FLOOR MAT FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract: A car mat has a separate heel mat (2) which is releasably attached to a base mat (1) by studs (6) and retainers (7), the studs being inserted through apertures (4 and 10) in the two mats (1, 2). Alternatively, two-part stud connectors of the kind having a head which can be pressed into a socket with a snap engagement can be used. A choice of apertures (10) is provided for mounting the heel mat (2) in different positions.

Description: FLOOR HAT FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to floor mats for motor vehicles, and particularly to floor mats of the kind comprising a base mat having an upper face and a separate removable smaller heel mat releasably attached to the upper face of the base mat to take the additional wear created by the heels of occupants of the vehicle. Such a car mat will be referred to below as a mat "of the kind set forth". BACKGROUND In floor mats of the kind set forth the heel mat often carries a logo or advertising matter, and the heel mat is usually permanently secured to the base mat during manufacture, e.g. by stitching. US 4 588 628 discloses a retainer which is placed beneath a floor mat to prevent the mat from moving on a carpet. The retainer is in the form of a sheet having two bristled surfaces which engage the mat and the carpet respectively. US 4 804 567 discloses another form of retainer which is adhesively secured to the carpet. The upper surface of the retainer has multiple projections which intermesh with the projections of the retainer to prevent the mat from moving. The main disadvantages of such retainers are (i) that they would be generally ineffective at preventing relative movement between the two mats under the intense pressures often exerted be the heels of motorists, and (ii) that they would add significantly to the cost of the mat. GB 1 391 539 discloses a floor mat having a heel mat hinged to a base mat to provide different kinds of surface. However, whilst the two mats would be securely joined at the hinge there would be no prevention of relative movement over most of the contact area. GB 234 297 discloses a rubber base mat and a heel mat which can be secured to the base mat by engagement of multiple projections and multiple complementary apertures. This would probably be an effective means of preventing relative movement between the two mats, but it would take great care to ensure that the projections are adequately engaged over the area of contact. This latter objection also applies to the arrangement disclosed in GB 1 341 817, wherein multiple projections on a base mat must be accurately received in multiple apertures in a detachable heel mat. An object of the present invention may be viewed as being to provide a form of floor mat which securely prevents relative movement between the heel mat and the base mat but which is also simple for the user to engage and disengage. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention proposes a car mat of the kind set forth which is distinguished by the fact that the heel mat is attached to the base mat by releasable two- part stud connectors. When the mat is marketed with heel mats bearing different designs, less space is taken up at retail premises since the retailer need only stock one set of the larger base mats with any number of different heel mats. The heel mat can easily be replaced by the user when it becomes worn or should the user require a heel mat bearing a different design. In one example the stud connectors may comprise a plurality of stem portions which project form the heel mat in use for insertion through apertures in the base mat, and a respective retaining element for engagement with each stem portion on the opposite side of the base mat to the heel mat. Each stem portion may pass through an aperture in the heel mat in use and is joined to a head portion for abutment with an upper surface of the heel mat. A plurality of sets of apertures may be provided in the base mat to provide a choice of fixing positions for the heel mat relative to the base mat. In a preferred arrangement the two-part stud connectors have a snap engagement to provide a positive indication that a secure fixing has been achieved. For example, one part of each connector may have a head which snap engages in a socket provided by the other connector part. One part of each connector may conveniently be secured to the heel mat and the other part secured to the base mat, so that there are no separate components to be 1 ost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is exemplified in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a car mat of the invention, and Figure 2 is a sectional view of another form of stud connector for use with the car mat of Fig. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring firstly to Fig. 1, the car mat comprises a base mat 1 and a heel mat 2. The heel mat may be of woven fabric and may bear a design which is embroidered or otherwise applied to the mat. The heel mat may also be of plastics, rubber or other suitable material , with or without a design. The base mat 1 may also be of any suitabl e material . The illustrated base mat 1 is of generally rectangular shape with three of its corners being rounded and its fourth corner having a notch 3 to accommodate the front wheel arch of a vehicle. The base mat may however be of any suitable shape. For example, the opposite corner may be notched or both corners may be cut off. The heel mat 2 is again of substantially rectangular shape with slightly rounded corners, each corner containing a through aperture 4. The heel mat may carry a logo or advertising matter 5 on its upper surface. The heel mat 2 is secured to the base mat 1 by four pairs of studs 6 and retainers 7, only two of the retainers being visible in the drawing. Each stud 6 has a head 8 and a stem 9 so that the user can insert the stem of each stud through one of the apertures 4 until the head 8 abuts the top surface of the heel mat. The base mat 2 contains several , e.g. three sets of further apertures 10. Each set of apertures 10 corresponds with the apertures 4 of the heel mat to receive the stems 9 which project from the bottom of the heel mat 2. However, the three sets of apertures 10 are offset from each other in the longer dimension of the base mat, corresponding to the front-rear direction of a vehicle in which the mat will be installed, so that the user can choose the most appropriate position of the heel mat relative to the base mat. This allows the configuration of the mat to be adjusted by the user according to his/her leg length and/or preferred driving position for example. As an alternative, the apertures 10 could be omitted and the user could make his/her own apertures in the base mat using a bradawl for example. The user will normally be provided with the necessary instructions, possibly with a template for ensuring the correct relative positioning of the holes 10. The retainers 7 each comprise a spring metal washer having a number of integral inwardly projecting spring fingers. Thus, when the user pushes one of the retainers onto each stem 9 projecting from the underside of the base mat the fingers flex towards the leading end of the stem to permit the retainer to pass relatively easily onto the stem. However, the spring fingers resist withdrawal of the retainer from the stem by biting into the stem. The heel mat is thus firmly secured to the base mat in the chosen position. However, should it become necessary to separate the heel mat from the base mat the retainers 7 can be forcibly removed from the stems 9 and subsequently re¬ engaged with the stems if required. An alternative form of two-part stud connector is shown in Fig. 2. A first part 15 of the connector is secured to the heel mat 2 and a second part 16 is secured to the base mat 1. The first part 15 includes a button 17 on the top surface of the heel mat, which is secured to a socket 18 on the underside of the heel mat by a rivet 19. The socket 18 includes an annular recess 20 in which is retained a resilient split ring 21. The second part 16 includes discs 22 and 23 which are located on opposite sides of the base mat and joined by a rivet 24. The disc 22 on the upper surface of the base mat 1 is secured to a head 25 including a neck portion 25a. In order to releasably connect the two parts 15 and 16 the head 25 can be pressed into the socket 18 to expand the split ring 21. As the ring enters the recess formed by neck portion 25a the head 25 enters the socket 18 with a snap engagement. The head 25 can be withdrawn from the socket 18 with a similar snap action. One such connector can be used in place of each two- part stud and retainer connector of Fig. 1. It will be appreciated that the head part 25 could be secured to the heel mat and the socket part 18 secured to the base mat. A number of alternative connector parts 16 could be provided in different positions on the base mat 1 to provide a range of alternative fixing positions of the heel mat. In each embodiment the heel mat is securely and positively affixed to the base mat so that there is no risk of the heel mat moving in use, yet the stud fixings are quick and easy to connect.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A floor mat comprising a base mat (1) having an upper face, and a separate removable smaller heel mat (2) releasably attached to the upper face of the base mat, characterised by the fact that the heel mat is attached to the base mat by releasable two-part stud connectors (6, 7; 15, 16). 2. A floor mat according to Claim 1, in which the two-part stud connectors (15, 16) have a snap engagement. 3. A floor mat according to Claim 2, in which one part (16) of each stud connector has a head (25) which snap engages in a socket (18) provided by the other part (15) of the connector. 4. A floor mat according to Claim 1, in which one part (15) of each connector is secured to the heel mat (2) and the other part (16) is secured to the base mat (1).

Inventors: KIMSEY PAUL, KIMSEY, PAUL
Applicants: KIMSEY PAUL, KIMSEY, PAUL
Application year: 1991
Main classification: B60N3
IPC codes: B60N3