The invention relates to a covering consisting of elements that can be mechanically interconnected, at least one of the elements being a panel (1, 1a-1d, 2, 2a-2d) with the following characteristics: a) the sides (6) of the elements facing one another have a corresponding profiled section that can be used to interlock adjoining elements by means of a substantially vertical or pivoting connection movement in a horizontal and vertical direction; b) the interlocking can be achieved by a tongue element (11) that is hinged on one of the elements and that can be pivoted behind a locking edge (17) of the other element during the connection movement, said edge extending substantially in a horizontal direction; c) during the connection of adjoining elements, the tongue element (11) slides down a supporting surface (19) of the adjoining element, said surface lying opposite the locking edge (17). The supporting surface (19) that points towards the locking edge (17) is inclined in relation to a displacement plane (V) and causes a horizontal displacement of the tongue element (11, 11a-11d) behind the locking edge (17). Alternatively, the supporting surface (19) runs parallel to the displacement plane (V) and the free end (20) of the tongue element is inclined in relation to the displacement plane (V), thus causing a horizontal displacement of the tongue element (11d) behind the locking edge (17) during the connection of the adjoining elements (1d, 2d).