Abstract Improved holder specially adapted for disposable floor mats to be placed adjacent entryways to factories, industrial buildings, or the like or for use in connection with clean rooms, hospitals, laboratories. The holder includes a flat base adapted to hold the mat and at least one hingedly connected side flap adapted to fold over on top of an edge of the mat and securely retain it in position. Means are included to hold the flap against the mat in a closed position to firmly resist movement that would cause wrinkles or bunches in the mat which could cause trips or falls. In accordance with the invention, the base support includes at least one hand hole adjacent the edge of the base and located so as to be covered by the flap in the closed position. By means of the hand hole, direct pressure may be applied directly against the flap or by pressing against the mat so as to overcome the holding means and greatly facilitate opening of the flap to release the mat when desired. Preferred embodiments include materials of construction that are rigid and sufficiently heavy and have a nonskid surface so as to resist movement of the structure and the embodiment wherein two hand holes are included in each side having a hinged flap so as to allow pressure to be exerted at spaced locations and further facilitate opening of the flap.
Holder for a floor mat or the like comprising, (a) a self-supporting frame having a base and four sides generally forming a rectangle and adapted to support a mat or other flat, flexible structure, (b) flap means adjacent at least one side of said rectangle and hingedly connected to said sides so as to open to admit said flat structure and close over the corresponding edge of said structure to maintain it in position, (c) means associated with said flap and said base to hold said flap in the closed position; and (d) at least one aperture in said base position so as to be covered by said flap and of a size adapted to permit hand pressure to be applied through said aperture against said flap or against said flat structure sufficient to overcome said holding means and open said flap.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
Holder for a floor mat or the like comprising, (a) a self-supporting frame having a base and four sides generally forming a rectangle and adapted to support a mat or other flat, flexible structure, (b) flap means adjacent at least one side of said rectangle and hingedly connected to said sides so as to open to admit said flat structure and close over the corresponding edge of said structure to maintain it in position, (c) means associated with said flap and said base to hold said flap in the closed position; and (d) at least one aperture in said base position so as to be covered by said flap and of a size adapted to permit hand pressure to be applied through said aperture against said flap or against said flat structure sufficient to overcome said holding means and open said flap.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The holder of claim 1 having flap means, holding means and apertures adjacent each side edge of said rectangular frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The holder of claims 1 or 2 wherein said flap or flaps are formed integrally with said frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
8 words
The holder of claim 3 formed of polypropylene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The holder of claims 1 or 2 wherein said holding means comprises lips formed in the edge of said flap or flaps and in corresponding edge or edges of said base and adapted to urge the flap in a closed position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The holder of claim 3 having two hand holes in each of said flap or flaps.