| JP11009422 | MUD SCRAPING SOUND MAT |
| JP2004305667 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING ELECTRIC CARPET |
| JP2005054301 | TUFTED CARPET GROUND FABRIC |
PRINSLOO, Sarah (P.O. Box 46931, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89114, US)
PRINSLOO, Sarah (P.O. Box 46931, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89114, US)
| We Claim: 1. A rug for covering a floor, the rug comprising: a cover having thereon a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the cover having a peripheral area and a central area; a mat having thereon a top surface and a bottom surface, the top and bottom surfaces of the mat being substantially planar with the top surface of the mat having a peripheral area and a central area, the top and bottom surfaces of the mat exposing non-slip material for frictionally gripping both the bottom surface of the cover and the exposed surface of the floor when a sliding force is applied to the rug; a peripheral fastening arrangement on the peripheral area of the mat for detachably connecting the peripheral area of the cover to the periphery of the mat with a holding force operative transverse to a sliding force to keep the cover and the mat connected in an overlying relationship until it is desired to separate the cover and mat, whereby when the cover and mat are connected at their peripheral areas and lying on a floor, foot steps on the top surface of the cover cause the bottom surface of the cover to frictionally engage the top surface on the mat to prevent the cover from slipping relative to the mat and to cause the bottom surface of the mat not to slip relative to the floor, the cover being removable from the mat by applying a stripping force separating the cover from the mat. 2. The rug of claim 1 wherein the fastener at the peripheral area on the mat comprises VELCRO hooks which engage fabric of the cover exposed at the peripheral area of the cover. 3. The rug of claim 2 wherein the peripheral area on the cover includes VELCRO loops for coupling with the hooks. 4. The rug of claim 1 wherein the fastener of the peripheral area of the mat is comprised of hooks or loops and the peripheral area of the cover has a fastener comprised of loops or hooks which couple with the hooks or loops, respectively, of the fastener on the peripheral area of the mat. 5. The rug of claim 2 wherein the fasteners are opposed portions of a VELCRO fastener. 6. The rug of claim 1 wherein the mat is formed of non-slip EVA foam. 7. The rug of claim 1 wherein EVA is the primary material of the top and bottom surfaces of the mat. 8. The rug of claim 7 wherein the cover fabric is similar to a polyester fabric and in some cases with the top surface coated with polypropylene and the bottom surface coated with polypropylene. 9. The rug of claim 1 wherein the cover is similar to a polyester fabric with the top surface coated with polypropylene and the bottom surface coated with polypropylene. 10. The mat of claim 1 in combination with a variety of covers selectable to combine with the mat to make rugs of various aesthetic designs or rugs for various purposes including simple replacement of soiled or old covers. 11. A mat for supporting a cover that with the mat forms a rug for covering a floor, the mat comprising: substantially planar top and bottom surfaces of non-slip material; a peripheral area on the top surface disposed around a central area of the top surface to provide a central non-slip area for engaging a selected rug; one portion of a two portion hook and loop fastening material attached to the peripheral area for attaching a selected rug thereto, wherein the portion of the fastening material stabilizes a cover attached to the mat while the non-slip material resists sliding of a cover with respect to the mat and the mat with respect to a floor when a cover is attached to the mat to form a rug and the mat is in place on a floor. 12. The mat of claim 10 wherein the portion of hook and loop material is the hook portion. 13. The mat of claim 10 wherein the portion of hook and loop material is the loop portion. 14. The mat of claim 10 wherein the mat is formed of EVA polymers that provide softness and flexibility. 15. The mat of claim 14 wherein the EVA is on the top and bottom surfaces of the mat. 16. A rug for covering a floor, the rug comprising: a cover having a top surface and a bottom surface; a mat having a top surface for facing the bottom surface of the cover and a non- slip bottom surface for facing the floor, and releasable fastening material for mechanically interlocking the bottom surface of the cover to the top surface of the mat to releasably attach the cover to the mat and to prevent the cover from slipping relative to the mat, the cover being manually strippable from the mat. 17. The rug according to claim 16 wherein the releasable fastening material comprises hook material on one of the surfaces and loop material on the other surface. 18. The rug according to claim 16 wherein the releasable fastening material comprises grippable material on one of the surfaces and gripping elements on the other surface. 19. The rug according to claim 16 wherein the gripping elements are in grit material on one surface and the grippable material is fibrous on the other surface. 20. The rug according to claim 19 wherein the grit material is exposed on the top surface of the mat and the fibrous material is exposed on the bottom surface of the cover. 21. The rug according to claim 16, wherein the releasable fastening material is a resinous material having a mechanical gripping texture, the material being applied directly to the mat. 22. The rug according to claim 21, wherein the secondary layer is a plastic film with microscopic projections or a film with a resinous pattern that is directly applied, bonded or adhered to the mat. 23. The rug according to claim 21, wherein the material is dispersed onto the mat in fluid or particulate form and cured. 24. The rug according to claim 16 wherein the cover has corner pockets or corner straps to help align corners of the cover with corners of the mat. |
This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application 61/252,859 filed October 19, 2009, which is incorporated by reference herein and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Application 12/699,524 filed February 3, 2010.
Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates to rugs with a mat portion. More particularly, the present invention relates to rugs with a mat portion for, but not limited to, rugs being used as area rugs, throw rugs, floor runners, bath mats, door mats and rugs configured for use as floor, kitchen, door, car, exercise, play, and pet mats as well as any other types of rugs.
Background of the Invention:
Rugs are typically made of carpet fibers or made of other fibrous material that is difficult to clean thoroughly or sanitize. When soiled, the rug must be scrubbed by hand or professionally cleaned like carpet, and may still be left with residue stains or soil marks and odor from food, drink or other liquid, dirt, mold, mildew, allergens, toxins, pet dander, pet or human vomit, urine, or other bodily fluids. The nature of a typical rug design and construction makes it time consuming or costly to clean or replace, heavy and cumbersome to move, and near impossible to thoroughly clean. Professional cleaning may use toxic chemicals and steam cleaning cannot reach deep in the fibers. This may be hazardous to children who crawl or anyone who lies on the rug, or to any person sensitive to allergens, odors and toxins. Typical rugs or doormats are not designed to be laundered in a washing machine, cleaned thoroughly with soap and water or dry cleaned. Rugs typically require a separate rug pad made from a non-slip material. This pad needs to be trimmed so that it is slightly smaller than the rug and is placed under the rug. There is no satisfactory attachment mechanism; therefore, the rug and underlying pad often separate, leaving the rug shifted and the pad exposed. Standard bathmats are designed in two ways; one way is similar to a heavy towel so it is washable but without a non-slip feature it can be hazardous. The other way is a bathmat manufactured with a fibrous, absorbent top and built-in non-slip backing. It claims to be washable, but once laundered in a washing machine, it typically starts falling apart, leaving chunks of loose fibers and bits of the non-slip backing in the washing machine. Moreover, the cumbersome, difficult and expensive nature of a typical rug prevents it from being versatile by allowing the owner to switch out the rug design seasonally or as desired or needed, as is often the case with bedding. Often, owners will keep a soiled rug longer than desired because of the inconvenience and expense of replacement. Typical rugs are made with wool fiber that, in addition to trapping the above mentioned stains and soil, can shed, be itchy and uncomfortable. Alternative rug options such as rugs made from natural fibers; such as sisal, are rough and uncomfortable to walk, crawl or lay on, and are also heavy and difficult to clean. Rugs made from plastics that are designed for outdoor use are washable with soap and water but are essentially all plastic; and therefore, uncomfortable and limited to a few basic designs.
Accordingly, there is a need for a rug or bathmat that serves the purpose of a conventional rug, carpet or bathmat, but is configured like a slipcover to enable the owner to separate a fabric cover material from a non-slip, non-absorbent mat material and wash both separately with minimal cost or inconvenience. Moreover, there is a need for a rug alternative that is lighter in weight, comfortable, versatile, flexible, bendable (more compact); and therefore less cumbersome to carry or move, and less prone to accumulation of dirt, dust, mold, mildew, pet dander, allergens, residual stains, pet or human vomit, urine or other bodily fluids.
Summary of the Invention:
In view of the aforementioned considerations, the present invention is directed to rugs, or mats as in a bathmat, with a non-slip, non-absorbent mat portion detachably fastened to a cover portion by a releasable fastening means for mechanically interlocking the mat to the cover portion. In accordance with a first embodiment of the rug, when a rug of the present invention is mounted on a floor, the rug provides a cover with a first top surface which is visible and a first bottom surface which is hidden, the first bottom surface having a first peripheral area and a first central area. The cover cooperates with a mat providing thereon a second top surface and a second bottom surface, the first and second bottom surfaces being substantially planar. The second bottom surface has a second peripheral area and a second central area when a sliding force is applied to the cover and the mat, the second top and bottom surfaces provided by the mat expose non-slip material for frictionally gripping both the first bottom surface of the cover and the exposed surface of the floor. A peripheral fastening arrangement on or in the second peripheral area of the mat detachably connects the first peripheral area provided on the cover to the second peripheral provided on the mat with a holding force operative transverse to the sliding force. The peripheral fastening arrangement keeps the cover and the mat connected until it is desired to separate the cover from mat. Consequently, when the cover and mat are attached at their peripheral areas and lying on a floor, footsteps on the first top surface provided on the cover cause the first bottom surface on the cover to frictionally engage the second top surface on the mat. Accordingly, during use of the rug on a floor, the cover does not slip relative to the mat and the mat does not slip relative to the floor. When the rug is due for cleaning or laundering, the cover is strippable from the mat by applying a force that separates the peripheral fasteners.
In a further aspect of the rug, the fastener of the second peripheral area on the mat is comprised of VELCRO hooks which engage fabric of the cover exposed at the first peripheral area of the cover.
In a further aspect of the rug, wherein the fastener of the second peripheral area provided on the mat is comprised of VELCRO hooks or loops and the first peripheral area defined on the cover is a second fastener comprised of loops or hooks, which loops or hooks couple with the hooks or loops, respectively, of the fastener on the second peripheral area on the mat.
In a further aspect of the rug, the fastener arrangement on the mat could extend beyond the peripheral in various patterns, or cover the entire top surface of the mat. In a further aspect of the rug, the fasteners are VELCRO ® fasteners.
In a further aspect of the rug, the mat material is formed of foam or expanded rubber; more specifically, it is comprised of ethylene vinyl acetate (also known as EVA), that provides a waterproof, non-slip material.
In a further aspect of the rug, the EVA is the primary material for the second top and bottom surfaces provided by the mat.
In a further aspect of the rug, the cover is typically made from fabric with the similar attributes of polyester; namely, non-shrink, non-wrinkle, non-stretch, washable and durable, and in some cases a non-toxic stain resistant coating, the first top surface is coated with polypropylene and the first bottom surface is coated with polypropylene, or otherwise treated for stain resistance, unless the rug is used as a bathmat or any other type of mat in which case cotton, microfiber, or any other type of material can be typical.
In a further aspect of the rug, a variety of cover designs and textures are selectable to combine with the mat to make rugs of various aesthetic designs or rugs for various purposes.
An embodiment of the invention is directed to a mat for supporting a cover that with the mat, forms a rug for covering a floor. The mat comprises substantially planar top and bottom surfaces of non-slip material and a peripheral area on the top surface disposed around a central area of the top surface to provide a central non-slip area for engaging a selected cover. One portion of a two portion VELCRO hook and loop fastening material is attached to the peripheral area for detachably attaching a selected cover thereto, wherein the portion of the fastening material stabilizes a cover attached to the mat while the non-slip material resists sliding of a cover with respect to the mat and sliding of the mat with respect to the floor.
In a further aspect of the mat, the portion of hook and loop material on the mat is the hook portion.
In a further aspect of the mat, the portion of hook and loop material on the mat is the loop portion.
In still a further aspect of the mat, the mat is formed of EVA so that it is a non- slip material. In still a further aspect of the mat, the mat can be formed of EVA, TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer), natural foam rubber or Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC).
In a second embodiment of the rug, the mat is coated with a grit material of particulate elements which mechanically interlock with the bottom surface of the cover to retain the cover on the mat. The grit material is either directly sprayed or otherwise applied to the top surface, or can be first applied to a plastic film that is then adhered to the surface of the mat with a permanent adhesive.
In a third embodiment of the invention the mat has a resinous film or coating applied to the mat which film or coating mechanically interlocks with the cover to form the rug.
Brief Description of the Drawings:
Various other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
Fig. 1 is a top view of a rug according to a first embodiment of the present invention resting on a floor wherein only a cover portion of the rug is visible;
Fig. 2 is a top view of a mat resting on the floor with the cover removed;
Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the cover;
Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the mat;
Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the rug show force applied by a footstep;
Fig. 6 is a side perspective view of the cover and mat with the cover and mat being separated;
Fig. 7 is a top view of a rug according to a second embodiment of the rug resting on a floor;
Fig. 8 is a top view of a mat according to the second embodiment, the mat resting on the floor with the cover stripped from the mat;
Fig. 9 is a bottom view of the cover of Fig 7;
Fig. 10 is a bottom view of the mat of Fig. 8; Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the rug of Figs. 1 and 12 showing force applied by a footstep;
Fig. 12 is a side perspective view of the rug as the cover is stripped from the mat. Fig. 13 is a top view of a rug according to a third embodiment of the rug resting on a floor;
Fig. 14 is a top view of a mat according to the third embodiment, the mat resting on the floor with the cover stripped from the mat;
Fig. 15 is a bottom view of the cover of Fig. 7;
Fig. 16 is a bottom view of the mat of Fig. 8;
Fig. 17 is a side elevation of the rug of Figs. 1 and 12 showing force applied by a footstep;
Fig. 18 is a side perspective view of the rug as the cover is stripped from the mat; Fig. 19 is a top view of the rug according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, and
Fig. 20 is a top view of a mat according to the fourth embodiment of the invention, the mat resting on the floor with the cover stripped from the mat.
Detailed Description of the Drawings:
Figs. 1-6: First Embodiment
Referring now to Fig. 1 there is shown a cover 10 of a rug 12 lying on the top surface 14 of a floor 16. The cover 10 provides a first top surface 20 when it lies on the surface 14 of the floor 16. The first top surface 20 may be decorative, as is the case in almost all rugs or mats which serve as carpets in homes, offices and other buildings. The first top surface of the rug 12 may also be utilitarian when used for bath mats, kitchen mats, exercise mats, pet mats, yoga mats or any other kind of mat. The first top surface 20 has a top peripheral area 22 and a central area 24 surrounded by the peripheral area 22. The peripheral area 22 may be discernable in the aesthetic design to an observer or not discernable from the aesthetic design of the first top surface 20. As will be explained hereinafter, the portion of the cover 10 beneath the peripheral area 22 is used to detachably couple the cover 20 to the top surface 30 of a pad 32 shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5 in order to provide the rug 12 of the present invention.
Referring now to Fig. 2, the pad 32 providing thereon a second top surface 30 is shown with the cover 12 of Fig. 1 removed. The pad 32 rests directly on the surface 14 of the floor 16 and is made of flexible resilient material or materials so as to provide non- slip characteristics with respect to the both surface 14 of the floor 16 and the cover 10. The second top surface 30 has a non-slip texture at least over a second central area 34 of the mat 32 to help prevent the first central area 24 of the cover 10 from slipping with respect to the second central area 34 on the mat. Disposed around the central area 34 of the mat 32 is a second peripheral area 36 that aligns with the first peripheral area 22 of the cover 10. Fixed to the second peripheral area 36 is a releasable fastener 38, preferably in the form of the hooks or loops of a VELCRO ® strip 40. While it is preferable that the VELCRO ® strip 40 completely fill the peripheral area 36, in one embodiment, the VELCRO ® strip may have breaks or VELCRO ® free spaces, or may expand beyond the peripheral area in a striped, criss-crossed or diagonal fashion if necessary to still operate effectively in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Moreover, the thickness of the VELCRO peripheral area can be vary as can the distance from the edge of the mat to the start of the peripheral area 36.
Referring now to Fig. 3, the bottom view of the cover 10, which in most situations will not have an aesthetic design, except where the cover 10 is reversible, the bottom view of Fig. 3 presents a first bottom surface 50 of cover 12. The first bottom surface 50 has a first central area 52 surrounded by a first peripheral area 54 which is aligned with and beneath the top peripheral area 22 of the cover 12 when the cover and mat 32 are arranged. In a preferred embodiment, the first peripheral area 54 provided on the cover 10 has a second fastening portion 56 of the two part VELCRO ( M) fastener 40 secured thereto by stitching, bonding or adhesion wherein loops or hooks are operating with the hooks or loops provided in the fastener strip 38 on the pad 32. Thus, the bottom surface 50 of the cover 10 is releasably attached to the second top surface 30 of the pad 32 with the first central area 52 of the cover in alignment with the second central area 32 of the pad 32. Referring now to Fig. 4, the pad 32 provides a second bottom surface 60 that is preferably planar and when the rug is laid on the top surface 14 of the floor 16 as is seen in Figs. 1 and 2 abuts the floor in a non-slip relationship.
As is seen in Fig. 5 where the rug is shown in cross-section, it is seen that when the rug 12 is assembled and on the floor 16, foot pressure represented by the arrow 62, is transmitted through the first top surface 20 and the first bottom surface 50 of the cover 10 to the non-slip second top surface 30 of the pad 32. This causes the cover 10 to frictionally adhere to the pad 32 so that the cover 10 does not slip with respect to the pad 32. The same foot pressure force 62 is transmitted from the second top surface 30 of the pad to the second bottom surface 60 of the pad 32 so that the second bottom surface 60 frictionally engages the top surface 14 of the floor 16. Consequently, the pad 32 and the cover 10 help prevent slippage with respect to one another or the floor 16. Consequently, the rug 12 does not slip with respect to the floor 16.
When there is no vertical pressure on the rug 12 caused by walking on the rug or otherwise applying vertical pressure to the first top surface 20 of the cover of the rug, the cover 12 and the pad 32 remain aligned when assembled due to peripheral fastening provided by the hooks and loops of the VELCRO ® fasteners 40 on the opposed peripheral portions 36 and 54 of the cover 10 and pad 32.
Referring now to Fig. 6 when it is necessary to separate the cover 10 from the mat pad 32 in order to launder the cover and/or manually clean the non-absorbent mat portion, the cover 10 is stripped from the pad 32 by simply grasping the cover in one hand and the pad in the other and pulling them apart to separate the VELCRO ® fastener 40. The cover 10 may then be separately laundered in a washing machine or otherwise cleaned. The mat portion can be cleaned separately with a non-bleach household cleanser or soap and water.
It may be desired to switch or replace the cover 10 so as to have a new design of the cover as the season's change, to provide a room with a fresh look, or to simply replace with a new cover. This feature is accommodated by having a plurality of interchangeable covers 12 for each pad 32. In a current embodiment of the invention, the mat 32 is formed of EVA foam having non-slip characteristics, the EVA being a polymer with softness and flexibility. Preferably, the non-slip material is EVA disposed on the second top surface 30 and second bottom surface 50 of the pad 32. In the current embodiment of the invention, the second top surface 30 provided on the pad 32 is relatively smooth, whereas the textured or scrim side is on the second bottom surface 60 (Fig. 3) provided by the pad 32. The smoother side therefore is in contact with the first bottom surface cover 12 and the textured or scrim side is in contact with the floor 16.
While EVA is the preferred material for the pad, an eco-friendly material that is soybean based may be used, or natural rubber, TPE, PVC or any other new material with similar attributes.
While a plethora of materials may be used for the cover 12, a presently preferable cover 12 has a fiber content which is substantially polyester which on the first top surface 20 of the cover is coated with polypropylene so as to be, non-toxic, non-bleed and stain resistant. The first bottom surface 50 of the cover has a polypropylene coating which makes the fabric stronger.
Figs 7-12: Second Embodiment
Referring now to Fig. 7 there is shown a cover 100 of a rug 112 lying on the top surface 14 of a floor 16. The cover 100 provides a first top surface 120 when it lies on the surface 14 of the floor 16. The first top surface 120 may be decorative, as is the case in almost all rugs or mats which serve as carpets in homes, offices and other buildings. The first top surface 120 of the rug 112 may also be utilitarian when used for bath mats, kitchen mats, exercise mats, pet mats, yoga mats or any other kind of mat.
Referring now to Fig. 8, a pad 130 having a second top surface 132, is shown with the cover 100 of Fig. 1 removed by being stripped therefrom. The pad 130 rests directly on the surface 14 of the floor 16 and is made of flexible resilient material or materials that provide non-slip characteristics with respect to the both surface 14 of the floor 16 and the cover 100. The top surface 132 of the pad 130 has grit material 134 thereon comprised of particles 135 that mechanically engage the bottom surface cover 100 to prevent the cover from slipping with respect to the top surface 132 of the mat 130. Referring now to Fig. 9, the bottom surface 140 of the cover 100 is shown as being comprised of fibrous strands 142. The fibrous strands 142 provide interstices within and there between when the strands are engaged and penetrated by the particles 135 on the top surface 132 of the pad 130. A substantial number of the particles 135 hook into interstices to provide separation resistance so that the cover 100 must be stripped from the pad 130 (see Fig. 12). The separation resistance is not high enough to prevent manual stripping by a single person grasping the cover 100 in one hand, the pad 130 in the other and pulling the cover and pad apart as shown in Fig. 12.
Fig. 10 illustrates the bottom surface 150 of the pad 130 which engages the surface 14 of the floor 16 shown in Fig. 8 in a non-slip relationship due to the configuration of and non-slip nature of the material of the pad 130.
As is seen in Fig. 11, where the rug 112 is shown in cross-section, it is seen that when the rug is assembled and on the floor 16, foot pressure represented by the arrow 62, is transmitted through the top surface 120 of the cover 100 and the bottom surface 140 of the cover 100 to the top surface 132 of the pad 130. This causes the pad 130 to transmit the foot pressure force 62 to the bottom surface 150 of the pad 130 so that the bottom surface 150 of the pad 130 frictionally engages the top surface 14 of the floor 16. Consequently, the pad 130 and the cover 100 prevent slippage of the rug 112 with respect to one another and with respect to the floor 16.
When there is no vertical pressure on the rug 112 caused by walking on the rug, or otherwise applying vertical pressure to the first top surface 120 of the cover of the rug, the cover 100 and the pad 130 remain aligned when assembled due to the interlocking action of the particles 135 of the grit 134 with the bottom surface 140 of the cover 100.
It may be desired to switch or replace the cover 100 so as to have a new design for the cover as the season's change, to provide a room with a fresh look, or to simply replace an old cover with a new cover. This feature is accommodated by having a plurality of interchangeable covers 100 for each pad 130.
In the second embodiment of the invention, the mat 130 is formed EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate). Preferably, the non-slip material is EVA disposed on the top surface 132 (Fig. 8) and bottom surface 150 (Fig. 10) of the mat 130. In the second embodiment of the invention, the top surface 132 provided on the mat 130 has the grit material 134 made of the particles 135 dispensed thereon during fabrication of the mat in a manner disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,336,293; incorporated in its entirety by reference. Or, the grit material can be applied first to a thin plastic film, the thin plastic films being secondarily adhered to the top surface 132 with a permanent adhesive. The grit material 134 may be of any grit that has particles 135 which will releasably grip the bottom surface 140 of the cover 100. A textured or scrim side of the pad 130 is on bottom surface 150 (Fig. 10) of the pad so as to be in contact with the surface 14 the floor 16.
Figs 13-18: Third Embodiment
Referring now to Fig. 13 there is shown a cover 200 of a rug 212 lying on the top surface 14 of a floor 16. The cover 200 provides a first top surface 220 when it lies on the surface 14 of the floor 16. The first top surface 220 may be decorative, as is the case in almost all rugs or mats which serve as carpets in homes, offices and other buildings. The first top surface 220 of the rug 212 may also be utilitarian when used for bath mats, kitchen mats, exercise mats, pet mats, yoga mats or any other kind of mat.
Referring now to Fig. 14, a pad 230 having a second top surface 232, is shown with the cover 200 of Fig. 13 removed by being stripped therefrom. The pad 230 rests directly on the surface 14 of the floor 16 and is made of flexible resilient material or materials that provide non-slip characteristics with respect to the both surface 14 of the floor 16 and the cover 200. The top surface 232 of the pad 230 has a flexible plastic or resinous material 234 with small or microscopic projections 235 thereon mechanically engaging the bottom surface of the cover 200 to prevent the cover from slipping with respect to the top surface 232 of the mat 230.
Referring now to Fig. 15, the bottom surface 240 of the cover 200 is shown as being comprised of fibrous strands 242. The fibrous strands 242 provide interstices within and therebetween when the strands are engaged and penetrated by the projections 235 on the top surface 232 of the pad 230. A substantial number of the projections 235 penetrate into interstices to provide separation resistance so that the cover 200 must be stripped from the pad 230 (see Fig. 18). The separation resistance is not high enough to prevent manual stripping by a single person grasping the cover 200 in one hand, the pad 230 in the other and pulling the cover and pad apart as shown in Fig. 18.
The flexible plastic or resinous material 234 is either in the form of film or secondary layer which is glued, bonded or otherwise adhered to the top surface directly of the mat or in the form of a coating which is applied directly to and then cured or dried upon the top surface 232 of the mat 230. In a preferred embodiment it is a film coated with a high-melt temperature resinous material in a honeycomb pattern with small or microscopic projections that interlock with the bottom surface 240 of the cover 200.
In order to assist in assembling the cover 200 on the mat 230, the bottom surface 240 of the cover optionally has triangular pockets 244 (dotted lines) located at each corner (Fig. 15) for receiving the corners 246 of the mat 230 (Fig. 14). Corner straps 248 (dot and point lines) may be used to help align the corners of the cover 200 with the corners 246 of the mat 230 in lieu of or even in conjunction with the pockets 244.
Fig. 16 illustrates the bottom surface 250 of the pad 230 which engages the surface 14 of the floor 16 shown in Fig. 8 in a non-slip relationship due to the configuration of and non-slip nature of the material of the pad 130.
As is seen in Fig. 17, where the rug 212 is shown in cross-section, it is seen that when the rug is assembled and on the floor 16, foot pressure represented by the arrow 62, is transmitted through the top surface 220 of the cover 200 and the bottom surface 240 of the cover 200 to the top surface 232 of the pad 230. This causes the pad 130 to transmit the foot pressure force 62 to the bottom surface 250 of the pad 230 so that the bottom surface 250 of the pad 230 frictionally engages the top surface 14 of the floor 16. Consequently, the pad 230 and the cover 200 prevent slippage of the rug 212 with respect to one another and with respect to the floor 16.
When there is no vertical pressure on the rug 212 caused by walking on the rug, or otherwise applying vertical pressure to the first top surface 220 of the cover of the rug, the cover 200 and the pad 230 remain aligned when assembled due to the interlocking action of the projections 235 of the secondary layer with the bottom surface 240 of the cover 200. It may be desired to switch or replace the cover 200 so as to have a new design for the covers as the season's change, to provide a room with a fresh look, or to simply replace an old cover with a new cover. This feature is accommodated by having a plurality of interchangeable covers 200 for each mat 230.
In a third embodiment of the invention, the mat 230 is formed of EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), a non-slip polymer material, with softness and flexibility. Preferably, the non-slip material EVA is the primary material for the top surface 232 (Fig. 14) and bottom surface 250 (Fig. 16) of the mat 230. In the second embodiment of the invention, the top surface 232 provided on the mat 230 has the resinous material 234 made of the projections 235 dispensed thereon during fabrication of the mat either in the form of a resinous sheet or film adhered to the mat or fluid or particulate deposits made on the top surface 232 of the mat 230 and allowed or otherwise caused to cure into a solid state.
The plastic or resinous layer 230 is preferably in a honeycomb pattern giving the surface a texture which engages the fabric of the cover 200 to releas ably retain the cover on the pad 230 in a non-slip relationship with sufficient force to require stripping of the cover from the mat by gripping the cover and gripping the mat and pulling the cover and mat apart.
Figs. 19 and 20: Fourth Embodiment
In the fourth embodiment of the invention either the second or third embodiments, which use grit 135 or 235 for attachment of the cover 100 or 200 to the pad 130 or 230, respectively, further have patches of VELCRO 300 and 301 to secure the peripheries of the cover and pad to one another.
With respect to the first through fourth embodiments of the rugs with a mat portion, while EVA is the preferred material for the pads 30, 130, and 230, an eco- friendly material that is soybean based may be used, or natural rubber, Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), or any other new material with similar attributes.
While a plethora of materials may be used for the covers 10, 100 and 200, a presently preferable cover has a fiber content which is substantially polyester which on the first top surface of the cover is coated with polypropylene so as to be, non-toxic, non- bleed and stain resistant. The bottom surface of the cover has a polypropylene coating which makes the fabric stronger. In the second, third and fourth embodiments, the polypropylene coating is penetrated by the particles 135 comprising the grit material 134 or comprising the projections 235 comprising the resinous material 234 to form mechanical interlocking therewith, which releasably attaches the covers 100 and 200 to the pads.
From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.
Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The preceding preferred specific embodiments are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever.
In the foregoing and in the examples, all temperatures are set forth uncorrected in degrees Celsius and, all parts and percentages are by weight, unless otherwise indicated.
The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications, cited herein and of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 61/252,859, filed October 19, 2009 and U.S. Application 12/699,524 filed February 3, 2010, are incorporated by reference herein.
The preceding examples can be repeated with similar success by substituting the generically or specifically described reactants and/or operating conditions of this invention for those used in the preceding examples.