Spillage control safety floor matting

Claim 2

A mat system arranged on a floor to provide a safe, dry traffic surface, said mat system comprising: (a) a plurality of upper substantially parallel strips, said upper strips being perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of traffic along said mat system, said upper strips having upper and lower surfaces; (b) a plurality of lower substantially parallel strips, said lower strips being arranged perpendicular to said upper strips, said lower strips having upper and lower surfaces and arranged so that said upper surfaces of said lower strips are permanently affixed to said lower surfaces of said upper strips; and, (c) a plurality of perforations, where each perforation contains a volume of space approximately 0.02-0.03 cubic inches wherein said volume of space is vertically bounded between the bottom surface of a pair of adjacent lower strips having facing inner sides and the top surface of a pair of adjacent upper strips having facing inner sides, and horizontally bounded on two sides by said facing inner sides of said pair of adjacent upper strips and on two other sides by said facing inner sides of said pair of adjacent lower strips.

Claim 3

The mat system of claim 1, wherein said system has an overall thickness between top surfaces of said upper strips and lower surfaces of said lower strips of substantially 0.25 inch.

Claim 4

The mat system of claim 2, wherein said mat flexes in response to traffic but does not change said volume of said perforations.

Claim 5

The mat system of claim 3, wherein said mat system is constituted by mat sections having dimensions of approximately 2 feet by 2 feet.

Claim 6

The mat system of claim 4, wherein said mat sections are connected to each other using latitudinal and longitudinal connectors.

Claim 7

The mat system of claim 5, wherein said mat sections are bonded to each other by an adhesive or solvent bond on said longitudinal and latitudinal connectors.

Claim 8

The mat system of claim 3, wherein both said upper and lower strips have a same thickness.

Claim 9

The mat system of claim 3, wherein both said upper and lower strips have a same width.

Claim 10

The mat system of claim 3, wherein said upper strips have different thicknesses than said lower strips.

Claim 11

The mat system of claim 3, wherein said upper strips have different widths than said lower strips.

Claim 12

The mat system of claim 3, wherein distance between adjacent upper strips is equal to distance between adjacent lower strips.

Claim 13

The mat system of claim 3, wherein distance between adjacent upper strips is different than distance between adjacent lower strips.

Claim 14

The mat system of claim 3, wherein said upper strips are rectangular in cross section and said lower strips are constituted both by structures having rectangular cross sections and structures having half-round cross sections.

Claim 15

A mat system arranged on a floor to provide a safe, dry traffic surface and constituted by a plurality of mat sections connected together, each said mat section comprising: (a) a plurality of upper substantially parallel strips, said upper strips being perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of traffic along said mat system, and having upper and lower surfaces; (b) a plurality of lower substantially parallel strips arranged perpendicular to said upper strips, and having upper and lower surfaces arranged so that said lower strip are permanently affixed to said lower surfaces of said upper strips; and, (c) a plurality of longitudinal connectors, each having first and second ends and arranged to extend in said longitudinal direction of traffic on said mat system, each said longitudinal connector being integrally formed with a respective mat section at said first end of said longitudinal connector and extending to connect to an adjacent mat section at said second end of said longitudinal connector, said second end comprising: (i) two parallel support pieces arranged to extend on either side of a selected lower strip of an adjacent mat section connecting said respective mat section to said adjacent mat section, a pair of connecting prongs extending upward and outward from said support pieces and arranged to fit over two lower strips adjacent to said selected lower strip of said adjacent mat section, and (ii) each said connecting prong having a first lower surface extending at an angle of approximately 45° from horizontal.

Claim 16

A mat system arranged on a floor to provide a safe, dry traffic surface and constituted by a plurality of mat sections connected together, each said mat section comprising: (a) a plurality of upper substantially parallel strips, said upper strips being perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of traffic along said mat system, and having upper and lower surfaces; (b) a plurality of lower substantially parallel strips arranged perpendicular to said upper strips, and having upper and lower surfaces arranged so that said lower strip are permanently affixed to said lower surfaces of said upper strips; and, (c) a plurality of longitudinal connectors, each having first and second ends and arranged to extend in said longitudinal direction of traffic on said mat system, each said longitudinal connector being integrally formed with a respective mat section at said first end of said longitudinal connector and extending to connect to an adjacent mat section at said second end of said longitudinal connector, said second end comprising: (i) two parallel support pieces arranged to extend on either side of a selected lower strip of an adjacent mat section connecting said respective mat section to said adjacent mat section, a pair of connecting prongs extending upward and outward from said support pieces and arranged to fit over two lower strips adjacent to said selected lower strip of said adjacent mat section, and (ii) each said connecting prong having a first lower surface extending at an angle of approximately 45° from horizontal.

Claim 17

The mat system of claim 14, wherein each said connecting prong further comprises a second lower surface extending parallel to said upper surfaces of said lower strips, and lying adjacent to said first lower surface.

Claim 18

The mat system of claim 15, wherein said two parallel support pieces are spaced so that each exerts outward pressure against each respective lower strip adjacent to said selected lower strip of said adjacent mat section.

Claim 19

The mat system of claim 16, wherein said two parallel support pieces are sized so that they are compressed when connected to an adjacent mat section.

Claim 20

The mat system of claim 14, wherein each mat section is approximately 2 feet by 2 feet in size.

Claim 21

The mat system of claim 14, wherein said mat system is substantially 0.25 inch in thickness.

Claim 22

The mat system of claim 14, wherein said parallel support pieces extend in a same plane as said lower strips.

Claim 23

The mat system of claim 20, wherein said parallel support pieces are of the same thickness as said lower strips.

Claim 24

The mat system of claim 21, wherein said longitudinal connectors are spaced apart on center lines separated by three lower strips.

Claim 25

The mat system of claim 22, wherein said longitudinal connectors are spaced on center lines approximately 2.5 inches apart.

Claim 26

The mat system of claim 20, wherein each connecting prong has a first upper surface coplanar with said upper surfaces of said upper strips, and a second upper surface extending at a 45° angle from said first upper surface and an adjoining said first lower surface of said connecting prong.

Claim 27

The mat system of claim 20, wherein said longitudinal connector further comprises a spacer connecting said longitudinal connector to said respective mat section and extending coplanar with said lower strips of said mat system.

Claim 28

The mat system of claim 14, wherein each said longitudinal connector is bonded to its respective mat section with adhesive.

Claim 29

The mat system of claim 14, wherein each said longitudinal connector is connected to its respective mat section by solvent bonding.

Claim 30

The mat system of claim 14, wherein each said longitudinal connector is connected to an adjacent mat section with adhesive.

Claim 31

The mat section of claim 14, wherein each longitudinal connector is connected to an adjacent mat section by solvent bonding.

Claim 32

A mat system arranged on a floor to provide a safe dry walking surface, and constituted a plurality of mat sections, each said mat section comprising: (a) a plurality of upper substantially parallel strips, said upper strips being perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of traffic on said mat system and having upper and lower surfaces; (b) a plurality of lower substantially parallel strips, said lower strips being perpendicular to said upper strips, and having upper and lower surfaces; and arranged so that said upper surfaces of said lower strips are permanently affixed to said lower surface of said upper strips; and, (c) a plurality of latitudinal connectors, each comprising a support piece extending parallel to said upper strips arranged therebetween and connected thereto, said support piece having a first end integrally formed with said respective mat section, said first end extending only for a width of a lower strip of said respective mat section located next to an adjacent mat section, and a second end supporting a connecting prong with upper and lower surfaces, said connecting prong extending on either side of said support piece and attached to said lower surface of said support piece so that said connecting prong is arranged to extend beneath two adjacent upper strips of an adjacent mat section, connecting said respective mat section to said adjacent mat section.

Claim 33

A mat system arranged on a floor to provide a safe dry walking surface, and constituted a plurality of mat sections, each said mat section comprising: (a) a plurality of upper substantially parallel strips, said upper strips being perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of traffic on said mat system and having upper and lower surfaces; (b) a plurality of lower substantially parallel strips, said lower strips being perpendicular to said upper strips, and having upper and lower surfaces; and arranged so that said upper surfaces of said lower strips are permanently affixed to said lower surface of said upper strips; and, (c) a plurality of latitudinal connectors, each comprising a support piece extending parallel to said upper strips arranged therebetween and connected thereto, said support piece having a first end integrally formed with said respective mat section, said first end extending only for a width of a lower strip of said respective mat section located next to an adjacent mat section, and a second end supporting a connecting prong with upper and lower surfaces, said connecting prong extending on either side of said support piece and attached to said lower surface of said support piece so that said connecting prong is arranged to extend beneath two adjacent upper strips of an adjacent mat section, connecting said respective mat section to said adjacent mat section.

Claim 34

The mat system of claim 30, wherein said mat sections are approximately 2 feet by 2 feet in size.

Claim 35

The mat system of claim 31, wherein said mat system is substantially 0.25 inch in thickness.

Claim 36

The mat system of claim 30, wherein said latitudinal connectors are separated on a centerline by three of said upper strips, and are bonded thereto at said first end of said latitudinal connectors.

Claim 37

The mat system of claim 33, wherein said connecting prongs extend in the same plane as said lower strips.

Claim 38

The mat system of claim 34, wherein each of said connecting prongs has an upper and lower surface where the upper surface is greater in area than said lower surface and both are connected by a connecting surface arranged at approximately 45° to said upper and lower connecting prong surfaces.

Claim 39

The mat system of 30, wherein each said latitudinal connector is bonded to its respective mat section by adhesive.

Claim 40

The mat system of 30, wherein each said latitudinal connector is bonded to its respective mat section by adhesive.

Claim 41

The mat system of claim 34, wherein said upper surface of said latitudinal connector is coplanar with said upper surface of said upper strips.

Claim 42

The mat system of claim 1, wherein said mat system is constituted of plastic material.

Claim 43

The mat system of claim 14, wherein said mat system is constituted of plastic material.

Claim 44

The mat system of claim 30, wherein said mat system is constituted of plastic material.

Claim 45

The mat system of claim 30, wherein each said latitudinal connector is connected to an adjacent mat section by adhesive.

Claim 46

The mat section of claim 30, wherein each said latitudinal connector is connected to an adjacent mat section by solvent bonding.

Claim 47

A mat system arranged on a floor to provide a safe, dry walking surface, said mat system constituted by a plurality of mat sections, each section comprising: (a) a plurality of upper substantially parallel strips, said upper strips being perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of traffic along said mat system and having upper and lower surfaces; and, (b) a plurality of lower substantially parallel strips, said lower strips being arranged perpendicular to said upper strips and said lower strips having upper and lower surfaces arranged so that said upper surface of said lower strips is permanently affixed to said lower surface of said upper strips; said mat system being further constituted by a plurality of easy-lock/release longitudinal connectors, each said easy-lock/release connector comprising: (i) two parallel support feet, arranged on either side of a lower strip of a first mat section and bisected into a first and second halves, each said half being arranged under a separate adjacent mat section when connecting two adjacent mat sections, (ii) two sets of upwardly extending protrusions on said first half, each said protrusion filling a space created by two adjacent upper strips and two adjacent lower strips, and one set of upwardly extending protrusions on said second half, each said protrusion filling a space created by two adjacent upper strips and two adjacent lower strips, (iii) a plurality of connecting prongs, one such connecting prong extending outwardly from each of said upwardly extending protrusions in a direction parallel to said upper strips and arranged to fit over an adjacent lower strip, each said connecting prong on said first half having a lower surface extending parallel to said upper surfaces of and said lower strips and being bonded thereto, and each of said connecting prongs of said second half having a lower surface extending at an angle of approximately 30° with respect to horizontal.

Claim 48

A mat system arranged on a floor to provide a safe, dry walking surface, said mat system constituted by a plurality of mat sections, each section comprising: (a) a plurality of upper substantially parallel strips, said upper strips being perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of traffic along said mat system and having upper and lower surfaces; and, (b) a plurality of lower substantially parallel strips, said lower strips being arranged perpendicular to said upper strips and said lower strips having upper and lower surfaces arranged so that said upper surface of said lower strips is permanently affixed to said lower surface of said upper strips; said mat system being further constituted by a plurality of easy-lock/release longitudinal connectors, each said easy-lock/release connector comprising: (i) two parallel support feet, arranged on either side of a lower strip of a first mat section and bisected into a first and second halves, each said half being arranged under a separate adjacent mat section when connecting two adjacent mat sections, (ii) two sets of upwardly extending protrusions on said first half, each said protrusion filling a space created by two adjacent upper strips and two adjacent lower strips, and one set of upwardly extending protrusions on said second half, each said protrusion filling a space created by two adjacent upper strips and two adjacent lower strips, (iii) a plurality of connecting prongs, one such connecting prong extending outwardly from each of said upwardly extending protrusions in a direction parallel to said upper strips and arranged to fit over an adjacent lower strip, each said connecting prong on said first half having a lower surface extending parallel to said upper surfaces of and said lower strips and being bonded thereto, and each of said connecting prongs of said second half having a lower surface extending at an angle of approximately 30° with respect to horizontal.

Claim 49

The mat system of claim 43, wherein said easy-lock/release longitudinal connectors are located along said mat system at intervals of 12 feet in a longitudinal direction of traffic on said mat system.

Claim 50

The mat system of claim 43, wherein said easy-lock/release longitudinal connector further comprises (iv) a spacer bar between said first and second halves and arranged to fit between adjacent upper strips of adjacent mat sections.

Claim 51

The mat system of claim 43, wherein said first half of said easy-lock/release longitudinal connector is bonded to a respective mat section with adhesive.

Claim 52

The mat system of claim 43, wherein said bottom surface of said easy-lock/release longitudinal connector is coplanar with said bottom surface of said lower strips.

Claim 53

The mat system of claim 43, wherein said mat is made of rubber.

Claim 54

The mat system of claim 48, wherein said easy-lock/release longitudinal connector is made of a material selected from a group consisting of rubber, plastic and nylon.

Claim 55

The mat system of claim 43, wherein said first half of said easy-lock/release longitudinal connector is connected to a respective mat section a solvent bonding.

Claim 56

The mat system of claim 43, wherein said connecting prongs of said second half have an upper surface extending at an angle of 45° with respect to horizontal.

Claim 57

The mat system of claim 43, wherein said two parallel support feet are sized and spaced with respect to said lower strips of said adjacent mat section wherein said two parallel support feet fit between pairs of said lower strips of said adjacent mat section without compression or distortion of said two parallel support feet.

Claim 58

The mat system of claim 52, wherein said easy-lock/release longitudinal connector is molded as part of a respective mat section.

Claim 59

The mat system of claim 53, wherein said easy-lock/release longitudinal connector is connected to an adjacent mat section by adhesive.

Claim 60

The mat system of claim 53, wherein said easy-lock/release longitudinal connector is connected to an adjacent mat section by solvent bonding.

Claim 61

The mat system of claim 43, wherein said easy-lock/release longitudinal connector is molded as a part of a respective mat section and of a same material as said respective mat section.

Claim 62

A mat system arranged on a floor to provide a safe dry walking surface, said mat system comprising: (a) a plurality of upper substantially parallel strips, said upper strips being perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of traffic along said mat system and having upper and lower surfaces; (b) a plurality of lower substantially parallel strips, said lower strips being arranged perpendicular to said upper strips said lower strips having upper and lower surfaces arranged so that said upper surface of said lower strips are permanently affixed to said lower surface of said upper strips; and, (c) a latitudinal ramp arranged at lateral peripheries of the mat system and extending perpendicular to the direction of traffic, said latitudinal ramp having an upper and lower surface, said lower surface being arranged on said floor and said upper surface extending from said upper surface of said upper strip to said floor thereby creating a slope, said latitudinal ramp further having a continuous connecting protrusion with a continuous first notch formed therein to fit beneath an adjacent upper strip and part of each adjoining alternate lower strip at a lateral edge of the mat system thereby connecting said lateral ramp to said adjacent upper and lower strips.

Claim 63

A mat system arranged on a floor to provide a safe dry walking surface, said mat system comprising: (a) a plurality of upper substantially parallel strips, said upper strips being perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of traffic along said mat system and having upper and lower surfaces; (b) a plurality of lower substantially parallel strips, said lower strips being arranged perpendicular to said upper strips said lower strips having upper and lower surfaces arranged so that said upper surface of said lower strips are permanently affixed to said lower surface of said upper strips; and, (c) a latitudinal ramp arranged at lateral peripheries of the mat system and extending perpendicular to the direction of traffic, said latitudinal ramp having an upper and lower surface, said lower surface being arranged on said floor and said upper surface extending from said upper surface of said upper strip to said floor thereby creating a slope, said latitudinal ramp further having a continuous connecting protrusion with a continuous first notch formed therein to fit beneath an adjacent upper strip and part of each adjoining alternate lower strip at a lateral edge of the mat system thereby connecting said lateral ramp to said adjacent upper and lower strips.

Claim 64

The mat system of claim 57, wherein said continuous notch is 1/2 the thickness of one of said lower strips.

Claim 65

The mat system of claim 58, wherein each of said adjoining lower strips at said lateral edge comprises a second notch approximately 1/2 said thickness of said lower strip, and arranged to interface with said first notch in said connecting protrusion.

Claim 66

The mat system of claim 57, wherein said connecting protrusion extends for an entire length of said lateral ramp.

Claim 67

The mat system of claim 60, wherein said connecting protrusion has the same width and thickness as said lower strips.

Claim 68

The mat system of claim 57, wherein said latitudinal ramp is bonded to said upper and lower strips by an adhesive.

Claim 69

The mat system of claim 61, wherein said bottom surface of said latitudinal ramp includes a semicircular space extending along said lateral ramp parallel to said upper strips.

Claim 70

The mat system of claim 57, wherein said latitudinal ramp further comprises a series of parallel ridges formed on said upper surface of said lateral ramp and extending parallel to said upper strips.

Claim 71

The mat system of claim 57, wherein said mat thickness is substantially 0.25 inch.

Claim 72

The mat system of claim 63, further comprising a support member arranged in a portion of said semicircular space to overlap two adjoining sections of said latitudinal ramp.

Claim 73

The mat system of claim 66, wherein said support member is semicircular in shape, solid and sized to fit tightly within said semicircular space.

Claim 74

A mat system arranged on a floor to provide a safe dry walking surface, said mat system comprising: (a) a plurality of upper substantially parallel strips, said upper strips being perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of traffic along said mat system and having upper and lower surfaces; (b) a plurality of lower substantially parallel strips, said lower strips being arranged perpendicular to said upper strips said lower strips having upper and lower surfaces arranged so that said upper surface of said lower strip is permanently affixed to said lower surface of said upper strips; and, (c) a longitudinal ramp extending parallel to a direction of travel along said mat system and comprising a lower surface arranged on said floor and upper surface extending from said upper surface of said upper strips to said floor, said longitudinal ramp further comprising a plurality of connecting protrusions arranged to fit over the lower strip and between upper strips, each said connecting protrusion having a hook extending vertically at a distal end of said connecting protrusion, said hook arranged to fit over an opposing face of a lower strip adjacent to said longitudinal ramp thereby connecting said longitudinal ramp and said adjacent lower strip.

Claim 75

A mat system arranged on a floor to provide a safe dry walking surface, said mat system comprising: (a) a plurality of upper substantially parallel strips, said upper strips being perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of traffic along said mat system and having upper and lower surfaces; (b) a plurality of lower substantially parallel strips, said lower strips being arranged perpendicular to said upper strips said lower strips having upper and lower surfaces arranged so that said upper surface of said lower strip is permanently affixed to said lower surface of said upper strips; and, (c) a longitudinal ramp extending parallel to a direction of travel along said mat system and comprising a lower surface arranged on said floor and upper surface extending from said upper surface of said upper strips to said floor, said longitudinal ramp further comprising a plurality of connecting protrusions arranged to fit over the lower strip and between upper strips, each said connecting protrusion having a hook extending vertically at a distal end of said connecting protrusion, said hook arranged to fit over an opposing face of a lower strip adjacent to said longitudinal ramp thereby connecting said longitudinal ramp and said adjacent lower strip.

Claim 76

The mat system of claim 68, wherein each said connecting protrusion having a thickness and width equal to that of said upper strips.

Claim 77

The mat system of claim 69, wherein each of said connecting protrusions is separated by three of said upper strips.

Claim 78

The mat system of claim 68, wherein said longitudinal ramp is bonded to said upper and lower strips by adhesive.

Claim 79

The mat system of claim 68, wherein said longitudinal ramp is connected to said upper and lower strips by solvent bonding.

Claim 80

The mat system of claim 69, wherein said lower surface of said longitudinal ramp includes a semicircular space extending along said longitudinal ramp parallel to said lower strips.

Claim 81

The mat system of claim 68, wherein said longitudinal ramp further comprises a series of ridges on said upper surface of said longitudinal ramp and extending along said length of said longitudinal ramp parallel to said direction of traffic along said mat system.

Claim 82

The mat system of claim 68, further comprising a support member arranged in a portion of said semicircular space to overlap two adjoining sections of said longitudinal ramp.

Claim 83

The mat system of claim 68, wherein said support member is semicircular in shape, solid and sized to fit tightly within said semicircular space.

Claim 84

The mat system of claim 1, wherein said upper strips are arranged to be non-perpendicular to said lower strips.