Abstract:
Interchangeable and removably connected geometric carpet sections or runners that are suitable for use in homes, commercial buildings, industrial buildings, and the like are described. The carpet sections have geometric configurations wherein the various sections are removably joined together to follow a given path or direction. Alternatively, a plurality of stair step modules, contain carpet sections, which are attached to stair steps are disclosed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to interchangeable and removably connected geometric carpet sections or runners that are suitable for use in commercial buildings, industrial buildings, private homes and the like. 
         [0003]    The carpet sections comprise a variety of geometric shapes that form a runner or section of carpet especially designed to follow a given path or direction. The carpet sections are removably held in place by Velcro® strips, which connect two carpet sections together. When several geometric carpet sections are attached together in sequential order, the carpet sections can be formed into a carpet strip having a desired configuration for a particular section of a substrate, such as a floor. 
         [0004]    An alternate mode of the current invention involves a plurality of plastic modules for stairs that are particularly designed to be attached to and removed from stair steps. The modules contain removably attached sections of carpet that are held in place by Velcro®, clips or screws. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0006]    Purchasing, installing and maintaining floor coverings such as carpet, tile, vinyl or other materials that traditionally cover a substrate such as floor require a major investment in time, labor and material costs. Over a period of time, normal use wears out a floor covering or specified sections thereof. 
         [0007]    Replacing only a portion of the floor covering or only the wear surfaces would solve this problem. However, this process is costly and time consuming. 
         [0008]    Thus, there is a need for modular flooring systems and processes for quickly and efficiently interchanging modular sections of a carpet. 
         [0009]    For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,689 B1 to Scott et. al. describes modular flooring systems and methods using one or a plurality of free-lay support modules. The free-lay support module includes a base plate and a frame member having a first arm and a second arm that meet and form an angle. Replaceable wear surface modules with or without a backing structure fit within the base plate. The replaceable wear surface modules may be carpet, carpet tile, vinyl flooring, wood flooring, etc. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,804,273 to Drake Jr., et. al. teaches wall to wall carpeting that is applied directly over worn broadloom or tile carpeting having a backing secured to a hard floor surface and a top pile surface. The carpeting is secured to the surface with an adhesive. 
         [0011]    The worn carpet is cleaned and a high molecular weight acrylic ester polymer emulsion adhesive is sprayed onto the top pile surface of the old carpet. A vinyl backing of one or more new carpet strips is applied to the adhesive. The carpet strips include holding strips of hook fasteners. The new carpet backing to be placed over the worn carpet may include loop fasteners, which corporate and engage the hook fasteners and hold the new carpet in place. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,780 to Rodgers et. al. relates to a novel modular carpet tile mat construction and a process for making the same. The mat comprises a mat base composed of woven or spun-bonded polyester nylon or polypropylene (a) a woven or spun-bonded polyester nylon or polypropylene fibre mat; (b) a plastic binder enveloping the fibre mat and binding the fibres of the mat together; (c) a first layer of resilient expanded or foamed polymer or rubber distinct from the plastic binder and (d) a second layer of resilient expanded or foamed polymer or rubber distinct from the plastic binder and adhered to the second side of the plastic-enveloped woven or spun-bonded fibre mat. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,740,380 B2 to Kessler describes a floor mat system having a plurality of floor mats disposed in edge-to-edge relationships. The floor mats are held in place with clips that prevent the mats from creeping over each other while allowing the mats to be lifted from the floor. Each mat is held down with four clips disposed at the corners of the floor mat. Another embodiment provides mats held in place with clips positioned at the center of the mats. 
         [0014]    As can be seen from the foregoing, there is an ongoing search for new and novel methods for installing new and replacing worn carpeting in a building, for example a house. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The present invention resides in interchangeable and removably connected geometric carpet sections or runners that are suitable for use in a variety of buildings. 
         [0016]    The carpet sections comprise a variety of geometrical shapes having various angles that combine to form a runner or section of carpet especially designed to follow a given path or direction. The carpet sections are removably held together or in place by Velcro® strips which connect two or more carpet sections together. 
         [0017]    An alternate mode of the invention resides in a plurality of plastic modules for removably attaching to stair steps. The plastic modules contain Velcro® for removably attaching sections of carpet to the plastic modules. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The invention will be better understood when consideration is given to the below-described detail description, which makes reference to the amended drawings wherein: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective, exploded view of a set of stair steps and a plurality of stair steps modules connected thereto. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is another view of  FIG. 1  with complete carpet sections attached to a plurality of stair step modules wherein the modules contain side moldings. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a view substantially the same as the view in  FIG. 2  with the exception that molding is replaced by thin, flexible waterproof LED lighting enclosed by flexible PVC. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a side cut-away view of a stair step module containing removable connected carpet sections. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is yet another side cut-away view of a stair step module containing carpet sections. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a front cut-away view of carpet having molding along the edge thereof. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of stair steps having geometric carpet sections leading from the bottom step in a preconceived arrangement and direction. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8A  is a side view of two carpet sections that are interconnected by a connecting strip which has projections thereon which engage mating projections on the outer surfaces of the carpet sections wherein one of the carpet sections is not engaged. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8B  is another view of  FIG. 8A  wherein both sections of the carpet are fully engaged with connecting strip. 
           [0028]      FIG. 9A  is a top view of a rectangular shaped carpet section having a V-shaped cut out on one end and is truncated on the opposite end. 
           [0029]      FIG. 9B  is a top view of a carpet section that has a cup like configuration with a triangle superimposed on the top section thereof. 
           [0030]      FIG. 9C  is a top view of a carpet section that has a triangular configuration that is truncated on one end. 
           [0031]      FIG. 10A  is a top view of a carpet section having a circular configuration defined by a 90° angle. 
           [0032]      FIG. 10B  is a top view of a carpet section having a circular configuration defined by 45° angle. 
           [0033]      FIG. 10C  is a top view of a carpet section having a circular configuration defined by a 22½° angle. 
           [0034]      FIG. 11A  is a top view of a carpet section having a rectangular shaped configuration. 
           [0035]      FIG. 11B  is a top view of a carpet section having an elongated cross-shaped configuration. 
           [0036]      FIG. 11C  is a top view of a carpet section having a T-shaped configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]    Embodiments of the geometric carpet sections and/or the plurality of stair step modules are herein described with reference to the drawings, in which identical or corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference characters or numbers through the several views. 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective, exploded view of a stair step case wherein a plurality of stair step modules are connected to the stair steps. Carpet sections are removably connected to the stair step modules. 
         [0039]    The plurality of modules  21 A to  21 F, contain vertical panels  1 A to  1 F and horizontal panels  2 A to  2 F. Vertical panel  1 A, which is representative of all the vertical panels has a rectangular shape with an upper inverted L-shaped lip  3 A near the top section thereof. Vertical panel  3 A contains strips  12 A and  14 A which have projections thereon for engaging strips  7 A and  10 A connected to carpet section  6 A having mating projections thereon. The mating projections are manufactured and sold under the tradename and trademark Velcro®. Carpet section  6 A has a rectangular shaped configuration. 
         [0040]    Horizontal panel  2 A, which is representative of all the horizontal panels herein has a rectangular shape with downward shaped lip  4 A which turns downward and under the front horizontal section of stair step  18 A. 
         [0041]    Horizontal panel  2 A contains strip  15 A which has projections thereon for engaging strip  11 A connected to carpet section  8 A. Carpet section  8 A is rectangular in shape and curves around section  4 A of horizontal panel  2 A at location  9 A of said carpet section. 
         [0042]    Screws  16 C and  16 D are representative of the screws herein. Screws  6 C and  6 D connect horizontal panel  2 A to the horizontal part of stair step  18 A where downward shaped lip  4 A interlocks with the inverted upper L-shaped lip of the vertical panel  1 A. Horizontal panels  2 A and  2 B and vertical panels  1 A and  2 A which are representative of all the horizontal and vertical panels herein contain panel backings  55 A and  55 B and  54 A and  54 B respectively. The backings can be constructed from rubber, matting or a similar material. The purpose of the backing is to protect the stair steps from collateral damage during use of the modules. 
         [0043]    Horizontal panel  2 A is superimposed over horizontal stair step  18 A wherein downward shaped lip  4 A wherein screws  16 C and  16 D secure lip  4 A to the underside of stair step  18 A. 
         [0044]    Stair step modules  21 A to  21 F including vertical panels  6 A to  6 F and horizontal panels  8 A to  8 F can be constructed from rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC), hardened rubber or plastics commonly known as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). It should be noted that vertical panels  1 B to  1 F have substantially the same features of vertical panel  1 A, and horizontal panels  2 B to  2 F have substantially the same features as horizontal panel  2 A. Similarly carpet sections  6 B to  6 F (not shown) have substantially the same features as carpet section  6 A and carpet sections  8 B to  8 F (not shown) have substantially the same features of carpet section  8 A. 
         [0045]    It should be noted that the typical stair step case contains from about 2 to about 30 stair step modules,  21 A to  21 F especially from about 2 to about 20 stair step modules  21 A to  21 F. 
         [0046]      FIG. 2  is another view of  FIG. 1  which has horizontal and vertical carpet sections  6 A to  6 E connected to the respective vertical and horizontal panel sections. Side molding  22 A to  22 E are side moldings that attach to the sides of horizontal panels  8 A to  8 E and side moldings  21 A to  21 E attach to the sides of vertical panels  6 A to  6 E. 
         [0047]    The side moldings have circular shapes or configurations and are constructed from rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC), hardened rubber, or plastics commonly known as (ABS). The moldings may be attached to the carpet sections using adhesives, staples and the like, or be an integral part molded onto the sides of said panel. 
         [0048]      FIG. 3  is another view of  FIG. 2  with the following exception: the side molding for the horizontal and vertical panels are replaced by low-voltage, low power consumption SME (surface mount-divide) LEDs  23  and  24 . 
         [0049]    The LEDs preferably enclosed in pliable transparent polycarbonate materials and are contained in thin, flexible transparent PVC enclosures which conform to any profile. The PVC enclosures are either rectangular in configuration or circular in configuration. The LEDs have a power source such as an electrical outlet in a house and a Class II LED transformer SLD series which transforms 120 volt AC current to 12 volt DC current. The LED&#39;s preferably have lights that are selected from the color group of white, red, yellow, green and blue and mixtures thereof. The LED lights have spacings of from 1 inch to 12 inches apart especially from 2, 3, 4, 6, or 12 inches apart and the polycarbonate and polyvinyl chloride enclosures bend up to 180° and conform to any profile. The LEDs are secured to the horizontal panels and vertical panels with adhesives or double sided tapes manufactured and marketed by the 3M Company. 
         [0050]    It should be noted that the average staircase in a residence contains from 2 to about 30 stair steps, especially from 2 to about 20 stair steps. 
         [0051]    Ramp lights  23  and  24  preferably are located on the outer side edges of the horizontal and vertical panels wherein said ramp lights are parallel to each other. It should be noted that the ramp lights can be located from 2 inches to 4 inches from the edge of the horizontal panels toward the central planes thereof. When the ramp lights are located inward from 2 to 6 inches from the edges of the horizontal and vertical panels, carpet sections  8 A to  8 E and  6 A to  6 E are positioned inside the space between ramp lights  23  and  24  and from the outer edge of ramp lights  23  and  24  to the outer edge of horizontal panels  2 A to  2 E and vertical panels  1 A to  1 E. 
         [0052]    When the carpet sections are located in between and on both sides of ramp lights  23  and  24  the carpet edges can contain sewn sides consisting of polyester, cotton, synthetic edging or nylon. The ramp lights can additionally be secured under the stair steps by clips having a U-shaped configuration with side wings for receiving screws. 
         [0053]      FIG. 4  is a side cut away view of the first two stair steps in  FIG. 1 , wherein carpet section  8 A is superimposed on horizontal panel  2 A and is held in place by strip  10  which has mating projections which mate with projections on strip  15 A. Horizontal panel  2 A is superimposed on horizontal step  18 A and held in place by screw  16 A. Carpet  8 A bends around lower lip  4 A of horizontal panel  2 A at bend location  9 A. Lower lip  4 A extends backward and engages lip  3 A of vertical panel  1 A. Vertical carpet section  6 A is superimposed over vertical panel  1 A and is held in position by strips  12 A and  14 A located on vertical panel  1 A and strips  7 A and  10 B located on carpet section  6 A. Strips  12 A and  14 A have projectiles which engage and mate with mating projectiles on strips  10 B and  10 C releasably connecting carpet section  8 B to horizontal panel  3 B. Screw  16 D connects horizontal panel  2 B to the underside of horizontal stair step  18 A. Stair step  19 B and  18 C with horizontal panel  2 C and vertical panel  1 B, carpet sections  6 B and  8 C are connected to vertical panel  1 B and horizontal panel  2 C substantially the same as described above utilizing screw  16 D and mating projection strips  12 D and  14 D with projection strips  7 D and  10 D. 
         [0054]      FIG. 5  is a close-Lip, cross section, cut-away view of the top horizontal step  18 A and vertical section  19 A of said step, wherein stair step module  21 A is superimposed over horizontal step  18 A and vertical section  19 A. Horizontal panel  2 A has downward shaped lip  4 A which bends around front section  8 A and engages the inverted L-shaped top lip of vertical panel  1 A. Carpet section  8 A is superimposed over horizontal panel  2 A and bends around section  4 A at bend  9 A. Carpet section  8 A contains strip  11 A having mating projections and is attached to then underside of carpet  8 A adhesives. Vertical panel  1 A is superimposed over vertical stair step section  19 A and contains vertical strip  12 A having mating projections which mate with strip  7 A which is attached to the underside of carpet  8 A. Strip  12 A and strip  7 A are attached to the front of vertical panel  1 A and the back of carpet section  6 A respectively. Protective padding  55 A is located between horizontal panel  2 A and horizontal stair step  18 A. 
         [0055]      FIG. 6  is a side, cut-away view of horizontal stair step  18 A with horizontal panel  2 A superimposed over it. Horizontal strip  14 A having mating projections is adhesively attached to the top section of vertical panel  2 A on the bottom side thereof. 
         [0056]    Horizontal strip  11 A which has mating projections is adhesively attached to the underside section of carpet  8 A where it is mated with horizontal strip  14 A. 
         [0057]    It should be noted that vertical panels  1 A and  1 B have a layer of protective padding  54 A and  54 B between said vertical panels and vertical stair steps  19 A and  19 B. Similarly horizontal panels  2 A to  2 C have a layer of protective padding  55 A to  55 C between said horizontal panels and horizontal stair steps  18 A to  18 C. 
         [0058]      FIG. 7  is a top, perspective view of staircase  17  which contain geometric carpet sections which are removably connected ton each other in a desired configuration. Rectangular carpet section  26 A is located at the bottom of staircase  17  along plane  8 A and  8 B. T-shaped carpet section  28  is attached to rectangular shaped carpet section  26 A at one end and to circular shaped carpet section  30 A at the other end. Circular carpet section  30 B is rotated 180° from carpet section  30 A and is attached thereto at one end and to rectangular carpet section  26 B at the opposite end. 
         [0059]    Circular shaped carpet section  32 A is attached to the T-section of T-shaped carpet section  28  at one end. Circular shaped carpet section  32 B is rotated 180° from circular shaped carpet section  32 A is attached to opposite end thereof. Rectangular shaped carpet section  26 C is attached to the end of circular shaped carpet  32 B. 
         [0060]      FIG. 8A  shows carpet section  36  in an unmated position being lifted up by an individual&#39;s hand  54 . Carpet backing  38  is adhesively attached to the underside of carpet  36 . Mating strip  41  having mating projections therein is adhesively attached to the underside of carpet  41  at one end. Mating strip  42  is twice as wide as mating strip  41 , wherein both strips have mating projections that removably mate with each other. Carpet section  34  contains carpet backing  43  which is adhesively attached to the underside of carpet section  34 . 
         [0061]    Mating strip  43  is attached to the underside of carpet section  34  and has downward mating projections which have mated with one half of mating strip  42 . It should be noted that the carpet backing is constructed from conventional carpet backing, for example, rubber or matting. The carpet backing  38  and  43  and mating strip  42  are overlaid on floor  44 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 8B  is substantially the same as FIG. *A with the following exception: mating strip  41  of carpet section  36  is in a mating position with mating strip  42 . 
         [0063]      FIGS. 9A through 11C  are top views of the shapes of desirable geometric carpet sections which are suitable use herein. 
         [0064]      FIG. 9A  is a top view of a rectangular shaped carpet section having an n L-shaped cut out on one end and is truncated on the opposite end. 
         [0065]      FIG. 9B  is a top view of a carpet section that has a cup like configuration with a triangle superimposed on the top section thereof  FIG. 9C  is a top view of a carpet section that has a triangular configuration that is truncated on one end. 
         [0066]      FIG. 10A  is a top view of a carpet section having a circular configuration defined by a 90° angle. 
         [0067]      FIG. 10B  is a top view of a carpet section having a circular configuration defined by 45° angle. 
         [0068]      FIG. 10C  is a top view of a carpet section having a circular configuration defined by a 22½° angle. 
         [0069]      FIG. 11A  is a top view of a carpet section having a rectangular shaped configuration. 
         [0070]      FIG. 11B  is a top view of a carpet section having an elongated cross-shaped configuration. 
         [0071]      FIG. 11C  is a top view of a carpet section having a T-shaped configuration. 
         [0072]    Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention, as herebefore set forth, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore, only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.