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EP1038493A2 - Universelle Fussmatte mit abnehmbaren Streifen - Google Patents

Universelle Fussmatte mit abnehmbaren Streifen Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1038493A2
EP1038493A2 EP00101487A EP00101487A EP1038493A2 EP 1038493 A2 EP1038493 A2 EP 1038493A2 EP 00101487 A EP00101487 A EP 00101487A EP 00101487 A EP00101487 A EP 00101487A EP 1038493 A2 EP1038493 A2 EP 1038493A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
strip
strips
slot
floor mat
slots
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00101487A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1038493A3 (de
Inventor
Myron Ullmann
Robert M. Burman
Ronald M. Kessler
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
R & L Marketing Inc
Original Assignee
R & L Marketing Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by R & L Marketing Inc filed Critical R & L Marketing Inc
Publication of EP1038493A2 publication Critical patent/EP1038493A2/de
Publication of EP1038493A3 publication Critical patent/EP1038493A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L23/00—Cleaning footwear
    • A47L23/22—Devices or implements resting on the floor for removing mud, dirt, or dust from footwear
    • A47L23/26—Mats or gratings combined with brushes ; Mats

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to floor mats.
  • Known floor mats for example as shown in U.S. patents 3,703,059 and 4,796,399 to Kessler et al, include a framework formed of crossing ribs attached to one another at the crossing points.
  • the ribs are usually made of plastic and are either welded together or are integrally molded in one piece. The ribs cross at right angles, with the lower tier of ribs resting on the floor.
  • Mats of the type shown in Kessler USP '399 have included carpet strips held between pairs of adjacent upper ribs.
  • the carpet strips are typically formed with a thermoplastic backing from which bundles of fibers extend.
  • the plastic backing of the strip is adhered to the top sides of the lower ribs where it passes over them, or is attached by clips.
  • mats have many advantages for use where people's shoes may be quite muddy or wet, and also provide anti-fatigue support.
  • the areas between the carpet strips let water drain down into the space between the lower tier of ribs on the floor, keeping the carpeting relatively dry and avoiding puddling on the carpet itself.
  • the mats are low in cost as compared to carpeting.
  • the present invention has an object, among others, to overcome deficiencies in the prior art such as noted above.
  • the present invention thus provides a backing framework for a floor mat having anti-fatigue properties and also having slots in which various types of strips can be fastened, making the strips removable and replaceable.
  • the edge of the carpet strip or other surfacing strip protrudes slightly and fits into side grooves which partly define the slit, which is preferably formed between the upper surfaces of the lower ribs and an overhanging edge running alongside of the upper ribs on each side of the carpet strip.
  • the overhanging edge or protrusion is desirably interrupted or tooth-like, i.e. there are interruptions of the overhanging edge along the direction of the strip, although it alternatively may be continuous.
  • the overhanging edge when viewed from above, has a generally crenelated or square-wave shape.
  • the cross-sectional shape of the overhanging edge taken on a plane perpendicular to the extension of the strips is rectangular, although it may alternatively be triangular.
  • the preferred shape of a rectangle optionally has its lower corner beveled on the side facing the strip. Most preferably, it comprises an extension of the upper ribs of the mat running in the same direction as the strips and edges.
  • the carpet strip and the bottom of the slot are lined with many upstanding hook-like projections of the type which appear in hook-and-loop fastening strips, such as the type sold under the name VELCRO, which projections adhere the bottoms of the strips to the slots.
  • the hooks are preferably formed on the upper surface of a plastic strip and the strip is adhered (or plural strips are adhered) to the bottom of each of the slots of the backing framework.
  • the loop material which can simply be cloth, forms (or is adhered to) the bottom of the carpet strip.
  • the carpet strips can be simply peeled out of the slots when they require replacement or cleaning. Since the hook material is covered at all times during use, the hooks are not damaged and remain usable for a long time.
  • the invention contemplates all combinations of the features of the two embodiments discussed above, for example a combination of the overhanging edge or protrusion with the hook-and-loop fastening.
  • the strips can be arranged in arbitrary patterns of color, texture, or material.
  • various types of inserts with loop material adhered to the bottom thereof can be used in various combinations.
  • wooden strips can be placed in all or some of the slots; this will greatly increase the attractiveness of the mat. strips can be easily changed to suit various conditions.
  • the lower ribs can optionally be made thinner under the carpet strips.
  • the backing or framework is much less stiff across the strip insertion direction and provides good anti-fatigue properties.
  • Fig. 1 shows a carpet strip 10 with a rigid or semi-rigid backing strip 12 made of plastic or rubber.
  • the strip 10 has two opposed edges 14 and a central area 16 with embedded carpet fibers 18.
  • the strip 10 slides into a slot 110 of a backing or framework 100 as indicated by the dashed lines.
  • the edges 14 are held in side grooves defined by overhangs or protrusion portions 132 extending into the slot 110 from a pair of adjacent but separated upper ribs 130.
  • the framework 100 has two major structural parts, the parallel upper ribs 130 running in one direction and lower ribs 150 running in a transverse direction to the upper ribs 130, preferably at 90° from one another.
  • the lower surfaces of the lower ribs 150 rest on the floor (not shown) and the upper surfaces of the upper ribs 130 are at the walk-on surface level.
  • the framework 100 is preferably molded of semi-rigid plastic or rubber as one unit, but the upper ribs 130 and the lower ribs 150 can also be welded or otherwise fastened together from discrete elongated (e.g. extruded) stock to make up the framework.
  • the preferred stock pieces are of plastic, e.g. PVC, polyester, nylon, polyolefin, TPR, polyurethane, or any other plastic, with a rectangular cross-section, and may be hollow (e.g. round, partly curved or square-section tubing).
  • the space at the bottom of the slot 110 is reinforced with braces 137 which run between lower ribs 150, parallel to the upper ribs 130. These preferably have a lesser cross-sectional area than the ribs 130.
  • the braces 137 are placed close to the protrusion portions 132 so that the edges 114 of the strip 10 are firmly held, in the vertical direction, between the braces 137 and the protrusion portions 132.
  • Molded-in blocks 139 may bridge between the braces 137. Extending from the floor level to the bottom of the slot 110, they provide additional support when someone walks on the carpet strip 10 after it is inserted into the slot 110. Similar support may be provided by posts 135 extending to the floor level from the undersides of the upper ribs 130 where they span across a gap between two lower ribs 150.
  • the end opening 111 of the slot 110 is open to receive the carpet strip 10.
  • the lower portion of the end corresponding to opening 111 is blocked, up to the height of the top of the inserted backing strip 12, by a molded-in slot end stop wall.
  • the stop wall may optionally extend upward to the upper surface of the upper ribs 130. With the slot end stop wall, the inserted end of the strip 10 cannot pass out of the slot 110 past the other side (not shown) of the mat framework 100. This makes strip alignment during insertion easier and prevents the strips from working out in at least one direction.
  • Fig. 1 has interruptions in the protrusion portions 132, so that viewed from above it appears to be crenelated on either side of the slot. These interruptions reduce friction when sliding strips into the slots 110.
  • the protrusion portions 132 may be of any cross-sectional shape, as viewed along the length of the slot 110. Preferably, they are rectangular as shown. Different portions may be of different shapes. One of the preferred embodiments is shown in Fig. 4.
  • the protrusion portions may have any width in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the extension of the strip. Preferably they extend horizontally into the slot 110, not quite to the nearest edge of the adjacent brace 137. This leaves a small gap between the overhang or protrusion 132 and the brace 137, through which the floor may be seen when the strips 10 are absent. This gap provides clearance for downward-extending portions of a clip 30, as discussed below.
  • Fig. 4 shows a portion of the mat 100 as seen looking along the slot 110.
  • the overhanging edge or protrusion 132 includes a bevel 133, and lacks the square lower corner which is shown in Fig. 1 and is indicated in Fig. 4 by dashed lines.
  • each protrusion portion 312 is roughly equal to the spacing of the lower ribs 150, but the portions 132 may be of any fixed length, of variable length, of random length, of lengths according to a mathematical pattern, and so on.
  • the interruptions, where any protrusion portion 132 is lacking, coincide with the lower ribs 150. They may be of any length, but preferably are at least as long as the width of the lower ribs 150. Thus, the protrusions preferably are not staggered in the preferred and illustrated embodiment.
  • the present invention contemplates any shapes, spacing, or other characteristic of the protrusion portions 132.
  • the crenelated protrusion portions 132 allow the carpet strip to be more easily inserted and removed. If the strip 10, and/or its edges 14, are not excessively stiff then the strip 10 can be inserted from above. If the portions of the protrusion portion 132 are staggered, insertion may be easier.
  • the present invention also contemplates strips 10 with crenelated edges, whereby the strip 10 may be more easily inserted from above and then slid along the slot 110 to lock in place.
  • Fig. 2 shows a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the mat framework 100 is similar to that of Fig. 1 except that the protrusion portions 132 are preferably omitted.
  • the upper surface of the mat which ends up under the strip 10, is preferably bridged over between the braces 137 to form a wider surface 138 on which may be spread an adhesive A (indicated by stippling).
  • the blocks 139 though not shown in Fig. 2, may optionally be retained.
  • the structure may be like that of Fig. 1 except that a thin (e.g. 2 mm or 1/16 inch) layer bridges between the various stiffening members.
  • the structure including the area 138 is preferably one-piece, for example all molded at once of plastic.
  • the underside of the strip of hook material 20 may also (or alternatively) be covered with the same adhesive A as on the surface 138 (or a different adhesive), for the purpose of permanently or semi-permanently attaching the strip 20 over at least the central part of the surface 138, along at least a part and preferably the entire length thereof, within the slot 110.
  • the strip 20, which is preferably flexible and formed integrally of plastic is shown outside the slot 110 for clarity, but the present invention contemplates that the mat includes strips 20 in each slot 110.
  • the strip 20 is preferably of a width slightly less then the width of the slot 110 so as to permit water drainage through the mat.
  • the strip 20 is shown fastened in place in Fig. 3.
  • the upper surface of the braces 137 and blocks 139 may include hooks molded or formed directly into the preferably plastic material of the mat 100, or hooks inserted into the slot surface in the manner of toothbrush bristles.
  • the mat 100 may omit the lower ribs 150.
  • Fig. 2 also shows a carpet strip 10 which includes on a lower side, opposite the carpet fibers 18, a strip 13 of loop material, felt, or other stuff that the hooks 23 can grip.
  • the grip strip 13 is preferably fastened to the strip 10 by adhesive A.
  • an additional intermediate layer 11 of foam rubber or the like is fastened between the grip strip 13 and the carpeting 18.
  • the intermediate layer may provide resilience, liquid absorption, additional carpet strip height, and so on.
  • the carpet strip 10 When laid onto the hook strip 20, the carpet strip 10 will immediately hold firmly to the mat framework 100 because of its grip strip 13.
  • the adhesive A or other fastening means preferably holds the one or more strips 20 to the mat 100 with strength greater than the strength of hook-and-loop fasteners, so the flexible carpet strip 10 can be removed simply by peeling up one end and pulling it.
  • Fig. 3 shows the carpet strip held in the slot 110 of the mat 100.
  • Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken transverse to the upper ribs 130 and through the length of one of the lower ribs 150 (not shown in Fig. 3).
  • Fig. 3 alternatively represents a mat lacking the crossed-beam construction with lower ribs 150, i.e. Fig. 3 might represent a uniform cross-section of an alternate embodiment of the mat 100.
  • Fig. 2 shows two embodiments of a clip 30 in broken view or partial view, with one embodiment on the left and one on the right.
  • the optionally present clip 30 prevents unintended pulling-up of the ends of the carpet strip 10, using a hold-down crosspiece 31 which bridges over the carpet strip 10.
  • the best place for the clip 30 is near the end of the strip.
  • both ends of the clip 30 include the puncturing arrow 33 shown on just the left end of the illustrated clip of Fig. 2.
  • a mating stop or washer 35 is optionally provided to cooperate with the arrow 33.
  • the clip 30 is pressed downward until the arrows 33 penetrate the strip 10. Then the stops 35 can be forced over the arrows 33 from the underside of the mat 100.
  • the arrows 33 may pass through the mat in the small gap between the overhang or protrusion 132 and the brace 137, or, some other space.
  • the arrows may also penetrate the mat.
  • Fig. 5 shows an slightly different embodiment of the stop 35, a "Tinnerman clip" 35', which combines the two stops 35 into a single elongated piece with two holes is also pressed over the arrows 33.
  • the Tinnerman clip 35' bridges over the undersides of the braces 137, locking the strip 10 against the braces 137 and into the slot 110.
  • the washers 35 perform similarly.
  • braces 137 may include holes for the arrows 33. Another other means of fastening the clips is within the scope of the invention.
  • the other embodiment of the clip 30 has two downward extensions 37 of the crosspiece 31 and two inward extensions 39 (only one of each is shown in Fig. 2, on the broken right side of the clip 30; Fig. 3 shows a complete clip 30 with two downward extensions 37, one on either side.
  • the inward extensions 39 are not visible in Fig. 3).
  • the inward extensions 39 optionally snap under the surface 138 of the mat 100, or the braces 137, locking the strip 10 in place.
  • the inward extensions 39 may also be crimped into place or formed by bending the downward extensions 37 inward after they are inserted past the undersurface of the mat 100, and over the undersides of the braces 137.
  • the clip 30 may be of any material.
  • Fig. 3 shows the clip 30 its mounted position as described above.
  • the clips 30 may be removed prior to removing the strip 10.
  • the strips 10 can include any other flexible material (or more rigid materials, especially if they are notched perpendicular to their length in the embodiment of Fig. 1); they may include abrasive strips, and may alternate strips of different materials.
  • the mat may be provided in lengths of 4 to 8 ft. to adequately brush the shoe bottom dry. Where appearance is more important, decorative strips can be used, e.g. strips with slots, decorative vinyl strips, etc.; or any combination of the above strips can be used to achieve a particular objective.
  • the mats may also be assembled in sections.
  • Preferred dimensions of the mats are 12" by 12" or 24" by 24" or any size in between, which can be assembled into sizes such as 3 feet square, 4 feet square, 4 feet by 4 and 1/2 feet, or 6 feet by 3 feet.
  • the various parts of the present invention may be attached with fasteners (e.g. rivets or staples), may be welded together (e.g. ultrasonic welding), or may be fastened by any other means.
  • fasteners e.g. rivets or staples
  • welded together e.g. ultrasonic welding
  • An alternative construction contemplates reversing the hooks and loop or felt, so that the mat or backing 100 would include the loop layer and not the hook layer.
  • any sort of elongated strip retainer or means for removably holding the strips 10 in the mat 100 is within the scope of the invention, and not just the preferred embodiments of elongated retainers including the protrusions 132, the hook-and-loop fastening system, and combinations of those.
  • the present invention differs from previous mats in that the strips 10 can be inserted into the slots 110 and also removed from above the mat 100, by pressing or pulling.
  • the overhanging edge or protrusion 132 includes a bevel 133
  • the strip 10 requires less force to be removed than inserted when the bevel 133 is on the inside lower corner, as illustrated in the drawing. This is useful because less force can be applied in pulling (e.g., with fingers) than in inserting (e.g., by leaning on an stick). (If the bevel is alternatively on the inside upper corner [this is not illustrated] then the strip 10 will be relatively more difficult to remove and easier to insert.)
  • strip embodiments can be inserted into slots 110: an additional-link strip molded for example for scraping the bottoms of shoes, or a slit tire casing, and an abrasive carbide strip with grit adhered (or otherwise fastened) to the upper surface of the strip for sure footing in wet conditions.
  • additional-link strip molded for example for scraping the bottoms of shoes, or a slit tire casing
  • Other types of strips for various purposes are also possible, e.g., hardwood strips, decorative vinyl or linoleum strips for decorative purposes, etc.
  • All carpet strips can be used for snow and water removal at an entry way location, or alternating strips of carpet pile 30 and links 20 can be provided in such an entry way, or an entry way leading from a muddy area.
  • abrasive strips can be used either alone or alternating with other strips, e.g. in icy areas or grocery stores, fish and meat markets where the butchers work, factories where the floor becomes oily.
  • the mat of the present invention thus has alternate reception areas where pile and carpet strips can be slid into place where needed.
  • the mat may be provided in lengths of 4 to 8ft. to adequately brush the shoe bottom dry.
  • decorative strips can be used, e.g. strips with slots, decorative vinyl strips, etc; or any combination of the above strips can be used to achieve a particular objective.

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  • Carpets (AREA)
EP00101487A 1999-03-23 2000-01-26 Universelle Fussmatte mit abnehmbaren Streifen Withdrawn EP1038493A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US27436099A 1999-03-23 1999-03-23
US274360 1999-03-23

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1038493A2 true EP1038493A2 (de) 2000-09-27
EP1038493A3 EP1038493A3 (de) 2002-06-26

Family

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Family Applications (1)

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EP00101487A Withdrawn EP1038493A3 (de) 1999-03-23 2000-01-26 Universelle Fussmatte mit abnehmbaren Streifen

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EP (1) EP1038493A3 (de)
AU (1) AU1357100A (de)
CA (1) CA2296864A1 (de)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002015765A1 (en) * 2000-08-25 2002-02-28 Construction Specialties (Uk) Ltd. Floor mat
US6440525B1 (en) 1997-03-24 2002-08-27 R & L Marketing And Sales, Inc. Floor mat system with adjustable clip
US6444284B1 (en) 1997-03-24 2002-09-03 R & L Marketing And Sales Inc. Floor mat system for supporting heavy loads
US6635331B2 (en) 1998-03-23 2003-10-21 Ronald N. Kessler Universal mat with removable strips
US6740380B2 (en) 1997-03-24 2004-05-25 R&L Marketing & Sales, Inc. Floor mat system
US7043792B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2006-05-16 R&L Marketing & Sales, Inc. Floor mat system with flanged cover
CN107303169A (zh) * 2017-04-27 2017-10-31 浙江理工大学 一种鞋底自动清洁机

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN111685706B (zh) * 2020-04-21 2022-10-04 合肥工业大学 一种洗鞋机

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3703059A (en) 1971-06-28 1972-11-21 Milton Kessler Extensible perforate floor mat and friction device
US4796399A (en) 1987-10-20 1989-01-10 Boardman Molded Products, Inc. Combination walk-off and fatigue mat

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3109206A1 (de) * 1981-03-11 1982-09-23 Erich 5900 Siegen Arens Rost zur bildung von laufmatten oder fussabstreifern
DE3715192A1 (de) * 1987-05-07 1988-12-01 Erich Arens Rost zur bildung von laufmatten oder fussabstreifern
GB8821407D0 (en) * 1988-09-13 1988-10-12 Kimberly Clark Ltd Improvements in & relating to mat holder
US4877672A (en) * 1988-10-11 1989-10-31 Construction Specialties, Inc. Floor mat with rigid rails joined by living hinges
DE4407231C5 (de) * 1994-03-04 2005-12-08 Geggus Ems Gmbh Mattenartiger Fußabstreifer
DE4412096A1 (de) * 1994-04-08 1995-10-12 Erich Arens Laufmatte und/oder Fußabstreifer
GB9510211D0 (en) * 1995-05-19 1995-07-12 Sutherland Thomas L Improved matting

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3703059A (en) 1971-06-28 1972-11-21 Milton Kessler Extensible perforate floor mat and friction device
US4796399A (en) 1987-10-20 1989-01-10 Boardman Molded Products, Inc. Combination walk-off and fatigue mat

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6440525B1 (en) 1997-03-24 2002-08-27 R & L Marketing And Sales, Inc. Floor mat system with adjustable clip
US6444284B1 (en) 1997-03-24 2002-09-03 R & L Marketing And Sales Inc. Floor mat system for supporting heavy loads
US6531203B2 (en) 1997-03-24 2003-03-11 R&L Marketing And Sales, Inc. Floor mat system for supporting heavy loads
US6740380B2 (en) 1997-03-24 2004-05-25 R&L Marketing & Sales, Inc. Floor mat system
US6635331B2 (en) 1998-03-23 2003-10-21 Ronald N. Kessler Universal mat with removable strips
US6663937B2 (en) 1998-03-23 2003-12-16 Myron Ullman Universal mat with removable strips
US7175899B2 (en) 1998-03-23 2007-02-13 R&L Marketing & Sales, Inc. Universal mat with removable strips
US7303801B2 (en) 1998-03-23 2007-12-04 R & L Marketing & Sales, Inc. Universal mat with removable strips
WO2002015765A1 (en) * 2000-08-25 2002-02-28 Construction Specialties (Uk) Ltd. Floor mat
US7043792B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2006-05-16 R&L Marketing & Sales, Inc. Floor mat system with flanged cover
CN107303169A (zh) * 2017-04-27 2017-10-31 浙江理工大学 一种鞋底自动清洁机
CN107303169B (zh) * 2017-04-27 2019-05-31 浙江理工大学 一种鞋底自动清洁机

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1038493A3 (de) 2002-06-26
AU1357100A (en) 2000-09-28
CA2296864A1 (en) 2000-09-23

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