Patent US4356551A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6663937B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Universal mat with removable strips
Assignee: R&L Marketing and Sales Inc
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Filing: 2001-11-21
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Granted: 2003-12-16
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Expires: 2021-11-21
Abstract
Abstract A rubber or plastic floor mat has a series of parallel upper ribs ( 130 ) on its upper surface which define slots ( 110 ) in which respective strips ( 10 ) or carpeting or the like are removably held. The strips are retained along their lengths by retaining means which run continually or continuously along the slots. The strip retainers include hook-and-loop fastening (e.g., VELCRO), and/or overhanging edges above the strip edges, preferably formed in one-piece fashion along the side of the upper ribs adjacent the slots. The overhangs may be interrupted, e.g., crenelated as seen from above, and may include bevels.
Inventors
- 👤 Myron Ullman
- 👤 M. Robert Burman
- 👤 Ronald N. Kessler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 19:52
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L23/00; A47L23/22; A47L23/26; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/16; Y10T428/161; Y10T428/18; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24008; Y10T428/24017; Y10T428/24273; Y10T428/24322; Y10T428/24331
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A floor mat system, comprising: a mat having an upper surface; at least one strip removably and re-attachably connected to the mat; a section of hook fasteners connected to one of the mat and the strip and a section of loop fasteners connected to the other of the mat and the strip; the hook and loop fasteners providing the removable and re-attachable connection between the strip and the mat; the mat defining a slot; the strip being at least partially disposed in the slot; the mat including a plurality of spaced apart upper ribs disposed substantially parallel to the slot; a plurality of spaced apart lower ribs disposed substantially perpendicular to the slot; and at least one brace disposed substantially parallel to the slot; the upper surface of the brace defining a portion of the slot; and the at least one brace has a thickness and each of the lower ribs has a thickness; the thickness of the brace being less than the thickness of the lower ribs; and each of the lower ribs having an upper surface; the upper surface of a portion of the lower ribs cooperating with the brace to define a portion of the slot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A floor mat system, comprising: a mat having an upper surface; at least one strip removably and re-attachably connected to the mat; a section of hook fasteners connected to one of the mat and the strip and a section of loop fasteners connected to the other of the mat and the strip; the hook and loop fasteners providing the removable and re-attachable connection between the strip and the mat; the mat defining a slot; the strip being at least partially disposed in the slot; the mat including a plurality of spaced apart upper ribs disposed substantially parallel to the slot; a plurality of spaced apart lower ribs disposed substantially perpendicular to the slot; and at least one brace disposed substantially parallel to the slot; the upper surface of the brace defining a portion of the slot; and the at least one brace has a thickness and each of the lower ribs has a thickness; the thickness of the brace being less than the thickness of the lower ribs; and each of the lower ribs having an upper surface; the upper surface of a portion of the lower ribs cooperating with the brace to define a portion of the slot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the mat defines at least one drain opening adapted to allow liquid to drain out of the slot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 2 , wherein the mat defines a plurality of drain openings adapted to allow liquid to drain out of the slot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the mat defines a plurality of slots; the system including a strip removably and re-attachably connected to the mat in each slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 4 , wherein hook and loop fasteners provide the removable and re-attachable connection between the strips and the mat.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 4 , wherein the strips are parallel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
191 words
A floor mat system, comprising: a mat having an upper surface; at least one strip removably and re-attachably connected to the mat; a section of hook fasteners connected to one of the mat and the strip and a section of loop fasteners connected to the other of the mat and the strip; the hook and loop fasteners providing the removable and re-attachable connection between the strip and the mat; the mat defining a slot; the strip being at least partially disposed in the slot; the mat including a plurality of spaced apart upper ribs disposed substantially parallel to the slot; a plurality of spaced apart lower ribs disposed substantially perpendicular to the slot; and at least one brace disposed substantially parallel to the slot; the upper surface of the brace defining a portion of the slot; and the at least one brace has a thickness and each of the lower ribs has a thickness; the thickness of the brace being less than the thickness of the lower ribs; and at least one block connected to the brace; each of the at least one block extending from the side of the brace.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
191 words
A floor mat system, comprising: a mat having an upper surface; at least one strip removably and re-attachably connected to the mat; a section of hook fasteners connected to one of the mat and the strip and a section of loop fasteners connected to the other of the mat and the strip; the hook and loop fasteners providing the removable and re-attachable connection between the strip and the mat; the mat defining a slot; the strip being at least partially disposed in the slot; the mat including a plurality of spaced apart upper ribs disposed substantially parallel to the slot; a plurality of spaced apart lower ribs disposed substantially perpendicular to the slot; and at least one brace disposed substantially parallel to the slot; the upper surface of the brace defining a portion of the slot; and the at least one brace has a thickness and each of the lower ribs has a thickness; the thickness of the brace being less than the thickness of the lower ribs; and at least one block connected to the brace; each of the at least one block extending from the side of the brace.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
203 words
A floor mat system, comprising: a mat having an upper surface; at least one strip removably and re-attachably connected to the mat; a section of hook fasteners connected to one of the mat and the strip and a section of loop fasteners connected to the other of the mat and the strip; the hook and loop fasteners providing the removable and re-attachable connection between the strip and the mat; the mat defining a slot; the strip being at least partially disposed in the slot; the mat including a plurality of spaced apart upper ribs disposed substantially parallel to the slot; a plurality of spaced apart lower ribs disposed substantially perpendicular to the slot; and at least one brace disposed substantially parallel to the slot; the upper surface of the brace defining a portion of the slot; and the at least one brace has a thickness and each of the lower ribs has a thickness; the thickness of the brace being less than the thickness of the lower ribs; the mat defining a plurality of drain openings adapted to allow liquid to drain out of the slot; and the strip being disposed intermediate two drain openings when the strip is disposed in the slot.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
203 words
A floor mat system, comprising: a mat having an upper surface; at least one strip removably and re-attachably connected to the mat; a section of hook fasteners connected to one of the mat and the strip and a section of loop fasteners connected to the other of the mat and the strip; the hook and loop fasteners providing the removable and re-attachable connection between the strip and the mat; the mat defining a slot; the strip being at least partially disposed in the slot; the mat including a plurality of spaced apart upper ribs disposed substantially parallel to the slot; a plurality of spaced apart lower ribs disposed substantially perpendicular to the slot; and at least one brace disposed substantially parallel to the slot; the upper surface of the brace defining a portion of the slot; and the at least one brace has a thickness and each of the lower ribs has a thickness; the thickness of the brace being less than the thickness of the lower ribs; the mat defining a plurality of drain openings adapted to allow liquid to drain out of the slot; and the strip being disposed intermediate two drain openings when the strip is disposed in the slot.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 8 , wherein the strip has a first width; the slot having a second width; the second width being greater than the first width.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
151 words
A floor mat system, comprising: a mat having an upper surface; at least one strip removably and re-attachably connected to the mat; the mat defining a slot; the strip being at least partially disposed in the slot; the mat including a plurality of spaced apart upper ribs disposed substantially parallel to the slot; a plurality of spaced apart lower ribs disposed substantially perpendicular to the slot; and at least one brace disposed substantially parallel to the slot; the upper surface of the brace defining a portion of the slot; the at least one brace has a thickness and each of the lower ribs has a thickness; the thickness of the brace being less than the thickness of the lower ribs; and each of the lower ribs having an upper surface; the upper surface of a portion of the lower ribs cooperating with the brace to define a portion of the slot.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
151 words
A floor mat system, comprising: a mat having an upper surface; at least one strip removably and re-attachably connected to the mat; the mat defining a slot; the strip being at least partially disposed in the slot; the mat including a plurality of spaced apart upper ribs disposed substantially parallel to the slot; a plurality of spaced apart lower ribs disposed substantially perpendicular to the slot; and at least one brace disposed substantially parallel to the slot; the upper surface of the brace defining a portion of the slot; the at least one brace has a thickness and each of the lower ribs has a thickness; the thickness of the brace being less than the thickness of the lower ribs; and each of the lower ribs having an upper surface; the upper surface of a portion of the lower ribs cooperating with the brace to define a portion of the slot.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the mat is a flow-through mat.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 11 , further comprising a section of hook fasteners connected to one of the mat and the strip and a section of loop fasteners connected to the other of the mat and the strip; the hook and loop fasteners providing the removable and re-attachable connection between the strip and the mat.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein the mat defines at least one drain opening adapted to allow liquid to drain out of the slot.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the mat defines a plurality of drain openings adapted to allow liquid to drain out of the slot.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
155 words
A floor mat system, comprising: a mat having an upper surface; at least one strip removably and re-attachably connected to the mat; the mat defining a slot; the strip being at least partially disposed in the slot; the mat including a plurality of spaced apart upper ribs disposed substantially parallel to the slot; a plurality of spaced apart lower ribs disposed substantially perpendicular to the slot; and at least one brace disposed substantially parallel to the slot; the upper surface of the brace defining a portion of the slot; the at least one brace has a thickness and each of the lower ribs has a thickness; the thickness of the brace being less than the thickness of the lower ribs; the mat defining a plurality of drain openings adapted to allow liquid to drain out of the slot; and the strip being disposed intermediate two drain openings when the strip is disposed in the slot.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
155 words
A floor mat system, comprising: a mat having an upper surface; at least one strip removably and re-attachably connected to the mat; the mat defining a slot; the strip being at least partially disposed in the slot; the mat including a plurality of spaced apart upper ribs disposed substantially parallel to the slot; a plurality of spaced apart lower ribs disposed substantially perpendicular to the slot; and at least one brace disposed substantially parallel to the slot; the upper surface of the brace defining a portion of the slot; the at least one brace has a thickness and each of the lower ribs has a thickness; the thickness of the brace being less than the thickness of the lower ribs; the mat defining a plurality of drain openings adapted to allow liquid to drain out of the slot; and the strip being disposed intermediate two drain openings when the strip is disposed in the slot.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 15 , wherein the strip has a first width; the slot having a second width; the second width being greater than the first width.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
88 words
A floor mat system, comprising: a flow-through mat having an upper surface; the mat having a plurality of upper ribs and a plurality of lower ribs; the mat defining a plurality of slots; the lower ribs defining a portion of the slots; the mat defining a plurality of flow-through openings intermediate each pair of slots; a strip removably and re-attachably connected to the mat in each of the slots; and the mat defining at least one drain opening adapted to allow liquid to drain out of the slot.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
88 words
A floor mat system, comprising: a flow-through mat having an upper surface; the mat having a plurality of upper ribs and a plurality of lower ribs; the mat defining a plurality of slots; the lower ribs defining a portion of the slots; the mat defining a plurality of flow-through openings intermediate each pair of slots; a strip removably and re-attachably connected to the mat in each of the slots; and the mat defining at least one drain opening adapted to allow liquid to drain out of the slot.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 17 , wherein the mat defines a plurality of drain openings adapted to allow liquid to drain out of the slot.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 17 , wherein hook and loop fasteners provide the removable and re-attachable connection between the strips and the mat.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 19 , wherein the strip has a first width; the slot having a second width; the second width being greater than the first width.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 17 , wherein the mat includes a brace disposed under the strip; the brace having a lower surface; the mat having a lower surface; the lower surface of the brace being disposed above the lower surface of the mat.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 17 , wherein the mat is flexible.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 22 , wherein the strip is disposed intermediate two drain openings when the strip is disposed in the slot.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 22 , wherein the mat has upper and lower ribs.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 24 , wherein the upper and lower ribs are integrally molded together.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 24 , wherein the upper and lower ribs are extruded.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 24 , wherein the upper and lower ribs overlie each other and define the flow-through openings.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
86 words
A floor mat system, comprising: a flow-through mat having an upper surface; the mat defining a plurality of slots; a strip removably and re-attachably connected to the mat in each of the slots; the mat defining at least one drain opening adapted to allow liquid to drain out of the slot; the mat defining a plurality of drain openings adapted to allow liquid to drain out of the slot; and the strip being disposed intermediate two drain openings when the strip is disposed in the slot.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
86 words
A floor mat system, comprising: a flow-through mat having an upper surface; the mat defining a plurality of slots; a strip removably and re-attachably connected to the mat in each of the slots; the mat defining at least one drain opening adapted to allow liquid to drain out of the slot; the mat defining a plurality of drain openings adapted to allow liquid to drain out of the slot; and the strip being disposed intermediate two drain openings when the strip is disposed in the slot.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 28 , wherein the strip has a width; the slot having a second width; the second width being greater than the first width.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
117 words
A floor mat system, comprising: a flexible flow-through mat fabricated from non-metal intersecting upper and lower ribs; the upper ribs being parallel and defining a plurality of slots; the upper ribs defining a plurality of flow-through openings intermediate each pair of slots; a strip removably and re-attachably connected to the mat in each of the slots; each strip being removably and re-attachably connected to the mat with hook and loop fasteners; braces that cooperates with the lower ribs and the upper ribs to define the slots; and the mat defining at least one drain opening adapted to allow liquid to drain out of the slot; each drain opening is disposed intermediate a brace and an upper rib.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
117 words
A floor mat system, comprising: a flexible flow-through mat fabricated from non-metal intersecting upper and lower ribs; the upper ribs being parallel and defining a plurality of slots; the upper ribs defining a plurality of flow-through openings intermediate each pair of slots; a strip removably and re-attachably connected to the mat in each of the slots; each strip being removably and re-attachably connected to the mat with hook and loop fasteners; braces that cooperates with the lower ribs and the upper ribs to define the slots; and the mat defining at least one drain opening adapted to allow liquid to drain out of the slot; each drain opening is disposed intermediate a brace and an upper rib.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 30 , wherein no portion of the mat overhangs the strip.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 30 , wherein the upper and lower ribs are integrally molded.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 30 , wherein the upper and lower ribs are extruded.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 30 , wherein the upper and lower ribs are fabricated from one of a rubber and a plastic.
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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) | 2006-12-15 | 2007-06-16 | 2007-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-12-15 | 2011-06-16 | 2011-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-12-15 | 2015-06-16 | 2015-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |