Abstract:
The present invention relates to a floor mat which can prevent scuffs on the heels of a user&#39;s footwear. The floor mat includes at least a first layer of material; a scuff-resistant portion provided on the first layer; and a glide mechanism which moves the scuff-resistant portion on the first layer when a force is applied to the scuff-resistant portion. The glide mechanism may include an elastic portion connected to the scuff-resistant portion and to the first layer, a backing layer connected to the elastic portion; and a base portion connected to the backing layer. The base portion may be disposed on a second layer, the second layer which is disposed beneath the first layer. Further, the first layer may have an opening such that the base portion which is connected to the second layer, is accessible through the first layer. The scuff-resistant portion is made of plush felt.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/590,915, dated Jul. 26, 2004, and from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/675,492, dated Apr. 28, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to floor mats, and in particular, to floor mats used in motor vehicles. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventional floor mats scuff the heels of the shoes of users. In particular, floor mats in motor vehicles scuff the heels of the shoes of users—particularly women&#39;s shoes which are made from more delicate fabrics (i.e., suede, silk, etc.). 
     Although there are inexpensive driving shoes sold to obviate this concern, these do not solve the problem at hand, since the driving shoes also become damaged and worn. 
     In other attempts at a solution, various heel or shoe guards for floor mats have been designed, which attempt to provide either a softer surface for the footwear, or an undulating surface or grid-like surface to remove dirt etc. However, these inserts and materials do not solve the problem, and footwear continues to incur scuff marks. 
     Accordingly, a floor mat, particularly an automobile floor mat, which is capable of preventing scuffs on the heels of a user&#39;s footwear, in order to preserve the life of the footwear, and that of the floor mat itself, would be advantageous. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a floor mat which can prevent scuffs on the heels of a user&#39;s footwear. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the floor mat includes at least a first layer of material; a scuff-resistant portion provided on the first layer; and a glide mechanism which moves the scuff-resistant portion on the first layer when a force is applied to the scuff-resistant portion. 
     In one embodiment consistent with the present invention, the glide mechanism may include an elastic portion connected to the scuff-resistant portion and to the first layer, a backing layer connected to the elastic portion; and a base portion connected to the backing layer. The base portion may be disposed on a second layer, the second layer which is disposed beneath the first layer. Further, the first layer may have an opening such that the base portion which is connected to the second layer, is accessible through the first layer. 
     In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the scuff-resistant portion includes a pillow. The pillow may extend a width of a surface of the floor mat. 
     In yet another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the scuff-resistant portion is made of plush felt. 
     In yet another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the base portion is made of rubber, and the backing layer is made of acetate. Further, the elastic portion is made of a spandex-type material. The elastic portion is connected to the first layer using a connection mechanism from the group consisting of stitching, hook and eye fastening, and adhesive. 
     In yet another embodiment consistent with the present invention, there is a border around the second layer. 
     In yet another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the first layer is made of carpeting material. 
     In yet another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the second layer and/or the reverse side of the first layer includes a rubber portion, and the reverse side of the first layer includes another scuff resistant portion disposed on the rubber portion. 
     In yet another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the floor mat includes at least a first layer; and glide means for moving a portion of the first layer when a force is applied to the first layer. The glide means includes a scuff-resistant portion; an elastic portion connected to the scuff-resistant portion and to the first layer; a backing layer connected to the elastic portion; and a base portion connected to the backing layer. 
     Finally, in yet another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the floor mat includes a lower layer of material; an upper layer disposed on the lower layer; a base portion disposed on the lower layer and accessed through an opening in the upper layer; an intermediate portion disposed on the base portion; and a scuff-resistant portion provided on the intermediate portion. The backing layer is disposed between the intermediate portion and the scuff-resistant portion. 
     There has thus been outlined, some features consistent with the present invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features consistent with the present invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment consistent with the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Methods and apparatuses consistent with the present invention are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract included below, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the methods and apparatuses consistent with the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a floor mat according to one embodiment consistent with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a side view of the floor mat of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment consistent with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is a detailed side view of the floor mat of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment consistent with the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the floor mat of  FIG. 1  in one embodiment consistent with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the floor mat consistent with the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the floor mat consistent with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a floor mat, particularly a motor vehicle floor mat, which can protect footwear from scuffs, and which can withstand all weather conditions with no slippage of the floor mat itself, or if used in a motor vehicle, with no slippage by a user&#39;s footwear on the floor mat. 
     In one embodiment consistent with the present invention, the floor mat  100  (see  FIG. 1 ) is roughly rectangular in shape with a roughly trapezoid portion at the top portion of the mat  100 . However, one of ordinary skill would know that the floor mat  100  could be of any shape and size that would be suitable for the type of motor vehicle or other environment in which the floor mat  100  is being used. 
     When used in a motor vehicle, the floor mat  100  is designed to rest upon, match in contour, and protect a similarly-shaped portion of the floor well of a motor vehicle. Accordingly, although the floor mat  100  is rigid in appearance, it retains enough flexibility to be inserted into the floor well of the motor vehicle, and to match its contour. 
     In one embodiment consistent with the present invention, the floor mat  100  includes at least two layers—an upper layer  101  of carpeting material with binding, and a lower layer  102  of rubber, for example, for slip-resistance. The upper layer  101  can be attached to the lower layer  102  by any suitable adhering mechanism, such as stitching, hook and loop fastening, or adhesive, for example. 
     The upper layer  101  may be of an attractive appearance, in any type and grade of carpet, although the carpet is usually a tufted, cut pile carpet of synthetic fibers in a woven backing material, such as a nylon or spun polypropylene, for example. 
     The carpeting material of the upper layer  101  of the floor mat  100  of the of present invention should be durable, washable, and moisture absorbent. The dyes used in the carpeting material should be permanent dyes of high quality to prevent bleeding and discoloration of footwear on the automobile flooring. 
     In one embodiment consistent with the present invention, the upper layer  101  may have a border  103 , which provides a finish to the edges of the floor mat  100 , and can provide additional rigidity to the floor mat  100 . The border  103  can also enhance the floor mat&#39;s  100  appearance by its color and shape. The border  103  may utilize vinyl binding or yarn serging, and may have rolled edges, as desired. Further, the border  103  may be made of any suitable material, such as a synthetic or natural fiber. 
     In addition, the border  103  may have a functional use and may be weighted for additional slip resistance. In this embodiment, weights of metal or synthetic can be provided within the binding of the border  103  to provide proper placement and the additional slip resistance. 
     In one embodiment consistent with the present invention, a base portion  104  (see  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A and  2 B) is provided in the lower layer  102  of the floor mat  100 . The base portion  104  is made of a synthetic felt or a similar material, which is attached, fastened, or adhered to the upper side of the rubber material of the lower layer  102  of the floor mat  100 . 
     The upper layer  101  contains a similarly-shaped cut out window  105  which, when the two layers  101 ,  102  are attached, fastened, or adhered together, allows the base portion  104  to be accessed. 
     Although the base portion  104  is horizontal and roughly rectangular in shape, one of ordinary skill in the art would know that this shape, as well as that of the window  105 , could be modified as desired as long as access is provided to the material of the base portion  104 . 
     In one other embodiment consistent with the present invention, an intermediate portion  108  is disposed on the base portion  104 , a backing layer  106  is provided on the base portion  104 , and an elastic portion  107  is attached or adhered to the backing layer  106 . 
     Finally, in one embodiment consistent with the present invention, the scuff-resistant portion  110  is attached (i.e., stitched), hook and eye fastened, or adhered to the backing material  106 , at stitch line  109 . However, one of ordinary skill in the art would know that any suitable means for adhering the backing layer  106 , elastic portion  107 , and scuff-resistant portion  110 , together, can be used. 
     In one embodiment consistent with the present invention, the elastic portion is made of a highly flexible and durable, low friction material, such as elastic nylon, a spandex material, spandex-type blend, or the like). The elastic portion  107  is attached, fastened, or stitched to the upper layer  101  at stitch line  109  for example. 
     The flexible material of the elastic portion  107  allows the scuff resistant portion  110  to move with the user&#39;s footwear while the remainder of the floor mat  110  stays in place (i.e., to “glide”). To facilitate movement, the scuff resistant portion  110  is backed by the backing layer  106 , which is made of a thin, friction-free-type (i.e., “slick”) material (i.e., an acetate or the like). 
     Likewise, the base portion  104  provides a low coefficient of friction, allowing the scuff resistant portion  110  to slide freely when being moved by a user&#39;s footwear, and being constrained by only the elastic material (i.e., elastic portion  107 ) that surrounds it, and any residual friction between the two friction-free (i.e., slick) surfaces. 
     In one embodiment consistent with the present invention, due to the cut-out window portion  105  in the upper layer  101 , the scuff resistant portion  110 , although provided on the elastic portion  107 , is approximately the same height as that of the upper layer  101  when the floor mat  101  is assembled (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     In one embodiment consistent with the present invention, plush felt is the preferable material for the scuff-resistant portion  110  as providing virtually no scuffs on footwear (see the Example below). However, any other material which is suitable to provide the above characteristics, could be used. 
     In use, the floor mat  100  (see  FIG. 3 ) of the present invention is placed in the desired position (i.e., on the floor well of a motor vehicle), and the scuff-resistant portion  110  would be provided in a position on the floor mat  100  below the right foot of the user. Accordingly, the heel portion of the user&#39;s footwear would touch the scuff-resistant portion  110  of the floor mat  100 . However, with the scuff-resistant portion  110 , this friction between the heel of the user and the floor mat  100  which is brought about while the user is driving and moving their foot, would not result in scuffing of the user&#39;s footwear. 
     In particular, as described in the embodiment above, the low friction material used for the backing layer  106  and for the elastic portion  107 , as well as the base portion  104  (“glide means”), allows the scuff-resistant portion  110  which touches the heel of the user&#39;s footwear, to move, or “glide” with the footwear, thereby significantly reducing the friction between the shoe and the mat  100 . 
     In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the floor mat  100  (see  FIG. 4 ) has a scuff-resistant portion  111  which includes a “pillow” of beads or gel covered by the scuff-resistant material (i.e., plush felt or the like). The pillow  111  is raised above the plane of the carpeting (i.e., upper layer  102 ) of the floor mat  100 , in order for the user to rest their heel against the pillow  111 . Thus, the user&#39;s shoe would not be scuffed during driving of the motor vehicle, for example. 
     In addition, the “pillow”  111  could be provided with or without the “glide” feature. In other words, the materials used for the elastic portion  107  and the backing layer  106 , and perhaps the base portion  104 , could be materials which have increased frictional properties, and thus, would not move with the movement of the user&#39;s foot. 
     In yet another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the floor mat  100  (see  FIG. 5 ) the “pillow”  112  extends across the horizontal width of the floor mat  100 , which provides even greater flexibility for the user and greater protection for both shoes. As with the pillow  111 , this embodiment can be provided with our without the glide feature. 
     EXAMPLE 
     In one example, scuff tests were performed on three kinds of shoe materials: hi-quality leather, regular leather, and vinyl; with respect to the scuff resistant material of the present invention (i.e., plush felt), and another commercially available material marketed as “scuff-resistant”. 
     A test was designed and constructed to simulate relative motion of a vehicle driver&#39;s right leg and a floor mat while driving. The set-up was built as a development of the ASTM&#39;s “pin-on-disk” wear test. The “pin” had a spherical surface of 2.5 inches in diameter, representing the heel of a shoe. The shoe materials covered the “pin” and were secured with double-coated tape and a hose clamp. The floor mat materials were attached to the “disk” (actually a flat surface) with double coated tape. 
     The relative motion between the driver&#39;s shoe heel and the floor mat that occurs during the switching leg&#39;s position from the rest position to the driving position, was simulated. It was assumed that the driver moved his/her leg 10 times per day. Therefore, each test used a 1000 reciprocal cycles representing about 100 days or about 3 months of driving. 
     Since the linear motion of the heel is minimal, a 1 inch movement was used. To simulate the driver pushing his/her leg against the floor mat with a variable force, 3.8 lbs of dead weight was applied on the pin during the test. 
     Since at the end of the 1000 cycle test, scuffs were not apparent on the shoe materials, the scuff-resistant material of the present invention was tested for another 1000 cycles. 
     The following results were obtained. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Hi-quality 
                 Regular 
                   
               
               
                   
                 leather 
                 leather 
                 Vinyl 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Commercially 
                 Moderate 
                 Small amount 
                 Minimal 
               
               
                   
                 available material 
                 amount of 
                 of scuffing 
                 scuffing 
               
               
                   
                 (at 1000 cycles) 
                 scuffing 
               
               
                   
                 Scuff-resistant 
                 No scuffs 
                 No scuffs 
                 No scuffs 
               
               
                   
                 material of the 
               
               
                   
                 present invention 
               
               
                   
                 (at 2000 cycles) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     It can be seen from the results, that the material used for the scuff-resistant portion  110  (i.e., plush felt), as embodied in the present invention, far exceeded that of the results of the commercially available material, even at twice the number of cycles tested. 
     Thus, the scuff-resistant material  110  of the present invention, when used with the above described construction of the present invention, prevents abrasion of footwear, reduces maintenance of footwear, and provides comfort for the user, extending the lifecycle of the shoes as well as the floor mat itself. 
     Although the layers of materials provided in the floor mat  100  have been described as having particular shapes, sizes, materials, and thicknesses, one of ordinary skill in the art would know that any suitable shape, size, thickness, and material can be used for the various layers or portions. For example, the scuff-resistant portion  110  could be of a larger size, including that of constituting the entire floor mat  100 . Further, the carpeted layer  101  could be replaced entirely by rubber for weather reasons, and the position of the scuff-resistant portion  110  on the floor mat  100  can be varied as desired. Still further, the carpeting material could be replaced by any type of material that would be useful for removing dirt from footwear, and could be of varying heights and thicknesses, including undulating or grid patterns. Finally, as stated above, the elastic portion  107  could be replaced by a material which does not allow movement of the scuff-resistant portion  110 . 
     Further, the floor mat  100  may be reversible, and in addition to the embodiment with a scuff-resistant portion  110  on a carpeted layer  101 , the opposite side of the floor mat  100  may be made completely of rubber for bad weather protection, or of rubber with a scuff resistant portion therein, for footwear protection. 
     Further, although the floor mat  100  has been described of layers and portions which are adhered, fastened, or stitched together, in another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the floor mat  100  may be a modular system with removable portions and layers which fit together. For example, in a modular system, the scuff resistant portion  110  can have a hook and eye fastened backing that can be replaced with a rubber insert for bad weather. 
     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the invention are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the invention without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the invention and protected by the following claims.