Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to surface covering panels. More specifically, the present invention relates to surface covering panels including panel connection means adapted to receive or engage adjacent surface covering panels so as to cover a surface, to associated kits and to systems for covering a surface.

Background

There are a wide range of panels available for covering surfaces, such as internal walls, external walls, ceilings, floors and retaining walls. External and retaining walls are commonly covered by items such as natural stone, ceramic wall tiles, masonry blocks and tiles and wood surfaces. In addition, cement rendering followed by painting is another means for covering external or retaining wall surfaces.

Sandstone and natural stone surfaces are often regarded as highly aesthetically pleasing and are frequently sought for new developments. Due to the difficulties and costs associated with obtaining full sized bricks of sandstone or natural stone, manufacturers of surface covering products have numerous ways of manufacturing tile- sized pieces of sandstone and of natural stone that are adapted to be mounted to the surface desired to be covered. Some examples of readily available tile-type sections of artificial sandstone and natural stone are manufactured and sold by various companies, including Haddonstone and Newstone. The associated system for covering the surface is largely identical to the system for laying ceramic tiles on, for example, a bathroom wall surface, and frequently requires the additional use of mortar or grout joints between the tile-type sections.

In addition to costs and availability issues associated with using such products, other disadvantages include the high costs of installation, the excessive transport costs largely connected to the bulk and weight of the product, the requirement for stronger support structures and foundations capable of supporting the weight of such surface coverings, and the need to use the services of an appropriately skilled tradesperson. In addition, some such products are highly porous and are not well suited to resisting moisture penetration and subsequent surface staining. The grouting required between the tiles also adds to the installation cost and cracks caused by movement can often occur. Amongst these many problematic issues, is the fact that the colour, contrast and texture of these products are determined during manufacture and may not be entirely well suited from an aesthetics perspective to the local environment where they are to be used.

The present inventor has developed improved surface covering panels, associated kits and systems for covering a surface.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a surface covering panel having: a face, an underside, an edge, first panel connection means and second panel connection means, the first and second panel connection means being associated with the panel and adapted to receive or engage an adjacent surface covering panel also having first and second connection means. Preferably, the panel has a plurality of panel connection means.

In some preferred embodiments, the panel is adapted to be mounted to a surface. In some other preferred embodiments, the panel is adapted not to be mounted to a surface, but to another panel.

Preferably, each panel connection means is joined to the surface covering panel, and more preferably to one or more of the panel edge, the panel underside or the panel face. The join of each panel connection means with one or more of the panel edge, the panel underside or the panel face is preferably adapted to enable removal of the panel connection means. In some preferred embodiments, the join is selected from a frangible join, a snap-off join, a tearable join, a breakable join and a combination of two or more thereof.

In preferred embodiments, the panel connection means can be removed if redundant or undesirable.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, each panel connection means is formed integrally with the panel. In preferred embodiments, each panel connection means is adapted to receive or engage another surface covering panel, and more preferably still, one or more of a panel connection means joined to another surface covering panel, a panel underside of another surface covering panel, a panel edge of another surface covering panel, or a panel face of another surface covering panel. In some preferred embodiments, the panel connection means is adapted to receive or engage a panel underside of another surface covering panel or an underside of a panel edge of another surface covering panel.

In such preferred embodiments, the first or second panel connection means can take a number of forms. In one preferred form, the panel connection means is a clip member. The clip member may be hook-shaped or it may be shaped and formed so as to have a bias to a closed configuration which, for example, can "snap-fit" over, for example, a portion of a panel underside of another surface covering panel or of an underside of a panel edge of another surface covering panel. Preferably, the portion of the panel underside (or of an underside of a panel edge) of another surface covering panel has a thickness and, when the panel underside is observed in plan view (or when the underside of the panel edge is observed in plan view), represents a border-like structure surrounding a perimeter of the panel underside or running adjacent the perimeter of the panel underside.

In another preferred embodiment, the clip member is substantially L-shaped. Preferably, the L-shaped clip member is joined to the panel edge so as to form a substantially U-shape in combination with the panel edge. The U-shape of such embodiments is adapted to receive a panel edge of another surface covering panel or an underside of another surface covering panel. In such embodiments, the panel edge, or at least a portion of the underside of the panel, has a thickness representative of a border-like structure, preferably bordering, or running adjacent the perimeter of, a plan view of the panel underside. In an alternative or other preferred embodiment, at least one panel connection means is adapted to be inserted into a correspondingly shaped aperture in or adjacent panel connection means joined to another surface covering panel, a panel underside of another surface covering panel, a panel edge of another surface covering panel, or a panel face of another surface covering panel. In one such embodiment, the panel connection means is a tab member.

In some preferred embodiments, the panel edge includes a first set of first opposing panel sides. Preferably, at least one of a first form of panel connection means is joined to each of the first opposing panel sides. In a preferred embodiment, the first form of the panel connection means is an L-shaped clip member. In such embodiments, the surface covering panel may include one or more further different forms of panel connection means joined to one or both of the first opposing panel sides, any other part of the panel edge, the panel underside or the panel face.

In further preferred embodiments, the panel edge includes a second set of second opposing panel sides. Preferably, at least one of a second form of panel connection means is joined to each of the second opposing panel sides. In a preferred

embodiment, the first and second forms of panel connection means described above are different to one another. Also, in such embodiments, one or more further different forms of panel connection means may be joined to one or both of the second opposing panel sides, one or both of the first opposing panel sides, the panel edge, the panel underside or the panel face.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, an overall plan view of the surface covering panel (substantially excluding any variation in the overall plan view that would or might be caused by the presence of one or more panel connection means) is in the shape of a parallelogram, and more preferably in the shape of a rectangle. In this embodiment, the first set of the first opposing panel sides represent the longer sides of the rectangle and the second set of second opposing panel sides represent the shorter sides of the rectangle.

Preferably, the second form of the panel connection means joined to each of the second opposing panel sides is a tab member. The tab member is preferably substantially planar.

In some such embodiments, a second panel connection means joined to each second opposing panel side is a slot means or open slot arrangement adapted to receive or engage a tab member joined to another panel. Preferably, the slot means or open slot arrangement is adjacent the tab member along each second opposing panel side. The slot means or open slot arrangement and the tab member preferably together substantially span a length of each second opposing panel side, preferably, in substantially equal proportions.

In particularly preferred embodiments, a plan view of the shape and configuration of the surface covering panel has a rotation symmetry of order two. In such embodiments, the outline of the plan view of the preferred surface covering panel can be rotated by approximately 180° and have substantially the same outline of the plan view of the same surface covering panel before rotation.

In some embodiments, the rotation symmetry of order two preferably applies to a substantial proportion, but not to the substantially entire, plan view of the shape and configuration of the surface covering panel. For example, in some embodiments, one or more panel connection means may not be located such that the substantially entire plan view of the shape and configuration of the surface covering panel has a rotation symmetry of order two. In some such embodiments, an overall plan view of the surface covering panel (substantially excluding any variation in the overall plan view that would

or might be caused by the presence of one or more of such panel connection means) preferably has a rotation symmetry of order two. In other such embodiments, the rotation symmetry of order two preferably applies to an overall plan view of the surface covering panel as that overall plan view includes some, but not all, of the panel connection means.

In alternative embodiments, the rotation symmetry of order two may also apply to a pattern or ornamentation on the panel face or surface covering panel. Preferably, the pattern or ornamentation of the panel face or the surface covering panel does not have a rotation symmetry of order two. In some preferred embodiments, the pattern or ornamentation of the panel face or the surface covering panel has no rotation symmetry.

In alternative embodiments, an overall plan view of the surface covering panel (substantially excluding any variation in the overall plan view that would or might be caused by the presence of one or more panel connection means) can be of any desirable shape. Preferably, the shape has at least one edge that can abut (or be placed or mounted adjacent) a corresponding or alternate edge of another surface covering panel. Other examples of suitable shapes for the overall plan view of the surface covering panel (substantially excluding any variation in the overall plan view that would or might be caused by the presence of one or more panel connection means) include triangular, square or semi-circular. In some preferred embodiments, at least one edge of the surface covering panel may include a waveform, which can be regular or irregular.

A preferred rotation symmetry for the shape and configuration of the plan view of a surface covering panel may vary depending on the overall plan view of the surface covering panel (substantially excluding any variation in the overall plan view that would or might be caused by the presence of one or more panel connection means). For example, if the overall plan view of the surface covering panel (substantially excluding any variation in the overall plan view that would or might be caused by the presence of one or more panel connection means) is triangular, and more preferably still an equilateral triangle, the rotation symmetry of the shape and configuration of that plan view is preferably three. Similarly, if the overall plan view of the surface covering panel (substantially excluding any variation in the overall plan view that would or might be caused by the presence of one or more panel connection means) is square, the rotation symmetry of the shape and configuration of that plan view is preferably four.

An underside of the surface covering panel of preferred embodiments has an opening into the panel. The opening preferably opens into at least one hollowed portion adjacent a back of the panel face. In some such embodiments, the panel is a shell-like structure. The hollowed portion can, in some embodiments, provide a means for receiving the face of another surface covering panel. Such embodiments are adapted so as to facilitate compiling, collecting, packaging or otherwise arranging a number of surface covering panels in a substantially stacked configuration.

In some preferred embodiments, the panel face comprises a decorative surface and the decorative surface is selected from a flat surface, a raised surface, an even surface, an uneven surface, and a surface including a combination of two or more thereof. The decorative surface of the present invention is not, however, limited by these types of surfaces.

In a particular preferred embodiment, the decorative surface is raised and uneven and is coated with a coating selected from sandstone textured coating, sand textured coating, stone textured coating, glass-chip textured coating, wood textured coating and a coating including a combination of two or more thereof.

These coatings may be applied prior to or after moulding. The coating's may also be applied after a plurality of surface coverings have been applied to cover a surface. Coating application techniques include spraying, sprinkling, painting, dipping or a combination thereof.

The coating preferably consists of a clear or coloured adhesive with particulate material additives in a proportion adapted to achieve the desired texture and colour. The particulate material additives can include sand, crushed rock, metallic, plastic or other filings, coloured oxides (including, for example, those used in the concreting industry), recycled crushed tiles, concrete, ceramic particles, glass, wood, plastic, metal, any article or object giving an interesting or aesthetic appearance through resin adhesive, or a combination including two or more thereof.

In some embodiments, the coating may be a paint, dye or stain. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are not limited by requiring coating, and if coated, are not limited by the type of coating selected.

In some preferred embodiments, the surface covering panel is a manufactured panel. In some such embodiments, the panel is manufactured from a corresponding mould. More preferably, the panel is manufactured using injection, vacuum or pressure moulding. While the moulds of the panels of some preferred embodiments are

substantially identical to one another, the visual appearance of the pattern or ornamentation of a surface when covered by such preferred surface covering panels is nevertheless varied or repetitive in one or more linear planes. It is a particularly preferred configuration for the surface covering panel of the invention to be manufactured as such, preferably for embodiments of the panel being used to provide an alternative surface covering that looks like, but is different to, sandstone or 'natural' stone, for example.

Preferably, the surface covering panel is formed from a material selected from plastic, fibreglass, metal, resin, or a combination of two or more thereof. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the panel is formed from plastic.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a mould adapted for moulding a surface covering panel of the first aspect.

Preferably, the mould is used in conjunction with a moulding technique selected from injection, vacuum or pressure moulding or a combination thereof. In a third aspect, the present invention provides a kit comprising: a plurality of surface covering panels according to the first aspect of the present invention; and instructions for assembling the surface covering panels to cover a surface.

In one preferred embodiment of the kit, at least one of the plurality of panels is of a different shape, mass, density, size or shape and size to the others of the plurality of panels. In one preferred embodiment, the at least one different panel is adapted so as to fit in spaces or gaps that may not be substantially covered by an assemblage of the surface covering panels according to the first aspect.

In some preferred embodiments, the kit further includes at least one mounting means for mounting one of the surface covering panels to the surface. The mounting means of one preferred embodiment is a mounting member adapted to be interposed between the surface covering panel and the surface. The mounting means may be an angled member or may be of any suitable shape to perform its function. The mounting means may be formed of plastic, adhesive, preferably double-sided adhesive, metal, any other suitable material or combinations thereof.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a system of covering a surface comprising:

providing a plurality of surface covering panels according to the first aspect of the present invention or a kit according to the third aspect of the present invention; mounting a first surface covering panel on or adjacent the surface; mounting a second surface covering panel on or adjacent the surface by engaging the second surface covering panel to the first surface covering panel with one or more panel connection means; and covering the surface as desired by mounting each other surface covering panel to a previously mounted surface covering panel or surface covering panels with one more panel connection means. As previously explained, in some preferred embodiments, an overall plan view of the surface covering panels (substantially excluding any variation in the overall plan view that would or might be caused by the presence of one or more panel connection means) is in the shape of a rectangle. In one particularly preferred embodiment, an overall plan view of the shape and configuration of each surface covering panel, as that overall plan view includes some, but not all, of the panel connection means, has a rotation symmetry of order two.

In another particularly preferred embodiment, an overall plan view of the shape and configuration of the surface covering panel (substantially excluding any variation in the overall plan view that would or might be caused by the presence of one or more panel connection means) has a rotation symmetry of order two.

According to some such preferred embodiments of the system of the fourth aspect of the invention, when the surface covering panels are being assembled for the purposes of covering a surface, every second assembled surface covering panel in a linear plane is rotated by approximately 180° relative to every first surface covering panel in the same linear plane. In some of these embodiments, even if the pattern or ornamentation of each surface covering panel or each panel face is different in each case or is the same in each case (but without a rotation symmetry of order two), then the visual appearance of the pattern or ornamentation of the covered surface will be varied or repetitive in one or more linear planes. In embodiments wherein the overall plan view of the surface covering panels

(substantially excluding any variation in the overall plan view that would or might be caused by the presence of one or more panel connection means) is of a different shape, the system of the fourth aspect will be varied accordingly.

In some preferred embodiments, the first surface covering panel is mounted to the surface using a mounting means as described above in respect of a further preferred component of the kit of the third aspect of the invention. The mounting means is preferably adhered or affixed to the surface and then to an underside or back of the surface covering panel (and/or back of the panel surface) or vice versa. In yet still further embodiments of the system of the fourth aspect of the invention, other surface covering panels or more than one surface covering panel is/are mounted to the surface using such mounting means.

Preferably, the system further comprises removing one or more panel connection means from a panel before, after or between any of the mounting or covering steps, when, the panel connection means is not required; or a panel edge corresponds with an edge of the surface.

In some preferred embodiments, the system of the fourth aspect of the invention does not require mortar or grout.

Preferably, the surface is an internal wall, an external wall, a ceiling, a floor or a retaining wall. The surface can, however, be any surface which it is desirable cover.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.

In order that the present invention may be more clearly understood, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the following drawings and examples.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a surface covering panel according to one preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a back perspective view of the surface covering panel depicted in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view illustrating a number of assembled surface covering panels according to the embodiment depicted in Figure 1. Figure 4 provides an illustration of a section taken along line IV from Figure 3, along with a blow-up illustrating in detail one preferred interengagement of adjacent surface covering panels.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments In this specification: the term "joined to" (and grammatical variations of this term) when used in relation to the join between a panel connection means and one or more of the panel edge, the panel underside or the panel face, means connected to, secured to, or integral with, and further includes any other manner in which the panel connection means could be joined with one or more of the the panel edge, the panel underside or the panel face. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate front and back perspective views of a surface covering panel 10 according to one preferred embodiment of the invention. Surface covering panel 10 includes a face 11 , underside 12 and edge 13. The surface covering panel 10 depicted in the Figures also includes a number of panel connection means 30 described in more detail below. As is well illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, an overall plan view of the surface covering panel 10 (substantially excluding any variation in the overall plan view that would or might be caused by the presence of one or more panel connection means 30) is in the shape of a rectangle. In this embodiment, the panel edge 13 includes a first set of first opposing panel sides 13A and 13A' representing the longest sides of the rectangle and a second set of second opposing panel sides 13B and 13B' representing the shortest sides of the rectangle.

Each of the first opposing panel sides 13A and 13A ¹ include two panel connection means 30 joined to them. These panel connection means 30 are in the form of an L-shape clip member represented by reference numeral 31. The L-shaped clip member 31 is joined to the panel edge 13 so as to form a substantially U-shape in combination with panel edge 13. The U-shape of such embodiments is adapted to receive a panel edge 13 of another surface covering panel 10 or an underside 12 of another surface covering panel 10. In such embodiments, the panel edge 13, or at least a portion of the underside 12 of the panel 10 has a thickness representative of a border-

like structure, preferably bordering, or running adjacent the perimeter of, a plan view of the panel underside 12. This interengagement or joining of surface covering panels 10 according to preferred embodiments to this invention is described below in more detail, with particular reference to figure 4. Each of second opposing panel sides 13B and 13B' has two different forms of panel connection means 30 joined to them. One form of panel connection means 30 joined to each of the second opposing panel sides 13B and 13B' is a tab member 32. The tab member 32 is substantially planar. The other form of adjacent connection means 30 joined to each second opposing panel side 13B and 13B' is an open slot arrangement 33 adapted to receive or engage a tab member 32 joined to another panel 10. Preferably, the open slot arrangement 33 is adjacent the tab member 32 along each second opposing panel side 13B and 13B'. As is well illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the open slot arrangement 33 and the tab member 32 together substantially span a length of each second opposing panel side 13B and 13B', preferably, in substantially equal proportions.

In the embodiment depicted in Figures 1 and 2, each panel connection means 30 is joined to a relevant location on the panel edge 13. The join is adapted to enable removal of the panel connection means 30 and is selected from a frangible join, a snap- off join, a tearable join, a breakable join and a combination of two or more thereof. The adjacent panel connections means 30 can be removed if redundant or undesirable. Accordingly, while it may be possible to remove an adjacent panel connections means 30 in the form of an open slot arrangement 33, this may be unnecessary as a panel connection means 30 of this kind is unlikely, in preferred embodiments, to be undesirable as it does not, for example, protrude from the panel edge 13. Nevertheless, in some embodiments, the panel connection means 30 in the form of an open slot arrangement 33 may also be removed from the surface covering panel. Preferably, each panel connection means 30 is formed integrally with the panel 10.

Turning to Figure 4, a description is now provided of the manner in which panel connection means 30 in the form of a clip member 31 is adapted to receive a panel edge 13 of another surface covering panel 10 or an underside of another surface covering panel 10. The blow-up section in Figure 4 provides an enlarged view of a portion of the cross-section taken along the line IV from Figure 3. First opposing panel side 13A ¹ has a thickness, or at least a portion of the underside 12 of panel 10, has a thickness. This thickness is representative of a border-like structure, preferably bordering, or running adjacent the perimeter of a plan view of the panel underside 12. L-shaped clip member

31 is joined to first opposing panel side 13A so as to form a substantially U-shape in combination with first opposing panel side 13A. Clip member 31 is shaped and formed so as to have a bias to a closed configuration which can "snap-fit" over opposing panel side 13A ¹ . Embodiments of surface covering panel 10 depicted best in Figures 1, 2 and 3 illustrate that a substantial proportion of a plan view of the shape and configuration of surface covering panel 10 has a rotation symmetry of order two. In other embodiments of the surface covering panel 10 not depicted in the Figures, the substantially entire plan view of the shape and configuration of surface covering panel 10 has a rotation symmetry of order two. However, looking specifically at first opposing panel sides 13A and 13A', it can be seen that the relative spacing or location of clip members 31 is different on each of these opposing panel sides 13A and 13A'. Similarly, looking at second opposing panel sides 13B and 13B', it can be seen that tab members 32 and open slot arrangements 33 are spaced and located so that they respectively appear opposite one another. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the substantial proportion of the plan view of the shape and configuration of surface covering panel 10 that has a rotation symmetry of order two substantially excludes any variation in the overall plan view that would or might be caused by the presence of one or more panel connection means 30.

In an alternate embodiment of surface covering panel 10, clip members 31 are evenly spaced along the length of each first opposing panel side 13A and 13A' and tab member 32 and open slot arrangement 33 are spaced and configured in reverse configurations to one another on each respective second opposing panel side 13B and 13B'. In such embodiments, the substantially entire overall plan view of the shape and configuration of the surface covering panel 10 has a rotation symmetry of order two. As is well illustrated in Figure 2, the underside 12 of surface covering panel 10 has an opening 40. Opening 40 opens into at least one hollowed portion 41 adjacent a back of the panel face 11. In some such embodiments, the panel is a shell-like structure. The hollow portion 41 can, in some embodiments, provide a means for receiving the face 11 of another surface covering panel 10. Such embodiments are adapted so as to facilitate compiling, collecting, packaging or otherwise arranging a number of surface covering panels 10 in a substantially stacked configuration. This enables a plurality of surface covering panels 10 to be provided in a "flat-pack", or otherwise stacked, arrangement well suited for easy transfer and/or for "do-it-yourself" type kits.

As is well illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, panel face 11 comprises a decorative surface 11 A which is raised and uneven.

The pattern or ornamentation of decorative surface 11 A may also have a rotation symmetry of order two. However, in a preferred embodiment, the pattern or ornamentation of decorative surface 11A does not have a rotation symmetry of order two, or more preferably still, has no rotation symmetry. As best seen in overall side- sectional view of a number of assembled surface covering panels 10 in Figure 4, decorative surface 11A is coated with surface coating 11 B, selected from, for example, sandstone textured coating, sand textured coating, stone textured coating, glass-chip textured coating, wood textured coating and a coating including a combination of two or more thereof.

Surface coating 11 B may be applied prior to, during or after moulding. It may also be applied after a plurality of surface covering panels 10 have been applied or assembled to cover a surface (not shown). Coating application techniques include spraying, sprinkling, painting, dipping or a combination thereof.

The fourth aspect of the present invention provides a system of covering a surface which involves mounting and assembling a number of surface covering panels 10 to cover the surface (not shown). A series of assembled surface covering panels 10 is well illustrated in Figure 3. As previously explained, in one particularly preferred embodiment, an overall plan view of the shape and configuration of the surface covering panel 10 (substantially excluding any variation in the overall plan view that would or might be caused by the presence of one or more panel connection means 30) has a rotation symmetry of order two. The embodiment of surface covering panel 10 depicted in the Figures corresponds to that preferred embodiment.

When the surface covering panels 10 are being assembled for the purposes of covering a surface (not shown), every second assembled surface covering panel 10 in a linear plane is rotated by approximately 180 degrees relative to every first surface covering panel 10 in the same linear plane. As is well illustrated in Figure 3, decorative surface 11 A has a pattern or ornamentation which is the same in each case (but without a rotation symmetry of order two), and the visual appearance of the pattern or ornamentation of the covered surface is repetitive in each linear plane. However, as would be appreciated by persons skilled in the art, where decorative surface 11A is varied, raised and uneven, the repetitive nature of the visual appearance of each linear

plane would not necessarily be immediately clear to an observer, unless on close inspection. In this way, a surface covered by a plurality of surface covering panels 10 may provide the appearance of a varied surface in spite of each surface covering panel 10 having substantially the same shape and/or configuration with a decorative surface 11 A having substantially the same pattern or ornamentation.

The system of covering a surface of preferred embodiments further comprises removing one or more panel connection means 30 from a panel 10 before, after or between any of the mounting or covering steps, when, the panel connection means 30 is not required or a panel edge 13 corresponds with an edge of the surface (not shown). For example, if the outer left and right sides of the assembled panels depicted in Figure 3 represent an edge of the surface (not shown), then panel connection means 30 in the form of tab members 32 could be snapped off or otherwise removed from the relevant surface covering panel 10. In this way panel edge 13 aligned with an edge of the surface (not shown) would correspond with a "finished" edge of the surface covering. Similarly, if the upper and lower most edges of the assembled surface covering panels 10 depicted in Figure 3 represented upper and lower most edges of the surface (not shown), then panel connection means 30 in the form of clip members 31 could be snapped off or otherwise removed from their respective covering panel 10 in a similar manner. The spaces or gaps that are not covered by the assemblage of surface covering panels could be filled with a further, perhaps, differently shaped, surface covering panel (not shown). The 'different' panel could be as described above in relation to the kit of the present invention, or could be cut and shaped from similar material as required.

The system of the present invention enables a surface (not shown) to be covered using a series of assembled surface covering panels 10 without the need for mortar, grout or any other similar such material.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.