AU2007100607A4 - Automobile Mat Securing Means - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: Invention Title: Juan Dauwalder Juan Dauwalder CULLEN CO Level 26, 239 George Street Brisbane Qld 4000 Automobile Mat Securing Means The following statement is a full description of the invention, including the best method of performing it, known to me: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to removable automobile floor mats and is particularly concerned with a means for securing such mats in situ.

SRemovable automobile floor mats are now a common accessory for all makes and models of vehicles. However they all suffer from a common disadvantage, namely they tend to slip out of position primarily due to the forces exerted by the feet of the driver/passenger, particularly upon entry into or alighting from the automobile.

Many attempts have been made to overcome this problem, including the 3 incorporation of high friction ribbing or spikes on the obverse side of the mat, the use of velcro-type fastening arrangements, and direct attachment to pre-formed abutments or pins extending up from the foot-well. None of these systems, however, are particularly advantageous. Because of the significant forces which are exerted on a mat at an acute angle with respect to the surface of the mat, the friction and velcro-type arrangements will, over time, yield and movement of the mat will occur. The systems using pins or abutments while not having these particular problems, do have the disadvantage that only the automobile manufacturer's or its authorised licensee's mats can be used and this typically means higher cost. Furthermore, pre-forming abutments or posts in the foot-well adds to the manufacturing cost of the vehicle and such arrangements are therefore usually confined to 3 the luxury or high cost end of the automobile market.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new form of securement means for removable automobile floor mats which does not suffer from the previous disadvantages and which provides the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, in its broadest aspect, the present invention provides a tab for securing a removable automobile floor mat in situ, said tab including a mechanical fastening arrangement to enable secure but ready detachable connection to an automobile floor mat, and also including means whereby the tab can be fixedly retained by the automobile.

Definitions of the specific embodiments of the invention as claimed herein follow.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, there is provided a clip for securing a removable automobile floor mat in situ, the clip comprising: a first fastening arrangement that enables reversible attachment of the clip to the floor mat; and a second fastening arrangement that enables reversible attachment of the clip to the 0 automobile, wherein the fastening arrangement comprises an upstanding profiled edge that is adapted to be retained under the edge of the trim in the foot wall of the automobile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The tab can be used for securing a removable automobile floor mat in the front or rear seating areas of a passenger vehicle or in the cargo area of a 4x4 vehicle. Furthermore, O the tab can be used with conventional carpet matting or with the newer form of moulded I matting.

Since the tab was initially developed for use with mats in the seating areas of vehicles, it will be mainly described in that context. Also, since the preferred form will be used in connection with the automobile's seat anchor, this adaptation will also be mainly referred to. However it will be appreciated from the aforementioned summary of the invention, that broader aspects are contemplated.

The tab can comprise any flexible or mouldable material which has sufficient strength characteristics to prevent elongation or breakage under the forces typically applied to a mat by the driver or passenger of the automobile. It can have a variety of physical shapes from planar through to lace-like. Preferably, the tab is in the form of a rectangular S planar element having a cut-away portion to accommodate the seat anchor. The cut-away portion can extend from an edge of the element or can be completely internal. In the former instance, it will not normally be necessary to remove the seat anchor completely but simply loosen it sufficiently to enable the tab to be slotted in position. In the latter instance it will be necessary to completely remove the seat anchor so that the tab can be placed over the seat anchor and then secured in position as the seat anchor is tightened. Suitably, the cut-away portion is circular and is fractionally larger than the diameter of the seat anchor however a slotted or elongated version can be more appropriate to enable the tab to be used in a variety of different sized automobile foot-wells.

When in the form of a rectangular planar element, the tab is preferably fabricated from either the same or similar material to that of the automobile mat, or, even more preferably, from a clear plastics material such as sheet acrylic. Such a material is preferred as it is least obtrusive since it is not plainly visible.

4 The means for attaching the tab to the automobile mat is preferably such as to enable S quick and easy detachment, while at the same time ensuring that when attached, it cannot accidentally become undone. The attachment means can comprise a hook fixed to the tab which passes through a preferably reinforced eyelet in the mat, or a reverse arrangement, or a press-stud or similar type arrangement. The latter of these, that is, the press-stud S arrangement is preferred. In that case, the dome head of the stud can be fixed into the N automobile mat, adjacent to the end next to or extending under the seat, and the male receiving portion can be formed in the end of the tab, or vice-versa. The dome-head can be matched in colour to the colour of the mat so that it is practically inconspicuous.

D The above-described securing means is generally suitable for all manner of automobile mats for all makes and models of automobiles. However, for four wheel drive vehicles which have low or flat entry sills and floors, it is also desirable to have a means for securing the edge of the mat so that ones foot does not catch on the mat when entering the vehicle. This leads to a second aspect of the present invention.

According to this second aspect there is provided a clip for attachment to the edging trim strip adjacent the opening of a four-wheel drive door, said clip comprising a planar profiled element which has an edge which locks into the edging trim strip, and one element of a press-stud, wherein the other element of the press-stud is located adjacent to the edge of the mat. Preferably the clip is fabricated from clear sheet plastics material such as acrylic 3 plastics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a top perspective view of an automobile floor mat with two fixing tabs; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of one of the tabs shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a plan view of one of the tabs shown in Figure 1, Figure 4 is a schematic exploded view showing how a fixing tab can be secured to an automobile seat anchor, Figure 5 is a plan view of a clip according to a second aspect of the invention, Figure 6 is an end elevational view of the clip illustrated in Figure Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a tab connecting the edge of a mat to the trim of the rear door of a 4x4 vehicle, Figure 8 is a plan view of the tab shown in Figure 7, and Figure 9 is a plan view of the cargo area of the 4x4 vehicle and tab of Figures 7 and 8.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in all of which like reference numerals refer to like parts.

Referring firstly to Figures 1-3, an automobile floor mat 10 is shown moulded in the form of a tray having upstanding sides 11, 12, 13. Side 12 is adjacent the automobile seat (not shown) and includes a lip 14. The lip 14 has two domed press studs 15, 16 formed therein with the domed portions on the upper side of the mat 10 and the recessed housing portions on the obverse side thereof.

3 Two planar rectangular shaped clear acrylic tabs 17, 18 (see Figures 2 and 3 for detail) having a mating male press stud 19 formed in one end, and a circular opening 20 in the other. The tabs 17, 18 are removably connected to the floor mat 10 by means of these studs in known manner.

The circular opening 20 formed in each tab is dimensioned to fit around the respective bolts which connect the front end of the seat to the chassis of the vehicle. This is exemplified by the tab 40 illustrated in Figure 4. Tab 40 only differs from tab 17 in that it has a slot 41 instead of a circular opening 20. The tab 40 is positioned beneath the seat support bracket 42 so that the slot 41 is aligned with the opening 43 in the foot of the bracket. The seat bolt 44 which connects the seat to the vehicle chassis is passed through the Saligned opening 43 and slot 41 to secure the tab 40 firmly in position.

Reference is now made to Figures 5 and 6 which illustrate a clip 50 according to the second aspect of the invention.

The clip 50 comprises a rectangular planar sheet of acrylic plastics material or any other suitable material having an upstanding profiled edge section 51 and one portion of a two-piece press-stud 52. The edge section 51 is adapted to be retained under the edge of the trim in the foot wall of a four wheel drive vehicle, so that the planar studded portion of the clip extends outwardly over the surface of the foot well. A complementary portion of the stud is formed in an edge of the removable floor mat and this is connected to the clip to prevent the edge of the mat from being caught by the passenger or driver's foot when entering or leaving the vehicle.

Figures 7-9 illustrate the attachment of a removable moulded mat 74 in the cargo areas of a 4x4 automobile which has a top-hinged opening rear door. Two tabs are used for this purpose. Each tab 70 comprises a planar rectangular acrylic strip with a press-stud 71 formed in one end which mates with a complementary press stud 75 formed in the perimeter of the moulded mat 74.

The tabs are retained in situ by means of the lip trim 72 and screws 73 which sandwich the tabs against the floor of the vehicle.

In each of the aforementioned embodiments, the mats are firmly retained in place during use and are readily removed by simply disengaging the elements of the stud connectors. The objective of the invention is thus met and a useful commercial product is provided to the public.

3 Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the invention, many modifications and variations may be made thereto by persons skilled in the art without departing from the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.

The term "comprise" and variants of the term such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used herein to denote the inclusion of a stated integer or stated integers but not to exclude any other integer or any other integers, unless in the context or usage an exclusive interpretation of the term is required.

Claims (4)

1. A clip for securing a removable automobile floor mat in situ, the clip comprising: a first fastening arrangement that enables reversible attachment of the clip to the floor mat; and a second fastening arrangement that enables reversible attachment of the clip to the automobile, wherein the fastening arrangement comprises an upstanding profiled edge that is adapted to be retained under the edge of the trim in the foot wall of the automobile.

2. The clip of claim 1, wherein the first fastening arrangement is a two piece press-stud, the male portion of the stud a part of the clip and the female portion of the stud a part of the removable floor mat.

3. The clip of claim 2, wherein the clip comprises a rectangular planar sheet of acrylic plastic material; the profiled edge of which is retained under the edge of the trim in the foot wall and the edge of the clip proximal the male portion of the stud extends outwardly over the surface of the foot well, such that the male portion of the stud forms a connection with the female portion of the stud.

4. A clip for securing a removable automobile floor mat in situ, which clip is substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings. Date: 4 July 2007