Floor covering positioner

Abstract

A rug positioning apparatus for securing a floor covering on a carpet surface. The apparatus comprises a central base member that is adapted to be placed between the floor covering and the carpet. A plurality of spikes extend vertically upward from the central base member and are adapted to engage the floor covering and penetrate the floor covering when stepped upon. A plurality of spikes also extend vertically downward from the central base member and are adapted to engage the carpet.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention pertains to securing mechanisms for carpets and floor coverings such as rugs, and more particularly to apparatus for positioning and securing movable floor coverings upon carpets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] There are various types of floor coverings used in residential and commercial applications. As used herein, the term “floor covering” or “movable floor covering” is meant to be very broad to include carpet, rugs, mats, floor mats, runners, and other coverings made of fabric, animal skin, nap material, pile material and/or other suitable floor covering material. One long existing problem is that when a movable floor covering such as a rug is placed over a carpeted surface, the rug tends to wander or naturally slide out of place over time and after it is walked upon.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention provides an apparatus for securing a floor covering on a carpet surface. The apparatus comprises a central base member that is adapted to be placed between the floor covering and the carpet. A plurality of spikes extend vertically upward from the central base member and are adapted to engage the floor covering. A plurality of spikes also extend vertically downward from the central base member and are adapted to engage the carpet.

[0004] The device may be operated by placement between a rug and a carpet. The rug can then be stepped on which can lock the rug in place over the underlying carpet.

[0005] A system using on or more rug positioners is also disclosed herein. One or more rug positioners can be used to secure and hold stationary a rug or other floor covering on a carpet surface.

[0006] Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is an isometric illustration of an apparatus for securing a floor covering on a carpet surface in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] FIG. 2, is an isometric exploded illustration of a floor cover positioning system using the apparatus for securing a floor covering on a carpet surface as shown in FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional illustration of an apparatus for securing a floor covering on a carpet surface in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The following disclosed embodiments further illustrate the invention but, of course, should not be construed as in any way limiting its scope.

[0011] Referring to FIG. 1, a rug positioning apparatus 10 for securing a rug 12 or other suitable floor covering on a carpet surface 14 is illustrated. The rug positioning apparatus 10 includes a central base member 16 that is adapted to be placed between the rug 12 and the carpet surface 14. Preferably the central base member 16 is disc shaped, planar and relatively thin so as to prevent or minimize the formation of bumps in the rug when installed. The central base member 16 may have a vertical cross-sectional thickness T in the range of between about ⅛-¼ inches.

[0012] A plurality of spikes 18 extend vertically upward from the central base member 16. These spikes 18 are configured for engaging and preferably penetrating the fabric/pile material of the rug 12 when the rug 12 is stepped upon. A plurality of spikes 20 also extend vertically downward from the central base member 14. These spikes 20 are configured for engaging and preferably penetrating the fabric/pile material of the carpet surface 14. The spikes 18, 20 may extend perpendicularly as shown to more easily facilitate penetration of the spikes into the carpet and floor covering material or may be angled if desired.

[0013] The spikes 18, 20 may be equally shaped and of the same or similar configuration as is shown. Alternatively the bottom spikes 20 may be longer in length. As shown, each spike 18, 20 includes a shank portion 22 projecting from the central base member 16 and a pointed tip 24 that can engage/grip and/or penetrate the material of the carpet 14 and rug 12. Preferably, the spikes 18, 20 extend a vertical distance long enough to penetrate into the rug 12 but not long enough to penetrate all the way through the rug 12. This way, when people are walking barefoot on the rug 12, they do not injure themselves with the spikes. The pointed tips 24 of the spikes 18, 20 may be slightly rounded in configuration and not sharp for safety reasons.

[0014] For most commercially available floor coverings, the vertical distance D and length of the spikes 18, 20 (if perpendicularly oriented) is between about ⅛-¼ inches. However actual length will depend upon the vertical height of the rug as the spikes 18, 20 are intended to extend a vertical distance D that is less than about 75% of the vertical height H of the rug 12, while in a free and uncompressed state.

[0015] To facilitate fixation of the rug positioning apparatus 10 to carpet or floor covering material, the rug positioning apparatus 10 may be comprised of suitably rigid material such as metal material. As shown in FIG. 1, the spikes 18, 20 and the central base member 16 may be unitary and integrally formed together such as by molding, providing for inexpensive manufacture.

[0016] A system of using the rug positioning apparatus 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown therein, one or more rug positioning apparatus 10 are inserted and placed between the rug 12 and the carpet surface 14. Depending upon rug size and usage a rug may need 1, 2, 4, 6 or more devices which can be selectively spaced by the user. Ordinarily, the underlying carpet surface 14 will already be held or fixed in place, such as affixed to a plywood support 26 as is typically in many residential and commercial buildings. One set of spikes 20 engage and preferably penetrate the carpet surface 14 when pushed into the carpet or when the overlying rug 12 is stepped upon over the apparatus 10 which in turn fixes the position of the rug positioning apparatus 10. The other set of spikes 18 are pushed into the material of the rug 12 (e.g. the rug is placed on the rug positioning apparatus 10 and stepped upon to lock the rug in place). Since the rug positioning apparatus 10 is fixed, the spikes 18 hold the lateral position of the rug 12 fixed, preventing the rug from wandering or migrating when walked across and used.

[0017] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

[0018] The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

[0019] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

1. An apparatus for securing a floor covering on a carpet surface, comprising:

a central base member adapted to be placed between the floor covering and the carpet;

a plurality of first spikes extending vertically upward from the central base member, the first spikes adapted to engage the floor covering; and

a plurality of second spikes extending vertically downward from the central base member, the second spikes adapted to engage the carpet.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central base member is a planar disc member.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the spikes extend perpendicular relative to the planar disc member.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first spikes extend a vertical distance of between about ⅛-¼ inches, and wherein the second spikes extend a vertical distance of between about ⅛-¼ inches.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first spikes extend a vertical distance long enough to penetrate into the floor covering but not long enough to penetrate all the way through the floor covering.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the second spikes extend a vertical distance long enough to penetrate into the floor covering but not long enough to penetrate all the way through the floor covering.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is comprised of metal material.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the spikes and the central support member are integrally formed together.

9. A floor covering positioning system, comprising:

a carpet surface;

a floor covering positioned upon the carpet surface; and

at least one floor covering positioning apparatus between the floor covering and the carpet securing the floor covering on the carpet surface, the floor covering positioning apparatus, comprising a central base member placed between the floor covering and the carpet; a plurality of first spikes extending vertically upward from the central base member, the first spikes engaging the floor covering; and a plurality of second spikes extending vertically downward from the central base member, the second spikes engaging the carpet.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the central base member comprises a planar disc member.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the spikes extend perpendicular relative to the planar disc member.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first spikes extend a vertical distance of between about ⅛-¼ inches, and wherein the second spikes extend a vertical distance of between about ⅛-¼ inches.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the first spikes penetrate into the floor covering but not all the way through the floor covering.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the second spikes extend a vertical distance long enough to penetrate into the floor covering but not long enough to penetrate all the way through the floor covering.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is comprised of metal material.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the spikes and the central support member are integrally formed together.

17. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first and second spikes are of equal length.

18. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein a plurality of the floor covering positioning apparatus are positioned between the floor covering and the carpet in spaced relation to one another.

19. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first and second spikes penetrate the floor covering and the carpet surface, respectively.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first spikes penetrate the rug by a distance of less than about 75% of the vertical height of the floor covering in an uncompressed state.

21. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the floor covering comprises a movable rug, and wherein the carpet surface is fixed to a floor surface.

22. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the first and second spikes are equally shaped and sized.