Tuft Carrying Patents (Class 15/217)
  • Patent number: 11453195
    Abstract: A multi-component floor mat has a base or frame layer, intended to be positioned on the floor, that is dimensioned to accommodate a flexible textile mat or rug top layer portion that is releasably held in place on or in the base or frame layer by an attachment coupling feature associated with one or both portions, thereby allowing for the easy removal or replacement of the textile top layer of the mat and its economical laundering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Cintas Corporate Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard R. Bing, Patrick J. Chilenski, David S. Mesko
  • Patent number: 10953821
    Abstract: A planar motor vehicle lining component made of a plastic-containing material, having a liner portion of predetermined shape which is embodied to cover, in the completely installed state, a predetermined area on a motor vehicle, the lining component includes at least one reinforcing portion that is connected to the lining portion and is connected by means of a hinge portion to the lining portion foldably in such a way that a supporting surface region of the reinforcing portion is conveyable, by folding over the reinforcing portion, into abutting engagement with an abutting surface region of the lining portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Röchling Automotive SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Egon Moos, Liubov Sorochynska
  • Patent number: 10736485
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus may include a support structure that itself includes multiple substructures. At least some of the substructures may be dimensioned to receive interchangeable tiles. Each of these interchangeable tiles may be configured to cover or be inserted into a corresponding substructure. The tiles may be arranged in a variety of different patterns, shapes, words, or phrases. Various other systems and methods of manufacturing are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: GALBRAITH CREATIVE, LLC
    Inventors: John Galbraith, Joanna Galbraith, Brennan Crellin, Katherine Addison
  • Patent number: 10716987
    Abstract: The present invention provides a training device with replaceable surface environments for practicing basketball dribbling. The training device includes a platform, having a frame and base, and a mat removably disposed on the base. The mats are available with varieties of different surface environments. In particular, the platform provides two pockets formed on two opposing sides with respect to the base and two different varieties of mats can be inserted therein, such that the training device offer different surface environments when reversed. The training device is foldable and further the mats can be rolled, making the training device portable to carry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Inventor: Candace Baldwin
  • Patent number: 10493891
    Abstract: A floor mat assembly includes an extended floor mat and a connecting floor mat. The extended floor mat includes a floor portion and an extension portion. The extension portion includes a plurality of apertures and a plurality of tabs. The connecting floor mat includes a floor portion, an extension portion, and an adaptor member. The extension portion of the connecting floor mat extends from the floor portion. The adaptor member extends from the extension portion and includes a plurality of apertures and protrusions. The extended floor mat and the connecting floor mat interlock when the plurality of tabs of the extended floor mat extend through the plurality of apertures of the adaptor member and the protrusions of the adaptor member extend through the plurality of apertures of the extended floor mat to restrict vertical and lateral movement of the extended floor mat and connecting floor mat relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Barbara J Willobee, Michael S Sullivan, Thomas Haberkamp
  • Patent number: 10183600
    Abstract: A multi-piece floor mat for a vehicle is provided. The floor mat includes a first section and a second section that are configured to assemble to one another to create a single floor mat assembly that spans across two or more floor regions of respective seating areas of the vehicle. The first section has a projection extending therefrom and entirely from a front edge to a rear edge thereof. The second section has a corresponding groove defined therein and extending entirely from a front edge to a rear edge thereof. The groove is configured to receive the projection to interlock the first and second floor mat sections. The projection may be provided with a stem and a bulbous head for additional securement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Santiago Manuel Parra Becerra, Juan De Jesus, Leonardo Alonso Huitron, Paul Vredeveld
  • Patent number: 9920807
    Abstract: The invention relates to a friction lining carrier plate (1), which has a metal sheet, to a friction lining, to a friction lining receptacle and to a brake. The metal sheet is formed in such a manner that it has a first and second recess (11, 20) on the friction lining side, wherein the metal sheet has at least a second recess (20) on the friction lining side, wherein the first and second recesses (11, 20) have a differing depth. The first and second recesses on the friction lining side are each formed as an elevation on the side of the actuation means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignees: TMD Friction Services GmbH, Dömer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Olav Borgmeier, Dirk Dresen, Harald Grzanna, Wolfgang Hogenkamp, Thomas Kierspel, Armin Muhl, Willmut Rohling, Dai-Victor Sakaguchi, Roland Steege, Jochen Asbeck, Christoph Hahner
  • Patent number: 9788589
    Abstract: A flexible, fibrous energy managing composite panel includes multiple flocked energy absorbing material (FEAM) layers separated by dividers. The FEAM layers can be single side or double side and can be fabricated from monofilament fibers having different properties (e.g., length and denier) flocked onto various substrates. The dividers can include sheets, fabrics, films, foam, spacer fabrics to separate the flock fibers in adjacent layers. The composite panels can be processed for breathability and flexibility. Other embodiments include piezoelectric FEAM layers and dividers for electronic sensing applications, and application of composite panels to body armor and the outer shells of helmets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Armand F. Lewis, Yong K. Kim
  • Patent number: 9609971
    Abstract: A floor mat made of a rubber sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface with spaced-apart lugs extending therefrom, each lug having a pair of opposing nibs spaced-apart to define a passage therebetween with a longitudinal axis in a selected direction and the selected direction different from the direction of the longitudinal axis of the passage in an adjacent lug, which lugs cooperatively resist movement of the mat in response to loading by foot and wheeled cart traffic across the floor mat disposed on a floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: MMI Andersen Company LLC
    Inventor: William Leon Tillery
  • Patent number: 9333890
    Abstract: A holder for a replaceable mat used in a vehicle having a base and at least one flap with a free edge that secures the replaceable mat. The flap may be integral to the base and may also be flexible to improve the efficiency of loading the replaceable mat. In other embodiments the flap is independent from the base and operatively secured by an attachment device to the base. Other features improve the ease of use and protective capabilities of the holder. The holder also improves safety for use in vehicles and is inexpensive to manufacture. The replaceable mat is preferably absorbent and freely disposable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Silver Plume, LLC
    Inventor: Gwendolyn Mary Garbarino
  • Patent number: 8931134
    Abstract: A rotating bathroom floor mat device is disclosed, comprising a series of carpeted, rotatable assemblies, a heating means and a gear and pulley mechanism. The device provides a wide, rectangular enclosure that allows a user to step directly onto its flat, upper surface, which is comprised of a series of adjoining, rotatable surfaces. Control buttons along one side of the upper service are operable via depression of a user's foot, which in turn activates a heating means and fan convection means to rapidly dry a user's feet and remove moisture from the carpeted assemblies. The assemblies are triangular sections that allow three distinct working surfaces. Once a first user has dried his or her feet, the assemblies are rotated to reveal a fresh, dry surface for a second user. The heating and convection means dries the previously used, moist carpet while in a stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventors: Curtis Jefferson, Kimberly Jefferson
  • Patent number: 8112839
    Abstract: A cleaning element for washing a vehicle includes a support having a layer of synthetic grass material mounted thereto. The support maybe a rotatable support which forms a rotary brush. The cleaning element also may be a solid curtain of synthetic grass material or a curtain formed into individual strips of synthetic grass material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: G Thomas Ennis
  • Patent number: 7993726
    Abstract: A matting construction includes a multilayer thickness for supporting at least a user thereon, the multilayer thickness may have an outer layer which enables a user to ambulate without slipping thereon; a compressible layer for absorbing at least a portion of the weight of the user, and a peripheral frame member disposed between the outer layer and the compressible layer. The peripheral frame member may be disposed at an angle from the horizontal and the frame member is fixedly attached between the outer layer and the compressible layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Johnson, Robert E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7832044
    Abstract: A floor mat having a base that includes a plurality of alternating fibrous strips and impervious strips and surrounded by a frame. The base is substantially continuous across its entire width and length, having no openings from its upper surface through to its lower surface. The impervious strips include a plurality of spaced apart rows of spaced apart bosses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: R & L Marketing & Sales, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald N. Kessler, Daniel A. Kessler
  • Patent number: 7825047
    Abstract: A spread mat capable of reducing, by suppressing slippage, the risk of getting injured by falling even if a surface layer is wet with oil or water. A crushed particulate material of 15 to 80 meshes is sprayed and adhered onto the front surface of the spread mat formed by stacking a large number of synthetic resin filaments in loop shape through an adhesive agent at a distribution rate of 50 to 150 g/m2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Towa Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shutaro Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 7449228
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a floor mat which can prevent scuffs on the heels of a user's footwear. The floor mat includes at least a first layer of material; a scuff-resistant portion provided on the first layer; and a glide mechanism which moves the scuff-resistant portion on the first layer when a force is applied to the scuff-resistant portion. The glide mechanism may include an elastic portion connected to the scuff-resistant portion and to the first layer, a backing layer connected to the elastic portion; and a base portion connected to the backing layer. The base portion may be disposed on a second layer, the second layer which is disposed beneath the first layer. Further, the first layer may have an opening such that the base portion which is connected to the second layer, is accessible through the first layer. The scuff-resistant portion is made of plush felt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Inventor: Shirley Mason
  • Patent number: 7416771
    Abstract: A modular interchangeable floor mat includes a mat frame and a mat insert. The mat frame includes a central portion having a plurality of integrally formed upwardly-extending hooked nibs and a peripheral edge. The mat insert includes a hook-retaining material defining a bottom surface. The hook-retaining material may include a nonwoven material or a reticulated foam. The plurality of upwardly-extending hooked nibs of the mat frame is engageable with the hook-retaining material of the mat insert. The mat frame may also include a plurality of integrally formed downwardly-depending nibs or ridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Racemark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Bob Bailey, Patrick E. Hudkins
  • Patent number: 7303801
    Abstract: A rubber or plastic floor mat has a series of parallel upper ribs on its upper surface which define slots in which respective strips or carpeting or the like are removably held. The strips are retained along their lengths by retaining means which run continually or continuously along the slots. The strip retainers include hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO), and/or overhanging edges above the strip edges, preferably formed in one-piece fashion along the side of the upper ribs adjacent the slots. The overhangs may be interrupted, e.g., crenelated as seen from above, and may include bevels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: R & L Marketing & Sales, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald N. Kessler
  • Patent number: 7108902
    Abstract: A commercial floor mat has a plurality of aluminum rails arranged in closely spaced side-by-side relationship and connected together by hinged connectors beneath the rails. Each rail has a pair of downwardly facing grooves on its underside extending along respective edges of the rail. Each connector has a flexible central web and a pair of spaced upstanding tabs disposed in the downwardly facing grooves of adjacent rails. The tabs have flexible barb-shaped ribs extending along their opposed faces to anchor the tabs in the grooves with a friction fit. The flexible central webs of the connectors facilitate hinged movement of connected rails to permit the mat to be rolled onto itself into a compact configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Reese Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert T. Ellingson
  • Patent number: 7043792
    Abstract: A floor mat system having a plurality of floor mats and a frame assembly which prevents the floor mats from lifting and causing a tripping hazard to persons walking thereover. The floor mats may include carpeted sections over a plurality of orthagonally disposed spaced ribs. The frame assembly includes inner and outer frame members which extend between and around the floor mats, respectively. The inner fame members are T-shaped having a pair of horizontally disposed wings and the outer frame members are ramped and include a horizontally disposed upper flange. The wings and upper flanges which extend over peripheral edge portions of the floor mats to vertically retain them, the inner and outer frame which may be secured to the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: R&L Marketing & Sales, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald N. Kessler
  • Patent number: 6991842
    Abstract: A scent dispersing apparatus, such as a mat, capable of enclosing a scent-containing element inside an air-filled cavity. A housing contains a means for air ventilation, such as small air holes, for dispersion of scent. When the housing receives a force, such as a user exerting pressure upon on the housing, air is pushed from the air cavity outward through the air holes, thereby, dispersing scent contained in the scented insert. Additional air enters the air cavity once the pressure is released through an elastic rebound effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventor: Marni Hurwitz
  • Patent number: 6808588
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a continuous process for making floor mats having a textile upper surface and a rubber or rubber-like backing. In the one embodiment of the present process, a continuous roll of unvulcanized rubber is joined to a continuous roll of textile material during vulcanization. In an alternate embodiment, textile panels are positioned onto a continuous roll of unvulcanized rubber, later being joined during vulcanization. After vulcanization of either a textile roll or textile panels to a rubber backing, the resultant mat composite is cut into individual mat units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Amy B. Streeton, William O. Burke, III
  • Patent number: 6787215
    Abstract: The present invention relates to specific methods of producing cleated rubber-backed floor mats (such as dust control or rubber mats) through the utilization of the combination of a perforated coated woven fabric article and a cushioned platen liner between the article and the metal platen of an in-line dust control mat manufacturing machine. Such a procedure permits a more efficient manner of producing cleated anti-creep dust control mats than previously followed. In particular, the fabric article is in the form of a conveyor belt and is preferably constructed from Teflon®-coated woven fiberglass which will not adhere to the tacky rubber component of the target mat and can withstand the extremely high vulcanization temperatures and pressures required during the production of a dust control mat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: William O. Burke, III, Robert C. Kerr, Aage Lang
  • Patent number: 6749918
    Abstract: A mat provides for cleaning and disinfection of the soles of boots or shoes worn by humans, hooves of animals, and/or tires of automobiles or farm equipment. The mat includes a core which can retain a liquid, a permeable material surrounding the core, and a waterproof sleeve covering a bottom, sides, and part of a top of the core. When pressure is put on the mat, a depression is formed which bathes the depressing element in the liquid, while the waterproof sleeve prevents the liquid from overflowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventor: Johan Staal
  • Publication number: 20040055101
    Abstract: An improved mat is formed with a biodegradable plastic body constituted by a combination of a particular natural rubber latex formation and a particular synthetic rubber formulation, a combination of the two formations having a short shelf life but its individual components having a satisfactorily long shelf life, the mat thus produced having physical characteristics equal or superior to known mats with non-biodegradable plastic bodies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph Mathew
  • Publication number: 20040053002
    Abstract: A multi-component floor mat that, in one embodiment, is comprised of a first base or frame portion, intended to be positioned on the floor, that is dimensioned to accommodate a second flexible textile mat or rug portion that is releasably held in place on or in said base or frame portion by a plurality of magnets associated with one or both portions, thereby allowing for the easy removal or replacement of the textile portion of the mat and the economical laundering of same. The pile surface of the mat component features one of a plurality of messages, printed in reactive dyes, intended to convey information to users of the mat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Seiin Kobayashi, Mamiko Yamada, Takuya Honda
  • Patent number: 6689443
    Abstract: A dust control mat having a pile surface and a backing layer disposed beneath the pile surface. The pile surface includes segmented portions of pile-forming material salvaged from previously used mat structures and adhered to the backing layer in a predefined arrangement to define a contact surface of recycled material for use in removing dirt from the shoes of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Seiin Kobayashi, Thomas D. Nord, Akihito Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6663937
    Abstract: A rubber or plastic floor mat has a series of parallel upper ribs (130) on its upper surface which define slots (110) in which respective strips (10) or carpeting or the like are removably held. The strips are retained along their lengths by retaining means which run continually or continuously along the slots. The strip retainers include hook-and-loop fastening (e.g., VELCRO), and/or overhanging edges above the strip edges, preferably formed in one-piece fashion along the side of the upper ribs adjacent the slots. The overhangs may be interrupted, e.g., crenelated as seen from above, and may include bevels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventors: Myron Ullman, M. Robert Burman, Ronald N. Kessler
  • Patent number: 6651288
    Abstract: A simple, fast, and effective sole cleaning and drying device mainly for removing the dark residue that clings to shoe and boot soles after walking and playing on some types of asphalt paving. This box apparatus can be used for various types and sizes of shoes, allowing people to clean and dry both soles in just a few minutes without having to remove their shoes. The device contains high pile, thick tufted carpet pieces on contiguous sturdy bases that serve as the cleaner and dryer elements, working well on a variety of sole indentations. Used with liquid cleaner and a little water, this arrangement allows fast and easy procedures for effectively cleaning shoe and boot soles. A simple attachment to the box holds the lid up while the soles are being cleaned, then closes for better appearance and security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: Margie Ilene Hackett
  • Publication number: 20030180499
    Abstract: There is provided a separable mat comprising a mat component and a base component having a flat surface for supporting the mat component. The mat component has a backing substrate, in which mat piles are implanted, and may include a magnetic composition applied to the backing substrate, in which magnetic particles are incorporated. Alternately, the mat component may include a base pile fabric to which a magnetic sheet is secured. In another embodiment, more than one mat component is secured to a single base component. The base component of the mat includes a flat surface for supporting the mat component(s). In one embodiment, a magnetic material, such as a magnetic sheet, is positioned on this flat surface. In an alternate embodiment, magnetic particles may be incorporated into the base component. The mat component may be dyed or printed to meet user specifications, and the base component may also be colored if so desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Seiin Kobayashi, Thomas D. Nord, Akihito Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6605333
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for producing molded products such as floor mats, including automotive floor mats. In one embodiment, a molding process is provided for producing a molded product using a mold having a lower plate and an upper plate. The molding process includes steps of filling a first cavity of the lower plate with a liquid molding material of a first color, placing the upper plate on top of the lower plate such that a convex portion of the upper plate extends into the first cavity of the lower plate and contacts the molding material in the lower plate, and curing the liquid molding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Lund International, Inc.
    Inventors: Fernando A. Ferreira, Antero Ferreira, Stephen P. Neri
  • Patent number: 6589631
    Abstract: A flashless floor mat or product and method are provided. At least one embodiment of this invention relates to a flashless cushioned dust control mat article wherein the mat comprises at least two distinct layers of rubber, one comprising foam rubber, the other comprising solid rubber. The solid rubber layer is present over the foam rubber layer on the side of the mat in which at least one integrated rubber protrusion is present to provide cushioning characteristics. The solid rubber layer acts as a cap or barrier for the foam rubber layer, particularly over the integrated protrusion or protrusions, in order to provide a mat which is resilient, will not easily degrade in its modulus strength after appreciable use and/or washing within industrial cleaning processes, and will not exhibit appreciable cracking or breaking, particularly within the integrated protrusion(s), after standard use for pedestrian traffic. A method of producing such an inventive cushioned floor mat article is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Akihito Suzuki, Robert C. Kerr, Amy K. Streeton
  • Patent number: 6562738
    Abstract: An apparatus for hiding a door key including a door mat formed of either a plastic material or braided material such as hemp is disclosed. The door mat is rectangularly shaped with raised portions formed on the top surface. Different embodiments are shown with these raised portions forming a decorative border, an esthetically pleasing pattern or a greeting, such as “WELCOME”, as is commonly seen. A hidden compartment sized to receive a typical house key is formed in these raised portions that is accessible through a hook and loop type closure. When the hook and loop type closure is closed, the compartment and its contents remain hidden from view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Inventor: Wesley R. Hrazdil
  • Patent number: 6534146
    Abstract: A dual purpose floor mat for providing a better floor mat for vehicles that will better protect the floor of the vehicle. The dual purpose floor mat includes a mat member having a bottom wall and also having side and end walls securely attached to and extending along a perimeter of the bottom wall with the bottom wall having a first and second portion; and also includes a floor member being attached to the mat member and having a wall and a first and second side; and further includes a plurality of scraping members being spaced apart and being securely attached to the first end portion of the bottom wall and to the first side of the floor member; and also includes fabric covering securely disposed upon the second portion of the bottom wall and upon the second side of the floor member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: James W. Mentz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6468622
    Abstract: An improved, washable track control mat made of varied denier fibers and method of making the same. The mat is made by first making yarn made of fine and coarse denier fibers. The fibers are twisted together. More than one yarn may be twisted together. The yarn or yarns may be heat treated. The yarn or yarns are then fed into a tufting machine where tufts of varied denier fibers are held within a substrate. The tufts are bonded to the substrate by a backing, preferably rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Kleen-Tex Industries Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Combs, Michael McHargue
  • Patent number: 6451400
    Abstract: There is provided a mat having multiple sets of pins, each set of pins being located within surrounding, characterized in that the pins do not extend significantly beyond the highest point of the surrounding. Thus the pins are protected by the surrounding and are less likely to break after extended use. The mat may be provided with areas adapted for the receipt of strips of textile materials, eg carpeting which advantageously has a hard-backing and is able to snap into the areas provided. The inclusion of the textile material combines a scraping function together with the visual appearance of a carpet. The strips of textile material will be separated by sets of pins as described above. A set of such mats is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Milliken Denmark A/S
    Inventors: Thomas A. P. Brock, Keijo J. Nurmentaus, Patrick Morel
  • Publication number: 20020122912
    Abstract: There is provided a mat having multiple sets of pins, each set of pins being located within a surrounding, characterized in that the pins do not extend significantly beyond the highest point of the surrounding. Thus the pins are protected by the surrounding and are less likely to break after extended use. The mat may be provided with areas adapted for the receipt (of strips of textile materials, e.g. carpeting which advantageously has a hard-backing and is able to snap into the areas provided. The inclusion of the textile material combines a scraping function together with the visual appearance of a carpet. The strips of textile material will be separated by sets of pins as described above. A set of such mats is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: THOMAS A P BROCK, KEIJO J NURMENTAUS, PATRICK MOREL
  • Publication number: 20020119275
    Abstract: The present invention is a mat system, having two embodiments, each of which are capable of removing the dirt from the soles of mat users' shoes. The mats are comprised of a plurality of individual tiles that interlock along complementary edge portions. One embodiment of the mat system is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) mat that has a plurality of projections that remove dirt. The second embodiment, also having a TPE structure and a lesser number of projections, features several carpet strips that provide additional dirt removal means. Once the individual tiles are connected, the outermost complementary edges may be covered by a plurality of border strips that provide an aesthetically pleasing and functionally necessary finished edge to the mat. The border strips are secured to one another by a mechanical clip that is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventor: Jon L. Williamson
  • Patent number: 6434779
    Abstract: A foot mat has a plurality of elongated rail members (20) arranged closely adjacent each other with a gap between each adjacent pair of rail members. Each rail member is of uniform cross section along its length and includes a body portion (22) and a pair of spaced-apart dependent leg portions (27). An elongated tread member (100, 104, 106, 108 or 110) is received on the upper surface of each rail member. Each adjacent pair of rail members is joined by an extruded plastic connector member (30) that has a connecting web portion (32) and a pair of generally U-shaped socket portions (38). Each leg portion of each rail and each socket portion of each connecting member are configured to snap-fit together and have interengaging shoulders (27s and 38s) that are configured to retain the leg portion in the socket portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Construction Specialties, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary F. Bartlett, Robert D. Kreitz
  • Publication number: 20020092261
    Abstract: Dual fiber carpet and matting fabrics are made of tufted ends of yarn with one end being made from standard carpet denier yarns ranging from about 10 to 30 denier per filament and total denier ranging from about 600 to 5000 denier and the second end being made from heavy monofilament fibers with a denier per filament ranging from about 100 to 500 denier and a total denier ranging from about 300 to 5000 denier per yarn bundle. Both fibers can be made from a variety of synthetic and/or natural materials. Also, a combination of at least three floor or ground covering articles, A, B, and C, for placement in and around the entryway of a building is disclosed which provides more effective cleaning ability for pedestrians' footwear, thus better ensuring the inside of the building itself remains clean.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: James N. Rockwell, Richard C. Willey, Tammy B. Gooch
  • Publication number: 20020031634
    Abstract: A mat provides for cleaning and disinfection of the soles of boots or shoes worn by humans, hooves of animals, and/or tires of automobiles or farm equipment. The mat includes a core which can retain a liquid, a permeable material surrounding the core, and a waterproof sleeve covering a bottom, sides, and part of a top of the core. When pressure is put on the mat, a depression is formed which bathes the depressing element in the liquid, while the waterproof sleeve prevents the liquid from overflowing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: Johan Staal
  • Patent number: 6294240
    Abstract: A protective cover for a motor vehicle conventional floor mat comprising a removable fabric protectively enclosing the top side of the mat. An elastic strip integral with the inner rim of the cover removably engages the cover to the underside of the floor mat. The conventional floor mat has a mat irregular peripheral edge and the cover edge is custom fitted to the mat irregular peripheral edge. A cover shape-retaining element integral with the cover side edge keeps the conforming relationship of the cover side edge with the irregular peripheral edge of the floor mat. An elastic strip unitary with the cover inner rim allows the cover to be disengaged from the floor mat by stretching the elastic strip to a biased mode. The cover is preferably made of a polyester pile fabric that generally matches the fabric used in motor vehicles. A waterproof layer is preferably attached to the interior surface of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventor: Joseph J. Brunetto
  • Patent number: 6258435
    Abstract: A disinfecting mat includes a spongy core retaining a liquid disinfectant and a cover completely enclosing the core, where the cover has a top surface with an annular top edge and a top central mat portion that is liquid permeable. The core is contained in a water impermeable frame with a bottom and sides that contain the cover and with an inwardly extending annular lip that extends over at least a part of the annular top edge while leaving the top central mat portion open. The liquid permeable top central mat portion allows the disinfectant to puddle in areas of the top central mat portion that are depressed during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: Johan Staal
  • Patent number: 6254693
    Abstract: The invention relates to a golf equipment storage device for use in an automobile for convenient transport of various golfing equipment. The golf equipment storage device includes a compartment for holding golf shoes, and a removable liner normally disposed therein. The removable liner has an abrasive surface that can be used to clean grass and debris off of golf cleats and the bottoms of golf shoes. The removable liner may also have a non-abrasive surface that the user may stand on when changing shoes. In use, the removable liner is removed and the user wipes the bottoms of the golf shoes and the golf cleats on the abrasive surface for cleaning. The removable liner is then restored to the compartment, and the golf shoes may then be placed on top of the liner for transport and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Inventors: Brian C. Dawson, Brendan K. Ozanne
  • Patent number: 6253407
    Abstract: A foot scrubber (10) designed to be placed on a shower floor to allow a person who experiences difficulty to cleanse their feet. The foot scrubber (10) consists of a base (12) having an upper surface (14), a lower surface (16) and side edges (18). From the upper surface (14) extends upward a multiplicity of bristles (24). The foot scrubber (10) can be also designed to include an upward extending section (40) that is attached to each of the side edges (18). The sections (40) include an inner surface (44) having a multiplicity of inward extending bristles (24) that allow the sides of the feet to easily cleaned. To use the foot scrubber (10), a person applies soap to the bristles (24) and then rubs his/her foot on the bristles (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Inventor: Randy Bjelkevig
  • Patent number: 6227989
    Abstract: A line marking system for installing permanent field lines in natural grass fields is disclosed. The system comprises a line fixed to a backing sheet which is installed under the grass sod. The backing sheet is preferably a mesh which allows the grass to grow through the backing sheet thereby anchoring the line to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventor: Michael Reid
  • Patent number: 6219873
    Abstract: A device (1) for cleaning shoe soles with at least one cleaning element (2) and at least one base element (3) as support for the shoe sole, whereby the shoe sole can be cleaned/cleansed by a relative motion carried out with direct effect between the shoe sole and the cleaning element. In addition, the invention relates to a method for cleaning shoe soles, in particular with the help of the device mentioned in the beginning, whereby the shoe sole is placed on a base element (3) and the shoe sole is cleaned/cleansed by a relative motion carried out with direct effect between the shoe sole and a cleaning element (2). The cleaning effect on shoe soles is increased in that—in the case of the device—base element (3) is designed movably to create the relative motion between the shoe sole and the cleaning element (2) and/or—in the case of the method—the base element (3) is moved to create the relative motion between the shoe sole and the cleaning element (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Bernhard Keuchel
  • Patent number: 6112360
    Abstract: A vehicle bumper protector for golf spikes is disclosed and includes a thin flexible rubber strip that drapes over the rear bumper of a vehicle upon which a golf shoe may be placed. The protector is attached to the interior of the vehicle trunk by means of a VELCRO.RTM. brand fastener, snaps, or the like for easy, one-step installation and removal. The protector may also include one or more of the following: (1) a golf shoe spike cleaner composed of a brush; (2) a detachable golf accessory bag for holding golf tees, balls, ball markers, and the like; and (3) two pairs of elastic straps on opposite sides of the protector for restraining the golfer's shoes when not in use with the spikes in a protected position. The device adapts readily, without any adjustments, to any vehicle with a trunk or rear door and rear bumper at step height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventors: W. Scott Kalm, Keith C. Kalm
  • Patent number: 6106921
    Abstract: Entrance matting is made using a yarn comprising a wrapped bundle of thermoplastic strands having a maximum bundle thickness of 6600 denier and minimum bundle thickness of 5900 denier, with either ten or eleven strands, including a wrapping strand, with at least two, and no more than three, of these strands being monofilament strands and the remaining strands being multifilament strands, with each of the monofilament strands having approximately the same monofilament thickness as the other monofilament strands, said monofilament thickness being between 500 and 700 denier and each of the multifilament strands having approximately the same denier as the other multifilament strands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Quill-Tuft, Inc.
    Inventor: S. Spear Lancaster
  • Patent number: 6093469
    Abstract: An entrance mat has a polypropylene greige fiber pad with a trimmed outer peripheral edge and a backing of non-skid plastic material. The backing has longitudinal treads having high friction and tacky properties which prevent creep and folding of the pad on a floor. An edge has a non-skid web secured with an adhesive to the backing and a lip extended over the adhesively secured to the trimmed outer peripheral edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventor: Michael T. Callas