Kit consisting of two panels for covering surface and panel connecting element, panel connecting element and method for using panel connecting element

The invention relates to a kit consisting of two panels (1A, 1B) for covering a surface and a panel connecting element (9) for connecting the two panels (1A, 1B), in which: two opposite panel side surfaces have mutually complementary coupling elements (4, 5) in the form of an upper coupling element (4) and a lower coupling element (5); the lower coupling element (5) is provided with a groove (8); the panel connecting element (9) comprises a first portion (I) and a second portion (I) coupled to the first portion (I) by a connecting web (10); in the coupled state of the two panels (1A, 1B), the first part (I) engages in the groove (8) and the second part (I I) is pivotable relative to the first part (I) about the connecting web (10); the second part (I I) comprises an upper part (I I.I) with a latch element (11) and a lower part (I I.I) with a lever (12), and the latch element (11) comprises a projection (13) at the distal end; the locking element (7) comprises a contact surface (14) which abuts against the lev