U.S. patent application number 17/075054 was filed with the patent office on 2022-04-21 for floor mat with improved rigidity and non-slip backing.
This patent application is currently assigned to BDK USA, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is BDK USA, INC.. Invention is credited to Yoojin Jung.
Application Number | 20220117427 17/075054 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005196391 |
Filed Date | 2022-04-21 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20220117427 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jung; Yoojin |
April 21, 2022 |
FLOOR MAT WITH IMPROVED RIGIDITY AND NON-SLIP BACKING
Abstract
A floor mat with improved rigidity and non-slip surfaces is
disclosed. The floor mat includes a bottom surface with an interior
cavity that has within it a plurality of interior walls that
intersect with one another, thereby increasing rigidity of the
floor mat. The floor mat also includes a plurality of nubs at the
intersections of the interior walls that increase friction with the
flooring of an automobile, thereby improving the non-slip
characteristics of the floor mat.
Inventors: |
Jung; Yoojin; (Palos Verdes,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BDK USA, INC. |
Carson |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
BDK USA, INC.
Carson
CA
|
Family ID: |
1000005196391 |
Appl. No.: |
17/075054 |
Filed: |
October 20, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 428/2457 20150115;
A47G 27/0206 20130101; A47G 27/0281 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 27/02 20060101
A47G027/02 |
Claims
1. A floor mat comprising: a top surface; a bottom surface having
an interior cavity defined by a surrounding wall and an interior
base surface; a first set of a plurality of interior walls that
extend from the interior base surface and positioned within the
interior cavity; a second set of a plurality of interior walls that
extend from the interior base surface and positioned within the
interior cavity; and a plurality of nubs; wherein one of the first
set of the plurality of interior walls intersects with one of the
second set of the plurality of interior walls at an intersection;
wherein one of the plurality of nubs is positioned at the
intersection; and wherein one of the plurality of nubs is shaped as
an asymmetrically angled tooth.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first set of the plurality
of interior walls are parallel to each other and the second set of
the plurality of interior walls are parallel to each other.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first set of the plurality
of interior walls intersect with the second set of the plurality of
interior walls at a plurality of intersections.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein each one of the plurality of
intersections has one of the plurality of nubs.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first set of the plurality
of interior walls intersect with the second set of the plurality of
interior walls at 90 degree angles.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein each one of the plurality of
nubs are on a common plane as one of the first set of the plurality
of interior walls.
7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein each one of the plurality of
nubs are on a common plane as one of the second set of the
plurality of interior walls.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of nubs extend
beyond a height of the surrounding wall.
9. (canceled)
10. (canceled)
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each one of the plurality of
nubs are shaped as an asymmetrically angled tooth.
12. (canceled)
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. A floor mat comprising: a top surface; a bottom surface having
an interior cavity defined by a surrounding wall and an interior
base surface; a first set of a plurality of interior walls that
extend from the interior base surface and positioned within the
interior cavity; a second set of a plurality of interior walls that
extend from the interior base surface and positioned within the
interior cavity; and a plurality of nubs; wherein one of the first
set of the plurality of interior walls intersects with one of the
second set of the plurality of interior walls at an intersection;
wherein one of the plurality of nubs is positioned at the
intersection; and wherein one of the plurality of nubs comprises: a
long nub portion that extends beyond a height of one of the first
set of the plurality of interior walls; and a short nub portion
that does not extend beyond a height of one of the first set of the
plurality of interior walls.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the long nub portion and the
short nub portion are separated by one of the second set of the
plurality of interior walls.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein one of the plurality of nubs
is shaped as an asymmetrically angled tooth.
18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first set of the
plurality of interior walls are parallel to each other and the
second set of the plurality of interior walls are parallel to each
other.
19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first set of the
plurality of interior walls intersect with the second set of the
plurality of interior walls at a plurality of intersections.
20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each one of the plurality of
intersections has one of the plurality of nubs.
21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first set of the
plurality of interior walls intersect with the second set of the
plurality of interior walls at 90 degree angles.
22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein each one of the plurality of
nubs are on a common plane as one of the first set of the plurality
of interior walls.
23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein each one of the plurality of
nubs are on a common plane as one of the second set of the
plurality of interior walls.
24. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein one of the plurality of nubs
is shaped as a straight tooth.
Description
BACKGROUND
Field
[0001] Embodiments are related in general to floor mats and, in
particular, protective floor mats with improved rigidity and
non-slip backing for use in automobiles.
Description of Related Art
[0002] Protective floor mats are generally used in automobiles to
protect the interior carpeted surface of an automobile, such as the
carpeted flooring. The floor mats are placed on top of a carpeted
surface on the floor of the automobile to protect the carpeted
floor surface from stains, dirt, and wear. Some protective floor
mats known in the art have the tendency to bend or curl over time
after normal use due to their lack of rigidity. Bending or curling
of the protective floor mat is a potential problem that may present
a hazard for the driver of the automobile if any portion of the
protective floor mat obstructs a brake pedal or accelerator of the
automobile. Some protective floor mats known in the art have the
tendency to slip or slide laterally on top of the floor of an
automobile. Sliding of the protective floor mat, especially if it
also has a tendency to bend or curl, could obstruct the brake pedal
or accelerator.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Presented herein is an improved protective floor mat, and in
particular, a protective floor mat for use in automobiles. The
present invention relates to a protective floor mat with increased
rigidity to prevent bending or curling of the floor mat. The
present invention also includes a non-slip surface or backing to
prevent the floor mat from laterally sliding or shifting from its
intended position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not by
way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in
which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted
that references to "an" or "one" embodiment in this disclosure are
not necessarily to the same embodiment, and they mean at least
one.
[0005] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a top surface of a floor
mat according to an embodiment of an invention.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bottom surface the floor
mat shown in FIG. 1 in an upside-down position.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a top view of the bottom surface of the floor mat
shown in FIG. 1 in an upside-down position.
[0008] FIG. 4 shows a magnified perspective view of the bottom
surface of the floor mat shown in FIG. 2.
[0009] FIG. 5 shows a magnified front perspective view of one of
the plurality of intersections.
[0010] FIG. 6 shows a magnified rear perspective view of the one of
the plurality of intersections.
[0011] FIG. 7 shows a magnified top view of one of the plurality of
intersections.
[0012] FIG. 8 shows a magnified front view of one of the plurality
of intersections.
[0013] FIG. 9 shows a magnified rear view of one of the plurality
of intersections.
[0014] FIG. 10 shows a magnified side view of one of the plurality
of intersections.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Several embodiments with reference to the appended drawings
are now explained. Whenever the shapes, relative positions and
other aspects of the parts described in the embodiments are not
clearly defined, the scope of embodiments is not limited only to
the parts shown, which are meant merely for the purpose of
illustration. Also, while numerous details are set forth, it is
understood that some embodiments may be practiced without these
details.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a floor mat 100. The floor
mat 100 is preferably formed in a rectangular or square planar
shape, but it may be generally formed in any appropriate planar
shape suitable for use as an automobile floor mat. The floor mat
100 includes a top surface 101 that may optionally include a
friction surface 102. The friction surface 102 may include a series
of ridges, lines, bumps, nubs, or the like, to increase friction of
the top surface 101 so that a driver who steps on the floor mat 100
does not slip. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the friction
surface 102 includes a series of raised linear lines 103 that are
parallel to each other. In this embodiment, an outer border 104 of
the top surface 101 of the floor mat 100 surrounds the friction
surface 102.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bottom surface 105 of the
floor mat 100 shown in FIG. 1 in an upside-down position. FIG. 3 is
a top view of the bottom surface 105 of the floor mat 100 shown in
FIG. 1 in an upside-down position. FIG. 4 shows a magnified
perspective view of the bottom surface 105 of the floor mat 100
shown in FIG. 2. The bottom surface 105 includes an interior cavity
106 that is defined by a surrounding wall 107 and an interior base
surface 108. Within the interior cavity 106, a first set of a
plurality of interior walls 109 extends from one end of the
surrounding wall 107 to the other end and extends vertically from
the interior base surface 108. In this embodiment, the first set of
the plurality of interior walls 109 are parallel to each other. A
second set of a plurality of interior walls 110 extends from one
end of the surrounding wall 107 to the other end and extends
vertically from the interior base surface 108. The second set of
the plurality of interior walls 110 are parallel to each other. The
first set of the plurality of interior walls 109 intersect with the
second set of the plurality of interior walls 110 at a plurality of
intersections 111. In this embodiment, the first set of the
plurality of interior walls 109 perpendicularly intersects with the
second set of the plurality of interior walls 110 at 90 degree
angles. In another embodiment, the first set of the plurality of
interior walls 109 and the second set of the plurality of interior
walls 110 may intersect at greater than or less than 90
degrees.
[0018] FIG. 5 shows a magnified front perspective view of one of
the plurality of intersections 111, which is a close-up view of one
of the intersections 111 in FIG. 2 (shown in a circle in broken
lines). FIG. 6 shows a magnified rear perspective view of the one
of the plurality of intersections 111. In this embodiment, a one of
a plurality of nubs 112 are positioned at each one of the plurality
of intersections 111. In another embodiment, some intersections 111
may lack a nub 112. In this embodiment, each one of the plurality
of nubs 112 may have an overall shape of an angled tooth. The nub
112 may include a long nub portion 112a and a short nub portion
112b as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The long nub portion 112a may
extend from the interior ceiling 108 and beyond a height of one of
the first set of the plurality of interior walls 109. As shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6, the first set of the plurality of interior walls 109
and the second set of the plurality of interior walls 110 have
greater width at the base of the wall relative to the width at the
top of the wall.
[0019] FIG. 7 shows a magnified top view of one of the plurality of
intersections 111. FIG. 8 shows a magnified front view of one of
the plurality of intersections 111. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the
long nub portion 112a may have a contour shape of an angled tooth
that extends beyond the thickness of a width of the interior wall
109. FIG. 9 shows a magnified rear view of one of the plurality of
intersections 111. As shown in FIG. 9, the short nub portion 112b
may also have a contour shape of a bottom portion of the angled
tooth that extends beyond the thickness of the width of the
interior wall 109. In this embodiment, the short nub portion 112b
may extend from the interior ceiling 108, but not beyond the height
of one of the plurality of interior walls 109. FIG. 10 shows a
magnified side view of one of the plurality of intersections 111.
As shown in FIG. 10, one of the second set of the plurality of
interior walls 110 may be positioned in between the long nub
portion 112a and the short nub portion 112b. The long nub portion
112a and the short nub portion 112b may be separated by one of the
second set of the plurality of interior walls 110.
[0020] In one embodiment, the plurality of nubs 112 may be on the
same plane or common plane as the first set of the plurality of
interior walls 109. Just as the first set of the plurality of
interior walls 109 are parallel to each other, the plurality of
nubs 112 may be parallel to each other as well. In another
embodiment, the plurality of nubs 112 may be on the same plane or
common plane as the second set of the plurality of interior walls
110.
[0021] The plurality of nubs 112 may be asymmetrically shaped. In
this embodiment, the plurality of nubs 112 may have the shape of an
angled tooth. In another embodiment, the plurality of nubs 112 may
be symmetrically shaped in a straight tooth configuration. The
shape of the plurality of nubs 112 may vary widely, as long as they
may provide sufficient friction when in contact with the floor of
the automobile so that the floor mat 100 does not slip or shift
from its intended position. For example, the plurality of nubs 112
may be cylinders, a series of loops, hooks, or cleats.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of nubs 112 may extend
beyond a height of the outer border 104 and a height of the
surrounding wall 107. In FIG. 2, the height of the outer border 104
and the height of the surrounding wall 107 may be the same height.
This may further increase friction in situations where the floor
mat 100 is placed on carpeted flooring of an automobile because it
allows the plurality of nubs 112 to dig deeper into the carpeting
flooring. In one embodiment, the surrounding wall 107 may extend
below the height of the outer border 104. In another embodiment,
the surrounding wall 107 does not extend below the height of the
outer border 104.
[0023] In one embodiment, the floor mat 100 may be made of rubber
polymer, vinyl polymer, PVC, polyurethane, foam rubber, recycled
rubber, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, silicone, thermoplastics,
and other polymers. In a preferred embodiment, the floormat 100 may
be made through injection molding techniques as known in the
art.
[0024] The above description of illustrated implementations,
including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the embodiments of invention to the precise
forms disclosed. While specific implementations of, and examples
for, embodiments of the invention are described herein for
illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are
possible within the scope, as those skilled in the relevant art
will recognize. These modifications may be made to embodiments of
the invention in light of the above detailed description.
[0025] The terms used in the following claims should not be
construed to limit embodiments of the invention to the specific
implementations disclosed in the specification and the claims.
Rather, the scope is to be determined entirely by the following
claims, which are to be construed in accordance with established
doctrines of claim interpretation.
* * * * *