U.S. patent application number 13/336686 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-27 for vehicle floor mat.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nissan North America, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Uri Bielawski, Martin Petersen. Invention is credited to Uri Bielawski, Martin Petersen.
Application Number | 20130161973 13/336686 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48653783 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130161973 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bielawski; Uri ; et
al. |
June 27, 2013 |
VEHICLE FLOOR MAT
Abstract
A floor mat is positionable in front of a vehicle seat on a
vehicle floor of a vehicle having at least one structural member
that contacts the vehicle floor and is disposed rearward of a front
edge of the vehicle seat. The floor mat includes a main body and an
engagement structure. The main body has an upper surface, a lower
surface, a first end, and a second end that is longitudinally
spaced from the first end. The engagement structure is defined at a
peripheral edge of the main body between the upper and lower
surfaces. The engagement structure has a first edge portion that
extends in a longitudinal direction and a second edge portion that
laterally extends from the first edge portion. The second edge
portion is positionable to engage the at least one structural
member to restrain horizontal movement of the main body in the
longitudinal direction.
Inventors: |
Bielawski; Uri; (Commerce
Township, MI) ; Petersen; Martin; (Canton,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bielawski; Uri
Petersen; Martin |
Commerce Township
Canton |
MI
MI |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Nissan North America, Inc.
Franklin
TN
|
Family ID: |
48653783 |
Appl. No.: |
13/336686 |
Filed: |
December 23, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/97.23 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 3/044 20130101;
B60N 3/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/97.23 |
International
Class: |
B60N 3/04 20060101
B60N003/04 |
Claims
1. A floor mat positionable in front of a vehicle seat on a vehicle
floor of a vehicle having at least one structural member that
contacts the vehicle floor and is disposed rearward of a front edge
of the vehicle seat, the floor mat comprising: a main body having
an upper surface, a lower surface, a first end, and a second end
that is spaced from the first end in a longitudinal direction of
the vehicle; and an engagement structure defined at a peripheral
edge of the main body between the upper and lower surfaces, the
engagement structure having a first edge portion that extends in
the longitudinal direction and a second edge portion that extends
from the first edge portion in a lateral direction of the vehicle
that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction,
wherein the second edge portion is positionable to engage the at
least one structural member of the vehicle to restrain horizontal
movement of the main body in the longitudinal direction of the
vehicle.
2. The floor mat of claim 1, wherein the first edge portion extends
a majority of the distance between the first end and the second
end.
3. The floor mat of claim 1, wherein the second edge portion is
positionable underneath the vehicle seat.
4. The floor mat of claim 1, wherein the main body includes a
primary portion that is positionable at least partially forward of
the vehicle seat and a secondary portion that is located rearward
of the second edge portion.
5. The floor mat of claim 1, wherein the main body includes a
primary portion that is positionable at least partially forward of
the vehicle seat and a secondary portion that is positionable at
least partially rearward of the vehicle seat.
6. The floor mat of claim 1, wherein at least part of the main body
is bendable to allow installation and removal of the main body
while the main body is horizontally situated.
7. A vehicle comprising: a vehicle floor; a vehicle seat; at least
one structural member that contacts the vehicle floor and is
disposed rearward of a front edge of the vehicle seat; and a floor
mat positionable on the vehicle floor in front of the vehicle seat
having: a main body with an upper surface, a lower surface, a first
end, and a second end that is spaced from the first end in a
longitudinal direction of the vehicle; and an engagement structure
defined at a peripheral edge of the main body between the upper and
lower surfaces, the engagement structure having a first edge
portion that extends in the longitudinal direction and a second
edge portion that extends from the first edge portion in a lateral
direction of the vehicle that is substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction, wherein the second edge portion is
positionable to engage the at least one structural member of the
vehicle to restrain horizontal movement of the main body in the
longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the first edge portion extends a
majority of the distance between the first end and the second
end.
9. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the second edge portion is
disposed underneath the vehicle seat.
10. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the main body includes a
primary portion that is positionable at least partially forward of
the vehicle seat and a secondary portion that is located rearward
of the second edge portion.
11. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein main body includes a primary
portion that is disposed at least partially forward of the vehicle
seat and a secondary portion that is disposed at least partially
rearward of the vehicle seat.
12. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the at least one structural
member is disposed underneath the vehicle seat.
13. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the at least one structural
member is a frame portion of the vehicle seat.
14. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the at least one structural
member is a vehicle body member.
15. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the at least one structural
member is a vehicle trim panel.
16. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the at least one structural
member is a storage compartment that is supported by the vehicle
floor.
17. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein at least part of the main body
is bendable to allow installation and removal of the main body
while the main body is horizontally situated.
18. A vehicle comprising: a vehicle floor; a vehicle seat; at least
one frame portion that is connected to the vehicle floor and the
vehicle seat to support the vehicle seat with respect to the
vehicle floor; and a floor mat positionable on the vehicle floor in
front of the vehicle seat having: a main body with an upper
surface, a lower surface, a first end, and a second end that is
spaced from the first end in a longitudinal direction of the
vehicle; and an engagement structure defined at a peripheral edge
of the main body between the upper and lower surfaces, the
engagement structure having a first edge portion that extends in
the longitudinal direction and a second edge portion that extends
from the first edge portion in a lateral direction of the vehicle
that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction,
wherein the second edge portion is positionable to engage the at
least one structural member of the vehicle to restrain horizontal
movement of the main body in the longitudinal direction of the
vehicle, wherein the first edge portion extends a majority of the
distance between the first end and the second end and the second
edge portion is disposed underneath the vehicle seat.
19. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the main body includes a
primary portion that is positionable at least partially forward of
the vehicle seat and a secondary portion that is located rearward
of the second edge portion.
20. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein main body includes a primary
portion that is disposed at least partially forward of the vehicle
seat and a secondary portion that is disposed at least partially
rearward of the vehicle seat.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The disclosure relates to the field of motor vehicle
interiors.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Motor vehicle interiors commonly include a floor covering
that provides a finished appearance and, in some cases, provides
some degree of sound absorption. Common materials for floor mats in
motor vehicle interiors include carpet and polymers such as rubber
or other elastomers. Floor mats are commonly placed on the floor
covering in a motor vehicle interior to protect the floor covering,
to allow for easy cleaning, to enhance aesthetics, or for other
reasons.
[0003] Floor mats have a tendency to shift with respect to the
floor covering in an automobile. For this reason, some floor mats
incorporate structures that intend to restrain the floor mat
against movement with respect to the floor covering. As an example,
one common structure involves a post that is connected to the floor
covering, and is received in an aperture that extends through the
floor mat.
SUMMARY
[0004] Vehicle floor mats are disclosed herein.
[0005] One aspect of the embodiments taught herein is a floor mat
positionable in front of a vehicle seat on a vehicle floor of a
vehicle having at least one structural member that contacts the
vehicle floor and is disposed rearward of a front edge of the
vehicle seat. The floor mat includes a main body and an engagement
structure. The main body has an upper surface, a lower surface, a
first end, and a second end that is spaced from the first end in a
longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The engagement structure is
defined at a peripheral edge of the main body between the upper and
lower surfaces. The engagement structure has a first edge portion
that extends in the longitudinal direction and a second edge
portion that extends from the first edge portion in a lateral
direction of the vehicle that is substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction. The second edge portion is positionable to
engage the at least one structural member of the vehicle to
restrain horizontal movement of the main body in the longitudinal
direction of the vehicle.
[0006] Another aspect of the embodiments taught herein is a vehicle
that includes a vehicle floor, a vehicle seat, at least one
structural member, and a floor mat. The at least one structural
member contacts the vehicle floor and is disposed rearward of a
front edge of the vehicle seat. The floor mat is positionable on
the vehicle floor in front of the vehicle seat and includes a main
body and an engagement structure. The main body has an upper
surface, a lower surface, a first end, and a second end that is
spaced from the first end in a longitudinal direction of the
vehicle. The engagement structure is defined at a peripheral edge
of the main body between the upper and lower surfaces. The
engagement structure has a first edge portion that extends in the
longitudinal direction and a second edge portion that extends from
the first edge portion in a lateral direction of the vehicle that
is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The
second edge portion is positionable to engage the at least one
structural member of the vehicle to restrain horizontal movement of
the main body in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
[0007] Another aspect of the embodiments taught herein is a vehicle
that includes a vehicle floor, a vehicle seat, at least one frame
portion, and a floor mat. The at least one frame portion is
connected to the vehicle floor and the vehicle seat to support the
vehicle seat with respect to the vehicle floor. The floor mat is
positionable on the vehicle floor in front of the vehicle seat and
includes a main body and an engagement structure. The main body has
an upper surface, a lower surface, a first end, and a second end
that is spaced from the first end in a longitudinal direction of
the vehicle. The engagement structure is defined at a peripheral
edge of the main body between the upper and lower surfaces. The
engagement structure has a first edge portion that extends in the
longitudinal direction and a second edge portion that extends from
the first edge portion in a lateral direction of the vehicle that
is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The
second edge portion is positionable to engage the at least one
structural member of the vehicle to restrain horizontal movement of
the main body in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The
first edge portion extends a majority of the distance between the
first end and the second end and the second edge portion is
disposed underneath the vehicle seat.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The description herein makes reference to the accompanying
drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts
throughout the several views, and wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a floor mat installed
in a vehicle;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a top view of the floor mat of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3A is a top, detail view showing a secondary portion of
the floor mat of FIG. 1 installed in the vehicle;
[0012] FIG. 3B is a front, detail view showing the secondary
portion of the floor mat of FIG. 1 installed in the vehicle;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a top view showing a front floor mat and a rear
floor mat installed in the vehicle according to a first alternative
example;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a top view showing a one piece front and rear
floor mat installed in the vehicle according to a second
alternative example;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a top, detail view showing a secondary portion of
a floor mat installed in a vehicle according to a third alternative
example; and
[0016] FIG. 7 is a top view showing a driver side floor mat and a
passenger side floor mat installed in a vehicle having a center
console according to a fourth alternative example.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Some floor mats for vehicles include retaining structures
that utilize hooks, clips, posts, apertures or other structures
that are intended restrain the floor mat from moving with respect
to the floor of the vehicle. Often, these retaining structures
require that a retaining feature, such as a post be installed at a
particular location on the vehicle floor. If the retaining feature
is not properly secured with respect to the floor mat, the floor
mat could shift with respect to the floor of the vehicle. The
disclosure herein is directed to floor mats having geometric
configurations that restrain movement of the floor mat. In some
examples, movement of the floor mat is restrained by engagement of
an edge portion of the floor mat with at least one structure of the
vehicle.
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a floor mat 100 that is installed within a
vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 can be any type of vehicle. In some
examples, the vehicle 10 is a motor vehicle, such as a car, a
truck, a sport utility vehicle, a minivan, etc.
[0019] The vehicle 10 includes a floor 12 and a seat 14. At least
one structure contacts the floor 12 for engagement with the floor
mat 100, as will be explained herein. In the illustrated example of
FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 includes a plurality of frame portions 16
that are connected to the floor 12 and the seat 14 to support the
seat 14 with respect to the floor 12. In this example, the floor
mat 100 is engageable with at least one of the frame portions
16.
[0020] The floor mat 100 can be in the form of a main body having
an upper surface 102, a lower surface 104, a first end 106, and a
second end 108. The first end 106 and the second end 108 are spaced
from one another in a longitudinal direction. In this example, the
longitudinal direction is a front-to-rear direction of the vehicle
10. The lower surface 104 can be in contact with the floor 12, and
the upper surface 102 is located opposite the lower surface 104,
such that the upper surface 102 and the lower surface 104 define
opposite faces of a substantially planar configuration for the
floor mat 100.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows an engagement structure of the floor mat 100
defined at a peripheral edge 110. The peripheral edge 110 can
define an outer perimeter of the floor mat 100. The floor mat 100
can define a common perimeter that is defined between the
substantially planar surfaces that are defined by the upper surface
102 and the lower surface 104. The peripheral edge 110 extends at
least a majority of the distance between the first end 106 and the
second end 108. In the illustrated embodiment, the peripheral edge
110 extends the entirety of the distance between the first end 106
and the second end 108.
[0022] The engagement structure of the floor mat 100 includes a
first edge portion 112 and a second edge portion 114. The first
edge portion 112 extends substantially in the longitudinal
direction. The second edge portion 114 is adjacent to the first
edge portion 112. In particular, the first edge portion 112 can
meet with or intersect the second edge portion 114 at a geometric
feature of the peripheral edge 110 such as a 90.degree. turn that
is formed along the peripheral edge 110. The second edge portion
can extend in a substantially lateral direction. In particular, the
second edge portion 114 can extend at an angle that is non-parallel
with respect to the first edge portion 112. In some examples, the
second edge portion can extend at an angle that is transverse to
the first edge portion 112. In other examples, the second edge
portion 114 can extend substantially perpendicular to the first
edge portion 112. In some embodiments, the floor mat 100 may
include multiple sets of first and second edge portions 112,
114.
[0023] FIG. 3A shows a portion of the floor 12 of the vehicle 10,
including the frame portion 16. The second edge portion 114 of the
floor mat 100 is positioned rearward of the frame portion 16. The
floor mat 100 is positioned such that the second edge portion 114
is directly adjacent to at least part of the frame portion 16.
Thus, if a force is applied to the floor mat 100 that would urge
the floor mat forward in the longitudinal direction, motion in this
direction will be restrained by engagement of the second edge
portion 114 with the frame portion 16. In other examples, the first
edge portion 112 can also be configured to resist motion of the
floor mat 100 by engagement with the frame portion 16. In such
configurations, the first edge portion 112 can engage at least a
portion of the frame portion 16 to restrain movement of the floor
mat 100 with respect to the vehicle 10 in a substantially lateral
direction.
[0024] The floor mat 100 can define a secondary portion 116 that is
bendable with respect to a primary portion 118 of the floor mat 100
to allow installation and removal of the floor mat 100. The primary
portion 118 is positionable at least partially forward of the seat
14 of the vehicle 10. The secondary portion 116 and the second edge
portion 114 can be positionable underneath the seat 14 of the
vehicle 10.
[0025] The secondary portion 116 can be disposed adjacent to the
second edge portion 114. In some examples, the secondary portion
116 is disposed laterally outward from the first edge portion 112.
In other examples, the secondary portion 116 is disposed
longitudinally rearward from the second edge portion 114. The
boundary between the secondary portion 116 and the primary portion
118 can be at a location indicated by bend line 120 in FIG. 3A,
where the secondary portion 116 is bendable with respect to the
primary portion 118. The bend line 120 is indicated for purposes of
explanation only and does not necessarily correspond to a specific
physical structure of the floor mat 100.
[0026] The secondary portion 116 is bendable with respect to the
primary portion 118 to allow installation and removal of the floor
mat 100. In particular, the secondary portion 116 can define a
first position, wherein the secondary portion 116 is in contact
with the floor 12. The secondary portion 116 is bendable to a
second position, which is indicated in FIG. 3B by broken lines,
wherein at least part of the secondary portion 116 is bent with
respect to the primary portion 118 such that it is spaced from the
floor 12. In this position, longitudinal movement of the floor mat
100 with respect to the floor 12 no longer causes engagement of the
first edge portion 112 with respect to the frame portion 16 of the
vehicle 10.
[0027] In a first alternative example, as shown in FIG. 4, the
floor mat 100 is utilized as a front floor mat, and is used in
conjunction with a rear floor mat 200. In this example, the seat 14
of the vehicle 10 is utilized as a front seat, and the vehicle 10
further includes a rear seat 18. The rear floor mat 200 is
positioned longitudinally forward of the rear seat 18.
[0028] In the first alternative example, at least a portion of the
floor mat 100 is positioned underneath the seat 14 of the vehicle
10. In particular, the secondary portion 116 and the second edge
portion 114 of the floor mat 100 can be positioned underneath the
seat 14. At least part of the primary portion 118 of the floor mat
100 can be positioned forward with respect to the seat 14 of the
vehicle 10.
[0029] The rear floor mat 200 is similar in structure to the floor
mat 100. The rear floor mat 200 includes an engagement structure
having a first edge portion 212 and a second edge portion 214,
which are analogous to the first edge portion 112 and the second
edge portion 114 of the floor mat 100. Engagement of the second
edge portion 214 of the rear floor mat 200 with the frame portion
16 of the vehicle 10 can restrain movement of the rear floor mat
200 in the longitudinal direction with respect to the vehicle. A
secondary portion 216 of the rear floor mat 200, which is analogous
to the secondary portion 116 of the floor mat 100, is positioned
underneath the seat 14 of the vehicle 10. The second edge portion
214 is also positioned underneath the seat 14 of the vehicle 10. A
primary portion 218 of the rear floor mat 200 can be positioned at
least partially rearward of the seat 14 of the vehicle 10.
[0030] In a second alternative example, as shown in FIG. 5, a
one-piece front and rear floor mat 300 is installed within the
vehicle 10. The floor mat 300 can include an engagement structure
defined at a peripheral edge 310 having a first edge portion 312
and a second edge portion 314, which are analogous to the
peripheral edge 110, first edge portion 112, and second edge
portion 114 of the floor mat 100, respectively. The floor mat 300
further includes a secondary portion 316 and a primary portion 318,
which are analogous to the secondary portion 116 and the primary
portion 118 of the floor mat 100, respectively. The second edge
portion 314 is engageable with the frame portion 16 of the seat 14
to restrain motion of the floor mat 300 with respect to the vehicle
10 in a lateral direction. The primary portion 318 of the floor mat
300 is disposed at least partially forward of the seat 14. At least
part of the secondary portion 316 is disposed under the seat 14. At
least part of the secondary portion 316 extends rearward of the
seat 14. In particular, the secondary portion 316 can extend
rearward toward the rear seat 18 and substantially occupy the area
of the floor 12 of the vehicle 10 between the seat 14 and the rear
seat 18 of the vehicle 10.
[0031] In a third alternative example, the at least one structural
member of the vehicle need not be a frame portion 16 of the seat
14. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the vehicle 10 can include a
vehicle component 20 that extends upward with respect to the floor
12 of the vehicle 10 and is connected, at least indirectly, to the
floor 12 of the vehicle 10. In one example, the vehicle component
20 is a body member of the vehicle 10. In another example, the
vehicle component 20 is a trim panel of the vehicle 10.
[0032] The vehicle component 20 can include a surface 22 that
extends in a substantially lateral direction (e.g., a cross-car
direction). In particular, the surface 22 can extend substantially
transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 10. The
second edge portion 114 of the floor mat 100 is engageable with the
surface 22 to restrain motion of the floor mat 100 with respect to
the vehicle 10 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 10.
[0033] In a fourth alternative example, as shown in FIG. 7, the
seat 14 of the vehicle 10 is a driver side seat, and the vehicle 10
further includes a passenger side seat 15. A center console 24 (or
storage compartment) is disposed between the seat 14 and the
passenger side seat 15 of the vehicle. Thus, the center console 24
is laterally adjacent to both the seat 14 and the passenger side
seat 15. The center console 24 can include a rear surface 26.
[0034] A respective floor mat 400 is provided for each of the seat
14 and the passenger side seat 15. The floor mats 400 are analogous
to the floor mat 100 of FIG. 1. In particular, each of the floor
mats 400 can include an engagement structure defined at a
peripheral edge 410 having a first edge portion 412 and a second
edge portion 414, which are analogous to respective ones of the
peripheral edge 110, the first edge portion 112, and the second
edge portion 114 of the floor mat 100. Each of the floor mats 400
can further include a secondary portion 416 and a primary portion
418, which are analogous to respective ones of the secondary
portion 116 and the primary portion 118 of the floor mat 100.
[0035] In this example, the second edge portion 414 of each of the
floor mats 400 is engageable with the rear surface 26 of the center
console 24 to restrain the floor mats 400 against movement with
respect to the vehicle 10 in the longitudinal direction.
[0036] As a further alternative, the two floor mats 400 depicted in
FIG. 7 could be combined into a single driver and passenger side
floor mat by interconnecting the floor mats 400 at the secondary
portions 416 thereof, as indicated by the call-out 420.
[0037] The foregoing description relates to what is presently
considered to be the most practical embodiment. It is to be
understood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the
disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover
various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within
the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be
accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such
modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the
law.
* * * * *