FLOOR-MAT ELEMENT

Abstract: Floor-mat of flexible material having on both sides profile parts protruding therefrom. The profile parts on one side are higher than the profile parts on the other side. When the side with the deep profile is used on top much dirt can be retained. When the side with the shallow profile is used on top a very good grip is obtained by the flexure of the web of the mat.

Description: "Floor-mat element" The invention relates to a floor-mat element of flexible material, for example, rubber, comprising a plate-shaped web having on the top and bottom sides profile parts being integral with the web and protruding therefrom. Such a floor-mat element is known from CH-A-419547. In such a floor-mat element the profile is necessary to provide a firm hold thereon and to gather dirt in the interstices between the protruding profile parts. When such a floor-mat element is used in a stable, for example, a shed, the interstices between the profile parts have to retain the litter. With such a floor-mat element contradictory requirements are imposed on the profile parts. On the one hand the profile must not be too deep for allowing satisfactory cleaning and on the other hand the profile must not be too shallow to offer a firm hold. The result is that the known floor-mat elements either do not ensure sufficient grip or can be cleaned only with difficulty. The object of the invention is to provide a floormat element of the kind set forth in the preamble which can be satisfactorily cleaned and provides a firm grip. According to the invention this is achieved by the steps defined in the characteristic features of claim 1. When loaded the web bends down in the profilefree parts on the bottom side so that the foot or paw deeply penetrates into the floor-mat element and the effect of a profile deeper than the profile proper is obtained, the floor-mat element embodying the invention thus offering a firm hold and trouble-free cleaning. When the floor-mat element is used with the comparatively shallow profile on top an additional grip is obtained by the flexure of the web. With the deep profile on top much dirt or sawdust can be retained in the floor-mat element. Therefore, the floor-mat element can be employed under various conditions. It is noted that from the DE-A-2509073 a floor-mat element is known, the top and bottom sides of which are provided with profile parts which protrude from the web only over a short distance. The height of the profile parts on one side differs only little from that of the profile parts on the other side. Since the profile parts protrude from the web only over a small distance the dirt retaining capacity and the extent of the grip are low. When in accordance with the invention draining holes are formed between the profile elements in the web, whilst the profile parts at least on the bottom side are formed by a large number of discrete profile elements moisture is conducted away below the mat and no moisture will be left on the mat itself. In a further advantageous embodiment of a floormat element in accordance with the invention the profile parts constitute a grate-like repetitive pattern, the grate sizes of the profile parts being the same on both sides of the web. The depressability of the floor-mat element is everywhere the same so that on all places the same grip is obtained. When in accordance with the invention the profile. elements on both sides cover one another in a direction transverse of the web, the profile parts on both sides virtually constitute together blocks lying on the ground, whilst the web extends at an intermediate level. As a result the blocks themselves do not bend when loaded, but the web does so all the more. When the floor-mat element embodying the invention is used in a stable, it is important that the aforesaid litter should stay as much as possible on the mat and spray cleaning should not give rise to trouble. The channels formed between the profile parts should be able to retain the litter, but allow the liquid to pass readily. According to the invention this is achieved in a floor-mat element in which adjacent discrete profile elements are at an angle to one another. Then the channels formed between the profile elements extend in meandering or zigzag fashion so that a high "flow resistance" is obtained for the litter, but a comparatively low one for the flushing water. Preferably the profile elements have an elongate shape, whilst their ends are at an angle to a neighbouring part. In this way the profile elements have satisfactory bending resistance, which is desirable for obtaining a firm hold and a long lifetime. For a given desired rigidity material can thus be saved as compared with the conventional, elongate profile elements. In a very advantageous embodiment of the invention each profile element of the floor-mat element has a roundedoff, at least slightly stretched S-shape. Thanks to the relative angular positions of the side faces of the S a firm hold is obtained in all senses. Moreover, the roundedoff shape ensures satisfactory drainage of flush water, whilst no dirt will stick in sharp corners and the litter is satisfactorily retained owing to the staggering course of the channels. Moreover, this shape of the profile elements provides a satisfactory surface distribution so that the overall sectional area of the profile elements may be small as compared to the surface of the floor-mat element. Whilst all requirements are properly met, material is saved in addition. The invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to drawings showing embodiments. Fig.1 is a partial plan view of a first embodiment of a floormat element in accordance with the invention. Fig.2 is a bottom view of the element of Fig.1. Fig.3 is a sectional view taken on the line Ill-Ill in Fig.1. Fig.4 is a sectional view taken on the line IV-IV in Fig.1. Fig.5 is a partial plan view of a second embodsment. Fig.6 is a sectional view taken on the line VI-VI in Fig.5. Fig.7 is a partial plan view of a third embodiment. Fig.8 is a sectional view taken on the line VIII VIII in Fig.7. Fig.9 is a partial plan view of a fourth embodiment. Fig.10 is a sectional view taken on the line X-X in Fig.9. Fig.11 is a partial plan view of a fifth embodiment. Fig.12 is a sectional view taken on the line XII XII in Fig.11. Fig.13 is a perspective view of part of a floor-mat element as shown in Fig.7 in practical use. The floor-mat element 1 embodying the invention shown in Figs.1 to 4 comprises a plate-shaped web 2 having on the top side profile parts 3 being integral with the web 2 and protruding therefrom. The profile parts 3 consist of alternating high and low pa-ts 4 and 5 respectively so that the top face of the floor-mat element 1 has three levels. On the top side of the web 2 the profile parts 3 form a comparatively shallow profile, which can be readily cleaned. On the bottom side the web 2 has profile parts 6 being integral therewith and protruding therefrom. Although the profile on the top side is relatively shallow, it provides a firm grip since the mat can be depressed at the places between the profile elements 6. The height 7 of the profile parts 3 is smaller than the height 8 of the profile parts.6. Moreover, the profile parts 3 have a shape differing from that of the profile parts 6 so that according to circumstances the mat element 1 may be used with the profile parts 3 on top or with the profile parts 6 on top. The grate size of the profile parts 3 is indicated by the dot-and-dash lines 10. In Fig.2 the grate size of the profile parts 6 is indicated by the dot-and-dash lines 9. From Figs. 1 and 2 it will be apparent that the grate size of the profile parts 3 is identical to that of the profile parts 6. Therefore, the depressability of the mat element 1 is everywhere the same. As is shown in Fig.1 the profile elements 6 are located beneath the low parts 5 of the profile parts 3. They can, therefore, not be depressed. The high parts 4 of the profile parts 3 are, however, not supported and can be readily depressed to ensure a firm hold. According to the invention the profile parts 6 are relatively separated profile elements. Thus channels are formed between the profile parts 6, one of which is designated by 11. Through these channels a liquid can readily flow. When the element 1 is used with the profile elements 6 on top, flushing water can be conducted away through the channels 11 for cleaning the mat. In the floor-mat element 15 of Figs. 5 and 6 the web between the profile parts 16 on the top side and the profile parts 17 on the bottom side has draining holes 18. Through these draining holes 18 the liquid can be conducted away to the bottom side of the mat element and through the channels formed between the profile elements 17. A floor-mat element 15 is, for example, particularly suitable for use in the milking house of a dairy farm. Raining water dripping from the entering cows and wash water is rapidly conducted away below the mat 15 without the cows standing with their legs in the water. Figs.7 and 8 show a floor-mat element 2Q having particularly advantageouc profile elements 21 and 22. According to the invention these profile elements 21 and 22 have a rounded-off, at least slightly stretched S shape. Owing to the many surfaces at an angle to one another, for example, the paw 40 of the cow shown in Fig.13 finds a firm hold in all directions. Since the profile elements 21 are separated from one another flushing water can be readily conducted away. The channels formed between the profile elements 21 and 22 as indicated by the broken line 23 have a meandering or zigzag shape so that the litter 41 will not readily slide away along the channels 23 of the floor-mat element. Fig.7 clearly shows that the S-shaped profile elements 21 provide a satisfactory surface filling so that the overall surface of the sections of the profile elements may be small with respect to the overall surface of the floor-mat element 20. In the embodiment shown the surface of the profile elements is not even 40% of the total surface. The resultant saving of material is also enabled by the fact that the S-shaped profile elements are strong. The ends 34 and 36 are at an angle to the adjacent part 35. Thus a satisfactory bending resistance is obtained, which is particularly important for the high profile elements 21. In other words profile elements whose ends are each at an angle to a neighbouring part have, with less material, the same rigidity as profile elements of rectangular shape like the profile elements 31 and 32 of the floor-mat element 30 shown in Figs.11 and 12. The aforesaid advantage is also obtained by the profile elements1#,17 of the floor-mat element 15 and the profile elements 26,27 of the floor-mat element 25 shown in Figs.9 and 10. The ends 28 and 29 of the profile elements 26 are each at an angle to the adjacent ends 29,28. In the floor-mat element 30 shown in Figs.11 and 12 neighbouring profile elements 31 are at an angle to one another. In this way zigzag channels are formed between the rectangular profile elements 31. In Fig.11 such a channels is indicated by the broken line 33. In the floor-mat elements 15,20,25 and 30 th profile elements on both sides cover one another in a direction transverse of the web. Fig.13 shows for the floormat element 20 that the profile elements 21, 22 on both sides of the web 24 form together "blocks" bearing on the ground, whereas the web 24 is located at an intermediate level. This results in a firm grip on the mat. When, as is shown in Fig.13, the claws 42 of the cow leg 40 are standing between the profile elements 21 the web 24 is locally depressed so that the profile elements 21 have an effectively incteased height to offer a firm hold. The profile elements 21 themselves cannot be depressed beyong their own elasticity. When a car passes over such a floor-mat element, the wheels come into contact only with the top surface of the non-resilient profile elements 21 so that rolling resistance is limited.

Claims: CLAIMS: ; 1. A floor-mat element (1) of flexible material, for example, rubber, comprising a plate-shaped web (2) having on the top and bottom sides profile parts (3,6) being integral with said web and protruding therefrom characterized in that the profile parts (6) on one side protrude over a considerably larger height (8) from the web (2) than on the other side. 2. A floor-mat element as claimed in claim 1 characterized by draining holes (18) formed in the web(2) between the profile elements (16,18). 3. A floor-mat element as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims characterized in that the profile parts (3,6) constitute a grate-like repetitive pattern and in that the grate sizes of the profile parts (3,6) on both sides of the web (2) are the same. 4.A floor-mat element as claimed in claim 3 characterized in that the profile elements (15,20,25,30) on both sides cover one another in a direction transverse of the web (2). 5. A floor-mat element as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that neighbouring profile elements (31) are at an angle to one another. 6. A floor-mat element as claimed in anyone of claims 2 to 5 characterized by elongate profile elements (21), the ends (34,36) of which are each at an angle to an adjacent part (35). 7. A floor-mat element as claimed in claim 6 characterized in that each profile element (21,22) has a rounded-off, at least slightly stretched S shape.

Inventors: KRAAYENHOF, HANS
Applicants: BROOS B.V.
Application year: 1982
Main classification: A01K1
IPC codes: A01K1