Panel and fastening system for such panel

A fastening system for horizontally, planar panels comprising:

• a first pair of oppositely disposed retaining profiles arranged on each of the panels;
• a first retaining profile of the first pair of retaining profiles arranged on a first edge of each of the panels;
• a second retaining profile of the first pair of retaining profiles arranged on a second edge of each of the panels, the first edge being opposite the second edge on each of the panels;
• the first retaining profile of the first pair of retaining profiles having a first hook element and the second retaining profile of the first pair of retaining profiles having a second hook element;
• the first hook element complementing the second hook element such that the first hook element on a first panel hooks directly and vertically into the second hook element on a second panel to fasten the first panel to the second panel;
• the first hook element having a first leg connected to and projecting horizontally outward from an upper portion of the first edge and a first hook projection connected to a distal end of the first leg and projecting vertically downward from the first leg;
• the first hook projection having a first inner vertical surface which faces the first edge and a first outer vertical surface which faces away from the first edge;
• the second hook element having a second leg connected to and projecting horizontally outward from a lower portion of the second edge and a second hook projection connected to a distal end of the second leg and projecting vertically upward from the second leg;
• the second hook projection having a second inner vertical surface which faces the second edge and a second outer vertical surface which faces away from the second edge;
• the first outer vertical surface has a first horizontal locking groove opening outward away from the first edge;
• and
• the second edge has a second horizontal locking groove opening outward away from the second edge, the second horizontal locking groove positioned on the second edge vertically between a proximal end of the second leg and an upper portion of the second edge;
• wherein, in a fastened position,
• the first inner vertical surface of the first hook element of a first panel bears against the second inner vertical surface of the second hook element of a second panel to horizontally fasten the first panel to the second panel;
• the first outer vertical surface faces the second edge and the first horizontal locking groove opens outwardly into the second horizontal locking groove;
• and
• a first locking element extends only between the first horizontal locking groove and the second horizontal locking groove to vertically fasten the first panel to the second panel;
• and
• a second pair of oppositely disposed retaining profiles arranged on each of the panels;
• a first retaining profile of the second pair of retaining profiles arranged on a third edge of each of the panels;
• a second retaining profile of the second pair of retaining profiles arranged on a fourth edge of each of the panels, the third edge being opposite the fourth edge of each of the panels;
• the first retaining profile and the second retaining profile of the second pair of retaining profiles being a modified tongue and groove which interlock with a corresponding retaining profile of a second pair of retaining profiles of another panel by swiveling to lock both vertically and horizontally.