20 and secured into said wall 15, for example into a wall plug, which is provided into said wall 15. Said wall plug is not shown in the figures.

Figure 7 shows a variant of the assembly 14 from figure 6. Said variant shows said assembly 14 attached to a wall 15, wherein said connection member 1 is the same connection member 1 as in figure 6, and wherein said first panel 2 has an upwardly protruding portion 33 of a lower groove lip 32, and wherein said upwardly protruding portion 33 has a second thickness t2. In installed position, said retaining portion 10 is located at a distance d2 from said base section 9. Said distance d2 is preferably measured as the maximum distance between the panel facing surface and the holding section of the connection member in its installed condition. Said second thickness t2 is greater than said first thickness tl of said upwardly protruding portion 33 of figure 6. The panel thickness t3 of the first and the second panel 2 of figure 6 is smaller than the panel thickness t4 of the first and the second panel 2 of figure 7. The distance d2 is greater than the distance dl, hence said joining portion 12 and/or said base section 9 is more elastically deformed in figure 7 than in figure 6.

Figure 15, at a larger scale, shows a cross-section of a possible embodiment of the wall covering 28 shown in figure 1, along the line indicated with VI- VI. Said embodiment shows the wall 15, and an assembly 14 of a said connection member 1, for the connection member 1 of figure 14, in its installed condition, a first and a second said panel 2, and a said fastener 8. Said first panel 2 has an upwardly protruding portion 33 of a lower groove lip 32, and wherein said upwardly protruding portion 33 has a first thickness tl. Said connection member 1 is the connection member 1 shown in figure 14. Said retaining portion 10 is connected to at least the lower groove lip 32 of the profiled edge 3 of said first panel 2, preferably said retaining portion 10 is connected to an upwardly protruding portion 33 of said lower groove lip 32. Said retaining portion 10 is located at a distance dl from said base section 9. Preferably said distance dl is measured as the maximum distance between the panel facing surface 17 and the holding section 5 of said connection member 1 in its installed condition. This distance dl can be the same for the installed condition, but preferably the distance dl in its installed position is slightly larger than in the uninstalled position. Said second panel 2 is preferably connected to said profiled edge 3 of said first panel 2, more particularly said second panel 2 is connected to said first panel 2 by means of a tongue 30 and groove 31 connection. In installed condition, said retaining portion 10 is preferably situated at least partially between said tongue 30 of said second panel 2 and said lower groove lip 32 of said first panel 2. Said first and said second panel 2 are at least partially touching said panel facing surface 17. Said joining portion 12 and/or said base section 9 are at least partially elastically deformed when said retaining portion 10 is connected to at least the lower groove lip 32 of the profiled edge 3 of said first panel 2, more particularly the said two legs of the joining portion 12 are bent with regard to the base section 9.

Said joining section 25 connects said connection section 7 to said frame-shaped portion 13 by means of an overmold 37, effectively providing a connection between the wall part 6 and the panel part 4. Said first and said second panel 2 are able to move at least partially in a first plane that extends substantially parallel to the surface of said first and said second panel 2, more particularly said first and said second panel 2 are able to move at least partially in a wall covering plane. Said connection section 7 comprises a fastener receiving portion 20. Said fastener receiving portion 20 comprising a recess 21 for accommodating a load distributing portion 22 of a fastener 8. Said recess 21 comprises a bottom surface 23 which delimits the bottom of the recess 21 and which is provided to distribute the load of a load distributing portion 22 of a fastener 8. Said fastener receiving portion 20 is a counterbore hole and said fastener 8, for example a socket head cap screw, is provided into said fastener receiving portion 20 and secured into said wall 15, for example into a wall plug, which is provided into said wall 15. Said wall plug is not shown in the figures.

Figure 8, at a larger scale, gives a two dimensional cross-section view of an area of the connection member 1 from figure 5, though for a variant. This view shows the frameshaped portion 13, the base section 9, a fraction of the edge section 11 and the holding section 5, and comprising a fraction of the wall part 6, more particularly a fraction of the joining section 25. Said panel part 4 being made out of a first material, preferably a sheet metal, and said wall part 6 being made out of a second material. Said holding section 5 comprising a retaining portion 10 and a joining portion 12. The base section 9 comprises a panel facing surface 17 and a wall facing surface 16. The joining portion 12 comprises a first part 18 and a consecutive second part 19, said first part 18 connecting to said base section 9 and facing away from the wall facing surface 16 and said second part 19 connecting said first part 18 to said retaining portion 10, wherein said second part 19 extends at a distance from both sides of the base plane and the retaining portion 10 extends away from and at a distance from said base section 9.

The maximum distance between said holding section 5 and said base section 9 in a direction perpendicular to said base plane, is adjustable, by elastically deforming at least said holding section 5, preferably in a way that said second part 19 of said joining portion 12 is pushed towards said first part 18 of said joining portion 12. In undeformed state, as shown in figure 8, this maximum distance between said holding section 5 and said base section 9 in a direction perpendicular to said base plane is indicated by dl. Said first part 18 preferably comprises a first bend 41, said first bend 41 being a connection between said base section 9 and said first part 18. Said second part 19 preferably comprises a second bend 42, said second bend 42 being a connection between said first part 18 and said second part 19. The frame-shaped portion 13 comprises a plurality of holes and/or cavities 43, said holes and/or cavities 43 being substantially filled with the second material, for example rubber and/or plastic material, from the wall part 6, by means of an overmold 37 of said rubber and/or plastic material over and/or onto the panel part 4.

Figure 9 is the two dimensional view of figure 8, with the difference that preferably said wall part 6 comprises a plurality of protrusions 44 and said panel part 4, more particularly said frame-shaped portion 13 comprises a plurality of holes and/or cavities 43, wherein said protrusions 44 can fit into said holes and/or cavities 43. In this embodiment, said protrusions 44 are provided into said holes and/or cavities 43. Preferably said protrusions 44 extend at least partially beyond said panel part 4 after said protrusions 44 are provided into said holes and/or cavities 43. Preferably said protrusions 44 comprise a portion which extends beyond the frame-shaped portion 13, said portion is at least partially deformed after said protrusions 44 are provided into said holes and/or cavities 43, by means of a pressing and/or ultrasonic operation, in a way that inhibits the separation of said panel part 4 and said wall part 6. It is also possible that an additional rubber and/or plastic material is attached to said protrusion by means of ultrasonic welding in a way that inhibits the separation of said panel part 4 and said wall part 6.

Figure 10 shows a top view of a variant of the connection member 1 shown in figure 4, comprising a panel part 4 and a wall part 6, wherein said panel part 4 is a spring steel sheet, preferably obtained by at least one punching operation. Said panel part 4 further comprises a base section 9, and a holding section 5. Said base section 9 is substantially plate shaped and comprises a panel facing surface 17 and an opposite thereto wall facing surface 16, as well as a frame-shaped portion 13. Said holding section 5 further comprises a retaining portion 10, which is situated at a distance dl from said base section 9, and a joining portion 12. The joining portion 12 comprises a first part 18 and a consecutive second part 19, said first part 18 connecting to said base section 9 and facing away from the wall facing surface 16 and said second part 19 connecting said first part 18 to said retaining portion 10, wherein said second part 19 extends at a distance from both sides of the base plane and the retaining portion 10 extends away from and at a distance dl from said base section 9.

The maximum distance between said holding section 5 and said base section 9, more particularly the maximum distance dl between said retaining portion 10 and said base section 9 in a direction perpendicular to said base plane, is adjustable, by elastically deforming at least said holding section 5, more particularly said joining portion 12, preferably in a way that said second part 19 of said joining portion 12 is pushed towards said first part 18 of said joining portion 12. Said first part 18 preferably comprises a first bend 41, said first bend 41 being a connection between said base section 9 and said first part 18. Said second part 19 preferably comprises a second bend 42, said second bend 42 being a connection between said first part 18 and said second part 19.

Said wall part 6 is entirely made out of a plastic material, preferably a thermoplastic material, more preferably a rigid thermoplastic material, for example a filled synthetic material composite comprising a thermoplastic polymer and comprising plasticizers and/or fillers. The thermoplastic polymer is preferably chosen from the list of: PVC, PP, PE, PET. More preferably the thermoplastic polymer is PP. The filler can be an inorganic filler, such as calcium carbonate or talc. Said filled synthetic material composite preferably has a plasticizer content of less than 10 phr. Said wall part 6 further comprises a joining section 25 and a connection section 7. Said joining section 25 connects said connection section 7 to said frame-shaped portion 13 by means of an overmold 37, effectively providing a connection between the wall part 6 and the panel part 4. Said joining section 25 further comprises a geometrical design which allows for elastic deformation of the plastic material. Said joining section 25 comprises a plurality of cavities 38 and a plurality of bendable portions 24, which comprise deformable legs 39. Said connection section 7 is flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to said holding section 5 by means of the geometrical design of said joining section 25. Said joining section 25 comprises a folded portion 26. Figure 11 shows a similar view to the assembly 14 attached to a wall 15, displayed in figure 6 and figure 7, though for a variant with the connection member 1 from figure 10 in its installed condition. Said assembly 14 comprises a connection member 1 in its installed condition, a first and a second panel 2 and a fastener 8. Said assembly 14 is attached to a wall 15, wherein said first panel 2 has an upwardly protruding portion 33 of a lower groove lip 32, and wherein said upwardly protruding portion 33 has a thickness tl.

The connection member 1 is the same as the connection member from figure 10, but in its installed condition. The retaining portion 10 is connected to at least the lower groove lip 32 of the profiled edge 3 of said first panel 2, preferably said retaining portion 10 is connected to an upwardly protruding portion 33 of said lower groove lip 32. Said second panel 2 is preferably connected to said profiled edge 3 of said first panel 2, more particularly said second panel 2 is connected to said first panel 2 by means of a tongue 30 and groove 31 connection. In installed condition, said retaining portion 10 is preferably situated at least partially between said tongue 30 of said second panel 2 and said lower groove lip 32 of said first panel 2. Said first and said second panel 2 are at least partially touching said panel facing surface 17. Said joining portion 12 and/or said base section 9 are at least partially elastically deformed when said retaining portion 10 is connected to at least the lower groove lip 32 of the profiled edge 3 of said first panel 2.

The maximum distance d3 between said holding section 5 and said base section 9 of said connection member in its installed condition, in a direction perpendicular to said base plane, is adjustable, by elastically deforming at least said holding section 5, preferably in a way that said second part 19 of said joining portion 12 is pushed towards said first part 18 of said joining portion 12. Said first part 18 preferably comprises a first bend 41, said first bend 41 being a connection between said base section 9 and said first part 18. Said second part 19 preferably comprises a second bend 42, said second bend 42 being a connection between said first part 18 and said second part 19. The joining section 25 comprises a geometrical design which allows for elastic deformation of the plastic material. Said joining section 25 comprises a plurality of cavities 38 and a plurality of bendable portions 24, which comprise deformable legs 39. Said first and said second panel 2 are able to move at least partially in a first plane that extends substantially parallel to the surface of said first and said second panel 2, and in directions having a vertical component perpendicular to the first plane. Said directions can also have a horizontal component, preferably said horizontal component lies in a plane that extends substantially parallel to said first plane. Said connection section 7 comprises a fastener receiving portion 20 and said fastener 8, for example a countersunk screw, is provided into said fastener receiving portion 20 and secured into said wall 15, for example into a wall plug, which is provided into said wall 15.

Figure 12 shows an enlarged view of an area of the assembly 14 from figure 11, comprising a fraction of the base section 9 and the holding section 5, as well as the upwardly protruding portion 33 of the lower groove lip 32 of the first panel 2 and a fraction of the second panel 2. A distinctive feature is depicted through the inclusion of a dotted silhouette of a holding section 5 juxtaposed with a solid representation of a holding section 5, wherein said solid representation embodies the holding section 5 in a deformed state. The dotted silhouette outlines the holding section 5 in its undeformed state 46. In said undeformed state 46, said connection member 1, more particularly said holding section 5 is not connected to a panel 2.

In installed condition, at least a portion of said base section 9 and at least a portion of said holding section 5, more particularly said joining portion 12 is elastically deformed. The maximum distance d3 between said holding section 5 and said base section 9 in a direction perpendicular to said base plane, is adjustable, by elastically deforming at least said holding section 5, preferably in a way that said second part 19 of said joining portion 12 is pushed towards said first part 18 of said joining portion 12. Said first part 18 preferably comprises a first bend 41, said first bend 41 being a connection between said base section 9 and said first part 18. Said second part 19 preferably comprises a second bend 42, said second bend 42 being a connection between said first part 18 and said second part 19. Figure 17 shows a possible embodiment of a panel part 4 of connection members 1 used in figure 1. Said panel part 4 contributes to the fire-resistant properties of the connection member 1. Figure 16 shows a connection member 1 comprising said panel part 4 in use. Said connection member 1 comprises a panel part 4 and a wall part 6, wherein the panel part 4 is a metal sheet or alloy sheet, and wherein said metal sheet or alloy sheet has preferably undergone at least one punching operation. Preferably the panel part 4 is a stainless steel sheet or a spring steel sheet. Said panel part 4 further comprises a base section 9, a holding section 5, an edge section 11 and a security member 49. Said base section 9 substantially extends along a base plane and said base section 9 is plate shaped and comprises a wall facing surface 16 and a panel facing surface 17. Said wall facing surface 16 is situated opposite to said panel facing surface 17. Said base section 9 comprises a frame-shaped portion 13. The frame-shaped portion 13 envelops a space, e.g. a circular-shaped opening through the base section 9, wherein said opening extends parallel to the base plane. Said security member 49 is connected to said frame-shaped portion 13 and is located inside said space enveloped by the frame-shaped portion 13. In the installed condition of said connection member 1, said wall facing surface 16 preferably faces the wall 15 and said wall facing surface 16 is more preferably substantially parallel to said wall 15, while said panel facing surface 17 preferably faces the wall covering 28 comprising one or more panels 2 and said panel facing surface 17 is more preferably substantially parallel to the wall covering 28. Preferably said wall covering 28 and said wall 15 are substantially parallel. The wall part 6 is at least partially, and preferably substantially, situated within said opening and envelops said security member 49. Preferably said frame-shaped portion 13 extends along a plane which is substantially parallel to the base plane.

Said holding section 5 comprises a joining portion 12 and a retaining portion 10. Said joining portion 12 serves as a connection between said base section 9 and said retaining portion 10. Said retaining portion 10 is used for contacting said profiled edge 3 of a panel 2. Seen according to a direction perpendicular to said base plane, the holding section 5 extends beyond said base section 9 and said retaining portion 10 is located at a distance dl from said base section 9. Said distance dl is preferably measured as the maximum distance between said panel facing surface 17 and said holding section 5, in a direction perpendicular to said base plane, and in an undisturbed state, e.g. when the connection member 1 is not connected to a panel 2. By having said retaining portion 10 located at a distance dl from said base section 9, said retaining portion 10 of the connection member 1 in installed condition, can more easily connect with coupling means of a panel 2. For example, said retaining portion 10 makes contact with an upwardly protruding portion 33 of a lower groove lip 32 of a first panel 2. Preferably said distance dl between said base section 9 and said retaining portion 10 is equal to or lower than the thickness tl of said upwardly protruding portion 33 of said lower groove lip 32. Said distance dl can also be smaller than said thickness tl, for example in the case a great amount of pretension is desired. The thickness tl of said upwardly protruding portion 33 of said lower groove lip 32 of a said first panel 2 is preferably the maximum dimension of said upwardly protruding portion 33 according to a direction perpendicular to the panel plane. The holding section 5 in this embodiment is hook-shaped. A hook-shaped holding section

5 is very suitable to take hold of a said lower groove lip 32, thus to connect with a said lower groove lip 32.

Said wall part 6 can be entirely made out of a thermoplastic material and said wall part

6 further comprises a joining section 25 and a connection section 7. Said wall part 6 has an overall circular shape. Said joining section 25 connects said connection section 7 to said frame-shaped portion 13 of the base section 9 and envelops said frame-shaped portion 13 by means of an overmold 37, effectively providing a connection between the wall part 6 and the panel part 4. Said wall part 6 envelops said security member 49 by means of said mentioned overmold. Said connection section 7 is flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to said holding section 5 because said joining section 25 is able to compress and/or expand at least partially, resulting in movement of the connection section 7 of the wall part 6 with regard to the base section 9 of the panel part 4. In this embodiment, the connection section 7 comprises a fastener receiving portion 20. Said fastener receiving portion 20 comprises a passage through said connection section 7 such as a countersunk hole for receiving at least one fastener 8. Further said security member 48 comprises a ring 49 which encircles said passage. Said fastener 8 in installed position goes also through said ring 49, as such providing for connection should the wall part 6 disintegrate due to fire. Also preferably, at the height of the holding section 5, the base section 9 comprises a projecting portion 47 along which the holding section 5 extends at both sides.

Figures 18 and 19 also show a connection member 1 comprising a security member 48, but a different embodiment as shown in figures 16 and 17. Instead of the panel part 4 comprising the security member, said security member 48 is attached to the side of the wall part 6 which is provided to face a the covering, e.g. to face the panel 2, such that the security member 48 forms a separate part of the connection member 1. Further, seen according to the base plane, the contours of the security member 48 partially overlap the contours of the base section 9.

The figures show different embodiments of connection members 1 comprising panel parts 4 and wall parts 6, each panel part 4 having specific features and each wall part 6 having specific features. For every embodiment shown and discussed above, combinations of a shown panel part 4 with all shown wall parts 6 are mutatis mutandis possible and combinations of a shown wall part 6 with all shown panel parts 4 are mutatis mutandis possible.

Claims

1 A connection member (1) for installing panels (2), said panels (2) being provided with at least one profiled edge (3), said connection member (1) comprising: a panel part (4) comprising a holding section (5) for holding said profiled edge (3); and a wall part (6) comprising a connection section (7) for receiving one or more fasteners (8); wherein said connection section (7) is flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to said holding section (5), wherein said panel part (4) comprises a first material and wherein said wall part (6) comprises a second material different from said first material.

2.- The connection member (1) according to claim 1, wherein said second material comprises a rubber and/or a plastic material, and wherein said wall part (6) is preferably substantially made from a rubber or a plastic material.

3.- The connection member (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first material comprises a metal or an alloy, wherein said panel part (4) preferably comprises a sheet metal or a sheet alloy, and wherein said panel part (4) is more preferably substantially made from a sheet metal or a sheet alloy.

4.- The connection member (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least said holding section (5) is made from a sheet metal or a sheet alloy, and wherein said sheet metal or said sheet alloy has a thickness of between 0,1 and 1 mm, preferably of between 0,1 and 0,6 mm.

5.- The connection member (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said panel part (4) comprises a punched sheet, and wherein said punched sheet is preferably made from stainless steel or spring steel.

6.- The connection member (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said holding section (5) is connected to a base section (9) of the panel part (4), wherein said base section (9) extends along a base plane, wherein said holding section (5) comprises a retaining portion (10) for contacting said profiled edge (3) and wherein, seen according to a direction perpendicular to said base plane, the holding section (5) extends beyond said base section (9) and said retaining portion (10) is located at a distance (dl) from said base section (9).

7.- The connection member (1) according to claim 6, wherein said panel part (4) comprises an edge section (11) which at least partially envelops said base section (9) and wherein said edge section (11) faces away from said base plane, wherein this edge section (11) preferably envelops at least 50% of the circumference of said base section (9).

8.- The connection member (1) according to claim 7, wherein said retaining portion (10) and said edge section (11) as seen according to said base plane each substantially extend on opposing sides of the base section (9).

9.- The connection member (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said holding section (5) comprises a joining portion (12), wherein said joining portion (12) connects said retaining portion (10) to said base section (9), wherein said joining portion (12), seen according to a direction perpendicular to said base plane, at least partially extends beyond said base section (9), such that the retaining portion (10) is situated at said distance (dl) from the base section (9), and wherein said joining portion (12) is movably/flexibly connected to said base section (9) such that the distance between said retaining portion (10) and said base section (9), in a direction perpendicular to said base plane, is adjustable.

10.- The connection member (1) according to any of claims 6 to 9, wherein said base section (9) at least partially envelops said wall part (6) and wherein said wall part (6) is connected to said base section (9) by overmolding.

11.- The connection member (1) according to any of claims 6 to 10, wherein the connection section (7) comprises a fastener receiving portion (20), said fastener receiving portion (20) comprising a passage through said connection section (7) such as a countersunk hole for receiving at least one fastener (8), and wherein said connection member (1) comprises a security member (48), wherein said security member (48) at least partially encloses said passage and/or comprises a further passage which joins to the passage of the fastener receiving portion (20) for receiving said at least one fastener (8), wherein said security member (48) is manufactured from a material which has a higher fire resistance than said second material, for retaining said at least one fastener (8) in the event of fire, and wherein preferably

-said panel part (4) comprises said security member (48), wherein said security member (48) is connected to said base section (9), and wherein more preferably said security member (48) is enveloped by said wall part (6) by overmolding; or

-said security member (49) is attached to the side of the wall part (6) which is provided to face a panel (2), wherein, seen according to the base plane, the contours of the security member (48) partially overlap the contours of the base section (9).

12.- The connection member (1) according to any of claims 6 to 11, wherein said connection section (7) is at least flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to said panel part (4) in said base plane, or in a plane parallel to said base plane.

13.- The connection member (1) according to any of claims 6 to 12, wherein said base section (9) comprises a frame-shaped portion (13) which surrounds a space, wherein said wall part (6) is at least partially, and preferably substantially, situated within said space, and wherein said space is preferably circular-shaped or rectangular-shaped.

14.- An assembly (14) of a connection member (1), a panel (2) and a fastener (8), wherein said panel (2) has at least one profiled edge (3), and wherein said connection member (1) is a connection member (1) according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein said connection member (1) is connectable to a wall (15) by providing said fastener (8) through said connection section (7) into the wall (15).

15.- A connection member (1), optionally according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 13, for installing panels (2), said panels (2) being provided with at least one profiled edge (3), said connection member (1) comprising: a panel part (4) comprising a holding section (5) for holding said profiled edge (3), and said panel part (4) comprising a base section (9) extending along a base plane, wherein said holding section (5) is preferably directly connected to said base section (9); and a wall part (6) comprising a connection section (7) for receiving one or more fasteners (8); wherein said connection section (7) is flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to said holding section (5), such that, seen according to the base plane, the maximum distance between the connection section (7) and the holding section (5) is adjustable, and wherein the maximum distance between said holding section (5) and said base section (9) in a direction perpendicular to said base plane, is also adjustable .

16.- The connection member (1) according to claim 15, wherein said panel part (4) is made from a punched sheet metal or a punched sheet alloy.

17.- The connection member (1) according to claim 15 or 16, wherein said holding section (5) is substantially made from sheet metal or sheet alloy, for example punched sheet metal or punched sheet alloy, wherein said holding section (5) comprises a joining portion (12) and a retaining portion (10), wherein said joining portion (12) movably connects said retaining portion (10) to said base section (9), such that said maximum distance dl between said holding section (5) and said base section (9) in a direction perpendicular to said base plane, is adjustable.

18. The connection member (1) according to claim 17, wherein the base section (9) is plate-shaped, wherein said base section (9) comprises a wall facing surface (16) and an opposing panel facing surface (17), wherein said joining portion (12) comprises a first part (18) and a consecutive second part (19), said first part (18) connecting to said base section (9) and facing away from the wall facing surface (16) and said second part (19) connecting said first part (18) to said retaining portion (10), wherein said second part (19) extends trough said base plane such that said second part (19) extends on both sides of the base section (9) and the retaining portion (10) extends opposite and at a distance (dl) from said panel facing surface (17).

19.- The connection member (1) according to any of claims 15 to 18, wherein said panel part (4) comprises an edge section (11) which at least partially envelops said base section (9), and wherein said edge section (11) is facing away from said base plane and wherein this edge section (11) preferably envelops at least 50% of the circumference of said base section (9).

20.- The connection member (1) according to claim 18 and claim 19, wherein, seen in a direction perpendicular to said base plane, the maximum distance between said wall facing surface (16) and said edge section (11), is greater than or equal to the maximum distance between said first part (18) of said joining portion (12) and said wall facing surface (16).

21.- The connection member (1) according to any of claims 17 to 20, wherein said maximum distance between said holding section (5) and said base section (9) can be adjusted by elastically deforming said joining portion (12).

22.- An assembly (14) of a connection member (1), a panel (2) and a fastener (8), said panel (2) having at least one profiled edge (3), wherein said connection member (1) is a connection member (1) according to any of claims 15 to 21, wherein said connection member (1) is connectable to a wall (15) by providing said fastener (8) through said connection section (7) into the wall (15).

23.- A connection member (1), optionally according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 13 and 15 to 21, for installing panels (2), said panels (2) being provided with at least one profiled edge (3), said connection member (1) comprising: a holding section (5) for holding said profiled edge (3); and a connection section (7) for receiving one or more fasteners (8); wherein said connection section (7) is flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to said holding section (5), and wherein said connection section (7) comprises a fastener receiving portion (20), said fastener receiving portion (20) comprising a recess (21) for accommodating a load distributing portion (22) of a fastener (8).

24.- The connection member (1) according to claim 23, wherein said recess (21) comprises a bottom surface (23) which delimits the bottom of the recess (21) and which is provided to distribute the load of a load distributing portion (22) of a fastener (8), wherein said bottom surface (23) extends according to a flat plane.

25.- The connection member (1) according to claim 23, wherein said recess (21) is a counterbore or a spotface.

26.- An assembly (14) of a connection member (1), a panel (2) and a fastener (8) wherein said panel (2) has at least one profiled edge (3), wherein said connection member (1) is a connection member (1) according to any of claims 23 to 25, and wherein said fastener (8) is a screw or a bolt, and wherein said assembly (14) preferably further comprises a washer, and wherein said connection member (1) is connectable to a wall (15) by providing said fastener (8) through said connection section (7) into the wall (15).

27.- A connection member (1), optionally according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 13 and 15 to 21 and 23 to 25, for installing panels (2), said panels (2) being provided with at least one profiled edge (3), said connection member (1) comprising: a panel part (4) comprising a holding section (5) for holding said profiled edge (3); and a wall part (6) comprising a connection section (7) for receiving one or more fasteners (8); wherein, at least in a first plane, said connection section (7) is flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to said holding section (5), wherein said first plane is provided to extend substantially parallel to the surface of the panel, and wherein said connection section (7) is further flexible and/or movable in directions having a vertical component perpendicular to the first plane.

28.- The connection member (1) according to claim 27, wherein said wall part (6) comprises a joining section (25) which connects said connection section (7) to said panel part (4), wherein said joining section (25) comprises a compressible and/or expandable and/or bendable portion (24) such that the connection section (7) is flexibly and/or movably mounted with respect to said holding section (5).

29.- The connection member (1) according to claim 28, wherein said joining section (25) comprises a folded portion (26), preferably said folded portion (26) comprises one or more folds (27), wherein said one or more folds (27) at least partially extend above and/or below said first plane.

30.- The connection member (1) according to claim 28 or 29, wherein said joining section (25) comprises one or more spring portions, hinge portions, angle portions, sliding portions, or combinations thereof.

31.- An assembly (14) of a connection member (1), a panel (2) and a fastener (8), wherein said panel (2) has at least one profiled edge (3), wherein said connection member (1) is a connection member (1) according to any of claims 27 to 30, and wherein said connection member (1) is connectable to a wall (15) by providing said fastener (8) through said connection section (7) into the wall (15).