Panel for a composite surface and a method of assembling same

A panel interconnectable with similar panels for forming a surface, the panel comprising:

• means for forming opposite, conncted, first and second surfaces having edges, at least the first surface being planer, whereby the first surface forms upon interconnection of the panel with similar panels a section of the first-mentioned surface;
• a first locking member extending from the second surface of the panel along a first edge portion of the panel, the first locking member having a groove inwards of the first edge portion opening toward the first surface of the panel and terminating on its outer side therebelow, the groove having a planer base generally parallel to the first surface of the panel and inner and outer side walls generally angled similarly to the planer base, the inner side wall extending toward the outer side wall and having a portion which meets the planer base normally for forming, in combination with the planer base a truncated wedge space, the angle of the inner side wall to the planer base being smaller than that of the outer side wall;
• and
• a second locking member extending from the first surface of the panel along a second edge portion of the panel, the second locking member having a configuration facing the second surface of the panel matable with the first locking member, the configuration being positioned relative to the first surface of the panel such that the first surface of the panel would align with the same if the configuration were mated with the first locking member,
• whereby, when similar panels having mating edge portions are interconnected into the first-mentioned surface, the first-mentioned surface is planer.