US3808628A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Floor mat
Assignee: EMEH Inc
•
Filing: 1972-06-15
•
Granted: 1974-05-07
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Expires: 1992-06-15
Abstract
Abstract A floor mat comprises a multiplicity of substantially rigid elongated rails joined together in closely spaced parallel relation by spaced apart flexible strips that extend transversely across the rails. Each rail has at least two matching slots spaced longitudinally from each other. Each slot is open at the free edge of the rib remote from the base and has an undercut portion spaced from the free edge to leave a projection at the opening of the slot. The connector strips are shaped in crosssection generally to match the shapes of the slots in the rib and extend through the slots. The projections are staked toward the rail bases to engage and secure the connector strips to the rails.
Inventors
- 👤 K Betts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 06:35
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L23/00; A47L23/22; A47L23/26; E; E04; E04F; E04F15/00; E04F15/02; E04F15/02161; E04F15/02166; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/17
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
A floor mat comprising a multiplicity oF substantially rigid elongated rails disposed generally parallel to each other in closely spaced relation, each rail having a base portion supporting a tread surface of the mat and at least one rib projecting from the undersurface of the base portion, and at least two flexible compressible connector strips extending transversely of the rails and connecting them together, the rib of each rail having at least two matching slots spaced longitudinally from each other, each slot opening at the free edge of the rib remote from the base and having an undercut portion spaced from the free edge and defining a projection at the free edge of the rib, and the connector strips being shaped in cross-section generally to match the shape of the slots in the ribs and being received in the slots of the rails with a portion thereof projecting slightly below the edge of each rib, each connector strip including a portion extending into the undercut portion of each slot and the projection defined at the free edge of each rib being staked to engage, compress and grip the portion of the connector strip extending into the undercut.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
A floor mat comprising a multiplicity oF substantially rigid elongated rails disposed generally parallel to each other in closely spaced relation, each rail having a base portion supporting a tread surface of the mat and at least one rib projecting from the undersurface of the base portion, and at least two flexible compressible connector strips extending transversely of the rails and connecting them together, the rib of each rail having at least two matching slots spaced longitudinally from each other, each slot opening at the free edge of the rib remote from the base and having an undercut portion spaced from the free edge and defining a projection at the free edge of the rib, and the connector strips being shaped in cross-section generally to match the shape of the slots in the ribs and being received in the slots of the rails with a portion thereof projecting slightly below the edge of each rib, each connector strip including a portion extending into the undercut portion of each slot and the projection defined at the free edge of each rib being staked to engage, compress and grip the portion of the connector strip extending into the undercut.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A floor mat according to claim 1 wherein each rail has two transversely spaced longitudinally extending ribs, each of which has a free edge spaced from the tread surface an equal distance so that each strip is stably supported on a surface by the spaced ribs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A floor mat according to claim 2 wherein the ribs are located at or close to the opposite lateral edges of the base portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A floor mat according to claim 1 wherein the connector strips are of uniform cross-section throughout their length.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
99 words
A floor mat according to claim 4 wherein the slots in the ribs are generally T-shaped in cross-section, the cross of the T in each slot defining two undercut portions spaced from the free edge of the rib and defining projections on either side of the slot at the free edge of the rib, the edges of the undercut portions remote from the free edge of the rib being substantially coextensive with the undersurface of the base portion of the rail, and wherein the connector strips are substantially T-shaped in cross-section to match generally the shape of the slots.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A floor mat according to claim 1 wherein the portion of each connector strip corresponding to the vertical of the T (hereinafter ''''vertical portion'''') is, in cross-section, substantially wider than it is high.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
A floor mat according to claim 6 wherein the said vertical portion of the connector strip has, in cross-section, a varying height across its width, the height in the region of the center being less than the height adjacent the edges, thereby facilitating bending the strip transversely into generally a U.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A floor mat according to claim 7 wherein a zone of the strip corresponding to the crosspiece of a T is of a relatively hard, rigid material and the remainder is of a relatively softer more flexible material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A floor mat according to claim 1 wherein the connector strips are of a moderately compressible material and include a portion normally projecting below the free edge of the rib but compressible substantially to reduce the clearance between the rib edges and a supporting surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
A floor mat according to claim 1 and further comprising a laterally adjacent longitudinally extending threshold portion joined to at least one laterally outermost rail of the mat, the threshold portion having an upper surface sloping laterally downward from generally adjacent the tread surface of the mat toward the surface on which the mat rests.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A floor mat according to claim 10 wherein the threshold portion is integral with the said laterally outermost rail.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
A floor mat according to claim 1 comprising a laterally extending threshold portion joined to the ends of the rails at least at one end of the mat, the laterally extending threshold portion having an upper surface sloping laterally downward from generally adjacent the outer surface of the mat towaRd the surface on which the mat rests.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A floor mat according to claim 1 and further comprising a peripheral frame having end members abutting the respective ends of the rails and side members abutting the laterally outermost rails of the mat.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
A floor mat according to claim 13 wherein the end members and side members of the frame have upper surfaces sloping laterally downward from generally adjacent the tread surface of the mat toward the surface on which the mat rests.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A floor mat according to claim 14 wherein the end members and side members of the frame are secured to portions of the rails that they abut.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
168 words
A floor mat comprising two separate floor mat units, each of said units including a multiplicity of substantially rigid elongated rails disposed generally parallel to each other in closely spaced relation, each rail having a base portion supporting a tread surface of the mat and at least one rib projecting from the undersurface of the base portion, and at least two flexible connector strips extending transversely of the rails and connecting them together, the rib of each rail having at least two matching slots spaced longitudinally from each other, each slot opening at the free edge of the rib remote from the base and having an undercut portion spaced from the free edge, and the connector strips being shaped in cross-section generally to match the shape of the slots in the ribs, the units abutting each other with their rails aligned end to end, and means for retaining the ends of the rails of the respective mat units in axial alignment with each other against relative lateral displacement.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
168 words
A floor mat comprising two separate floor mat units, each of said units including a multiplicity of substantially rigid elongated rails disposed generally parallel to each other in closely spaced relation, each rail having a base portion supporting a tread surface of the mat and at least one rib projecting from the undersurface of the base portion, and at least two flexible connector strips extending transversely of the rails and connecting them together, the rib of each rail having at least two matching slots spaced longitudinally from each other, each slot opening at the free edge of the rib remote from the base and having an undercut portion spaced from the free edge, and the connector strips being shaped in cross-section generally to match the shape of the slots in the ribs, the units abutting each other with their rails aligned end to end, and means for retaining the ends of the rails of the respective mat units in axial alignment with each other against relative lateral displacement.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
A floor mat according to claim 16 wherein said retaining means includes an elongated splice strip lapping end portions of the rails of the respective units and having transverse ribs dimensioned and spaced for coaction with the cross-sectional shapes of the rails.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
176 words
A floor mat comprising two separate mat units, each of said units having a multiplicity of substantially rigid elongated rails disposed generally parallel to each other in closely spaced relation, each rail having a base portion supporting a tread surface of the mat and at least one rib projecting from the under-surface of the base portion, and at least two flexible connector strips extending transversely of the rails and connecting them together, the rib of each rail having at least two matching slots spaced longitudinally from each other, each slot opening at the free edge of the rib remote from the base and having an undercut portion spaced from the free edge, and the connector strips being shaped in cross-section generally to match the shape of the slots in the ribs, the units abutting each other laterally with a laterally outermost rail of one unit disposed adjacent a laterally outermost rail of the other unit in closely spaced parallel relation, and means for retaining said laterally outermost rails in parallel, closely-spaced relation against relative lateral displacement.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
176 words
A floor mat comprising two separate mat units, each of said units having a multiplicity of substantially rigid elongated rails disposed generally parallel to each other in closely spaced relation, each rail having a base portion supporting a tread surface of the mat and at least one rib projecting from the under-surface of the base portion, and at least two flexible connector strips extending transversely of the rails and connecting them together, the rib of each rail having at least two matching slots spaced longitudinally from each other, each slot opening at the free edge of the rib remote from the base and having an undercut portion spaced from the free edge, and the connector strips being shaped in cross-section generally to match the shape of the slots in the ribs, the units abutting each other laterally with a laterally outermost rail of one unit disposed adjacent a laterally outermost rail of the other unit in closely spaced parallel relation, and means for retaining said laterally outermost rails in parallel, closely-spaced relation against relative lateral displacement.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
54 words
A floor mat according to claim 18 wherein said retaining means includes at least one splice strip lapping the respective laterally outermost adjacent rails of the two units and having ribs dimensioned and spaced for coaction with the cross-sectional shapes of the rails substantially to preclude relative lateral movement of said laterally outermost rails.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
132 words
A floor mat according to claim 1 wherein the rails are of uniform cross-section along their length, each rail including in cross-section a base portion having an essentially flat, shallow channel defined by a flange portion along each side of and extending upwardly from the base portion and a lip portion extending inwardly from the upper edge of each flange portion and defining with each flange portion an inwardly open slot extending along each side of the base portion, and further comprising an elongated strip of pile fabric material removably received in the flat, shallow channel and anchor members on the base portion of each rail adjaceNt opposite ends thereof and including teeth penetrating into the overlying pile fabric material and securing the pile fabric material against longitudinal movement in the channel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-06 | 1977-11-05 | 1978-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-06 | 1981-11-05 | 1982-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-06 | 1985-11-05 | 1986-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |