Floor covering consisting of hard panels

The invention concerns a floor covering consisting of hard panels (2) which are provided, at least on two opposite edges (3-4, 5-6), with coupling means (7) made in one piece with the panels (2), whereby these coupling means (7) provide for an interlocking in a direction (R1) perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering (1), as well as in a direction (R2) perpendicular to the edges (3-4, 5-6) concerned and parallel to the plane of the floor covering (1). These coupling means (7) comprise a tongue (8) and a groove (9). The lip (11) which is situated on the bottom side of the groove (9) is longer than the lip (10) on the top side. The edge (5) which is provided with the tongue (8) is made flexible.