Abstract:
The drip mat is a durable, modular fluid collection mat that rests on the ground in high-traffic areas where vehicles move slowly or stop for extended periods of time. The mat has at least one collection block that has a floor and at least one sidewall extending around the periphery of the floor to define a well for collecting fluids that drip from the vehicle. A grill is disposed over the well. The floor has sloping panels that direct the fluids to drain holes, where the fluids can be drawn out of the mat by an expandable container that is connected to the drain holes by a flexible hose. By connecting multiple straight and curved collection blocks together, the mat can cover different size areas. The mat has ramps on either end of the collection block(s) to allow vehicles to ride upon it, and has areas for logos and advertising.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/582,072, filed Jun. 24, 2004. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a receptacle that collects fluids, such as oil, antifreeze, etc., that drip from vehicles, and more particularly to a modular drip mat that is aesthetically pleasing and collects fluids that drip from standing vehicles, such as vehicles lined up in queues in drive-through lanes and the like. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Motor vehicles require a number of fluids for lubrication and cooling, such as engine oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, etc. As vehicles age, gaskets, hoses, oil seals, and other components lose their integrity. Consequently, when these vehicles are standing, fluids leak or drip onto the roadway or parking lot under the vehicle. Such fluid leaks are aesthetically unsightly. The fluids may also collect in pools which are environmentally harmful, potentially running off with surface water to contaminate sewage and waste water treatment systems, as well as forming an attractive nuisance for pets and small animals who may drink the fluids, with resulting health problems. 
   Leakage of such vehicle fluids may occur when the engine is running and the vehicle is stationary, e.g., in drive through lanes at fast food restaurants, banks, service stations, and the like, or when the vehicle is parked. Vehicle fluids may also be spilled when the vehicle is being serviced for oil changes, coolant replacement, and the like, either at automotive service facilities, race tracks, or by the do-it-yourself mechanic in his driveway. In order to prevent such fluid leakage from spoiling the aesthetics of the road surfaces and parking areas and to prevent environmental damage, various mats and fluid collection devices have been devised. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,876, issued Sep. 19, 2000 to W. J. Walton, discloses a floor protector designed for garages or other vehicle parking areas. The floor protector lies on the ground and has ramps on one end that allow a vehicle to be driven onto the protector. The top surface of the protector includes inwardly sloping lateral surfaces, with a longitudinal channel or trough extending down the center of the top surface of the protector. The trough slopes to one end, where a removable tray is connected to the end of the trough so that any collected runoff liquid can be disposed. The device is only designed to be located in vehicle parking areas, and does not include a closed container for removing the runoff liquid nor does it include more than one entrance or exit for the vehicle. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,558,769, issued May 6, 2003 to K. Chwala, teaches a receptacle for collecting fluids dropped mainly from a vehicle. The receptacle includes a frame with sidewalls and ramped end walls. A metal grate covers the opening contained within the sidewalls and end walls. The grate is connected to the frame with a hinge. The collector may be secured to the ground in areas of heavy, slow-moving traffic, such as drive-through lanes, tollbooths, ticket booths, and driveways. The collector also includes an absorbent pad under the grate and within the frame. The absorbent pad collects any petroleum-based fluids and debris, and allows water to pass through to drain holes at the bottom sides of the frame. The collector is not designed to be connected to other collectors of the same type, nor is it designed to cover any area other than a single rectangular area. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,484,661, issued Nov. 27, 1984 to J. L. Evenson, shows a drip pan for vehicles that may be used individually or assembled with other identical pans in an array to catch liquid that drips off of parked vehicles. The drip pans have slightly raised sidewalls so that the dripping liquid is contained within those walls but vehicles can pass over the drip pans. The drip pans are not designed to have the vehicles ride on top of the pans, nor do the pans have drain holes for removing the liquid. The drip pans are connected by hooking one of the two overhanging edges of one pan over one of the two mating straight edges of another pan. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,419, issued May 27, 2003 to A. Robinson et al., discloses a liquid collecting mat that lies on the ground underneath industrial workers, in hospital rooms or around heavy machinery. The mat collects the liquids within a walled frame that may include sloped edges. The top surface of the mat is covered with a stiff mesh or grill. The mat may also be connected with other mats modularly to fit any space desired. The liquid collected inside the mat can be removed by vacuum pumping the liquid through a drain hole in the side of the frame and into an enclosed container. European Patent No. 363,751, published Apr. 18, 1990, also shows a fluid-collecting mat upon which a parked vehicle may sit, and which includes a opening for pumping the waste fluid out of the bottom of the tray and into a separate container. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,246,982, issued Jan. 27, 1981 to G. Pretnick, teaches a separate ramp that can be attached to a mat that lies on the ground and is used for collecting fluids that drip off of a vehicle parked on top of the mat. The mat includes a drain hole in the sidewall of the mat to which a hose can be attached to transport the collected fluid from the mat. The mat also includes a pair of elongated racks upon which the vehicle is driven that act to space the vehicle from the liquid that is being collected at the bottom of the tray. The mat also has tire stops at one end that prevent the vehicle from running off of that end of the mat. 
   Other patents showing liquid collecting mats that have ramps on at least one end to facilitate vehicles driving onto the mats include U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,625, issued Dec. 26, 1995 to D. M. Wright (vehicle drip mat including bottom that has peaks and valleys to corral the liquids and direct those liquids away from the vehicles&#39; tires); U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,241, issued Sep. 28, 1999 to C. R. Anderson (oil drip mat with several absorptive layers contained within a walled frame); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,258,430, issued Jul. 10, 2001 to R. I. Perlman (portable parking mat with side walls that includes attachable ramps for the ends). 
   Other patents that show fluid collecting mats with sloping bottoms and drain holes include U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,619, issued Sep. 27, 1994 to L. B. Rasmussen (mat for collecting deicing fluid that drips from an aircraft and includes grooves that direct the liquid to at least one discharge opening); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,093, issued Jan. 9, 1996 to B. M. Tremonti et al. (automotive fluid catch basin that attaches to underside of vehicle and slopes down to a drain hole at one end). U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,275, issued Sep. 10, 2002 to R. J. Wright et al., shows a fluid collection mat with a removable grid-like top covering that collects the liquids into specific contained cells. 
   None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus a drip mat solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The drip mat is a durable, modular fluid collection mat that rests on the ground anywhere that it is desired to collect fluids that may leak from a vehicle, e.g., in high-traffic areas where vehicles move slowly or stop for extended periods of time. The mat has one or more collection blocks having a floor and at least one sidewall extending around the periphery of the floor that defines a well for containing fluids that drip from the vehicle. A grill is disposed over the well. The collection block(s) has sloping panels that direct the fluids to drain holes, where the fluids can be drawn out of the mat by an expandable container that is connected to the drain holes by a flexible hose. By connecting multiple straight and curved collection blocks together, the mat can cover different size areas. The mat has ramps on either end to allow vehicles to ride upon it, and has areas for displaying logos and advertising. 
   The frame, ramps and grill can be made of durable materials so that they may support the weight of vehicles riding over them, withstand chemicals dripping on them and weather intense sun, ice or rain. Because the fluids are collected and removed without need for electricity or fossil fuels, the mats help maintain a healthy environment. 
   Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a drip mat to collect and contain fluids that drip from vehicles on commercial and residential premises, and do so in an aesthetically pleasing, unobtrusive, and economically functional manner. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a drip mat to collect and contain fluids that drip from vehicles on commercial and residential premises, and do so across areas that vary in size and shape by using a simple, easy to install modular fluid collection mat that does not restrict the normal function of the vehicles on the premises. 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide a drip mat to collect and contain fluids that drip from vehicles in heavy traffic areas where the most fluids could collect, and do so in an environmentally friendly manner. 
   It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
   These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an environmental, perspective view of a drip mat according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of a drip mat showing two straight center sections, ramps, grills and a vacuum container attached to a drain hole via a hose. 
       FIG. 3A  is an exploded, perspective view of a drip mat with two straight center sections. 
       FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of a drip mat in which the straight center sections of the drip mat include motorcycle inserts. 
       FIG. 4  is a vertical cross section view of the drip mat according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 5A  is an exploded elevation view of an expandable container attachable to the drain holes and drain inserts in the sides of the drip mat, shown fragmented and in section. 
       FIG. 5B  is an elevation view of the expandable container for the drip mat of the present invention, shown in an expanded state. 
       FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of a drip mat of the present invention showing two straight center sections and one curved center section, two ramps, and two straight section grills and one curved section grill. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a drip mat with electronics according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a bottom cross-sectional view of a drip mat with electronics according to the present invention. 
   

   Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The present invention is a drip mat, designated generally as  10  in the drawings. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the drip mat  10  is designed to collect fluid that drips from vehicles V as the vehicles V slowly drive through areas, or park in areas, on commercial or residential properties. Referring first to  FIG. 2 , the drip mat  10  includes at least one modular fluid collection block  20  (two blocks  20  placed end-to-end being shown in  FIG. 2 ), a grill  36  disposed over each collection block  20 , and entrance and exit ramps  70 . A vehicle V drives up one ramp  70 , remains stationary or moves slowly over collection block(s)  20 , and exits down the opposing ramp  70  of the drip mat  10 . This is in no way intended to limit the size of the drip mat  10 , as the drip mat  10  may be smaller in width than the wheel base of vehicle V, or wide enough that multiple vehicles V can pass over the drip mat  10  side by side. Vehicles V may also pass over drip mat  10  in any direction. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3A , each collection block  20  has at least one sidewall  40  and a floor  30   a  or  30   b  that defines a well  35   a  or  35   b  for the collection of fluids. As shown in the left side of  FIG. 3A , the floor  30   a  has a ridge  32   a  extending transversely across the well  35   a  between the sidewalls  40 , with panels  34   a  sloping downward to opposite ends of the well  35   a . Sloping panels  34   a  cause fluids which drip into the well  35   a  to collect at opposite ends of the well  35   a . Alternatively, as shown in the right side of  FIG. 3A , the floor  30   b  may have a ridge  32   b  that extends longitudinally across the well  35   b  between the end walls, with panels  34   b  sloping downward toward channels  37  on opposite sides of the well  35   b . The sloping panels  34   b  may have regularly spaced raised ribs  50  running transversely across the well  35   b  for supporting the grill  36 , instead of a ledge extending about the perimeter of the sidewall  40 , as with the well  35   a . Each channel  37  extends between the ends of the well  35   b , and has a peak  39  extending across the center of the channel  37  so that opposing ends of the channel  37  slope downward toward the end walls of the well  35   b . It will be appreciated that although the well  35   a  or  35   b  is shown having a square or rectangular shape in the drawings, well  35   a  or  35   b  may be circular, arcuate, polygonal, or any other desired shape, provided that the well  35   a  or  35   b  extends over the majority of the top surface area of the collection block  20 . 
   Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the sidewalls  40  of the well  35   a  or  35   b  may be sloped in order to form side ramps  46 . The side ramps  46  may extend from one end wall of the drip mat  10  to the opposing end wall of the drip mat  10 . Side ramps  46  allow vehicles V to ride smoothly over the mat  10  and prevent the vehicles V from abruptly dropping off the side of the mat  10 . 
   A grill  36  is disposed over the well  35   a  or  35   b . The grill  36  has a plurality of apertures or slots  38  defined therein which permit fluids that drip from vehicles V to drain into the well  35   a  or  35   b , but prevent solid matter from falling into the well  35   a  or  35   b .  FIG. 4  shows a pair of collection blocks in series in which the floor has a transverse peak  32  defining panels  34 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , grill  36  may rest on a ledge  42  defined about the periphery of sidewall  40  above the panels  34  forming floor  30 , or alternatively, as shown in the right side of  FIG. 3A , grill  36  may rest on the raised ribs  50  extending above the floor  30   b  of the well  35   b , and may optionally be secured by fasteners, such as bolts, hinges, magnets, adhesive, etc. The collection block  20  may optionally contain any number of filtering layers under the grill  36  within the well  35 . The filtering layers may be made from sand, cloth, gravel, or any other material commonly used for filtering oil and other vehicular fluids from water. The filter layers may be colored or printed on to provide additional placements for advertising. 
   In lieu of grill  36 , a motorcycle insert  80  may be placed across the well  35   a  or  35   b , as shown in  FIG. 3B . As shown in the left side of  FIG. 3B , motorcycle insert  80  has a cylindrical center body  82  and elongated, rectangular legs  84  extending from diametrically opposite sides of cylindrical body  82  to opposing ends of the well  35   a . The motorcycle insert  80  has a bottom surface that extends downward to meet or join the panels  34   a  of the floor, so that well  35   a  may be viewed as having four quadrants, the well  35   a  being divided longitudinally by motorcycle insert  80  and laterally by ridge  32   a . Motorcycle insert  80  may rest on ledge  42  and be retained in well  35   a  by pressure fit, or optionally by fasteners, such as bolts, screws, magnets, hinges, etc. As shown in the right side of  FIG. 3B , motorcycle insert  80  may alternatively have slots on its bottom surface to fit over the raised ribs  50  on the floor  30   b.    
   A drain port  60  is disposed on the side of the collection block  60  at each end of the well  35   a  or  35   b , and preferably on both sides of the drip mat  10 , particularly when the drip mat is intended for use with motorcycle insert  80 . Drain port  60  is normally fitted with a drain plug  62  to prevent fluids collected in the well  35  from spilling out the drain port  60 . Drain port  60  may be internally threaded, either by having threads machined or tapped into the wall of the port  60 , or by a threaded insert pressure fit into the port  60 . Optionally, drain port  60  may be fitted with a valve, which may be externally threaded, in order to prevent fluids from exiting drain port  60  when connecting a collection container to the drain port  60 . Where the drip mat includes side ramps  46  on the sidewalls of the well  35 , the drain port  60  extends through notches in the side ramps  46 , so that the drain port  60  exits through a vertical surface. 
   Referring particularly to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , a container  90  is provided for draining fluids from the collection block  20  as needed. Container  90  has a top plate  92 , a bottom plate  94 , and at least one sidewall  96 . A handle  98  is disposed on the top plate  92  for carrying the container. The container  90  has an inlet port  100  and a pressure relief valve  102 . The container  90  may optionally have an additional outlet opening and a spout for draining the collected fluids from the container  90 . A flexible hose  44  is used to connect the drain port  60  of the drip mat  10  to the inlet port  100  of the container  90  by a threaded fitting. The sidewall  96  of the container  90  is preferably a bellows-type expandable wall so that a vacuum can be created to help draw fluid from the well  35   a  or  35   b  through the drain port  60  and flexible hose  44  to supplement the gravity feed. 
   Referring back to  FIGS. 3A and 4 , drip mat  10  includes entrance and exit ramps  70  connected to opposite ends of collection block(s)  20 . Ramps  70  may be connected to collection block(s)  20  in any desired manner. In a preferred embodiment, opposite ends of collection block  20  have elongate fingers  21  formed therein which mate and overlap with elongate fingers  72  formed in one end of ramp  70 . The finger joint formed by overlapping fingers  21  and  72  may be secured by fasteners, such as bolts  22  through threaded bores defined in the bottom fingers  72  of ramp  70 . The bolts  22  may optionally extend into threaded bores located in the ground underneath the drip mat  10 , so that the drip mat  10  may be secured to the ground. Ramps  70  slope downward gradually from the finger joint to the ground so that vehicle V can make smooth transition onto grill  36  and then off the mat  10 . The top surface  76  and side surfaces  78  of ramps  70  provide a convenient display area for advertisements and/or a logo. 
   A shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3A , the length of the drip mat  10  may be extended by connecting multiple collection blocks  20  together between ramps  70 . This may be accomplished by providing at least one end of collection block  20  with a spline joint instead of a finger joint. The spline joint comprises a slot  27  defined in adjacent ends of the collection blocks and a spline  29  that is slidably received in the slots  27 . The spline joint is secured by fasteners, such as bolts  22  and nuts  24  which extend through the ends of collection block  20  and spine  29 . Collection block  20  may have countersunk apertures defined therein for receiving the heads of bolts  22  and nuts  24  used to attach adjacent collection blocks and used to attach ramps  70  to collection blocks  20 . Although the drawings only show two collection blocks  20  attached to each other, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the length of drip mat  10  may be further extended to any desired length by providing additional intermediate collection blocks furnished with slots  27  defined in both ends for forming spline joints at both ends of the intermediate collection blocks. Further, the width of drip mat  10  may be extended laterally by forming similar spline joints on the sides of collection blocks  20 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the mat  10  may include at least one arcuate collection block  110  that subtends an angle α in order to conform to curved driveways. Arcuate collection block  110  may be connected between linear collection blocks  20  by spline joints  112 . The angle α subtended by collection block  110  may be any angle, preferably one of the group of 30°, 45°, 60°, or 90°. The arcuate collection block  110  includes an arcuate grill  122  disposed over the well defined in the block  110 . Obviously linear collection blocks  20 , arcuate collection blocks  110 , and ramps  70  are formed with flat bottom surfaces to rest firmly upon the ground or road surface. 
   Advantageously, the drip mat  10  of the present invention requires no absorbent material that would require periodic replacement, thereby reducing maintenance costs. It will be apparent from the foregoing specification that the drip mat  10  of the present invention is assembled from modular components that may be installed quickly and easily, reducing labor costs. The provision of display areas on the ramps  70  provides an aesthetically pleasing, yet functional, appearance to the drip mat  10  of the present invention. 
   As shown in  FIG. 7 , the drip mat  10  may additionally include a plurality of electronic features to enhance the display. The display areas on the ramps  70  may include electronic video screens  130  to show advertisements or other related video. Audio speakers  132  may be disposed around the ramps  70  and outside surfaces  46  of the sidewalls of the drip mat  10  to provide audio messages, including voice, music and other audio corresponding to the video playing on the video screens  130 . An array of regularly spaced LED lights  134  may be disposed about the periphery of the video screens  130 . The LED array may be illuminated continuously or in a pattern, such that the LED&#39;s  134  enhance the visibility of the drip mat  10 . The audio and video messages may be stored on CD, DVD or other medium, and played by the appropriate electronic media playing device  136  as incorporated into the sidewall  40  of the drip mat  10 . Sensors  138  on the ramps  70  may detect approaching vehicles V to activate the audio and video messages. Referring to  FIG. 8 , the electronic displays may be powered by a battery  140  or retractable power cord  142  disposed in the bottom of the drip mat  10 . 
   It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.