Vertical joint system for a surface covering panel

A vertical joint system for a surface covering panel having an upper surface which is visible when the surface covering is laid and an opposed lower surface and a plurality of sides located between the upper and lower surfaces, the vertical joint system

• comprising:
• a male part along a first of the sides;
• a female part along a second of the sides, the second side being opposite to the first side;
• the female part having a protrusion that extends from the lower surface toward the upper surface and an outer most female surface on the protrusion;
• the male part having a recess that opens onto the lower surface, a portion of the recess forming an inner most male surface;
• and
• wherein the outer most female surface and the inner most male surface are arranged so that when the male part of one surface covering panel is engaged with a female part of a second surface covering panel the outer most female surface overlies the inner most male surface at a first location and a second location,
• wherein the female part has a datum surface on which the male part bears when the male and female parts of respective vertical joint systems are arranged, the datum surface providing a depth control for the male part when inserted into the female part,
• wherein the female part has a female recess adjacent the female protrusion, and the female recess has an inner most female surface distant the female protrusion
• wherein the male part has a male protrusion and, wherein the male part has a common male surface that lies on both the male protrusion and the male recess, the female part has a common female surface that lies on both the female protrusion and the female recess, and
• wherein the vertical joint is configured so that when the male and female parts of respective vertical joint systems are coupled together with the respective lower surfaces in a common plane, a continuous gap is provided between an inner most female surface and an outer most male surface from the datum surfaces to at least the common male surface.