MONO-MATERIAL FOOT MAT ATTACHMENT

Abstract

A foot mat arrangement has a floor covering with a first hook-and-loop element attached to the floor covering by a form fit, material bond and/or friction fit. The foot mat arrangement additionally includes a foot mat and a second hook-and-loop element, wherein the second hook-and-loop element is at least partially fixed to an underside of the foot mat. The first hook-and-loop element and the second hook-and-loop element form a hook-and-loop connection. At least the floor covering, the first hook-and-loop element, the foot mat and the second hook-and-loop element are made of the same mono-material.

Claims

1. A foot mat arrangement (8) for a vehicle (14), the foot mat arrangement (8) comprising: a floor covering (12); a first hook-and-loop element (18) that is connected to the floor covering (12); a foot mat (10); a second hook-and-loop element (20) which is at least partially arranged on an underside (22) of the foot mat (10); wherein the second hook-and-loop element (20) is connected to the first hook-and-loop element (18) by a hook-and-loop connection (36), wherein the floor covering (12), the first hook-and-loop element (18), the foot mat (10) and the second hook-and-loop element (20) are made of the same mono-material.

2. The foot mat arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the mono-material is formed as a polyester.

3. The foot mat arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first hook-and-loop element (18) has a base plate (88), wherein a counter plate (38) of the foot mat arrangement (8) is at least partially arranged on the floor covering (12), wherein a connection system (16) connects the base plate (88) and the counter plate (38) to one another, wherein the connection system (16) has an elastic connection device (90), and wherein the connection device (90) extends between mutually facing sides (60, 74) of the base plate (88) and the counter plate (38).

4. The foot mat arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the base plate (88) has a first latching element (40) with a first latching portion (52), and the counter plate (38) has a second latching element (42) with a second latching portion (54), wherein the elastic connection device (90) has at least one of the latching elements (40, 42), wherein the latching portion (52, 54) of the latching element (40, 42) of the elastic connection device (90) is elastically pivotable and/or deformable, and wherein the first latching element (40) and the second latching element (42) are latched together with the first latching portion (52) resting on the second latching portion (54).

5. The foot mat arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the first latching element (40) together with the base plate (88) of the first hook-and-loop element (18) and/or the second latching element (42) together with the counter plate (38) is in the form of an extrusion profile with the respective latching portion (52, 54).

6. The foot mat arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the first latching element (40) protrudes from a surface of the first hook-and-loop element (18) in the direction of the counter plate (38), and/or the second latching element (42) protrudes from a surface of the counter plate (38) in the direction of the first hook-and-loop element (18).

7. The foot mat arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the first latching element (40) and/or the second latching element (42) has/have a latching arm (44, 46, 48, 50), wherein the respective latching arm (44, 46, 48, 50) has a stem (62, 64, 76, 78) from which the respective latching portion (52, 54, 56, 58) protrudes.

8. The foot mat arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the respective latching element (40, 42) has a plurality of latching arms (44, 46, 48, 50).

9. The foot mat arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the latching portion (52, 54, 56, 58) of the first latching element (40) runs parallel to a side surface (74) of the first hook-and-loop element (18), and/or the latching portion (52, 54, 56, 58) of the second latching element (42) runs parallel to a side surface (60) of the counter plate (38), wherein the latching arm (44, 46, 48, 50) protrudes from the respective side surface (60, 74).

10. The foot mat arrangement according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of latching portions (52, 54, 56, 58) are formed on the respective latching arm (44, 46, 48, 50).

11. The foot mat arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the floor covering (12) has an access opening (24, 66, 68), the base plate (88) is at least partially arranged on an upper side (28) of the floor covering (12), the counter plate (38) is at least partially arranged on an underside (30) of the floor covering (12), wherein the underside (30) of the floor covering (12) is opposite the upper side (28) of the floor covering (12), wherein the second hook-and-loop element (20) is at least partially arranged on an underside (22) of the foot mat (10), and wherein the connection system (16) passes through the access opening (24, 66, 68).

12. The foot mat arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the at least one latching element (40, 42) of the elastic connection device (90) is inserted into the access opening (24, 66, 68).

13. The foot mat arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the counter plate (38) is at least partially attached to the upper side (28) of the floor covering (12) in an integrally bonded manner.

14. The foot mat arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the connection device (90) is at least partially formed between the upper side (28) of the floor covering (12) and the underside (22) of the foot mat (10).

15. The foot mat arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the elastic connection device (90) has an elastic film hinge (84), and wherein the elastic film hinge (84) connects the counter plate (38) and the base plate (88) to one another.

16. The foot mat arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the counter plate (38) and/or the first hook-and-loop element (18) has a support projection (82) which protrudes from the respective surface (60, 74) of the counter plate (38) or the first hook-and-loop element (18).

17. The foot mat arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the counter plate (38) is formed with noise protection (94).

18. A vehicle (14) having the foot mat arrangement (8) according to claim 1.

19. A method for manufacturing a foot mat arrangement (8) for a vehicle (14), wherein the foot mat arrangement (8) has the following: a floor covering (24, 66, 68); a first hook-and-loop element (18) that is connected to the floor covering (12); a foot mat (10); a second hook-and-loop element (20) which is at least partially arranged on an underside (22) of the foot mat (10); wherein the second hook-and-loop element (20) is connectable to the first hook-and-loop element (18) by a hook-and-loop connection (36), wherein the floor covering (12), the first hook-and-loop element (18), the foot mat (10) and the second hook-and-loop element (20) are made of the same mono-material, said method comprising the step of: connecting the first hook-and-loop element (18) and the second hook-and-loop element (20).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0068] Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

[0069] In the drawings,

[0070] FIG. 1A shows a schematic sectional view through a foot mat arrangement in a first embodiment, wherein hook-and-loop elements of the foot mat arrangement are separated.

[0071] FIG. 1B shows a schematic sectional view through the foot mat arrangement from FIG. 1A, wherein the hook-and-loop elements of the foot mat arrangement are connected.

[0072] FIG. 2A shows a schematic sectional view through a floor covering and a counter plate of a foot mat arrangement in a second embodiment.

[0073] FIG. 2B shows a schematic plan view of the floor covering and the counter plate from FIG. 2A.

[0074] FIG. 2C shows a schematic sectional view through the counter plate, the floor covering and a first hook-and-loop element of the foot mat arrangement in the second embodiment.

[0075] FIG. 2D shows a schematic sectional view through the floor covering and the counter plate connected to the first hook-and-loop element according to the second embodiment.

[0076] FIG. 2E shows a schematic sectional view through the foot mat arrangement according to the second embodiment before the attachment of a foot mat.

[0077] FIG. 2F shows a schematic sectional view through the foot mat arrangement from FIG. 2E in the attached state of the foot mat.

[0078] FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional view through a third embodiment of a foot mat arrangement with a support projection.

[0079] FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional view through a fourth embodiment of a foot mat arrangement with a film hinge.

[0080] FIG. 5A shows a schematic sectional view through a further arrangement of a first hook-and-loop element, a counter plate and a floor covering,

[0081] FIG. 5B shows a schematic sectional view through a fifth embodiment of a foot mat arrangement, wherein hook-and-loop elements of the foot mat arrangement are separated.

[0082] FIG. 5C shows a schematic sectional view through the foot mat arrangement from FIG. 5B, wherein the hook-and-loop elements of the foot mat arrangement are connected.

[0083] FIG. 6 shows a schematic side view of a vehicle with a foot mat arrangement according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0084] FIG. 1A shows a schematic sectional view through a first embodiment of a foot mat arrangement 8. The foot mat arrangement 8 has a foot mat 10 and a floor covering 12, wherein the floor covering 12 is attached to a floor of a vehicle 14 (see FIG. 5). The foot mat arrangement 8 has a first hook-and-loop element 18 on the floor covering 12, wherein the first hook-and-loop element 18 is arranged with a base plate 88 at least partially on an upper side 28 of the floor covering 12. Furthermore, the foot mat arrangement 8 has a second hook-and-loop element 20 on the underside 22 of the foot mat 10. The second hook-and-loop element 20 is attached to the underside 22 of the foot mat 10, in particular glued or welded on.

[0085] A counter plate 38 is on an underside 30 of the floor covering 12. A connection system 16 connects the base plate 88 and the counter plate 38. The connection system 16 has an elastic connection device 90. In the shown embodiment, the elastic connection device 90 is designed in the form of an elastic connecting web 92 which extends through an access opening 24 in the floor covering 12. In this way, the first hook-and-loop element 18 is firmly anchored in the floor covering 12. Noise protection 94 can be located on the counter plate 38.

[0086] The first hook-and-loop element 18 is structured in a complementary manner to the second hook-and-loop element 20 such that the first hook-and-loop element 18 and the second hook-and-loop element 20 form a hook-and-loop connection 36 (see FIG. 1B) in order to firmly connect the foot mat 10 to the floor covering 12. In the shown embodiment of the hook-and-loop elements 18, 20, the second hook-and-loop element 20 has hooks 32 and the first hook-and-loop element 18 has loops 34 corresponding to the hooks 32, which makes the hook-and-loop connection 36 of the first hook-and-loop element 18 and the second hook-and-loop element 20 possible. In other embodiments, the first hook-and-loop element 18 may have the hooks 32 and the second hook-and-loop element 20 may have the loops 34. The hooks 32 can be part of a hook strip 35.

[0087] The floor covering 12, the first hook-and-loop element 18, the foot mat 10 and the second hook-and-loop element 20 are made of the same mono-material. The mono-material is preferably a polyester, in particular a polylactide, a polypropylene or a polyamide.

[0088] FIG. 1B shows a schematic sectional view through the foot mat arrangement 8 with the foot mat 10 and the floor covering 12, wherein the counter plate 38 is fastened to the base plate 88 by the connection system 16. The hook-and-loop elements 18, 20 of the foot mat arrangement 8 form the hook-and-loop connection 36 in that the hooks 32 of the second hook-and-loop element 20 engage in the loops 34 of the first hook-and-loop element 18.

[0089] As explained in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 2A to FIG. 2F, the foot mat arrangement 8 may in some embodiments have a first latching element 40 and a second latching element 42, in particular with a first, second, third and fourth latching arm 44, 46, 48, 50 (see FIG. 2F). A first, second, third and fourth latching portion 52, 54, 56, 58 can be formed on the latching arms 44, 46, 48, 50.

[0090] FIG. 2A shows a schematic sectional view through a lower part of a foot mat arrangement 8 in a second embodiment. The underside 30 of the floor covering 12 touches the counter plate 38, wherein the counter plate 38 extends along the underside 30 of the floor covering 12. The second latching element 42 is arranged on the upper side 60 of the counter plate 38, wherein the second latching element 42 is formed with the second and fourth latching arms 46, 50 which extend from the upper side 60 of the counter plate 38. From a stem 62, 64 of the respective latching arm 46, 50, the second and fourth latching portions 54, 58 protrude, in particular perpendicularly. The latching portions 54, 58 serve to latch the respective latching arms 46, 50. The latching arms 46, 50 are designed in a hook-like manner by the latching portions 54, 58 and each engage in an access opening 66, 68 of the floor covering 12.

[0091] The latching portions 54, 58 preferably run parallel to the upper side 60 of the counter plate 38. In particular, edges 70, 72 of the latching portions 54, 58, which protrude from the respective stem 62, 64 and run to an outer end of the relevant latching portion 54, 58, are aligned parallel to the upper side 60 of the counter plate 38. The latching portions 54, 58 on the latching arms 46, 50 are designed to be elastically pivotable and/or deformable.

[0092] FIG. 2B shows a schematic plan view of the floor covering 12 and the associated counter plate 38. Regions of the counter plate 38 which are covered by the floor covering 12 are indicated by dashed lines. Also shown are the latching arms 46, 50 which reach through the access openings 66, 68 of the floor covering 12.

[0093] FIG. 2C shows a schematic sectional view through an embodiment of the first hook-and-loop element 18 which is brought to the counter plate 38 and the floor covering 12 (cf. FIG. 2A) in order to be latched to the counter plate 38. From the underside 74 of a base plate 88 of the first hook-and-loop element 18, the first and third latching arms 44, 48 protrude, in particular perpendicularly. The first and third latching portions 52, 56 protrude from the stem 76, 78 of the respective latching arm 44, 48, wherein the latching portions 52, 56 are aligned in particular perpendicular to the relevant stem 76, 78. The latching arms 44, 48 are thus hook-shaped. The latching portions 52, 56 run in particular parallel to the underside 74 of the first hook-and-loop element 18. A loop strip 89 with the loops 34 of the first hook-and-loop element 18 is preferably glued and/or welded to the base plate 88.

[0094] FIG. 2D schematically shows a sectional view through the aforementioned embodiment of the first hook-and-loop element 18 which is fastened to the counter plate 38 and rests on the upper side 28 of the floor covering 12. The latching portions 52, 54 of the first and second latching arms 44, 46 as well as the latching portions 56, 58 of the third and fourth latching arms 48, 50 rest against one another, wherein the latching arms 44, 46, 48, 50 engage in such a way that they are latched together. Of the latching portions 52, 54, 56, 58 on the latching arms 44, 46, 48, 50 which are latched together, preferably at least one is elastically pivotable and/or deformable. This allows the latching of the latching arms 44, 46, 48, 50.

[0095] By way of example, in the shown embodiment, the latching portions 54, 58 of the latching arms 46, 50 are designed to be elastic. The elastic connection device 90 of the connection system 16 then has the latching arms 46, 50 with the elastic latching portions 54, 58.

[0096] The latching arms 44, 46, 48, 50, and thus the latching elements 40, 42, are preferably designed as an extrusion profile or as part of an extrusion profile.

[0097] FIG. 2E schematically shows a sectional view through an embodiment of the foot mat arrangement 8 according to the invention. The foot mat arrangement 8 has the foot mat 10, the floor covering 12, the first hook-and-loop element 18 and the second hook-and-loop element 20 as well as the counter plate 38, wherein the counter plate 38 is fastened to the first hook-and-loop element 18 by the latching arms 44, 46, 48, 50.

[0098] The first hook-and-loop element 18 is separated from the second hook-and-loop element 20 in the state of the foot mat arrangement 8 shown in FIG. 2E. The first hook-and-loop element 18 is brought to the second hook-and-loop element 20 in order to firmly connect the two hook-and-loop elements 18, 20 to each other and fasten the foot mat 10 to the floor covering 12.

[0099] FIG. 2F schematically shows a sectional view through a combined embodiment of the foot mat arrangement 8. The foot mat 10 is firmly connected to the floor covering 12 by the foot mat arrangement 8. The hooks 32 of the second hook-and-loop element 20 engage in the loops 34 of the first hook-and-loop element 18, wherein the first hook-and-loop element 18 is firmly anchored to the floor covering 12 by the latched latching arms 44, 46, 48, 50 and the counter plate 38. This ensures that the foot mat 10 is attached to the floor covering 12 in a non-slip manner. As previously mentioned, the first latching arm 44 has the first latching portion 52, the second latching arm 46 has the second latching portion 54, the third latching arm 48 has the third latching portion 56 and the fourth latching arm 50 has the fourth latching portion 58, wherein the latching portions 52, 54, 56 and 58 rest against one another for latching the latching arms 44, 46, 48 and 50, or the latching arms 44, 46, 48, 50 engage one behind the other.

[0100] FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional view through a third embodiment of a foot mat arrangement 8 in which a support projection 82 is formed on the underside 74 of the first hook-and-loop element 18. The support projection 82 is designed here in the shape of an upside-down T, wherein the support projection 82 protrudes from the underside 74 of the first hook-and-loop element 18, in particular perpendicularly. The support projection 82 lies flat against the upper side 60 of the counter plate 38 in order to stabilize the first hook-and-loop element 18 in the foot mat arrangement 8.

[0101] FIG. 4 schematically shows a sectional view through a fourth embodiment of a foot mat arrangement 8, wherein the first hook-and-loop element 18 is designed according to an embodiment in which the first hook-and-loop element 18 only has the first latching arm 44. The counter plate 38 is formed in an embodiment in which the counter plate 38 has only the second latching arm 46. The latching arms 44, 46 engage with one another and are latched together. Furthermore, a film hinge 84 extends from the first hook-and-loop element 18 to the counter plate 38 and connects the first hook-and-loop element 18 and the counter plate 38 in an integrally bonded manner. Preferably, counter plate 38 and base plate 88 are formed in one piece with the film hinge 84. This makes the first hook-and-loop element 18 and the counter plate 38 particularly easy to mount.

[0102] By way of example, in the shown embodiment, the latching portion 54 of the latching arm 46 and the film hinge 84 are designed to be elastic. The elastic connection device 90 of the connection system 16 then has the latching arm 46 with the elastic latching portion 54 and the film hinge 84.

[0103] FIG. 5A schematically shows a sectional view through a further arrangement of a first hook-and-loop element 18, a counter plate 38 and a floor covering 12, wherein the first hook-and-loop element 18 is brought up to the counter plate 38 and the floor covering 12 in order to be latched with the counter plate 38. The counter plate 38 is fastened to the upper side 28 of the floor covering 12, in particular by means of an integral bond, e.g. with glue or a welded connection. A first and a third latching arm 44, 48 protrude from the underside 74 of the base plate 88 of the first hook-and-loop element 18. A second and a fourth latching arm 46, 50 protrude from the upper side 60 of the counter plate 38. The loop strip 89 with the loops 34 of the first hook-and-loop element 18 is preferably glued and/or welded to the base plate 88.

[0104] FIG. 5B shows a schematic sectional view through a fifth embodiment of the foot mat arrangement 8. The foot mat arrangement 8 has a foot mat 10 and the floor covering 12. The foot mat arrangement 8 includes the first hook-and-loop element 18 with the base plate 88 and the counter plate 38 on the upper side 28 of the floor covering 12. The base plate 88 and the counter plate 38 are connected to one another by a connection device 90 in the form of the latched latching arms 44, 46, 48, 50. Furthermore, the foot mat arrangement 8 has the second hook-and-loop element 20 which is attached to the underside 22 of the foot mat 10.

[0105] FIG. 5C schematically shows a sectional view through the fifth embodiment of the foot mat arrangement 8, wherein the first hook-and-loop element 18 and the second hook-and-loop element 20 form a hook-and-loop connection 36. The foot mat 10 is firmly connected to the floor covering 12 by the foot mat arrangement 8. The hooks 32 of the second hook-and-loop element 20 engage with the loops 34 of the first hook-and-loop element 18. The first hook-and-loop element 18 is firmly anchored to the upper side 28 of the floor covering 12 by the latched latching arms 44, 46, 48, 50 and the counter plate 38. The counter plate 18 is firmly connected to the floor covering 12 by an integral bond. This ensures that the foot mat 10 is securely attached to the floor covering 12 in a non-slip manner.

[0106] FIG. 6 shows a schematic side view of a vehicle 14 with a foot mat arrangement 8 according to the invention according to one of the aforementioned embodiments. The foot mat arrangement 8 with the floor covering 12 firmly arranged in the vehicle 14 and the foot mat 10 in a driver's compartment 86 are shown in dashed lines in FIG. 6.

[0107] Taking an overview of all the figures of the drawing, the invention relates in summary to a foot mat arrangement 8 comprising a floor mat 12. A first hook-and-loop element 18 is attached to the floor covering 12 by a form fit, material bond and/or friction fit. The foot mat arrangement 8 additionally comprises a foot mat 10 and a second hook-and-loop element 20, wherein the second hook-and-loop element 20 is at least partially fixed to an underside 22 of the foot mat 10. The first hook-and-loop element 18 and the second hook-and-loop element 20 form a hook-and-loop connection 36. At least the floor covering 12, the first hook-and-loop element 18, the foot mat 10 and the second hook-and-loop element 20 consist of the same mono-material.

[0108] Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0109] 8 Foot mat arrangement [0110] 10 Foot mat [0111] 12 Floor covering [0112] 14 Vehicle [0113] 16 Connection system [0114] 18 First hook-and-loop element [0115] 20 Second hook-and-loop element [0116] 22 Underside of the foot mat [0117] 24 Access opening [0118] 28 Upper side of the floor covering [0119] 30 Underside of the floor covering [0120] 32 Hooks [0121] 34 Loops [0122] 35 Hook strip [0123] 36 Hook-and-loop connection [0124] 38 Counter plate [0125] 40 First latching element [0126] 42 Second latching element [0127] 44 First latching arm [0128] 46 Second latching arm [0129] 48 Third latching arm [0130] 50 Fourth latching arm [0131] 52 First latching portion [0132] 54 Second latching portion [0133] 56 Third latching portion [0134] 58 Fourth latching portion [0135] 60 Upper side of the counter plate [0136] 62 Stem of the second latching arm [0137] 64 Stem of the fourth latching arm [0138] 66 Access opening [0139] 68 Access opening [0140] 70 Edge of the latching portion [0141] 72 Edge of the latching portion [0142] 74 Underside of the first hook-and-loop element [0143] 76 Stem of the first latching arm [0144] 78 Stem of the second latching arm [0145] 82 Support projection [0146] 84 Film hinge [0147] 86 Driver's compartment [0148] 88 Base plate of the first hook-and-loop element [0149] 89 Loop strip [0150] 90 Connection device [0151] 92 Connecting web [0152] 94 Noise protection