Abstract:
A cargo liner and cargo holder system includes a mat having a plurality of protrusions extending from a base. Locking members include a plurality of engagement members extending from a body and are adapted to engage with the protrusions of the mat. The mat includes a plurality of geometrically-shaped protrusions which can be octagonally shaped or cylindrically shaped. The locking members can be secured to boxes or other objects for securement to the mat. Engagement members engaged to the mat are able to move to a limited extent; this motion allows each engagement member to be captured by mat protrusions with the same degree of capture force. The mat also includes a lip extending around the perimeter of the mat for containment of any liquids therein. The mat also includes two layers, a polyethylene first layer and an olefin-friendly rubber layer. The locking members can be modified and secured to a bag-hanging device. Movable side members can be secured to the locking members for securement of boxes to the mat. Also disclosed is a method for making the mat.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/742,630 filed Nov. 1, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,976,672, and entitled “Cargo Liner and Cargo Holder System,” and claims the benefits of Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/106,740 filed Nov. 2, 1998, entitled “Cargo Liner and Cargo Holder System”. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to cargo liners and cargo holder systems and, more particularly, to mats or liners used in vehicles. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) such as, for example, the Jeep Cherokee®, have recently become very popular. These vehicles provide the ruggedness of a truck and the comfort of an automobile. Typically, a sport utility vehicle includes a front passenger section and a rear cargo storage section which is usually carpeted. 
     Generally, the rear-carpeted section has plenty of storage room; however, boxes and bags tend to slide about the rear-carpeted section when the vehicle is in motion. The sliding is primarily caused by a low coefficient of friction between a box or bag and the carpeting. This can create a dangerous situation should the driver suddenly stop the vehicle. In the case of grocery bags, the bag contents generally spill by the time the driver arrives at his/her final destination. This can pose a problem if a liquid, such as bleach, spills in the rear section. 
     Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement for preventing articles, such as boxes or bags, from freely moving around in a vehicle and especially in the rear section of a sport utility vehicle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a cargo holder system that includes a mat and a locking member. The mat includes a flat base having a plurality of symmetrically spaced apart protrusions extending therefrom. The locking member includes a body and an engagement member extending therefrom, wherein the protrusion of the mat removably engages the engagement member of the locking member. The protrusions are contained within a plurality of rows and columns and are symmetrical with each other. The protrusions can be any shape which is a geometrical shape, such as a polygon or a circle. The protrusions are spaced apart from each other and define a receiving recess adapted to receive the engagement members. A lip can be provided extending around the perimeter of the base of the mat. Nubs and recesses can be provided on the engagement members and the protrusions for removably securing the locking member to the mat. 
     The mat can include a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer is formed of a low coefficient of friction material and the second layer is formed of a high coefficient of friction material. The first layer can be made of polyethylene and the second layer can be of an olefin-friendly rubber material. 
     The mat can be made by the following process, including the steps of: vacuum forming the polyethylene first mat portion; forming a second mat portion sheet, including approximately 75% rubber and approximately 25% polyethylene; heating the first mat portion; heating the second mat portion; placing the second mat portion on the first mat portion; and heating and pressing the portions together until the first mat portion thermally bonds to the second mat portion. In this process, the mat is heated to an elevated temperature, such as 375° F. Once the mat cools, the width and length dimensions may vary due to shrinkage. 
     The locking member can also include a movable side member attached to the body of the locking member on a side opposite the side in which the engagement member extends. The locking member is L-shaped and rides on a track. 
     A bag hanger for use with a mat is provided and includes a plurality of legs, cross members secured to the legs, a hanger secured to the cross member, and a plurality of the above-described locking members secured to the legs. 
     Also provided is a method for removably securing an object to the mat, which includes the steps of: placing an underside of the mat on a supporting surface; securing an engagement member to an object; and positioning the engagement member between the protrusions on the mat, thereby releasably securing the object to the mat. 
     The locking member is adapted to be received within receiving recesses defined by the spaced apart protrusions. However, after the mat cools during manufacture, the spacing of the receiving recesses may vary. This may affect the ability of the mat to receive a plurality of engagement members attached to a bottom surface of a box or other structure. 
     Further, the dimension of the pitches of the nubs of the protrusion varies both from mat to mat and axis to axis on one mat. This is caused by the orientation and stretch induced in the plastic or rubber sheets at the time they rolled out before manufacture. This dimensional variance also affects the ability of the engagement member to snap into and out of the mat nubs. In some cases, this may cause interference between the engagement members and the protrusions. 
     The present invention overcomes this problem by adjusting the engagement member to snap into and out of the mat nubs with the same force individually but, once through the nub opening, the engagement members are allowed to move around under the nubs. This allows a container, in which the feet or engagement members are attached, to move to the extent that the engagement members move under the nubs. This allows the next engagement member or foot to pass through the nubs. This process is repeated, for example, for all four feet attached to a container, thus allowing the engagement member or feet to be captured by the nubs with the same degree of capture force, despite the variations in the pitch of the nub centers. 
     Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement for preventing articles, such as boxes or bags, from freely moving around in a vehicle and especially in the rear section of a sport utility vehicle. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a sport utility vehicle having a cargo liner and cargo holder system in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view showing the cargo holder system in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of the cargo holder shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a portion of a cargo holder system mat in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of the mat shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a section taken along lines VI-VI shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the portion of the mat shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a locking member in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a section taken along lines IX—IX shown in FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the locking member shown in FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the locking member shown in FIG. 8 engaging with the portion of the mat shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the locking member and the mat shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 prior to engagement; 
     FIG. 14 a  is an exploded sectional side view of another embodiment of the cargo holder system, which is provided with nubs extending from an engagement member of the locking member and recesses defined within protrusions of the mat, which are adapted to receive the nubs; 
     FIG. 14 b  is a sectional side view of the cargo holder system shown in FIG. 14 a  in an engaged position; 
     FIG. 15 a  is an exploded sectional side view of another embodiment of the cargo holder system, which includes nubs extending from the locking member, engagement member, and the mat protrusions; 
     FIG. 15 b  is a sectional side view of the cargo holder system shown in FIG. 15 a  in an engaged position; 
     FIG. 16 a  is a top plan view of an arrangement of boxes positioned on the mat shown in FIGS. 2 and 3; 
     FIG. 16 b  is a perspective view of a box having a plurality of locking members secured thereto; 
     FIG. 16 c  is a top plan view of a template for use in securing the locking members to the box; 
     FIG. 16 d  is a side exploded view of an arrangement to secure the locking members to the box; 
     FIG. 17 is a top plan view of a box secured to the previously-described mat by movable side members in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 18 is a top plan view of one of the movable side members; 
     FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of the movable side member; 
     FIG. 20 is another side elevational view of the movable side member shown in FIG. 18; 
     FIG. 21 is a top plan view of a hanging device in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of the hanging device shown in FIG. 21; 
     FIG. 23 is another side elevational view of the hanging device shown in FIG. 21; 
     FIG. 24 is a top plan view of the hanging device shown in FIG. 21 in a collapsed state; 
     FIG. 25 is a side elevational view of the hanging device shown in FIG. 24; 
     FIG. 26 is a bottom plan view of the hanging device shown in FIG. 24; 
     FIG. 27 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a cargo holder system in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 28 is a top plan view of a mat used in the cargo holder system shown in FIG. 27; 
     FIG. 29 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of a portion of the mat shown in FIG. 28; 
     FIG. 30 is a top perspective view, partially in section, of a portion of the cargo holder system shown in FIG. 27; 
     FIG. 31 is a top plan view of a locking member in accordance with the present invention and adapted to engage with the mat shown in FIGS. 27-30; 
     FIG. 32 is a side elevational view of the locking member shown in FIG. 31; 
     FIG. 33 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of a portion of a cargo liner in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 34 is a sectional side elevational view of a locking member shown in FIG. 33; and 
     FIG. 35 is a side elevational view of embodiment of cargo holder system made in accordance with the present invention showing a clearance between tabs of the engagement member and a portion of the adjacent protrusions beneath the nubs. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 shows a sport utility vehicle  10  having a front passenger section  12  and a rear cargo section  14 . The rear cargo section  14  contains a cargo holder system  16  in accordance with the present invention removably securing a box  18  thereto. 
     Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the cargo holder system  16  includes a rectangular-shaped mat or liner  20  having a first layer  22  and a second layer  24 . The second layer  24  rests on a carpeted or plastic section  26  of the rear cargo section  14  of the sport utility vehicle  10 . The box  18  is secured to the first layer  22  of the mat  20 . Referring to FIG. 4, the mat  20  includes a flat base  28  having a plurality of symmetrically spaced-apart protrusions  30  extending therefrom. Protrusions  30  are formed in a plurality of columns  32  and rows  34 . As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each protrusion  30  includes an upper surface  36  connected to a side surface  38 . A perimeter  40  of the side surface  38  defines an octagon geometric shape. The perimeter  40  can be any geometric shape, but preferably is polygonally shaped. A lip  42  extends about a perimeter  44  of the base  28 . Preferably, at least a portion of the upper surfaces  36  of the protrusions  30  extend beyond an upper edge  52  of the lip  42 . Referring again to FIG. 4, respective portions  46  of side surfaces  38  of adjacent protrusions  30  define receiving recesses  48 . The receiving recesses  48  each include four portions  46  of side surfaces  38  of adjacent protrusions  30  that define a portion of a rectangular shape which, in the preferred embodiment, is square. 
     Preferably, the first layer  22  is made of a material having a first or low coefficient of friction, such as polyethylene, and the second layer  24  is made of a material having a second or high coefficient of friction, such as rubber. As is evident, the first coefficient of friction is different than the second coefficient of friction. Preferably, the two layers  22  and  24  are bonded together, although they can be adhered together by an adhesive or mechanically fastened together. 
     A preferable method for bonding the two sections together is set forth as follows. First, the first layer  22 , which includes the protrusions  30 , is vacuum formed from recycled polyethylene. Next, a sheet of olefin-friendly rubber is provided. The olefin-friendly rubber is made from approximately 75% crumb rubber (such as provided from recycled automobile tires). Then, the first layer  22  is maintained at approximately the forming temperature or reheated at one side (underside  56 ) for twenty seconds at 375° F. The olefin-friendly rubber sheet is concurrently heated at one side for forty seconds at 375° F. so that both heating cycles end simultaneously. The heated side of the rubber sheet is placed on an underside  56  of the first layer  22 . Mechanical pressure is applied to both layers  22  and  24  together so that the hot side of the olefin-friendly rubber sheet is pressed against the underside  56  of the first layer  22  bonding thereto and forming the second layer  24 . This, in turn, forms a unitary mat  20 . 
     The receiving recesses  48 , as shown in FIG. 4, are adapted to removably receive a plurality of engagement members  64 , as shown in FIG.  8 . Specifically, FIGS.  3  and  8 - 10  show a locking member  60 , which is positioned at a lower end of the box  18 . The engagement members  64  extend from the bottom of the box  18 . Referring specifically to FIGS. 8-10, each locking member  60  includes a flat body  62  and a plurality of spaced, substantially square-shaped engagement members  64 . A protrusion-receiving recess  65  is defined by adjacent locking members  60 . The engagement members  64  are adapted to be removably received by receiving recesses  48 . The engagement members  64  can be any shape, such as a geometric shape, a polygonal shape or a rectangular shape. Opposite sides of the engagement members  64  are spaced apart distances X and Y, respectively. Likewise, opposite sides defining the receiving recesses  48  are preferably spaced a distance apart approximately equal to or less than the distances X and Y. The locking member  60  is preferably made from polyethylene; however, it can be made of any other material. 
     FIGS. 11-13 show one locking member  60  coacting with the mat  30 . The box  18  is shown in phantom. Specifically, respective locking members  60  are placed over or aligned with receiving recesses  48 , as shown in FIG.  13 . The engagement members  64  are then received within the receiving recesses  48  so that one or more of the protrusions  30  removably engage one or more of the engagement members  64 . Preferably, side surfaces of the engagement member  64  abut respective portions  46  of the protrusion side surfaces  38 . A step  66  is provided around each of the engagement members  64 , which is adapted to abut upper surfaces  36  of protrusions  30  so that the body  62  of the locking member  60  extends away from or is positioned above the upper edge  52  of the mat  20 . Should the box  18  or the locking member  60  be removed from the mat  20 , then it need only to be lifted away from the mat  20  so that the engagement members  64  are positioned away from or disengaged from the mat  20 . 
     FIGS. 14 a  and  14   b  show another embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, a locking arrangement is provided with the mat  20  and the locking member  60 . This embodiment is similar to that previously disclosed, except for the below-noted differences. Like reference numerals will be used for like parts. A nub  68  extends along side surfaces  70  of each engagement member  64 . A dimple  72  is defined on each of the portions  46  of the protrusion side surfaces  38 . In operation, when the engagement member  64  is received within the receiving recesses  48 , nubs  68  are removably received within the respective dimples  72 , thereby removably locking or coacting with the locking member  60  to the mat  20 . The locking member  60  can be removed from the mat  20  by pulling locking member  60  away from the mat  20 . Alternatively, dimples can be defined along side surfaces  38  of each engagement member and nubs can be provided on each portion  46  of the protrusion side surfaces. 
     FIGS. 15 a  and  15   b  show another embodiment of the present invention similar to that shown in FIGS. 14 a  and  14   b , except nubs  74  are provided on portion  46  of the protrusion side surfaces  38  and extend into receiving recesses  48 . 
     The cargo holder system  16  operates as follows. An underside  56  of the rubber second layer  24  is placed on and coacts with the carpet section or supporting surface  26  and prevents the mat  20  and the box  18  or other object (which is secured to the mat via the engagement members  64  of the locking members  60  being positioned between the protrusions  30 ) from sliding on the carpet or floor, especially in the rear section of a sport utility vehicle while the sport utility vehicle  10  is moving. In this arrangement, the box  18  is releasably secured to the mat  20 . Further, if a liquid or dry material, such as a powder, spills out of the box  18 , it is contained within the mat  20  by the lip  42 . In some instances, a low friction mat may be required to move a heavy object out of the sport utility vehicle  10 . In that case, the mat  20 , absent the box  18  and the locking members  60 , can be turned over so that the low friction polyethylene first layer  22  rests on the carpeted section  26 . The heavy object can then be placed on the second layer  24  and easily moved across the carpeted section  26 . 
     FIG. 16 a  shows a plurality of boxes or receptacles  18  secured to the mat  20 . The boxes can be preformed having locking members  60  defined on a bottom surface, whereby the locking members  60  form a portion of the boxes  18 . The specific orientation of the boxes and the mat is dependent on the vehicle size. One preferable mat has a dimension of twenty-four protrusion columns  32  by eighteen protrusion rows  34 . 
     Referring to FIG. 16 b , box  18  includes four locking members  60  positioned adjacent the four corners of the bottom  75  of box  18 . Although it is preferable to have the locking members  60  integrally molded with the box or other object, it is also possible to attach the locking members  60  to the box  18  so that the locking members  60  are not integral with the box  18 . Referring to FIG. 16 c , a template  76  is provided defining spaced-apart slots  78  for placement of the bodies  62  of the locking members  60 . The template  76  is placed over the bottom surface  75  of a box  18  or other object. The four locking member bodies  62  are placed in slots  78 . As shown in FIG. 16 d , holes are then drilled through each of the bodies  62  and the bottom  75  of the box  18  for receipt of a fastener, such as a screw  80 . Each screw then passes through the respective body  62  and is secured to the box  18 , thereby securing the locking members  60  to the box  18 . The template  76  ensures that the engagement members  64  of all of the locking members  60  are properly spaced to be received by receiving recesses  48  defined by respective protrusions  30  of the mat  20 . This prevents the possibility of protrusions  30  preventing the engagement members  64  from passing into the receiving recesses  48  due to improper placement of the locking members  60 . In lieu of screws  80 , nails or adhesives can be used to secure the locking members  60  to the box. The template  76  can be made of paper, plastic or metal. Also, in the alternative, the template can also only identify the placement of holes to be drilled in the box, which would align with holes defined in the locking members  60 . In that case, the locking members would be secured to the box by fasteners passing through the holes in both the respective locking members  60  and box  18 . The template  76  and the locking members  60  can be provided as a kit along with the fasteners  80  or adhesive. Alternatively, clips (not shown) can be provided on the locking members  60  so that the locking members  60  can be removably secured to the boxes  18  or other objects. 
     In some instances, a locking member  60  cannot be secured to a box  18  or other object, or the owner does not want to secure it to the box  18  or other object. In that case, an adjustable or movable side member  100  can be provided on the locking member  60 , as shown in FIGS. 17-20. Specifically, FIG. 17 shows a box  102 , such as a tool box, resting on an upper surface of the first layer  22  of the mat  20 . Four movable side members  100  abut against sides of the box  102  holding it in place. The movable side members  100  are removably secured to the mat  20 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 18-20, each movable side member  100  includes a locking member  60  as previously discussed that includes a body  62 , engagement members  64  and steps  66 . The engagement members  64  and the steps  66  extend from a first surface  104  of the locking member  60 . The movable side member  100  includes a first leg  106  connected to a depending second leg  108  forming a movable L-shaped member  109 . The L-shaped member  109  is slidably received by track  110  which is attached to the body  62 . 
     The track  110  is defined by a pair of spaced-apart toothed sections  112  and  114 , each defined by a plurality of spaced teeth  116 . Sections  112  and  114  are integrally secured to a second surface  118  of the locking member  60 , which is opposite from first surface  104 . Recessed areas  120  and  122  are defined between the toothed sections  112  and  114  and the second surface  118 . A tab-receiving area  124  is defined between toothed sections  112  and  114  and second surface  118 . 
     Leg  108  has lips  126  and  128  extending from opposite side edges. The ends of lips  126  and  128  are received within recessed areas  120  and  122 . An angled portion  130  extends from a rear edge  132  of leg  108 . An end  134  of the angled portion  130  is adapted to abut against forward surfaces  135  of the teeth  116 . A tab  136  is attached to and extends from the angled portion  130 . 
     In operation, the L-shaped member  109  is adapted to move along an axis  138 . The L-shaped member  109  rides in the track  110  when the tab  136  is flexed or lifted by an operator to a disengaged position and moved along the axis  138  when the end  134  of the angled portion  130  does not contact the teeth  116 . The end  134  is biased against the teeth  116  when it is not lifted by the operator. 
     The lips  126  and  128  positioned in recessed areas  120  and  122  prevent the L-shaped member  109  from disengaging from the track  110 . Release of the tab  136  causes the end  134  of the angled portion  130  to contact respective teeth  116  of the toothed sections  112  and  114  and prevents or locks the L-shaped member  109  from moving in the Z direction in a manner similar to a pawl and ratchet assembly. 
     Typically, four movable side members  100  are needed to secure the box  102  to the mat  20  in the X′ and Y′ directions, as shown in FIG.  17 . The box  102  can be removed by the operator lifting it upward from the mat  20  or by removing the movable side members  100 . In some instances, the L-shaped member  109  must be slightly “loosened” or adjusted in the Z direction to permit the box  102  to be removed by the operator. The movable side member  100  can be made of any material, but preferably is made of polyethylene. 
     FIGS. 21-26 show a hanging device  200  that is used in conjunction with the mat  20 . The hanging device  200  includes a cross member  202  pivotally secured to leg structures or members  204  and  206  by pins  208  and  210 , thereby forming a support member. Each leg structure  204  and  206  includes a first leg  212 , which is pivotally secured by a respective pin  208  or  210  to cross member  202 . A second leg  214  is pivotally secured to leg  212  by pin  216 . Pads  218  are pivotally secured to the lower ends of legs  212  and  214  by pins  220 . Locking members  60  are secured to the pads  218 , which each include a body  62 , engagement members  64  extending from the body  62  and step  66 . Specifically, the bodies  62  are secured to the pads  218 . Each of the engagement members  64  are adapted to removably engage with one or more of the protrusions  30  of the mat  20 . 
     Two sets of hangers  222  are pivotally secured to the cross member  202 . Each set of hangers  222  includes two hangers  224 , each of which includes a first straight section  226  and a hooked end  228 . An end  230 , opposite hooked end  228 , is pivotally secured to the cross member  202  by a pin  232 . A linkage  234  pivotally joins the two adjacent hangers  224  of each set of hangers  222 . In this manner, the hangers  224  that make up each set of hangers  222  move together. 
     FIGS. 21-23 show the hanging device  200  in a hanging position, which can be removably secured to the mat  20  by engaging the four locking members  60  into the respective receiving recesses  48  as previously described. Bags  236  or other handled members can be hung on hanger  224 , as shown in phantom in FIG.  23 . In this manner, the contents of the bags will not spill into the vehicle cargo section  14  while the vehicle is moving. 
     As shown in FIGS. 24-26, the hanging device  200  can be easily stored in a storing position or collapsed state when not needed. First, the hanging device  200  is disengaged from mat  20 . The sets of hangers  222  are then pivoted about Z axes, which extend through pin  232  so that the hangers  224  move from an extended position, as shown in FIG. 21, to a retracted position, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26. Referring to FIG. 23, pads  218  are then rotated in the counterclockwise direction about axes Y 2  and Y 3  and first legs  213  are rotated in the counterclockwise direction about the axis Y 1 . Then, referring to FIG. 22, leg structure  204  is rotated in a counterclockwise direction about axis X and leg structure  206  is rotated in a clockwise direction about axis X′. This results in a compact structure  238 , as shown in FIGS. 24-26, which can be stored under a sport utility vehicle seat or in the rear cargo section  14 . The above procedure is reversed when the hanging device  200  is needed in the hanging position. The hanging device  200  can be made of any material. Hence, the mat  20  can be used to secure a variety of holding devices, such as boxes  18  or a hanging device  200 . 
     FIGS. 27-30 show another embodiment of a mat  300  in accordance with the present invention, wherein the mat  300  includes a base  302  having a plurality of spaced cylindrically-shaped protrusions  304  extending therefrom. A plurality of protrusions  304 ′ adjacent the perimeter  306  of the mat  300  is positioned on a stepped or raised portion of the base  302 . Upper surfaces of all of the protrusions are contained in the same plane P, which results in the depth of the protrusions  304  being greater than the depth of the protrusions  304 ′. Receiving recesses  308  are defined by adjacent protrusions  304  and  304 ′. 
     Referring to FIGS. 31 and 32, locking members  310  are provided having a body  312  and cylindrically-shaped engagement members  313  adapted to be received in receiving recesses  308  (as shown in phantom in FIG. 28) in a similar manner as engagement members  64  are received by receiving recesses  48 . Locking members  310  can be used in lieu of locking members  60  on boxes  18 . 
     Referring again to FIGS. 27 and 30, two or more mats  300  can be connected to each other by a strip  314  having a plurality of securing members  316  extending from a body  318 . The securing members are received in a recess  320  defined by an underside of the mat where the protrusions extend. The strip  314  extends along adjacent stepped portions of the base. A sealant  317 , such as a silicone based sealant, i.e., RTV, can be used to prevent leakage between the strip  314  and the two adjacent mats  300 . A separate edge fence portion  350  can also be provided to extend around the perimeter of the mat  300 . The edge fence portion  350  is secured to the underside of the protrusions in a similar manner as the strip  314  is secured to the mat  300 ; alternatively, the edge fence portion  350  can be adhered to the mats using a sealant, an adhesive or screws. The edge fence portion  350  acts like the lip  42  to contain liquid on the mat. 
     Provided that the spacing and the size of engagement members  313  are sufficient, locking members  310  can be used to secure boxes  18  to mats  20 . Likewise, locking members  60  can be used to secure boxes  18  to mat  20 . 
     FIGS. 33 and 34 show another embodiment of the present invention which is similar to the arrangement shown in FIGS. 4-13, with like reference numerals for like elements. Referring to FIG. 33, a cargo liner system  400  is shown resting on a carpeted section  26  of a sport utility vehicle  10 . The cargo liner system  400  includes the previously described rectangular-shaped mat  20  and first layer  22  and second layer  24 . First layer  22  is preferably made from polyethylene and defines a plurality of protrusions  30 . Second layer  24  is preferably made of rubber. In some instances, the operation of the vehicle does not need to lock a box to the mat  20  as previously described, but does need to place something, such as a dog, on the rubber flat surface  54  which has a high coefficient of friction. However, placing the protrusions  30  on the carpet will enable the mat  20  to easily slide on the carpeted section  26 . To offset this sliding effect, four locking members  402  (of which only one is shown) are provided. Each locking member  402  includes a locking member  60  having a body  62  and engagement members  64 , as shown in FIGS. 8-10. A rubber layer or high friction layer  404  is secured to an interface surface  406  of the locking member  60  either by bonding, adhesive or fasteners. Preferably, the locking members  60  are made of polyethylene and the rubber layer  404  is made of the previously described olefin-friendly rubber and bonded to the interface surface  406  by the previously described method. Preferably, the four locking members  60  are removably engaged to the mat  20  at respective corners. The engagement members  64  coact with the protrusions  30  in the same manner as previously described so that the locking members  402  are removably secured to the mat  20 . The mat is arranged so that the rubber layers  404  of the locking members  402  rest directly on the carpeted section  26 . In this arrangement, flat surface  54  is exposed to support an object. The high coefficient of friction rubber layer  404  prevented the mat  20  from sliding across the carpeted section  26  and the flat portion  54  provides a flat surface to support an object or permit a pet, such as a dog, to walk thereon without the protrusions hurting its feet. In lieu of rubber layer  404  and the rubber second layer  24 , modified surfaces can be provided, such as by roughening the polyethylene surfaces to increase the coefficient of friction of those surfaces. 
     FIG. 35 shows a locking arrangement  8 ′ made in accordance with the present invention similar to the arrangement shown in FIG. 15 a  and  15   b , except for the below noted differences. FIG. 35 shows a mat  20 ′ and a locking member  60 ′. The locking member or engagement member  60 ′ includes feet  64 ′ and an attachment member  61 ′. The attachment member  61 ′ can be inserted into a structure such as a box for securing the locking member  60 ′ thereto. Alternatively, adhesive backing can be used in lieu of the attachment member  61 ′ or the feet  64 ′ can be integrally formed with the structure, such as a box. The locking member  60 ′ can take on any geometric shape such as circular, square etc. Further, as shown in FIG. 35, the locking member  60 ′ can have a base with two depending feet  64 ′. 
     The mat  20 ′ includes a base  28 ′ having a plurality of symmetrically spaced apart protrusions  30 ′ extending therefrom. The protrusions  30 ′ can have any type of geometric cross-section, such as circular, square, or octagon. A nub  68 ′ extends along side surfaces  70 ′ of each of the protrusions  30 ′. An engagement receiving recess  48 ′ is defined between the protrusions  30 ′. The feet  64 ′ are received within the receiving recess  48 ′. The locking member  60 ′, which extends from a lower surface of a box or container, includes a recess  65 ′ defined therein which receives the nubs  68 . Locking member  60 ′ has a tab  500  extending from respective feet  64 ′. The tabs  500  coact with or abut against respective nubs  68 ′ as the feet  641  are forced into the receiving recess  48 ′. Once the tabs  500  are positioned below the nubs  68 ′, the tabs  500  do not coact with or abut against the nubs  68 ′ and are spaced a distance Y′ away from the nubs  68 ′. A clearance designated X′ is defined between the tabs  500  of the feet  64 ′ and a portion of the adjacent protrusions  30 ′ beneath the nubs  68 ′. This permits each of the feet  64 ′ and in turn the locking member  60 ′ to move within the engagement receiving recess  48 ′ after the feet  64 ′ are pushed past the nubs  68 ′. Although the locking member  60 ′ could tightly fit or abut against the nub  68 ′ so that the feet  64 ′ are held tightly in place, it is not preferable. Therefore, this arrangement permits the feet  64 ′ to move within the engagement receiving recess  48 ′ as other feet  64 ′ of the locking member  60 ′ are received in respective receiving recesses  48 ′. The clearance X′ permits easy alignment of the engagement members  64 ′ attached to boxes, for example four engagement members, by compensating for the shrinkage or dimensional change of the material used to manufacture the mat  20 ′. The actual clearance X′ varies from material to material, but can be easily be determined, based upon the materials used to manufacture the mats  20 ′. 
     Having described the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that they may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the appended claims.