ENTRANCE MAT SYSTEM

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an entrance mat system for use close to the threshold of a door or other entryway, so that a person entering an area via the door may wipe or dry their shoes before entering the area. In commercial buildings, it is known to provide a heavy-duty entrance mat that is attached to or in the floor adjacent to the door. A fibrous matting insert in an aluminium channel may be provided. Due to the difficulty and cost of the fibre replacement process, it is typical to replace the whole mat, aluminium over time. Provided herein is an entrance mat system having a base portion configured to be inset into a mat well or attached to the ground. A plate comprising a fibrous matting on upper surface thereof and a releasable attachment means configured to releasably attach the plate to the base portion.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of PCT/GB 2024/052475 filed on Sep. 25, 2024, and entitled “An Entrance Mat System”, which claims priority benefit of GB 2314674.9 filed on Sep. 25, 2023, which are both incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to an entrance mat system and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in providing an entrance mat system with a reduced environmental impact and reduced workload to replace or refurbish the entrance mat system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is typical to provide an entrance mat at or close to the threshold of a door or other entryway, such as an external door of a building, so that a person entering an area via the door may wipe, dry or otherwise clean their shoes before entering the area. In commercial buildings and other high foot traffic areas, it is known to provide a heavy-duty entrance mat that is attached to, or built-in to, the floor adjacent to the door.

It is known to provide fibres or a fibrous matting insert in an aluminium channel. However, the fibre invariably wears out long before the aluminium but the process to remove the fibre and stick in or otherwise provide new fibre is very onerous. The typical adhesive used needs to have very strong adhesion, so to uplift the old and worn fibrous insert is very difficult and there is always a lot of adhesive residue to be removed from the aluminium channel prior to a new fibre insert being installed. Due to the difficulty and cost of the process, it is typical to replace the whole mat, aluminium and all, which is not good for the environment or cost considerations.

Aspects of the present disclosure seek to provide an entrance mat system to alleviate or reduce the severity of the above-mentioned problems and provide an entrance mat system with a reduced environmental impact and reduced workload to replace or refurbish the entrance mat system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an entrance mat system comprising: a base portion configured to be inset into a mat well or attached to the ground; a plate comprising a fibrous matting on upper surface thereof; and releasable attachment means configured to releasably attach the plate to the base portion.

In this way, the fibrous matting may be simply and conveniently replaced by releasing the plate from the base portion, providing a second plate comprising second fibrous matting and attaching the second plate to the base portion. As such, the system is more conveniently replaceable or refurbishable when a fibrous portion of the entrance mat becomes worn or otherwise damaged

The base portion may be a supporting structure configured to be secured to, or set within, the floor. The plate may be a substantially planar supporting structure configured to provide a backing to and support the fibrous matting.

The base portion may be configured to be laid on the ground, or the floor. The base portion may be a configured to be laid into a mat well located in the ground or the floor. The base portion may be configured to be laid directly or indirectly in a mat well or on a ground or floor surface. In other words, the base portion may be laid directly on the ground surface, floor surface or mat well surface. The base portion may be laid indirectly on said surfaces, with an additional layer in between the surface and the base.

The fibrous matting may be any known arrangement for shoe wiping. For example, the fibrous matting may comprise coir, polyamide, polyester, rubber, other plastics or polymers, metal fibres and/or bars, any other known fibres, and/or a combination thereof.

The releasable attachment means may be configured to releasably attach a lower surface of the plate to an upper surface of the base portion. In this way, the plate may, in use, sit on top of the base portion and be supported by the base portion. Accordingly, the plate may not need to be relatively strong enough to support the weight of a person stood thereon, because the base portion supports the plate. As such, the thickness of the plate may be minimised. The plate may therefore be considered a consumable, and may be cheaper and more environmentally friendly to produce as less aluminium or other plate material is required.

The system may be arranged such that the lower surface of the plate is in contact with the upper surface of the base portion across at least 80% of a surface area of the lower surface of the plate. The system may be arranged such that the lower surface of the plate is in contact with the upper surface of the base portion across at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 100% of a surface area of the lower surface of the plate. The system may be arranged such that the lower surface of the plate is in contact with the upper surface of the base portion across less than 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 100% of a surface area of the lower surface of the plate. In this way the plate may be supported across a sufficient area. Any range formed with lower and upper bounds stated herein is part of the present disclosure.

The plate may be configured such that the fibrous matting extends beyond at least one edge of the plate. In other words, the fibrous matting may be larger than the supporting structure of the plate.

The upper surface of the base portion may include a raised shoulder to support a portion of the fibrous matting that extends beyond the at least one edge of the plate. In this way, the portion of the fibrous matting that extends beyond the edge of the supporting structure of the plate may be supported, in use, by the raised shoulder of the base portion. Furthermore, the fibrous matting may therefore cover any gap between the plate and the base portion.

The plate may comprise a planar upper surface to which the fibrous matting is attached. The planar upper surface and an upper surface of the raised shoulder may be coplanar. In this way, the entire lower surface of the fibrous matting may be supported by a planar surface, such that no unintentional bumps, grooves, depressions or other undesirable features are present in the fibrous matting. A continuous flat surface may therefore be provided without trip hazards.

The base portion may comprise a first upstand arranged to cover a first edge of the plate. The first edge of the plate may be adjacent to and/or abut the first upstand. The raised shoulder may be positioned next to or on the first upstand. The upstand may extend higher than the raised shoulder.

The first upstand may comprise an edge strip projecting therefrom. The edge strip may be configured to overlap and cover a first edge of the fibrous matting. In other words, the first edge of the fibrous matting may be tucked under the edge strip. In this way, the first edge of the fibrous matting may not be exposed and may be protected. Undesirable lifting of the first edge of the fibrous matting may be prevented or restricted.

The system may be arranged such that, in use, the first upstand is adjacent and parallel to a threshold of a door or other entryway. Typically, the edge of the entrance mat adjacent and parallel to the door is the edge of the entrance mat that received the most damage or wear. This is due to the typical use conditions, wherein a user may enter an area through the door and wipe their feet on the fibrous matting as they move across the entrance mat away from the door. It is not uncommon in prior known systems from the edge of the fibrous matting adjacent and parallel to the door to lift and cause a potential trip hazard. The first upstand is provided and arranged to protect said edge of the fibrous matting.

The base portion may further comprise a second upstand arranged to cover a second edge of the plate opposite to the first edge of the plate. The second edge of the plate may be adjacent to and/or abut the second upstand. A raised shoulder may be positioned next to or on the second upstand, which may be configured similarly to the first upstand. The second upstand may extend higher than the raised shoulder.

The second upstand may comprise an edge strip projecting therefrom. The edge strip may be configured to overlap and cover a second edge of the fibrous matting. Accordingly, the edge strip of the second upstand may project away from the second upstand towards the first upstand, and the edge strip of the first upstand may project away from the first upstand towards the second upstand. In other words, the second edge of the fibrous matting may be tucked under the edge strip of the second upstand. In this way, the second edge of the fibrous matting may not be exposed and may be protected. Undesirable lifting of the second edge of the fibrous matting may be prevented or restricted.

Similar edge strips may be provided to overlap, cover and/or protect other edges of the fibrous matting, such as third and fourth edges of the fibrous matting. Accordingly, each edge of the fibrous matting may be overlapped, covered and/or protected. During installation, an installer may tuck the edges of the fibrous matting under the edge strips of the base portion.

The plate may comprise a first plate sub-portion and a second plate sub-portion. The first plate sub-portion may comprise a first fibrous matting sub-portion and the second plate sub-portion may comprise a second fibrous matting sub-portion. The releasable attachment means may be configured to releasably attach each of the first and second plate sub-portions to the base portion individually. In this way, the first and second plate sub-portions may be replaced individually. There is therefore no need to replace the entirety of the fibrous matting should only a relatively small area become worn or damaged. Any number of such plate sub-portions may be provided, such as three, four, five or six. The number of plate sub-portions provided may be dependent on the required size of the entrance mat. The plate sub-portions may be arranged in any known grid pattern, such as 1 by 2, 2 by 1, 2 by 2, 1 by 3, 3 by 1, and so on.

The entrance mat system may further comprise a dividing upstand portion arranged between the first and second plate sub-portions. Further dividing upstand portions may be provided, should more than two plate sub-portions be provided. Accordingly, a dividing upstand may be provided between each plate sub-portion.

The dividing upstand portion may comprise a first edge strip projecting from a first side thereof and configured to overlap and cover an edge of the first fibrous matting sub-portion. The dividing upstand portion may comprise a second edge strip projecting from a second side thereof opposite to the first side and configured to overlap and cover an edge of the second fibrous matting sub-portion. In this way, the edges of the fibrous mattings adjacent to each side of the dividing upstand portion may be covered and protected in the manner described herewith in relation to the first and second upstand portions. Each of the dividing upstands may be similarly arranged, should more than one dividing upstand be provided. The dividing upstand(s) may be configured similarly to the first and/or second upstands, but configured to cover two edges of fibrous matting instead of only one.

The attachment means may comprise a channel and a mutually shaped tab section configured to be received and releasably retained within the channel. The channel and tab sections may extend across or along a width or length of the plate and/or base portion. The channel and tab sections may extend across or along at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% of the width or length of the plate and/or base portion. In this way, the plate may be secured within the base portion across a majority or entirety of a width and/or length of the entrance mat system. The channel and tab may be configured to extend, in use, parallel to or perpendicularly to a threshold of a doorway adjacent to which the system is positioned.

One of the channels and the tab may comprise a hooked profile. The other of the channel and the tab may comprise a curved or looped profile configured to engage with the hooked profile to retain the tab within the channel. In this way, the tab may be retained within the channel by engaging the hooked portion with the curved or looped portion. Other mutually engaging arrangements and shapes are envisaged.

The channel may be arranged on and extend into the base portion, and the tab may be arranged on and extend from the plate. Alternatively, the channel may be arranged on and extend into the plate, and the tab may be arranged on and extend from the base portion. In this way, the plate may be releasably retained on the base portion by placing the plate on the base portion such that the tab is received within the channel.

The tab may be resilient. The tab may be formed of a resilient material. For example, the tab may be aluminium and have a sufficient thickness such that the tab may resiliently bend in at least one direction. The tab may be moveable within the channel between an engaged position, in which the tab is arranged to engage with the channel and retain the plate relative to the base portion, and a disengaged position, in which the tab is arranged to be disengaged with the channel such that the plate is removable from the base portion. In this way, the releasable attachment means may be engaged by moving the tab to the engaged position, and disengaged by moving the tab to the disengaged position. The tab may be configured to be biased into the engaged position. In this way, the releasable attachment means may be biased into the engaged arrangement.

The base portion may comprise an extruded aluminium section. Other materials and manufacturing methods are envisaged, such as PVC. The plate may comprise an extruded aluminium section. Other materials and manufacturing methods are envisaged, such as PVC.

The fibrous matting may be attached to the extruded aluminium section with an adhesive. Alternatively or additionally, the fibrous matting may be attached to the extruded aluminium section with fixings. The fibrous matting may be configured to be removable from the extruded aluminium section for recycling or reuse of the extruded aluminium section with new fibrous matting.

The base portion may comprise at least one through hole configured to receive a fixing. The fixing may be configured, in use, to secure the base portion to the ground or into the mat well. A plurality of such through holes and fixings may be provided. Alternatively or additionally, the base portion may be secured to the ground or into the mat well with an adhesive.

The base portion may comprise at least two base portion sub-sections configured to mutually engage to form the base portion. The base portion may comprise more than two such base portion sub-sections, such as three, four, five, six or any other number of base portion sub-sections. Each base portion sub-section may be provided with a corresponding plate sub-portion. In this way, the system may be modular.

An edge surface of a first base portion sub-section and an edge surface of a second base portion sub-section may be mutually shaped such that, in use with the edge surface of the first base portion sub-section adjacent to the edge surface of the second base portion sub-section, relative movement of the first base portion sub-section and the second base portion sub-section is prevented in at least one direction. For example, the edge surfaces may have interlocking ‘s’ or ‘w’ profiles. In another example, the edge surfaces may be planar but inclined relative to the ground such that one edge surface at least partially overlaps the second edge surface.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a method of replacing the fibrous matting of the entrance mat system of the first aspect, the method comprising: disengaging the releasable attachment means; removing the plate; providing a second plate; and engaging the releasable attachment means to retain the second plate relative to the base portion.

The method may include a step or steps associated with any of the optional features disclosed herein with respect to the first aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the detailed description herein, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an entrance mat system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a semi-exploded perspective view of the entrance mat system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 Is a perspective view of the entrance mat system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The following description presents exemplary embodiments and, together with the drawings, serves to explain principles of the disclosure. However, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the precise details of the embodiments, since variations will be apparent to a skilled person and are deemed also to be covered by the description. Terms for components used herein should be given a broad interpretation that also encompasses equivalent functions and features. In some cases, alternative terms for structural features may be provided but such terms are not intended to be exhaustive.

Descriptive terms should also be given the broadest possible interpretation; e.g. the term “comprising” as used in this specification means “consisting at least in part of” such that interpreting each statement in this specification that includes the term “comprising”, features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as “comprise” and “comprises” are to be interpreted in the same manner. Directional terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, “down”, “top”, “bottom”, “upper” and “lower” are used for convenience of explanation usually with reference to the illustrations and are not intended to be ultimately limiting if an equivalent function can be achieved with an alternative dimension, orientation and/or direction.

The description herein refers to embodiments with particular combinations of features, however, it is envisaged that further combinations and cross-combinations of compatible features between embodiments will be possible. Indeed, isolated features may function independently as an invention from other features and not necessarily require implementation as a complete combination.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an entrance mat system 100. The entrance mat system comprises a base portion 200 and two plate portions 300, 400. The base portion 200 is configured to be secured to, or set into, a floor adjacent to a door or other entranceway. The two plate portions 300, 400 are configured to be releaseably secured to the base portion in a manner described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

The base portion 200 is shown to have a first supporting region 210 and a second supporting region 220. The first plate portion 300 is configured to sit upon the first supporting region 210. The second plate portion 400 is configured to sit upon the second supporting region 220. The first supporting region 210 is bounded on one side by a first upstand 230, and on a second side opposite the first side by a central divider 240. The second supporting region 220 is bounded on one side by a second upstand 250, and on a second side opposite the first side by the central divider 240. The first upstand 230, second upstand 250 and central divider 240 extend above the first supporting region 210 and the second supporting region 220.

The first upstand 230 includes an extended edge or lip 232 that extends from an upper region of the first upstand 230 inwardly towards the central divider 240. The second upstand 250 includes an extended edge or lip 252 that extends from an upper region of the second upstand 250 inwardly towards the central divider 240. The central divider 240 includes a first extended edge or lip 242 that extends from an upper region of the central divider 240 towards the first upstand 230. The central divider 240 also includes a second extended edge or lip 244 that extends from an upper region of the central divider 240 towards the second upstand 250. The purpose of the extended edges or lips 232, 252 is described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

The upper surfaces of the first upstand 230, the central divider 240 and the second upstand 250 are substantially planar and coplanar any is provided with a textured or ribbed surface for improved traction. The first upstand 230, the central divider 240 and the second upstand 250 extend along an entire length of the base portion 200.

The base portion 200 includes a first channel 212 and a second channel 214 positioned in the first supporting region 210. The base portion 200 also includes a third channel 222 and a fourth channel 224 positioned in the second supporting region 220. The arrangement and purpose of the channels 212, 214, 222, 224 is explained in greater detail below and with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

The first plate portion 300 and the second plate portion 400 are shown to be identical. Any discussion of the first plate portion 300 herein is considered to apply equally to the second plate portion 400. The plate portions 300, 400 are arranged to be replaceable and/or consumable. It is therefore desirable to have a single standard profile.

The first plate portion 300 includes a substantially planar supporting structure 310 and a fibrous matting 320 attached to an upper surface thereof. In use, a user may wipe their shoes on the fibrous matting 320. The fibrous matting 320 includes edge portions 322, 324 that extend beyond their adjacent edges of the supporting structure 310. The purpose and benefit of the edge portions 322, 324 is described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

The supporting structure 310 of the first plate portion 300 also includes two tabs 312, 314 that extend from a lower surface of the supporting structure 310. The tabs 312, 314 extend along a length of the first plate portion 300. The shape and configuration of the tabs 312, 314 is explained in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

With the first plate portion 300 arranged on the first supporting region 210 of the base portion 200, the first tab 312 is configured to be received within the first channel 212, and the second tab 314 is configured to be received within the second channel 214. The tabs 412, 414 of the second plate portion 400 are likewise configured to be received within the third channel 222 and the fourth channel 224 when the second plate portion 400 is positioned on the second supporting region 220. Each of the tabs 312, 314, 412, 414 are similarly shaped and configured.

The first tab 312 is configured to engage with the first channel 212 such that the first tab 312 is releasably retained within the first channel 212. The second tab 314 is configured to engage with the second channel 214 such that the second tab 314 is releasably retained within the second channel 214.

The base portion 200 and the plate portions 300, 400 may be extruded and may be formed from extruded aluminium. The base portion 200 and the plate portions 300, 400 may be cut along a length of their extrusion profile to fit the required size.

The base portion 200 also includes mutually shaped outer surfaces 260, 270. The first outer surface 260 has a general ‘w’ profile, whereas the second outer surface 270 has a corresponding general ‘m’ profile. Accordingly, a first base portion 200 may be placed adjacent to a second base portion 200, such that the second outer surface 270 of the first base portion engages with and interlocks with the first outer surface 260 of the second base portion 200 to form a continuous base portion. The second upstand 250 of the first base portion 200 and the first upstand 230 of the second base portion 200 may therefore mutually engage to form a central divider 240 between the first and second base portions 200.

FIG. 2 is a semi-exploded perspective view of the entrance mat system 100 shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the second plate portion 400 has been arranged on the second supporting region 220, such that the first tab 412 of the second plate portion 400 is received and retained within the third channel 222, and the second tab 414 of the second plate portion 400 is received and retained within the fourth channel 224. The first plate portion 300 is still shown in an exploded view.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the entrance mat system 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 3, the first plate portion 300 has been arranged on the first supporting region 210, such that the first tab 312 of the first plate portion 300 is received and retained within the first channel 212, and the second tab 314 of the first plate portion 300 is received and retained within the second channel 214. FIG. 3 shows the in-use arrangement of the entrance mat system 100.

As seen most clearly on the second tab 314 of the first plate portion 300 in FIG. 2, each tab has a hooked portion 315. The hooked portion 315 of each tab 312, 314, 412, 414 extends away from the associated tab towards an edge of the supporting structure 310.

As seen most clearly on the first channel 212 in FIG. 2, each channel 212, 214, 222, 224 also has a hooked portion 213 or groove. The hooked portion 213 is mutually shaped with the hooked portion 315 of the corresponding tab such that the hooked portion 213 of the channel 212 and the hooked portion 315 of the corresponding tab mutually engage to retain the tab within the channel.

As the first plate portion 300 is lowered from the position shown in FIG. 2 onto the first supporting region 210 and into the position shown in FIG. 3, the first tab 312 enters the first channel 212 and engages with the hooked portion 213 of the first channel 212. As the first plate portion 300 is fully lowered into the position shown in FIG. 3, the hooked portion 315 of the first tab 312 rides over hooked portion 213 of the first channel 212 and causes the first tab 312 to resiliently deform, before returning to an undeformed position such that the hooked portions engage and retain the first tab 312 within the first channel 212. Each of the other tabs and channels are similarly arranged and configured. Accordingly, the plate portions 200, 300 may ‘click’ into the base portion 200. To remove the first plate portion 300 from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 2, the hooked portions may be disengaged.

The extended edges or lips of each upstand and the central divider, such as the extended edge or lip 252 of the second upstand 250, are configured to overlap and cover an edge of the adjacent fibrous matting as discussed herein, such that the edge of the fibrous matting is protected.

The base portion 200 includes raised shoulders 254 between each channel 212, 214, 222, 224 and the adjacent upstand 230, 250 or central divider 240. The raised shoulders 254 are configured to support the portion of the fibrous matting 320 that extends beyond the supporting structure 310 of the plate portion. In this way, the portion of the fibrous matting 320 that extends beyond the edge of the supporting structure 310 of the plate portion is supported, in use, by the raised shoulder 254 of the base portion 200. Furthermore, the fibrous matting 320 therefore covers any gap between the plate portion 300, 400 and the base portion 200.

The planar upper surface of the supporting structure 320 of the plate portion 300, 400 and an upper surface of the raised shoulder(s) 254 is coplanar. In this way, the entire lower surface of the fibrous matting 320 is supported by a planar surface, such that no unintentional bumps, grooves, depressions or other undesirable features are present in the fibrous matting 320. A continuous flat surface may therefore be provided without trip hazards.

As discussed herein, when the fibrous matting 320 becomes worn or otherwise damaged, the first plate 300 may be removed from the base portion 200 and replaced with a similar plate portion with new fibrous matting.

As may be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the teachings herein, numerous changes and modifications may be made to the above-described and other embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

The components of the entrance mat system as disclosed in the specification, including the accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative component(s) or feature(s), such as those disclosed in another embodiment, which serve the same, equivalent or similar purpose as known by those skilled in the art to achieve the same, equivalent or similar results by such alternative component(s) or feature(s) to provide a similar function for the intended purpose. In addition, the entrance mat system may include more or fewer components or features than the embodiments as described and illustrated herein.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has”, and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”), and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a method or device that “comprises,” “has,” “includes,” or “contains” one or more steps or elements possesses those one or more steps or elements, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more steps or elements. Likewise, a step of a method or an element of a device that “comprises,” “has,” “includes,” or “contains” one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features. Furthermore, a device or structure that is configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

The disclosure has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. It will be understood that the architectural and operational embodiments described herein are exemplary of a plurality of possible arrangements to provide the same general features, characteristics, and general system operation. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the disclosure be construed as including all such modifications and alterations.

Claims

1. An entrance mat system comprising:

a base portion configured to be inset into a mat well or attached to the ground;

a plate comprising a fibrous matting on upper surface thereof; and

a releasable attachment means configured to releasably attach the plate to the base portion.

2. The entrance mat system of claim 1, wherein the releasable attachment means are configured to releasably attach a lower surface of the plate to an upper surface of the base portion.

3. The entrance mat system of claim 2, wherein the system is arranged such that the lower surface of the plate is in contact with the upper surface of the base portion across at least 80% of a surface area of the lower surface of the plate.

4. The entrance mat system of claim 2, wherein the plate is configured such that the fibrous matting extends beyond at least one edge of the plate.

5. The entrance mat system of claim 4, wherein the upper surface of the base portion includes a raised shoulder to support a portion of the fibrous matting that extends beyond the at least one edge of the plate.

6. The entrance mat system of claim 5, wherein the plate comprises a planar upper surface to which the fibrous matting is attached, and the planar upper surface and an upper surface of the raised shoulder are coplanar.

7. The entrance mat system of claim 1, wherein the base portion comprises a first upstand arranged to cover a first edge of the plate.

8. The entrance mat system of claim 7, wherein the first upstand comprises an edge strip projecting therefrom and configured to overlap and cover a first edge of the fibrous matting.

9. The entrance mat system of claim 7, wherein the system is arranged such that, in use, the first upstand is adjacent and parallel to a threshold of a door or other entryway.

10. The entrance mat system of claim 6, wherein the base portion further comprises a second upstand arranged to cover a second edge of the plate opposite to the first edge of the plate.

11. The entrance mat system of claim 10, wherein the second upstand comprises an edge strip projecting therefrom and configured to overlap and cover a second edge of the fibrous matting.

12. The entrance mat system of claim 1, wherein the plate comprises a first plate sub-portion and a second plate sub-portion, the first plate sub-portion comprising a first fibrous matting sub-portion and the second plate sub-portion comprising a second fibrous matting sub-portion, and wherein the releasable attachment means is configured to releasably attach each of the first and second plate sub-portions to the base portion individually.

13. The entrance mat system of claim 12, further comprising a dividing upstand portion arranged between the first and second plate sub-portions.

14. The entrance mat system of claim 13, wherein the dividing upstand portion comprises a first edge strip projecting from a first side thereof and configured to overlap and cover an edge of the first fibrous matting sub-portion, and a second edge strip projecting from a second side thereof opposite to the first side and configured to overlap and cover an edge of the second fibrous matting sub-portion.

15. The entrance mat system of claim 1, wherein the attachment means comprises at least one channel and a mutually shaped tab section configured to be received and releasably retained within the at least one channel.

16. The entrance mat system of claim 15, wherein the at least one channel and the tab comprises a hooked profile, and wherein the attachment means comprises a second channel, wherein the tab comprises a curved or looped profile configured to engage with the hooked profile to retain the tab within the at least one channel.

17. The entrance mat system of claim 15, wherein the at least one channel is arranged on and extends into the base portion, and the tab is arranged on and extends from the plate.

18. The entrance mat system of claim 15, wherein the tab is resilient, and the tab is moveable within the at least one channel between an engaged position, in which the tab is arranged to engage with the at least one channel and retain the plate relative to the base portion, and a disengaged position, in which the tab is arranged to be disengaged with the at least one channel such that the plate is removeable from the base portion, and the tab is configured to be biased into the engaged position.

19. The entrance mat system of claim 1, wherein the base portion comprises an extruded aluminium section.

20. The entrance mat system of claim 1, wherein the plate comprises an extruded aluminium section.

21. The entrance mat system of claim 20, wherein the fibrous matting is attached to the extruded aluminium section with an adhesive.

22. The entrance mat system of claim 1, wherein the base portion comprises at least one through hole configured to receive a fixing, wherein the fixing is configured, in use, to secure the base portion to the ground or into the mat well.

23. The entrance mat system of claim 1, wherein the base portion comprises at least two base portion sub-sections configured to mutually engage to form the base portion.

24. The entrance mat system of claim 23, wherein an edge surface of a first base portion sub-section and an edge surface of a second base portion sub-section are mutually shaped such that, in use with the edge surface of the first base portion sub-section adjacent to the edge surface of the second base portion sub-section, relative movement of the first base portion sub-section and the second base portion sub-section is prevented in at least one direction.

25. A method of replacing a fibrous matting of an entrance mat system, the entrance mat system comprising:

a base portion configured to be inset into a mat well or attached to the ground;

a plate comprising a fibrous matting on upper surface thereof; and

a releasable attachment means configured to releasably attach the plate to the base portion, wherein the method comprises: disengaging the releasable attachment means; removing the plate; providing a second plate; and engaging the releasable attachment means to retain the second plate relative to the base portion.