FLAT FLOOR-MAT FASTENING WITH HOOK-AND-LOOP ELEMENTS

Abstract

A floor mat assembly has a counter plate that is fastened to a floor covering. A connection system connects a base plate to the counter plate. The connection system is at least partly formed with an elastic connecting device. The connecting device is preferably formed on a side of the base plate and a side of the counter plate, these sides facing one another and lying opposite one another along a connection system axis perpendicular through these sides.

Claims

1. A floor mat assembly (8) for a vehicle (14), the floor mat assembly (8) comprising: a floor covering (12); a first hook-and-loop element (18) having a base plate (88); a counter plate (38) which is at least partly disposed on the floor covering (12); a floor mat (10); and a second hook-and-loop element (20) which is at least partly disposed on a bottom side (22) of the floor mat (10); wherein the second hook-and-loop element (20) is connected to the first hook-and-loop element (18) by means of a hook-and-loop connection (36), and wherein a connection system connects the base plate (88) and the counter plate (38) to one another, the connection system (16) having an elastic connecting device (90), the connecting device (90) extending between mutually facing sides (60, 74) of the base plate (88) and of the counter plate (38).

2. The floor mat assembly according to claim 1, wherein the base plate (88) has a first locking element (40) having a first locking portion (52) and the counter plate (38) has a second locking element (42) having a second locking portion (54), wherein the elastic connecting device (90) has at least one of the locking elements (40, 42), wherein the locking portion (52, 54) of the locking element (40, 42) of the elastic connecting device (90) is elastically pivotable and/or deformable, wherein the first locking element (40) and the second locking element (42) are locked together with the first locking portion (52) abutting the second locking portion (54).

3. The floor mat assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first locking element (40) together with the base plate (88) of the first hook-and-loop element (18) and/or the second locking element (42) together with the counter plate (38) is in the form of an extrusion profile having the associated locking portion (52, 54).

4. The floor mat assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first locking element (40) protrudes from a surface of the first hook-and-loop element (18) toward the counter plate (38) and/or the second locking element (42) protrudes from a surface of the counter plate (38) toward the first hook-and-loop element (18).

5. The floor mat assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first locking element (40) and/or the second locking element (42) has a locking arm (44, 46, 48, 50), wherein each locking arm (44, 46, 48, 50) has a stem (62, 64, 76, 78) from which the associated locking portion (52, 54, 56, 58) protrudes.

6. The floor mat assembly according to claim 5, wherein each locking element (40, 42) that has a locking arm has multiple locking arms (44, 46, 48, 50).

7. The floor mat assembly according to claim 5, wherein the locking portion (52, 54, 56, 58) of the first locking element (40) runs parallel to a side face (74) of the first hook-and-loop element (18) and/or the locking portion (52, 54, 56, 58) of the second locking element (42) runs parallel to a side face (60) of the counter plate (38), wherein each locking arm (44, 46, 48, 50) protrudes from the associated side face (60, 74).

8. The floor mat assembly according to claim 5, wherein multiple locking portions (52, 54, 56, 58) is formed on each locking arm (44, 46, 48, 50).

9. The floor mat assembly according to claim 1, wherein: the floor covering (12) has a reach-through opening (24, 66, 68); the base plate (88) is at least partly disposed on a top side (28) of the floor covering (12); the counter plate (38) is at least partly disposed on a bottom side (30) of the floor covering (12), which is opposite the top side (28) of the floor covering (12); the second hook-and-loop element (20) is at least partly disposed on a bottom side (22) of the floor mat (10), and wherein the connection system (16) reaches through the reach-through opening (24, 66, 68).

10. The floor mat assembly according to claim 9, wherein the at least one locking element (40, 42) of the elastic connecting device (90) is inserted into the reach-through opening (24, 66, 68).

11. The floor mat assembly according to claim 1, wherein the counter plate (38) is at least partly fastened to the top side (28) of the floor covering (12) by material bond.

12. The floor mat assembly according to claim 11, wherein the connecting device (90) is at least partly formed between the top side (28) of the floor covering (12) and the bottom side (22) of the floor mat (10).

13. The floor mat assembly according to claim 1, wherein the elastic connecting 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.

14. The floor mat assembly according to claim 1, wherein the counter plate (38) and/or the first hook-and-loop element (18) has a support projection (82) which protrudes from an associated surface (60, 74) of the counter plate (38) or of the first hook-and-loop element (18).

15. The floor mat assembly according to claim 1, wherein the counter plate (38) has a noise protection means (94).

16. A vehicle (14) having the floor mat assembly (8) according to claim 1.

17. The vehicle (14) according to claim 16, wherein the counter plate (38) is firmly connected to a floor of the vehicle (14).

18. A method for producing a floor mat assembly (8) for a vehicle (14), the floor mat assembly (8) having: a floor covering (12); a first hook-and-loop element (18) having a base plate (88); a counter plate (38) which is at least partly disposed on the floor covering (12); a floor mat (10); a second hook-and-loop element (20) which is at least partly disposed on the bottom side (22) of the floor mat (10); wherein the second hook-and-loop element (20) becomes connected to the first hook-and-loop element (18) by means of a hook-and-loop connection (36), wherein the base plate (88) and the counter plate (38) are or become connected to one another by means of a connection system (16), wherein the connection system (16) has an elastic connecting device (90), and wherein the elastic connecting device (90) extends between mutually parallel, mutually facing sides (60, 74) of the base plate (88) and of the counter plate (38).

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the base plate (88) has a first locking element (40) having a first locking portion (52) and the counter plate (38) has a second locking element (42) having a second locking portion (54), the method comprising the steps of: i. locking the first locking element (40) and the second locking element (42) together by elastic pivoting and/or deforming of one of the locking portions (40, 42) such that the first locking portion (52) is placed against the second locking portion (54), wherein the elastic connecting device (90) has the at least one locking element (40, 42) having the elastic locking portion (52, 54); and ii. connecting the first hook-and-loop element (18) and the second hook-and-loop element (20).

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the floor covering (12) has a reach-through opening (24, 66, 68), wherein the elastic connecting device (90) is inserted into the reach-through opening (24, 66, 68), wherein the base plate (88) is at least partly disposed on a top side (28) of the floor covering (12), wherein the counter plate (38) is at least partly disposed on a bottom side (30) of the floor covering (12), which is opposite the top side (28) of the floor covering (12).

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the at least one locking element (40, 42) of the elastic connecting device (90) is inserted into the reach-through opening (24, 66, 68).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0071] 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.

In the Drawings,

[0072] FIG. 1A shows schematically a sectional view through a floor mat assembly in a first embodiment, wherein hook-and-loop elements of the floor mat assembly are separated.

[0073] FIG. 1B shows schematically the sectional view through the floor mat assembly from FIG. 1A, wherein the hook-and-loop elements of the floor mat assembly are connected.

[0074] FIG. 2A shows schematically a sectional view through a floor covering and a counter plate of a floor mat assembly in a second embodiment.

[0075] FIG. 2B shows schematically a plan view of the floor covering and the counter plate from FIG. 2A.

[0076] FIG. 2C shows schematically a sectional view through the counter plate, the floor covering and a first hook-and-loop element of the floor mat assembly in the second embodiment.

[0077] FIG. 2D shows schematically a sectional view through the floor covering and through the counter plate connected to the first hook-and-loop element, according to the second embodiment.

[0078] FIG. 2E shows schematically a sectional view through the floor mat assembly according to the second embodiment before the connection of a floor mat.

[0079] FIG. 2F shows schematically a sectional view through the floor mat assembly from FIG. 2e with the floor mat in the connected state.

[0080] FIG. 3 shows schematically a sectional view through a third embodiment of a floor mat assembly having a support projection.

[0081] FIG. 4 shows schematically a sectional view through a fourth embodiment of a floor mat assembly having a film hinge.

[0082] FIG. 5A shows schematically a sectional view through a further arrangement of a first hook-and-loop element, a counter plate and a floor covering.

[0083] FIG. 5B shows schematically a sectional view through a fifth embodiment of a floor mat assembly, wherein hook-and-loop elements of the floor mat assembly are separated.

[0084] FIG. 5C shows schematically the sectional view through the floor mat assembly from FIG. 5B, wherein the hook-and-loop elements of the floor mat assembly are connected.

[0085] FIG. 6 shows schematically a side view of a vehicle having a floor mat assembly according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0086] FIG. 1A shows schematically a sectional view through a first embodiment of a floor mat assembly 8. The floor mat assembly 8 has a floor mat 10 and a floor covering 12, the floor covering 12 being fastened to a floor of a vehicle 14 (see FIG. 6). The floor mat assembly 8 has a first hook-and-loop element 18 on the floor covering 12; the first hook-and-loop element 18, which has a base plate 88, is at least partly disposed on a top side 28 the floor covering 12. The floor mat assembly 8 also has a second hook-and-loop element 20 on the bottom side 22 of the floor mat 10. The second hook-and-loop element 20 is fastened, in particular glued or welded, to the bottom side 22 of the floor mat 10.

[0087] A counter plate 38 is disposed on a bottom side 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 connecting device 90. In the embodiment shown, the elastic connecting device 90 is in the form of an elastic connecting web 92 which extends through a reach-through 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. A noise protection means 94 can be disposed on the counter plate 38.

[0088] The first hook-and-loop element 18 is structured complementarily 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 can form a hook-and-loop connection 36 (see FIG. 1B) in order to firmly connect the floor mat 10 to the floor covering 12. In the embodiment of the hook-and-loop elements 18, 20 that is shown, 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; this enables the hook-and-loop connection 36 of the first hook-and-loop element 18 and the second hook-and-loop element 20. 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 band 35.

[0089] FIG. 1B shows schematically a sectional view through the floor mat assembly 8 having the floor mat 10 and having the flooring mat 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 floor mat assembly 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.

[0090] As explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. 2A to FIG. 2F, the floor mat assembly 8 may in some embodiments have a first locking element 40 and a second locking element 42, in particular with a first, second, third and fourth locking arm 44, 46, 48, 50 (see FIG. 2F). On the locking arms 44, 46, 48, 50, a first, second, third and fourth locking portion 52, 54, 56, 58 may be formed.

[0091] FIG. 2A shows schematically a sectional view through a lower part of a floor mat assembly 8 in a second embodiment. The bottom side 30 of the floor covering 12 touches the counter plate 38, the counter plate 38 extending along the bottom side 30 of the floor covering 12. The second locking element 42 is located on the top side 60 of the counter plate 38, the second locking element 42 being formed with the second and fourth locking arms 46, 50, which protrude from the top side 60 of the counter plate 38. The second and fourth locking portions 54, 58 protrude, in particular perpendicularly, from stems 62, 64 of the respective locking arms 46, 50. The locking portions 54, 58 serve to lock the respective locking arms 46, 50. The locking arms 46, 50 are hook-shaped due to the locking portions 54, 58 and reach into respective reach-through openings 66, 68 in the floor covering 12.

[0092] The locking portions 54, 58 preferably run parallel to the top side 60 of the counter plate 38. In particular, edges 70, 72 of the locking portions 54, 58, which protrude from the associated stem 62, 64 and run to an outer end of the associated locking portion 54, 58, are oriented parallel to the top side 60 of the counter plate 38. The locking portions 54, 58 on the locking arms 46, 50 are elastically pivotable and/or deformable.

[0093] FIG. 2B shows schematically a 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 locking arms 46, 50, which reach through the reach-through openings 66, 68 in the floor covering 12.

[0094] FIG. 2C shows schematically a 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 locked to the counter plate 38. The first and third locking arms 44, 48 protrude, in particular perpendicularly, from the bottom side 74 of a base plate 88 of the first hook-and-loop element 18. The first and third locking portions 52, 56 protrude from the stems 76, 78 of the respective locking arms 44, 48, the locking portions 52, 56 being oriented in particular perpendicularly to the respective stems 76, 78. The locking arms 44, 48 are thus hook-shaped. The locking portions 52, 56 run in particular parallel to the bottom side 74 of the first hook-and-loop element 18. Preferably, a loop band 89 having the loops 34 of the first hook-and-loop element 18 is glued and/or welded to the base plate 88.

[0095] FIG. 2D shows schematically a sectional view through the aforementioned embodiment of the first hook-and-loop element 18, which is fastened to the counter plate 38 and abuts the top side 28 of the floor covering 12. The locking portions 52, 54 of the first and second locking arms 44, 46 abut one another, and the locking portions 56, 58 of the third and fourth locking arms 48, 50 abut one another, the locking arms 44, 46, 48, 50 engaging with one another in such a way that they are locked together. Of the locking portions 52, 54, 56, 58 on the locking arms 44, 46, 48, 50 which are locked together, preferably at least one, in each case, is elastically pivotable and/or deformable. This enables the locking arms 44, 46, 48, 50 to be locked together.

[0096] By way of example, in the embodiment shown the locking portions 54, 58 of the locking arms 46, 50 are elastic. The elastic connecting device 90 of the connection system 16 then has the locking arms 46, 50 having the elastic locking portions 54, 58.

[0097] The locking arms 44, 46, 48, 50, and thus the locking elements 40, 42, are preferably an extrusion profile or part of an extrusion profile.

[0098] FIG. 2E shows schematically a sectional view through an embodiment of the floor mat assembly 8 according to the invention. The floor mat assembly 8 has the floor 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, the counter plate 38 being fastened to the first hook-and-loop element 18 by means of the locking arms 44, 46, 48, 50. In the state of the floor mat assembly 8 shown in FIG. 2E, the first hook-and-loop element 18 is separated from the second hook-and-loop element 20. 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 one another and to fasten the floor mat 10 to the floor covering 12.

[0099] FIG. 2F shows schematically a sectional view through a joined embodiment of the floor mat assembly 8. The floor mat 10 is firmly connected to the floor covering 12 by the floor mat assembly 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, the first hook-and-loop element 18 being firmly anchored by the locked locking arms 44, 46, 48, 50 and the counter plate 38 on the floor covering 12. This ensures that the floor mat 10 is fastened to the floor covering 12 in such a way that the floor mat is secured against slipping. As previously mentioned, the first locking arm 44 has the first locking portion 52, the second locking arm 46 has the second locking portion 54, the third locking arm 48 has the third locking portion 56, and the fourth locking arm 50 has the fourth locking portion 58, the locking portions 52, 54, 56 and 58 abutting one another to lock the locking arms 44, 46, 48 and 50, or the locking arms 44, 46, 48, 50 engaging behind one another.

[0100] FIG. 3 shows schematically a sectional view through a third embodiment of a floor mat assembly 8, in which a support projection 82 is formed on the bottom side 74 of the first hook-and-loop element 18. Here, the support projection 82 is in the shape of an upside-down T, the support projection 82 protruding, in particular perpendicularly, from the bottom side 74 of the first hook-and-loop element 18. The support projection 82 lies flat against the top side 60 of the counter plate 38 in order to stabilize the first hook-and-loop element 18 in the floor mat assembly 8.

[0101] FIG. 4 shows schematically a sectional view through a fourth embodiment of a floor mat assembly 8, in which the first hook-and-loop element 18 is designed according to an embodiment in which the first hook-and-loop element 18 has only the first locking arm 44. The counter plate 38 is designed in an embodiment in which the counter plate 38 has only the second locking arm 46. The locking arms 44, 46 engage with one another and are locked together. Furthermore, a film hinge 84 extends from the first hook-and-loop element 18 to the counter plate 38 and integrally connects the first hook-and-loop element 18 and the counter plate 38. Preferably, the counter plate 38 and the base plate 88 are formed integrally 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 embodiment shown the locking portion 54 of the locking arm 46 and the film hinge 84 are elastic. The elastic connecting device 90 of the connection system 16 then has the locking arm 46 having the elastic locking portion 54 and the film hinge 84.

[0103] FIG. 5A shows schematically 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 to the counter plate 38 and the floor covering 12 in order to be locked to the counter plate 38. The counter plate 38 is fastened on the top side 28 of the floor covering 12, in particular by means of a material bond, e.g. with adhesive or a welded connection. A first and a third locking arm 44, 48 protrude from the bottom side 74 of the base plate 88 of the first hook-and-loop element 18. A second and a fourth locking arm 46, 50 protrude from the top side 60 of the counter plate 38 correspondingly. Preferably, the loop band 89 with the loops 34 of the first hook-and-loop element 18 is glued and/or welded to the base plate 88.

[0104] FIG. 5B shows schematically a sectional view through a fifth embodiment of the floor mat assembly 8. The floor mat assembly 8 has a floor mat 10 and the floor covering 12. The floor mat assembly 8 includes the first hook-and-loop element 18 with the base plate 88 and with the counter plate 38 on the top side 28 of the floor covering 12. The base plate 88 and the counter plate 38 are connected to one another by a connecting device 90 in the form of the locked locking arms 44, 46, 48, 50. The floor mat assembly 8 also has the second hook-and-loop element 20, which is fastened to the bottom side 22 of the floor mat 10.

[0105] FIG. 5C shows schematically a sectional view through the fifth embodiment of the floor mat assembly 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 floor mat 10 is firmly connected to the floor covering 12 by the floor mat assembly 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. The first hook-and-loop element 18 is firmly anchored by the locked locking arms 44, 46, 48, 50 and the counter plate 38 on the top side 28 of the floor covering 12. The counter plate 18 is firmly connected to the floor covering 12 by a material bond. This ensures that the floor mat 10 is fastened to the floor covering 12 in such a way that the floor mat is secured against slipping.

[0106] FIG. 6 shows schematically a side view of a vehicle 14 having a floor mat assembly 8 according to the invention according to one of the aforementioned embodiments. The floor mat assembly 8 with the floor covering 12 fixed in the vehicle 14 and with the floor mat 10 in a driver's compartment 86 is shown with dashed lines in FIG. 6.

[0107] In view of all the figures in combination, the invention relates in summary to a floor mat assembly 8 having a first hook-and-loop element 18 and a second hook-and-loop element 20 which is at least partly disposed on a bottom side (22) of the floor mat (10). A counter plate 38 is fastened to a floor covering 12. A connection system 16 connects a base plate 88 of the first hook-and-loop element 18 to the counter plate 38. The connection system 16 is at least partly formed with an elastic connecting device 90. The connecting device 90 is preferably formed on a side 74 of the base plate 88 and a side 60 of the counter plate 38, these sides 74, 60 facing one another and lying opposite one another along a connection system axis perpendicular through these sides 74, 60.

[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 Floor mat assembly [0110] 10 Floor 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 Bottom side of the floor mat [0117] 24 Reach-through opening [0118] 28 Top side of the floor covering [0119] 30 Bottom side of the floor covering [0120] 32 Hook [0121] 34 Loops [0122] 35 Hook band [0123] 36 Hook-and-loop fastening connection [0124] 38 Counter plate [0125] 40 First locking element [0126] 42 Second locking element [0127] 44 First locking arm [0128] 46 Second locking arm [0129] 48 Third locking arm [0130] 50 Fourth locking arm [0131] 52 First locking portion [0132] 54 Second locking portion [0133] 56 Third locking portion [0134] 58 Fourth locking portion [0135] 60 Top side of the counter plate [0136] 62 Stem of the second locking arm [0137] 64 Stem of the fourth locking arm [0138] 66 Reach-through opening [0139] 68 Reach-through opening [0140] 70 Edge of the locking portion [0141] 72 Edge of the locking portion [0142] 74 Bottom side of the first hook-and-loop element [0143] 76 Stem of the first locking arm [0144] 78 Stem of the second locking 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 band [0150] 90 Connecting device [0151] 92 Connecting web [0152] 94 Noise protection means