TWO-PIECE MATS WITH DETACHABLE COVER AND BASE PAD PORTIONS

Abstract

A mat comprises a cover detachably fastened to a base pad, where the cover may be removed for washing and/or replacement. The cover may be made of a durable fabric while the base pad may be made of rubber or similar material. The base pad may comprise a number of holes through each of which a two-part fastener may be attached. A portion of hook and loop material (or another type of material intended to attach tightly to the cover) may be affixed to the portions of the fasteners oriented toward the cover so as to enable the mat to be detachably fastened to the cover.

Claims

1. A two-piece mat, comprising: a cover comprising a first top surface and a first bottom surface comprising a first arrangement of fasteners, wherein the cover is made of a machine-washable material that is porous to liquids, a base pad made of a non-porous material, comprising a second top surface comprising a second arrangement of fasteners that may be affixed to the first arrangement of fasteners to releasably attach the cover to the base, a second bottom surface, and one or more drainage openings through the base pad, wherein liquids may seep through the cover onto the base pad, and subsequently drain through the drainage openings, and wherein each fastener of the second arrangement of fasteners comprises a top part and a bottom part locked together through a hole in the base pad.

2. A two-piece mat, comprising: a cover comprising a first top surface and a first bottom surface comprising a first arrangement of fasteners in the form of a first side of a hook and loop material, wherein the cover is made of a machine-washable material that is porous to liquids, a base pad made of a non-porous material, comprising a second top surface comprising a second arrangement of fasteners affixed to the second top surface, wherein the second arrangement of fasteners may be interlocked to the first arrangement of fasteners to releasably attach the cover to the base, a second bottom surface, and one or more drainage openings through the base pad, wherein liquids may seep through the cover onto the base pad, and subsequently drain through the drainage openings, and wherein each fastener of the second arrangement of fasteners comprises a top part and a bottom part locked together through a hole in the base pad.

3. The two-piece mat of claim 2, further characterized in that each fastener of the second arrangement of fasteners further comprises a second side of a hook and loop material secured to the top part of the fastener using weatherproof adhesive.

4. The two-piece mat of claim 2, further characterized in that: the top part of each fastener of the second arrangement of fasteners comprises a top cap with a top outer portion that sits substantially flush with the second top surface of the base pad and a top inner shaft that is narrower than the top cap; the bottom part of each fastener of the second arrangement of fasteners comprises a bottom cap with a bottom outer portion that sits substantially flush with the second bottom surface of the base pad and a bottom inner shaft that is narrower than the bottom cap; wherein the top inner shaft and the bottom inner shaft may be interlocked with each other through a hole in the base pad to secure the fastener to the base pad, wherein the hole in the base pad is narrower than the top cap and the bottom cap of the fastener; and wherein a second side of a hook and loop material is affixed to the top outer portion.

5. A two-piece mat, comprising: a cover comprising a first top surface and a first bottom surface comprising a first arrangement of sockets and a first arrangement of a first side of a hook and loop material, wherein the cover is made of a machine-washable material that is porous to liquids, a base pad made of a non-porous material, comprising a second top surface comprising a second arrangement of plugs and a second arrangement of a second side of a hook and loop material affixed to the second top surface, wherein the second arrangement of plugs may be interlocked to the first arrangement of sockets and the second arrangement of hook and loop material may adhere to the first arrangement of hook and loop material, to releasably attach the cover to the base, a second bottom surface, and one or more drainage openings through the base pad, wherein liquids may seep through the cover onto the base pad, and subsequently drain through the drainage openings.

6. The two-piece mat of claim 1, further characterized in that: the top part of each fastener of the second arrangement of fasteners comprises a top cap with a top outer portion that sits substantially flush with the second top surface of the base pad and a top inner shaft that is narrower than the top cap; the bottom part of each fastener of the second arrangement of fasteners comprises a bottom cap with a bottom outer portion that sits substantially flush with the second bottom surface of the base pad and a bottom inner shaft that is narrower than the bottom cap; and wherein the top inner shaft and the bottom inner shaft may be interlocked with each other through a hole in the base pad to secure the fastener to the base pad, wherein the hole in the base pad is narrower than the top cap and the bottom cap of the fastener.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a top view of a cover 10. The cover 10 provides a first top surface 11 when the mat lies on the floor. The first top surface 11 may have an aesthetic design or a plain design. The first top surface 11 of the cover 10 may also be utilitarian when used for doormats, bathmats, kitchen mats, exercise mats, pet mats, yoga mats or any other kind of mat.

[0020] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a bottom view of the cover 10, which presents a first bottom surface 21 of cover 10. The first bottom surface 21 has various fasteners 22 arranged around the surface. The fasteners 22 may be mechanical snaps (such as metal fabric snaps made up of male and female halves; in which case one of the halves may be used here), a portion of hook and loop material (e.g., loop material that would attach to corresponding hook material), or another type of fastener. In some embodiments, the bottom surface of the cover 21 may be in whole or in part covered with hook or loop material and not localized to specific spaces like the fasteners 22 shown in the figure. In some embodiments, different types of fasteners may be used on the bottom surface 21. For instance, the bottom surface may be entirely and partially covered in hook or loop material while still having mechanical snaps as the fasteners 22.

[0021] In some embodiments, the cover is made from a durable, machine-washable fabric material.

[0022] In some embodiments, the cover is made from polyester or another material with attributes similar to polyester, including being resistant to shrinkage, wrinkling, and stretching and being washable and durable.

[0023] In some embodiments, the cover is made from cotton, microfiber, or other soft material typical of bathmats.

[0024] In some embodiments, the cover may be treated for stain resistance. For instance, the top surfaces of the cover may be coated with polyurethane (or another coating) which provides a non-toxic stain or water-resistant properties.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a top view of a base pad 30. The base pad 30 provides a second top surface 31 that is configured to attach to the first bottom surface 21 of the cover 10. The second top surface 31 has fasteners 32 that correspond to fasteners 22 on the bottom surface 21 of the cover 10. For instance, if mechanical snaps are used, then fasteners 22 may be plugs and fasteners 32 may be sockets into which the plugs may be inserted (or vice versa). As another example, fasteners 22 and 32 may be corresponding portions of hook and loop material. The number, placement, size, and type of the fasteners 22 and 32 as discussed herein are not intended to be limiting.

[0026] In some embodiments, the base pad is made from a synthetic or real rubber, or a similar material such as thermoplastic rubber (TPR) or soft plastics.

[0027] In some embodiments, base pad 31 has drainage tracks 33. Although drainage tracks are shown, the base pad may also, or instead, have drainage holes arranged across the pad (drainage holes are illustrated in FIGS. 7-8). The function of the drainage tracks or holes is to allow liquids to escape instead of pooling on the cover 10 when the cover is attached to the base pad. This is particularly useful in wet environments such as where a mat is used outdoors in rainy or snowy weather. Mats intended for use indoors may omit drainage tracks and holes.

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a bottom view of a base pad 30. The base pad provides a bottom surface 41 which is the surface that comes in direct contact with the floor when the mat is in ordinary use. As shown here, in some embodiments, the bottom surface may have a non-slip surface created by fashioning a textured pattern 42 onto the surface. The textured pattern helps increase the friction between the bottom surface 41 and the floor. In some embodiments, the bottom surface 41 may be fashioned out of material that naturally provides an acceptable degree of slip resistance; in such cases, the textured pattern 42 may not be necessary.

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a top view of the complete mat assembly, comprising a cover 10 attached to a base pad 30. FIG. 6 shows a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the complete mat assembly. This view shows that the top surface 31 of the base pad 30 is actually the top surface of a recessed cavity of the base pad, in which vertical surface 61 forms one of the vertical walls of the cavity. The cover 10 is placed into the recessed cavity of the base pad, and fastener 22 of cover 10 is attached to fastener 32 (the top of which could have hook material, or another type of fastener) of base pad 30, holding the cover and base pad together. As described above, the bottom surface of the cover 21 may be in whole or in part covered with hook or loop material rather than having fasteners 22; in this case, then the portions covered with hook or loop material would attach to fasteners 32 that are covered with the corresponding loop or hook material. The textured pattern 42 provides ridges on the bottom surface 41 of the base pad, which increases friction between the bottom surface and the floor.

[0030] As is seen in FIG. 6A where the mat 50 is shown in cross-section, it is seen that when the rug 50 is assembled and on the floor, foot pressure represented by the arrow 62, is transmitted through the cover 10 to the top surface 31 of the base pad 30. This causes the cover 10 to frictionally adhere to the base pad 30 so that the cover 10 does not slip with respect to the base pad 30. The same foot pressure force 62 is transmitted from the top surface 31 of the base pad 30 to the bottom surface 41 of the base pad 30 so that the bottom surface 41 of the base pad 30 frictionally engages the surface of the floor. Consequently, the base pad 30 and the cover 10 help prevent slippage with respect to one another and with respect to the floor. Consequently, the mat 50 does not slip with respect to the floor.

[0031] When it is desired to separate the cover 10 from the base pad 30 in order to launder the cover 10 and/or manually clean the base pad 30, the cover 10 is stripped from the base pad 30 by simply grasping the cover 10 in one hand and the base pad 30 in the other and pulling them apart to separate the cover from the fasteners 32 on the base pad. The cover 10 may then be separately laundered in a washing machine or otherwise cleaned. The base pad 30 may be cleaned separately with a non-bleach household cleanser or soap and water.

[0032] It may be desired to switch or replace the cover 10 so as to have a new design of the cover 10 as the seasons change, to provide the environment with a fresh look, or to simply replace the old cover with a new cover. This feature is accommodated by having a plurality of interchangeable covers 10 for each base pad 30.

[0033] FIG. 6B shows an embodiment in which, rather than using corresponding fasteners 22 and 32, respectively disposed on the cover and the base pad, the cover is covered with a hook or loop material, and corresponding material is attached to the base pad via a structure comprising parts 90 and 100 as further described below in connection with FIG. 7-13.

[0034] FIG. 7 shows a top view of a base pad 70 and FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of base pad 70. The base pad 70 provides a second top surface 71 that is configured to attach to the first bottom surface 21 of the cover 10, as well as a second bottom surface 81 for resting on top of the ground or other surface. The base pad 70 has a series of holes 72 going through its second top surface 71 and second bottom surface 81. This base pad 70 is shown with a series of drainage holes 73 arranged across the pad to allow for water to escape.

[0035] FIG. 9 shows multiple views of the top half of a fastener 90 according to an embodiment. FIG. 9A shows a top view of the outer portion 91 of the fastener 90, to which is affixed a portion of a hook and loop material 92, such as a hook material. The material 92 (e.g., hook material) is intended to attach to the corresponding material (e.g., loop material) affixed to the bottom surface 21 of the cover 10. FIG. 9B shows a side view of the fastener 90 and FIG. 9C shows a bottom perspective view of the inner portion of the fastener 90. The fastener 90 includes a socket 94 on its inner portion 93.

[0036] FIG. 10 shows multiple views of the bottom half of a fastener 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 10A shows a top view of the outer portion 101 of the fastener 100, which is intended to touch the ground; it may be plain or optionally embossed with branding or ornamentation. FIG. 10B shows a side view of the fastener 100 and FIG. 10C shows a top perspective view of the inner portion of the fastener 100. The fastener 100 includes a plug 104 on its inner portion 103. The plug 104 fits snugly into the socket 94, allowing the two halves of the fastener 90 and 100 to be attached.

[0037] FIG. 12 shows a top view of a base pad 70 and FIG. 13 shows a bottom view of base pad 70 in which the fasteners 90 and 100 have been attached through each of the holes 72 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). The outer portion 91 of each fastener 90, on which is affixed a portion of hook material, is exposed on the top surface of the base pad 70 for attachment to the bottom surface 21 of the cover 10. The outer portion 101 of each fastener 100 is oriented toward the bottom of the base pad 70. The fasteners 90 and 100 are locked through each hole 72 and do not readily detach, though they may be detached intentionally by a user, such as for cleaning or replacement. The use of these fasteners addresses challenges associated with reliably affixing hook material (or any other material use for fastening) to the base pad 70, which may be made from a synthetic or real rubber, or a similar material such as thermoplastic rubber (TPR) or soft plastics. This solution is also easier for users to maintain as well as being less wasteful. When the hook material gets dirty or old, users would need to replace just the fasteners comprised of a plug and socket rather than the whole base pad.

[0038] From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.

[0039] Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The preceding preferred specific embodiments are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever.

[0040] The preceding embodiments are illustrative and not limiting of the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0041] FIG. 1 is a top view of a cover according to an embodiment.

[0042] FIG. 2 is a bottom of a cover according to an embodiment.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a top view of a base pad according to an embodiment.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a base pad according to an embodiment.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a top view of a mat comprising a cover attached to a base pad according to an embodiment.

[0046] FIG. 6A is a side view of a mat comprising a cover attached to a base pad according to an embodiment.

[0047] FIG. 6B is a side view of a mat comprising a cover attached to a base pad according to an embodiment.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a top view of a base pad according to an embodiment.

[0049] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a base pad according to an embodiment.

[0050] FIG. 9 shows multiple views of the top half of a fastener according to an embodiment.

[0051] FIG. 10 shows multiple views of the bottom half of a fastener according to an embodiment.

[0052] FIG. 11 shows a side view of the top half and bottom half of a fastener attached to each other.

[0053] FIG. 12 is a top view of a base pad according to an embodiment, in which fasteners have been attached.

[0054] FIG. 13 is a bottom view of a base pad according to an embodiment, in which fasteners have been attached.