FLOOR MAT WITH IMPROVED RIGIDITY AND NON-SLIP BACKING
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.
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 ArtProtective 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 INVENTIONPresented 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
As shown in
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.
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.
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.
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.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 20, 2020
Publication Date: Apr 21, 2022
Applicant: BDK USA, INC. (Carson, CA)
Inventor: Yoojin Jung (Palos Verdes, CA)
Application Number: 17/075,054