Weighted Rug

Abstract

The present invention discloses a rug that is weighted along the outer edges, the central portion or a combination thereof to prevent bunching, gathering or upturns of the rug and to hold the rug in place. Such rugs comprise pockets or sleeves on the bottom surface of the rug wherein flat weighted inserts can be placed in these pockets or sleeves. The weighted inserts could be coated metallic inserts with length greater than the width or coated or non-coated weighted pellets. The pockets or sleeves can encase the weighted inserts completely or covering just one surface, can be attached or detachable and can be closed at both ends or closed at one end and open at the other end.

Claims

1. A weighting system for a rug comprising: the rug, wherein said rug comprises; a top surface and a bottom surface, said top and bottom surfaces have an outer edge and an inner central surface; and at least two pockets or sleeves, said pockets or sleeves are placed on the bottom surface of the rug; and; at least two weighted inserts to maintain the rug in a largely planar, uniform and flat configuration coplanar with the surface to which the rug is applied; said weighted inserts placed within said pockets or sleeves on the bottom surface of the rug.

2. The weighting system of claim 1, wherein said rug is configured in a geometric shape, an ornamental shape or a combination thereof.

3. The weighting system of claim 1, wherein said shape comprises quadrilateral, rectangular, square, round, oval, or a combination thereof.

4. The weighting system of claim 1, wherein said outer edge is straight, curved, round, wavy, or a combination thereof.

5. The weighting system of claim 1, wherein said pockets or sleeves are placed on the opposite ends along the entire edge or a small portion of the edge of the rug, are placed adjacent to each other along the entire edge of the rug or a small portion of the rug, in a diagonal orientation across the inner central surface of the rug, in a straight line orientation across the inner central surface of the rug, or a combination thereof.

6. The weighting system of claim 1, wherein the pockets or sleeves are attached to the bottom surface of the rug or can be detached and reattached to the bottom surface of the rug.

7. The weighting system of claim 6, wherein the detachable pockets or sleeves can be reattached to the bottom surface by hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-pile fasteners, or touch fasteners, a zipper, an interlocking mechanism, or a combination thereof.

8. The weighting system of claim 1, wherein the pockets or sleeves comprising the weighted inserts have both ends that are sealed firmly.

9. The weighting system of claim 1, wherein the pockets or sleeves comprising the weighted inserts covers one side or surface of the weighted inserts and the side or surface of the weighted inserts opposite to the side or surface covered by the pockets or sleeves touches the bottom surface of the rug or wherein the pockets or sleeves comprising the weighted inserts completely encases the weighted inserts.

10. The weighting system of claim 9, wherein the pockets or sleeves comprising the weighted inserts have one end that is sealed and the other end that is open or wherein one end of the pockets or sleeves is sealed and the other end of the pockets or sleeves has an interlocking mechanism, a flap, hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-pile fasteners, or touch fasteners, a zipper, or a combination thereof.

11. The weighting system of claim 1, wherein said weighted inserts are metallic inserts, non-metallic inserts, or weighted pellets, wherein said metallic or non-metallic inserts. have a length greater than their width.

12. The weighting system of claim 11, wherein said metallic inserts are coated with water-resistive or water-proof materials.

13. The weighting system of claim 12, wherein said water-resistive or water-proof materials are synthetic, natural or a combination thereof.

14. The weighting system of claim 13, wherein said synthetic materials are plastic, said natural materials are rubber or a combination of both synthetic and natural materials.

15. The weighting system of claim 11 wherein said non-metallic inserts are polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene, recycled materials, acrylic material, rubber or a combination thereof.

16. The weighting system of claim 11, wherein said weighted pellets are coated, non-coated, enveloped or a combination thereof.

17. The weighting system of claim 16, wherein said pellets are uniformly sized, non-uniformly sized, injected within the rug material, and/or placed, in aggregate or disbursed, uniformly or nonuniformly about said rugs bottom surface.

18. The weighting system of claim 17, wherein said pellets are disbursed along the bottom surface, at said rug edges or both.

19. A method of using a weighted rug, comprising: placing weighted inserts in the bottom surface of the weighted rug.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the weighted inserts are placed in pockets or sleeves that are attached to the bottom surface, detached from the bottom surface, or a combination thereof.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the weighted inserts are placed in detached pockets or sleeves and then attached to the bottom surface or wherein the detached pockets or sleeves are attached to the bottom surface and the weighted inserts are placed in the pockets or sleeves.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Advantages and other aspects of the invention will be readily appreciated by those having skill in the art and may be better understood with further reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers designate like or similar elements throughout the several provided figures of the drawings and wherein:

[0019] The detailed description refers to the following drawings, in which like numerals refer to like objects, and in which:

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates the bottom surface of a rug with the inserts.

[0021] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of a small section of the bottom surface of the rug, with the weighted insert protruding out of the sleeve.

[0022] FIG. 3 depicts prospective view of the flat insert.

[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates a detachable sleeve that has hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-pile fasteners, or touch fasteners (also known as Velcro) to reattach it to the bottom surface.

[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates an attached sleeve.

[0025] FIG. 6 shows a sleeve which is sewn shut on both ends.

[0026] FIG. 7 shows an enlarged portion of one end of the sleeve which can be closed using a zipper mechanism.

[0027] FIG. 8 illustrates one of the embodiments pertaining to the pockets or sleeves of the rug.

[0028] FIG. 9 illustrates one of the embodiments pertaining to the placement of the sleeve along the opposite edges of the rug.

[0029] FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment pertaining to the placement of the sleeve along all edges of the rug.

[0030] FIG. 11 illustrates yet another embodiment pertaining to the placement of the pockets or sleeves as L-shaped sleeves in the four corners of the rug.

[0031] FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment pertaining to the placement of the pockets or sleeves in an X orientation.

[0032] It should, however, be understood that the above-described figures are not intended to limit the invention to any particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the provided figures are intended to cover all modifications, alternatives and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined within each claim's broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] A detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and methods of effectuating same are disclosed and described below. Yet, each and every possible dimension, arrangement and configuration, within the limits of the specification, are not disclosed as various permutations are contemplated to be in the purview of those persons having skill in the art as rug size, shape and materials may dictate. It is therefore possible for those having skill in the art to practice the disclosed invention while observing that certain features and spatial arrangements are relative and capable of being amended and adapted with regard to the present invention that nonetheless accomplishes the remediation of one or more of the infirmities as outlined and discussed above in the field of rug securing, placement and management. As well, each rug, and its panel (and/or weighted bead) accepting components, may be sized (i.e., lengthened, shortened, enlarged, shrunken and of variable widths) so long as the proportions are maintained that allow for maintaining the proper flat orientation of an interior and/or exterior (i.e., indoor and outdoor) rug.

[0034] Equally, it should be observed that the present invention can be understood, in terms of both structure and function, from the accompanying disclosure in addition to the associated drawings and appended claims. And whereas the present invention, system and method of use are capable of several different embodiments, variations, and uses, which can be modified into several different iterations, each exhibiting accompanying interchangeable functionalities, without departing from the teachings of the present application as shown and described.

[0035] Referring now to FIG. 1 the present invention, rug with weighted inserts 10, illustrated by viewing the bottom surface 20 of rug 10, having pockets or sleeves 40a and 40b (collectively pockets or sleeves 40) which may be sewn, adhered, or otherwise attached to the bottom surface 20 of rug 10. Thereinto flat weighted inserts 50 may be inserted into pockets or sleeves 40 and these flat weighted inserts 50 may then be secured on one or both ends as to prevent flat weighted inserts 50 from becoming dislodged from pockets or sleeves 40. As provided, FIG. 1 evidences an upper pocket or sleeve 40a showing partial insertion of flat weighted insert 50 and the lower portion illustrates the complete acceptance of flat weighted insert 50 into lower pocket or sleeve 40b. Rug 10 comprises an inner central surface 60 and outer edges 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d (collectively edges 70) The rug 10 also comprises top surface 30 that is exposed to the elements.

[0036] FIG. 2, which is the expanded portion of FIG. 1, provides an exploded view of flat weighted insert 50 partially encapsulated within pockets or sleeves 40 as to depict insertion of flat insert 50 into pockets or sleeves 40.

[0037] FIG. 3 provides a prospective view of flat weighted insert 50. It is to be noted that alterations may be made to length, width and height to accommodate any number of rug configurations. Too, inserts may be cylindrical, half-circular (curved) and half flat on opposite sides, curved, angular, or a combination thereof, with reciprocal pockets or receiving pockets or sleeves, as necessity or desire dictates.

[0038] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate the manner in which sleeves or pockets 40 is attached to rug 10. In FIG. 4, sleeves or pockets 40 are detachable and can be reattached to rug 10 by hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-pile fasteners, or touch fasteners (also known as Velcro) 80 The hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-pile fasteners, or touch fasteners comprises the rough side or hook 90 and the soft side or loop 100. The rough side or hook 90 is either located on the bottom surface 20 of rug 10 or on the underside of pockets or sleeves 40. The soft side or loop 100 is located on the opposite side of hook 90. Although this figure shows use of hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-pile fasteners, or touch fasteners to attach the pockets or sleeves 40 to rug 10, it is noted that one can use other types of adhesive or securing mechanisms to attach pockets or sleeves 40 to rug 10. In FIG. 5, sleeves or pockets 40 are attached firmly to rug 10.

[0039] FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate the embodiments pertaining to the ends of pockets or sleeves 40. In FIG. 6, both ends of pockets or sleeves 40 are closed after inserting flat weighted inserts 50. FIG. 7 shows one end of pockets or sleeves 40 to be open, which can be closed using a zipper mechanism 110. It is noted that one can use other types of securing mechanism(s) to close the open end of pockets or sleeves 40 to secure flat weighted inserts 50. FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment related to the pockets or sleeves 40. The sleeves or pockets 40 does not encase the weighted insert 50. Instead, the sleeves or pockets 40 cover one side/surface of the weighted insert 50 while the side/surface opposite to the side/surface covered by the sleeves or pockets 40 touches the bottom surface of the rug 10. The sleeves or pockets 40 may be closed at one end and open at the other end as shown in FIG. 8. Alternatively, the sleeves or pockets 40 may be closed at one end and open at the other end which can be closed by an interlocking mechanism, a flap, hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-pile fasteners, or touch fasteners, a zipper, or a combination thereof.

[0040] FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12 illustrate the embodiments pertaining to placement of pockets or sleeves 40. It is noted that although these figures depict placement of pockets or sleeves 40 that completely encase the weighted inserts 40, this placement will also apply to pockets or sleeves 40 illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0041] In FIG. 9, pockets or sleeves 40a and 40b (collectively pockets or sleeves 40) are placed along the opposite outer edges 70b and 70d (collectively outer edges 70). FIG. 10 shows placement of pockets or sleeves 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d (collectively pockets or sleeves 40) along all outer edges 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d (collectively outer edges 70). In FIG. 11, pockets or sleeves 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 40f, 40g, and 40h (collectively pockets or sleeves 40) are placed only on the corners of rug 10 which may be utilized exclusively or in combination with any other disclosed means of rug weighting (ex. weighted beads, weighted edge inserts, or a combination thereof).

[0042] FIG. 12 shows the placement of pockets or sleeves 40a, 40b, and 40c (collectively pockets or sleeves 40) in X-orientation. It is noted that one can place pockets or sleeves 40 in different orientations or combination to accommodate any number of rug configurations or shapes and/or to provide any number of weighting configurations, weight density distribution and various measures of weighted weight inserts (i.e., light weight, medium weight, heavy weight, or any combination thereof.

[0043] Generally, the present invention is currently made of a polyblend material for both outdoor and indoor use wherein the rugs themselves are designed with perimetered, underside pockets for insertion of rubber coated metal panels acting as weighted inserts which are guided (or otherwise inserted into) accepting pockets or sleeves thereby creating a weighted outer edge or specifically weighted side or sides. The coating, which may consist of any type of water resistive or water proof outer material, is vital for the long term use of a weighted insert, inserts or beads as to insure that any metal components utilized in weight construction do not rust or otherwise corrode due to exposure to water and moisture. As described, indoor and outdoor rugs of various dimensions and materials may be designed and constructed to have installed within a side or plurality of underside pockets, on each sides, all sides or simply two sides of the rug, as necessity, function and aesthetics dictate.

[0044] While the dimensions of the rug generally are a four-sided polygon having four edges and four corners. Said polygon may be of a rectangular quadrilateral construct, having either four equal sides and four equal (90 degree) angles or dimensions which may also be a quadrilateral (a non-square rectangle) with two sets of opposing equal length sides wherein each opposing sets are of equal length, but each connected edge is of differing lengths.

[0045] As currently considered, a pocket is made of 18 oz. vinyl coated polyester, which due to coating, is water resistant and weatherproof. Too the coated metal panels (inserts), which may also be a rubber coating, representationally use 2 wide by thick metallic inserts, for the current weighting system wherein metal panels are encased on two, three or four sides of a square or rectangular rug, wherein the metal can be covered in any type of protectant to prevent rusting and/or extend the life of the metal inserts. As envisioned, metal panels are then sprayed with a rubberized undercoating in a 1/16 thick layer. Various size metal panels and/or weighted beads are also able to be used to create a weighted system depending on the size of the rug. Where weighted beads are utilized, those weighted beads may be packeted, prepackaged, and insertable at any area along the length or width of the underside of a rug, up to and including interior portions of the rug. It is to be noted that inserts and/or weighted beads may extend across the entire length of a rugs side, rug edges, or along any portion of a rug interior area uniformly, non-uniformly, sequentially, non-sequentially, linearly, non-linearly, continuously or non-continuously, congruously or non-congruously and/or sporadically, or any combination thereof which in all cases accomplished the function of weighting some or all edges, corners, interior or central areas.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0046] In one preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a weighting system for a rug, which comprises the rug, where the rug comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, the top and bottom surfaces have an outer edge and an inner central surface; and at least two pockets or sleeves, the pockets or sleeves are placed on the bottom surface of the rug; and at least two flat weighted inserts to maintain the rug in a largely planar, uniform and flat configuration coplanar with the surface to which the rug is applied; the flat weighted inserts placed within the pockets or sleeves on the bottom surface of the rug.

[0047] In another preferred embodiment, the rug is configured in a geometric shape, an ornamental shape or a combination thereof. Examples of the shape include but are not limited to quadrilateral, rectangular, square, round, oval, or a combination thereof. In yet another preferred embodiment, the outer edge is straight, curved, round, wavy, or a combination thereof.

[0048] In still yet another preferred embodiment, the pockets or sleeves are placed on the opposite ends along the entire edge or a small portion of the edge of the rug, are placed adjacent to each other along the entire edge of the rug or a small portion of the rug, in a diagonal orientation across the inner central surface of the rug, in a straight line orientation across the inner central surface of the rug, or a combination thereof.

[0049] For example, the flat weighted inserts may be attached to one, two or a plurality of rug sides, center (i.e., crisscrossed), or at any inferior location on a rug and/or into accepting channels, weighing the rug down on any and/or every side in addition to accepting channels with themselves may be crossed and intersecting centrally.

[0050] In another preferred embodiment related to the pockets or sleeves, the pockets or sleeves are attached to the bottom surface of the rug or can be detached and reattached to the bottom surface of the rug. The detachable pockets or sleeves can be reattached to the bottom surface by a number of mechanisms including but not limited to hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-pile fasteners, or touch fasteners, a zipper, an interlocking mechanism, or a combination thereof.

[0051] In yet another preferred embodiment, the pockets or sleeves comprising the weighted inserts have both ends that are sealed firmly.

[0052] In another preferred embodiment, the pockets or sleeves comprising the weighted inserts covers one side or surface of the weighted inserts and the side or surface of the weighted inserts opposite to the side or surface covered by the pockets or sleeves touches the bottom surface of the rug or wherein the pockets or sleeves comprising the weighted inserts completely encases the weighted inserts.

[0053] In yet another preferred embodiment, the pockets or sleeves comprising the weighted inserts described above may have one end that is sealed and the other end may be open or they may have one end that is sealed and the other end of the pockets or sleeves may have an interlocking mechanism, a flap, hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-pile fasteners, or touch fasteners, a zipper, or a combination thereof.

[0054] Further, in another preferred embodiment, the weighted inserts are coated metallic inserts, non-metallic inserts, or weighted pellets, wherein the metallic or non-metallic inserts have a length greater than their width. In another preferred embodiment, the metallic inserts may be coated with any number of coatings including but not limited to synthetic plastics, natural rubber or a combination thereof. In another preferred embodiment, the non-metallic inserts may be polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene, recycled materials, acrylic material, rubber or a combination thereof.

[0055] In yet another preferred embodiment, the weighted inserts are weighted pellets. Said weighted pellets, if metallic, may be individually coated or, alternatively, may be reside in a coated packaging wherein said packaging itself is water-resistant or water-proof. Where pellets are non-metallic (e.g., rock or sand) coating may or may not be utilized for corrosion protection but for a different purpose (ex. assistance in aggregation, as a form of envelopment, as a preventative against staining, prevention against individual particle disbarment and the like).

[0056] In one preferred embodiment for attaching metal inserts to the inferior perimeter of rugs, permanent double-sided tape or adhesive may be utilized as a means of attaching or adhering said metal inserts to the underside of a rugs edges.

[0057] In another preferred embodiment, attaching metal inserts to the perimeter of rugs, attachment may be accomplished through small pointed threaded or threaded attachment stakes on the upper side of the metal whereby such threaded attachments may protrude or otherwise stick through the fibers of the carpet. Once inserted through the carpet, a nut or attachment holder may be made to completely cover the threaded attachment thereby adhering the metal insert to a carpet's edge or corners. The nut may thereby have a smooth sloping top with an Allen hexagonal inclusion, Phillips (X) or standard (-) receptor, other means of actuating a turning action, on the top of said nut for screwing the nut tightly against the carpet. By tightly adhering the nut to the threaded attachment, the rug is held securely against the metal stay wherein the nut is made to sink into the rug, flush with the surrounding material, making said nut less likely to cause snagging or tripping. Alternatively, it is within the contemplation of inventor that this confirmation could be reversed, inserting a smooth topped or flush topped threaded insert into an accepting and corresponding threaded receiver wherein the treaded portion of the screw is inserted superiorly, from the top of the carpet, down through the carpet fibers and into threaded accepting holes in the body of the weighted metal strip.

[0058] In yet another preferred embodiment, heavily weighted pellets may be inserted or encased into the edges, corners or interior areas of a rug as a means to weigh the rug down.

[0059] In another embodiment, design and manufacture of a rug may be implemented to extend the length of the rug to create a curtain pocket for insertion of the metal inserts into instead of attaching the vinyl pockets to the underside of each rug edge.

[0060] In yet another embodiment, the rug and correspondingly the rug's outer perimeter may be non-angular (e.g., round, rounded, oblong, oval or otherwise without angles) wherein edges and pockets may be curved and accepting of inserts, weighted beads or a combination thereof.

[0061] In another embodiment, weighted beads may be injected or otherwise inserted into a rug's material or into pockets, appearing uniformly, sequentially or sporadically across the bottom surface of a rug, whereby receiving packets or bags provide weight based on (1) the size of each pocket, (2) the size of inserted beads and (3) the amount of beads injected or inserted.

[0062] In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of using a weighted rug. This method comprises placing weighted inserts in the bottom surface of the weighted rug.

[0063] In yet another preferred embodiment, the weighted inserts are placed in pockets or sleeves that are attached to the bottom surface, detached from the bottom surface, or a combination thereof.

[0064] In still another preferred embodiment, the weighted inserts are placed in the detached pockets or sleeves and then attached to the bottom surface or wherein the detached pockets or sleeves are attached to the bottom surface and the weighted inserts are placed in the pockets or sleeves.