US6042915A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Floor mat system
Assignee: R&L Marketing and Sales Inc
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Filing: 1998-11-16
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Granted: 2000-03-28
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Expires: 2018-11-16
Abstract
Abstract A floor mat system having a plurality of floor mats and a frame assembly. The floor mats are formed by a series of parallel spaced first ribs integrally formed with a series of parallel spaced second ribs forming rectangular openings therebetween. Certain of the second ribs include an enlarged bottom end which support the floor mat above the floor and form a drainage area beneath the floor mats. A frame assembly includes inner and outer frame members which extend between and around the floor mats, respectively. Each of the inner and outer frame members is formed with a seal receiving recess for optionally and selectively receiving a seal. The seals may be selectively inserted within the recesses to direct and disperse water beneath the floor mats. The floor mats are easily removed from within the frame assembly by lifting the floor mats from within the wells allowing the water and debris to be cleaned therefrom. A drain may be formed beneath one of the floor mats and the seals may be selectively inserted within the frame members to direct the water and debris toward the drain. The outer frame members have a ramped top surface to provide as smooth transition between the floor and the floor mat system. The frame assembly and floor mats are substantially the same height providing a substantially flat upper surface of the floor mat system.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald N. Kessler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:40
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L23/00; A47L23/22; A47L23/24; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/16; Y10T428/161
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A floor mat in combination with a floor having an upper surface; the floor mat comprising: a first mat disposed on the upper surface of the floor; a frame assembly disposed on the upper surface of the floor and surrounding at least the perimeter of the first mat to form at least a first well that receives the first mat; the frame allowing the first mat to contact the upper surface of the floor, the first mat having openings that provide fluid communication between the upper surface of the floor and the surrounding atmosphere through the first mat; the frame assembly having an inner periphery that surrounds the well; the first mat being disposed within the inner periphery and being free of connections with the frame assembly; the first mat being readily removable from the first well by lifting the first mat from the first well; and the frame having a seal receiving recess formed in the bottom surface of the frame; the seal receiving recess being continuous about the circumference of the frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
A floor mat in combination with a floor having an upper surface; the floor mat comprising: a first mat disposed on the upper surface of the floor; a frame assembly disposed on the upper surface of the floor and surrounding at least the perimeter of the first mat to form at least a first well that receives the first mat; the frame allowing the first mat to contact the upper surface of the floor, the first mat having openings that provide fluid communication between the upper surface of the floor and the surrounding atmosphere through the first mat; the frame assembly having an inner periphery that surrounds the well; the first mat being disposed within the inner periphery and being free of connections with the frame assembly; the first mat being readily removable from the first well by lifting the first mat from the first well; and the frame having a seal receiving recess formed in the bottom surface of the frame; the seal receiving recess being continuous about the circumference of the frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
120 words
A floor mat adapted to lie on a floor; the floor mat comprising: a first mat adapted to lie on the floor; a frame assembly adapted to lie on the floor and surround at least the perimeter of the first mat to form at least a first well that receives the first mat; the frame assembly having an inner periphery that surrounds the well; the first mat being disposed within the inner periphery and being free of connections with the frame assembly; the first mat being readily removable from the first well by lifting the first mat from the first well; and the frame assembly including an outer frame member and an inner frame member that forms a second well.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
120 words
A floor mat adapted to lie on a floor; the floor mat comprising: a first mat adapted to lie on the floor; a frame assembly adapted to lie on the floor and surround at least the perimeter of the first mat to form at least a first well that receives the first mat; the frame assembly having an inner periphery that surrounds the well; the first mat being disposed within the inner periphery and being free of connections with the frame assembly; the first mat being readily removable from the first well by lifting the first mat from the first well; and the frame assembly including an outer frame member and an inner frame member that forms a second well.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The floor mat of claim 2, further comprising a second mat disposed in said second well; the second mat being readily removable from the second well by lifting the first mat from the second well.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The floor mat of claim 3, wherein the inner frame member has a height substantially equal to the outer frame member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The floor mat of claim 3, wherein each mat includes a plurality of first parallel ribs and a plurality of second parallel ribs extending substantially perpendicularly to the first parallel ribs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The floor mat of claim 5, wherein said plurality of second parallel ribs includes at least one middle rib disposed between support ribs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The floor mat of claim 6, wherein the support ribs support the first parallel ribs above the floor to form drainage channels between the support ribs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The floor mat of claim 7, wherein the support ribs support the middle ribs above the floor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The floor mat of claim 8, wherein there are at least two middle ribs disposed between each two support ribs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The floor mat of claim 5, wherein each of the first and second ribs has an upper surface, the upper surface of the first ribs disposed above the upper surface of the second ribs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
157 words
A floor mat in combination with a floor having an upper surface; the floor mat comprising: a first mat disposed on the upper surface of the floor; a frame assembly disposed on the upper surface of the floor and surrounding at least the perimeter of the first mat to form at least a first well that receives the first mat; the frame allowing the first mat to contact the upper surface of the floor, the first mat having openings that provide fluid communication between the upper surface of the floor and the surrounding atmosphere through the first mat; the frame assembly having an inner periphery that surrounds the well; the first mat being disposed within the inner periphery and being free of connections with the frame assembly; the first mat being readily removable from the first well by lifting the first mat from the first well; and the floor including a drain disposed under the first mat.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
157 words
A floor mat in combination with a floor having an upper surface; the floor mat comprising: a first mat disposed on the upper surface of the floor; a frame assembly disposed on the upper surface of the floor and surrounding at least the perimeter of the first mat to form at least a first well that receives the first mat; the frame allowing the first mat to contact the upper surface of the floor, the first mat having openings that provide fluid communication between the upper surface of the floor and the surrounding atmosphere through the first mat; the frame assembly having an inner periphery that surrounds the well; the first mat being disposed within the inner periphery and being free of connections with the frame assembly; the first mat being readily removable from the first well by lifting the first mat from the first well; and the floor including a drain disposed under the first mat.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
106 words
A floor mat in combination with a floor having an upper surface; the floor mat comprising: a first mat disposed on the upper surface of the floor; a frame assembly on the floor and surrounding at least the perimeter of the first mat to form at least a first well that receives the first mat; the frame assembly being free of projections that extend under the first mat; the first mat being disposed within the inner periphery and being free of connections with the frame assembly; and the first mat being readily removable from the first well by lifting the first mat from the first well.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
106 words
A floor mat in combination with a floor having an upper surface; the floor mat comprising: a first mat disposed on the upper surface of the floor; a frame assembly on the floor and surrounding at least the perimeter of the first mat to form at least a first well that receives the first mat; the frame assembly being free of projections that extend under the first mat; the first mat being disposed within the inner periphery and being free of connections with the frame assembly; and the first mat being readily removable from the first well by lifting the first mat from the first well.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3158962A
Cited
US4415620A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-03-28 | 2003-09-27 | 2004-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-28 | 2007-09-27 | 2008-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-28 | 2011-09-27 | 2012-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |