Traction mat

Abstract

A traction mat for the bathtub has a peelable backing, a continuous layer of adhesive directly above the peelable backing that forms a tight seal on the bathtub floor, a flexible base layer directly above the adhesive, a soft compressible top layer of foam material comprising a decorative pattern of raised surfaces that are surrounded by connected channels formed from a top surface of the base layer, the top layer having a thickness of between approximately one thirty-second of an inch and approximately two inches, and ideally one quarter of an inch. Standing on the top layer causes increased surface friction between the foot and the top layer.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of this invention is traction mats, and more particularly, traction mats for the bathroom.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART

Bathtubs are frequently used by everyone—healthy adults, the elderly and children. There is a long recognized need to reduce the safety hazards of entering or standing in a bathtub during a shower and exiting the bathtub after the shower or bath. The watery environment causes the feet to be wet and lose traction causing the person to slip. In addition, after exiting the bathtub, if the feet are wet, it is more likely to slip on the tile floor of the bathroom adjacent the bathtub.

Since bathtubs (and bathroom tile floors) are hard, and since baths and showers are taken frequently by everyone, serious injuries occur relatively frequently. Although children and even healthy adults cannot afford such injuries, elderly persons especially cannot afford such injuries. This problem described is ubiquitous and has been around for a long time, although the hazard is often overlooked by users of the bathtub.

According to the National Safety Council, two out of three falls that occur in the home occur while getting into or exiting the bathtub. The cause of the fall is lack of traction. A number of prominent organizations that address safety issues, such as the Center for Disease Control, Slip and Fall Elimination (“SAFE”), the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the National Institutes of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases, recommend the use of non slip mats in the tub.

Published studies have shown that slip and fall injuries to children in the bathtub are too frequent and tend to affect the head or face. For example, a study called “Childhood bathtub-related injuries: slip and fall prevalence and prevention” was published in Clinical Pediatrics (Philadelphia) in May 2005 by Spencer S P, Shields B J and Smith G A. The study was performed at the Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health in Columbus, Ohio to describe the “epidemiology of childhood bathtub-related injuries and to recommend methods for prevention of bathtub-related slips and falls.” According to the study, “a consecutive series of 204 children, who were treated for bathtub-related injuries in a pediatric emergency department during a 3-year period were included in the study. The age range was 4 months to 16 years (mean 3.1, SD 2.8, median 2.8 years). Slips and falls accounted for 82.3% (168/204) of mechanisms of injuries. Lacerations, the most common injury type, accounted for 66.7% (136/204) of cases. The most frequent anatomic location of injury was the head or face (68.1%, 139/204). Adult supervision was present during 84.8% (67/79) of the injuries among children younger than 5 years. Parents changed the bathing environment after the patients' injury in 82.3% (65/79) of cases.”

The study stated that “injuries due to slips and falls are the most common type of childhood bathtub-related injury. Increased supervision alone will not be sufficient to prevent these injuries, given that adult supervision is already present in most cases.” The study concluded that “these injuries are most effectively prevented by passive methods, such as providing an effective slip-resistant bathtub surface.” The study further concluded with the advice that “the large number of bathtub-related injuries associated with slips and falls argues for exploring a higher coefficient of friction standard for bathtubs, which may lead to fewer injuries”.

Prior art bathtub traction mats do not achieve the requisite coefficient of friction needed to reduce injuries. They are of two types—mats that adhere to the bathtub floor by suction cups and mats that adhere by adhesive covered by peel off backings. Bathtub bottoms are watery places. Accordingly, the mats that adhere by suction cups tend to permit water to accumulate under the suction cups, thereby creating mildew and mold. Even the ones that say they are mildew resistant do allow some mildew to develop. In addition, the mats that adhere to the bottom of the bathtub by suction cups also slip over time.

There are also strips that adhere to the bathtub bottom by peel off adhesive backing. The strips do not provide enough traction because they are only strips rather than a full mat. They are also not that comfortable to stand on. A full mat (see FIG. 1) with the same roughened top surface and that has a peel off backing is also known but the traction of such a mat is limited because the traction is due solely to the roughened top surface of the mat. Although this increases the chance of the mat not slipping relative to the mat that employs suction cups, this mat does not have the coefficient of friction between the feet of the user and the mat that is needed to reduce slip and fall injuries standing in, entering and exiting the bathtub. Furthermore, it is not comfortable to stand on a mat with a rough top surface.

Another problem is that putting aside what mats are available and their deficiencies, many people simply do not use traction mats in their bathtub. The reason is that no product has been able to provide a bathtub traction mat that combines the features of significantly increasing the coefficient of friction so that it is safe yet comfortable to stand on, attractive, durable long-term and does not allow mildew or mold to develop. There is also a compelling need for such a bathtub mat to be easy to use, relatively inexpensive, easy to manufacture and not to leave an adhesive residue when removed. The present invention provides all that and more.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

A traction mat for the bathtub has a peelable backing, a continuous layer of adhesive directly above the peelable backing that forms a tight seal on the bathtub floor, a flexible base layer directly above the adhesive, a soft compressible top layer of foam material comprising a decorative pattern of raised surfaces that are surrounded by connected channels formed from a top surface of the base layer, the top layer having a thickness of between approximately one thirty-second of an inch and approximately two inches, and ideally one quarter of an inch. Standing on the top layer causes the foot to sink into the top layer of the mat and grip the foot thereby causing increased surface friction between the foot and the top layer. The raised surfaces of the top layer keep the foot dry. The channels formed by the base layer channel away soap and water from the foot of the user. The continuous layer of adhesive, by providing a tight seal, prevents the mat from slipping or building or mildew or mold.

IMPORTANT OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

The following important objects and advantages of the present invention are:

(1) to provide a traction mat that is safe;

(2) to provide a traction mat for the bathtub;

(3) to provide a traction mat that solves the problems of the prior art;

(4) to provide a traction mat that has increased traction;

(5) to provide a traction mat for the bathtub that does not allow the accumulation of mildew or mold;

(6) to provide a traction mat that does not slip over time;

(7) to provide a traction mat specifically designed for the watery environment of the bathtub;

(8) to provide a bathtub traction mat that is compressible from the weight of a person standing on it;

(9) to provide a bathtub traction mat that grips the sides of the feet when standing on it;

(10) to provide a bathtub traction mat that adheres to the bathtub by an adhesive layer exposed when you peel off a soft plastic backing;

(11) to provide a bathtub traction mat that does not leave a residue of adhesive behind when the mat is removed from the bathtub;

(12) to provide a bathtub traction mat that is between one thirty-second of an inch and two inches in height;

(13) to provide a bathtub traction mat that is very simple to use;

(14) to provide a bath tub traction mat that is easy to manufacture;

(15) to provide a bathtub traction mat that is relatively inexpensive;

(16) to provide a bathtub traction mat that allows less slippage than prior art traction mats that adhere by means of suction cups;

(17) to provide a bathtub traction mat that has built in channels to keep the feet drier and reduce slippage, including after the person has exited the bathtub as is standing on the bathroom floor;

(18) to provide a bathtub traction mat that increases the surface area that touches the foot on the mat thereby increasing traction;

(19) to provide a bathtub traction mat that has a pattern of raised foam surfaces having channels between the raised surfaces;

(20) to provide a bathtub traction mat that is attractive;

(21) to provide a bathtub traction mat that has a decorative pattern of raised surfaces, which pattern can be varied and custom-designed to appeal to different segments of the market, like children, people who like animals, etc.;

(22) to provide a bathtub mat that is decorative;

(23) to provide a traction mat for the bathtub that has a higher coefficient of friction than prior art bathtub traction mats and that has a high enough coefficient of friction that children, adults and the elderly will be able to experience significantly fewer injuries;

(24) to provide a bathtub traction mat that does not become dry or brittle and stays soft;

(25) to provide a bathtub traction mat that has long-term durability and chunks of which will not fall off;

(26) to provide a bathtub traction mat that is soft and comfortable to stand on;

(27) to provide a bathtub traction mat that repels dirt;

(28) to provide a bathtub traction mat that forms a tight seal between the floor of the bathtub and the bottom of the mat;

(29) to provide a bathtub mat that people will want to use; and

(30 to provide a bathtub mat that is safe yet comfortable to stand on.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a prior art traction mat;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the traction mat of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom of the traction mat of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4a is a side view of the traction mat of the present invention along one of its longer sides;

FIG. 4b is a side view of the traction mat of the present invention along a second of its longer sides;

FIG. 4c is a side view of the traction mat of the present invention along one of its shorter sides;

FIG. 4d is a side view of the traction mat of the present invention along a second of its shorter sides;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the traction mat of the present invention showing a foot of a person standing on it;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the traction mat of the present invention from the bottom showing the peelable backing being peeled off to expose the adhesive layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The apparatus of the present invention will now be illustrated by reference to the accompanying drawings. The traction mat of the present invention has been assigned reference numeral 10 Other elements have been assigned the reference numerals referred to below.

FIG. 1 is a prior art traction mat that does not have a high enough coefficient of friction to reduce serious injuries to children or others using the mat and that does not adequately prevent slip and fall injuries.

As seen from FIGS. 2-6, a traction mat 10 for the bathtub is shown. Traction mat 10 comprises peelable backing 20, a continuous layer of adhesive 30 directly above the peelable backing, a flexible base layer 40 directly above the adhesive 30, and a top layer 50. The top layer 50 comprises a decorative pattern of raised surfaces 52. The raised surfaces 52 are surrounded by connected channels 42 located between the raised surfaces 52. The pattern of raised surfaces 52 can be such that it resembles or suggests an alligator or its skin or a different animal. In that way, the mat 10 can be decorative and attractive and appealing to children and can be custom-fitted for different segments of the market.

The connected channels 42 are formed from a top surface 44 of the base layer 40. Thus channels 42 are from the fact that top layer 50 does not span a continuous breadth of material over base layer 40 but rather has a particular disconnected pattern. It should be noted that in certain preferred embodiments top layer 50 can be a separate substance from base layer 40 and in other embodiments top layer 50 can be merely a continuation of base layer 40.

Base layer 40 should be soft and comfortable but need not be as compressible as top layer 50. Base layer 40 should not be made of a rigid material.

Top layer 50 has a thickness of between approximately one thirty-second of an inch and approximately two inches. In a preferred embodiment, top layer 50 is between approximately one eight of an inch and three eighths of an inch. In a further preferred embodiment, top layer 50 is approximately one-quarter of an inch thick. The thickness of top layer 50 refers to its height above base layer 40 in an uncompressed state.

Top layer 50 is formed of a compressible foam material. The foam material can be any rubber or elastomer material whether natural or synthetic. In one preferred embodiment, the foam material is a silicone-butadiene formula. The foam material should have long-term durability, should not become dry or brittle and should not allow chunks to fall off. The fact that top layer 50 is made of a foam material also makes standing on the mat 10 a comfortable experience because top layer 50 is soft and stays soft over time.

The top layer 50 is compressible enough that a foot of a person standing on the top layer, even a child weighing as little as approximately ten pounds, would sink into the top layer causing increased surface friction between the foot and the top layer. The heavier the person the greater the increased surface friction. At some point the weight is so great that incremental weight does not achieve significant increased friction. It is not known what that weight is but it is estimated to be over 100 pounds.

As best seen from FIG. 5, which is a cross-sectional view, when a person stands on the traction mat 10, top surface 50 is compressed in the area of the foot or feet. This means that the area of top surface 50 that is adjacent this area, for example just behind the foot, just in front of the foot and just to the sides of the foot (not shown) not only remain uncompressed but in fact react to the compression force nearby by creeping higher and toward the foot. This results in an important increase in surface area in contact with the foot of the person standing on the mat 10. As a result, there is an appreciable increase in the coefficient of friction between mat 10 and the person's feet. Accordingly, traction is increased and slips causing injury decrease.

In addition, when a person stands on top layer 50, water and soap on the feet of the person drains into channels 42. The combination of the additional height of top layer 50 and the fact that there are channels 42 keeps the feet of the person drier and not slippery. This means less chance of slipping both in the bathtub, in the process of exiting the bathtub and/or while standing on the bathroom floor.

In a preferred embodiment, raised surfaces 52, which represent in effect the top surface of top layer 50, are relatively smooth to increase the feeling of comfort to the person standing on mat 10. Since the other elements of the mat 10 appreciably increase traction, it is unnecessary for the top surface of top layer 50 to be irregular or treaded. Recall that one of the essential goals is to provide a bathtub mat that is simultaneously safe yet comfortable to stand on.

In one preferred embodiment, raised surfaces 52 are substantially flat or slightly tapered near the edges of top layer 50. The present invention contemplates other options as well.

Due to the continuous layer of adhesive 30, a tight seal is formed between the mat and the floor of the bathtub and water is unable to penetrate between the mat 10, and in particular the adhesive layer 30 at the bottom of the mat 10, and the bottom or floor of the bathtub. Even over a period of time water will not penetrate. Adhesive 30 cannot be water soluble because then it will be eroded by the water in the bathtub. In a preferred embodiment, adhesive 40 is a pressure sensitive adhesive. Adhesive 30 can be acrylic, rubber, silicone. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list In one preferred embodiment, adhesive 30 is a modified silicone/rubber blend pressure sensitive adhesive 30.

In use, the bottom of the bathtub should be dried. Then simply peel off backing 20 to expose adhesive layer 30 and adhere mat 10 to the bottom of the bathtub.

It is to be understood that while the apparatus of this invention have been described and illustrated in detail, the above-described embodiments are simply illustrative of the principles of the invention. It is to be understood also that various other modifications and changes may be devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof. It is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. The spirit and scope of this invention are limited only by the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A traction mat for a bathtub, comprising:

a peelable backing,

a continuous layer of adhesive directly above the peelable backing, said continuous layer of adhesive capable of forming a tight seal on a floor of the bathtub,

a flexible base layer directly above the adhesive,

a top layer that is soft, said top layer comprising a decorative pattern of raised surfaces, said raised surfaces being surrounded by connected channels located between said raised surfaces, the connected channels formed from a top surface of the base layer, the top layer having a thickness of between approximately one thirty-second of an inch and approximately two inches, the top layer formed of a material compressible enough that a foot of a person standing on the top layer, said person weighing at least approximately ten pounds, would sink into the top layer causing increased surface friction between the foot and the top layer.

2. The traction mat of claim 1, wherein the top layer is made of foam material.

3. The traction mat of claim 2, wherein the foam material can be any natural or synthetic rubber or elastomer material.

4. The traction mat of claim 1, wherein the top layer is between approximately one-eighth and approximately three-eighths of an inch thick.

5. The traction mat of claim 4, wherein the top layer is approximately one-quarter of an inch thick.

6. The traction mat of claim 3, wherein the foam material is made of silicone-butadiene.

7. The traction mat of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is capable of adhering to the floor of the bathtub in such a manner that removal of said mat and separation of said adhesive from said floor of said bathtub does not leave a residue of adhesive.

8. The traction mat of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is a modified silicone and rubber blend pressure sensitive adhesive.

9. The traction mat of claim 1, wherein the raised surfaces channel water and soap away from the feet of the person standing on the mat.

10. The traction mat of claim 2, wherein the top layer is between approximately one-eighth and approximately three-eighths of an inch thick.

11. The traction mat of claim 10, wherein the top layer is approximately one-quarter of an inch thick.

12. The traction mat of claim 10, wherein the foam material is made of silicone-butadiene.

13. The traction mat of claim 2, wherein the adhesive is capable of adhering to a bottom of the bathtub in such a manner that removal of said mat and separation of said adhesive from said bottom of said bathtub does not leave a residue of adhesive.

14. The traction mat of claim 2, wherein the adhesive is a modified silicone and rubber blend pressure sensitive adhesive.

15. The traction mat of claim 2, wherein the raised surfaces channel water and soap away from the feet of the person standing on the mat.