Abstract:
The present invention provides a boxing ring corner mat that may prevent the surface in the corner of a boxing ring from becoming dangerously slippery when water or other liquids are spilled thereon. The present invention also provides a boxing ring corner mat that may be in place on the surface of a boxing ring, and rotatable out of place around or over the corner of a boxing ring, preventing, while also serving as a means for promotions. This is accomplished with a corner mat having a bottom portion, a top portion, a front portion, a back portion, and a seat fixedly attached to the mat.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention generally relates to floor mats specifically for use in boxing ring corners, that trap and contain water or other liquids, and are rotatable around the corner posts of a boxing ring. The use of a mat as a means for floor protection is well known within the art. These may include traditional floor mats often found in entranceways, protective mats for car floors and cargo space or garage mats for containing fluid leaking from an automobile, or debris.  
         [0002]     By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,162 issued to Dean describes a protective garage mat for protecting the garage surface from fluids that could possibly leak from a vehicle. The floor mat is constructed of reinforced rubber with ribs, channels, and a perimeter lip that can contain a given amount of liquid. A similar floor-protecting mat, U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,577 issued to Smolenski et al. describes a modular floor mat protection system. This modular system can protect floors of various sizes from contaminants and contains these contaminants on the mat, also implementing a perimeter lip.  
         [0003]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,729 issued to Morawski discloses a floor mat to be used in a car. This floor mat has a tread like forward end comprised of multiple grooves or channels, which channel water to the rear end. The rear end of the floor mat is comprised of multiple square trough-like water collectors, which collect and contain the water runoff from the forward tread portion. This floor mat is also lightweight and flexible as to facilitate easy emptying. Similar to the &#39;729 patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,962,350 issued to Krotine discloses a floor mat that is used to absorb and retain water dripping from shoes, umbrellas and other items that could possibly introduce water to a building. This floor mat is constructed of a multitude of polypropylene absorbent layers that draw liquid from the upper level of the mat, wick the water towards the bottom of the mat and hold it until it evaporates.  
         [0004]     While these devices serve their specific purposes, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a mat that retains liquids, can be rotatably fixed to a corner post of a boxing ring, and conveniently and easily moved in and out of place. The prior art also does not disclose a mat that includes a rotatable mat further incorporating a stool attachment or a rotatable towel attachment. Further more, the prior art does not disclose floor mats that can be used for advertising or promotional purposes.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The present invention provides a boxing ring corner mat that may prevent the surface in the corner of a boxing ring from becoming dangerously slippery when water or other liquids are spilled thereon. The present invention also provides a boxing ring corner mat that may be in place on the surface of a boxing ring, and rotatable out of place around or over the corner of a boxing ring, preventing, while also serving as a means for promotions.  
         [0006]     According to the first embodiment of the present invention, a corner mat is disclosed comprising: a mat having a bottom portion, a top portion, a front portion, a back portion, and a seat fixedly attached to the mat.  
         [0007]     According to a second embodiment of the present invention, a corner mat is disclosed comprising: a mat having a bottom portion, a top portion, a front portion, a back portion and seat receiving means on the top portion of the mat.  
         [0008]     According to a yet another embodiment of the present invention, a corner mat is disclosed comprising: a mat in the shape of a quarter circle, having a back portion, a rounded front portion, a first side portion extending from the first end of the front portion, a second side portion extending from the second end of the front portion wherein the first side portion is substantially perpendicular to the second side portion, a bottom portion and a top portion; a peripheral lip perpendicularly extending from the perimeter of the mat; a seat hingedly attached to the mat; an attachment means comprised of a first piece of fabric and a second piece of fabric, a first end of the first piece of fabric and a first end of the second piece of fabric are fixedly attached to the seat, the first piece of fabric and the second piece of fabric being long enough to allow a second end of the first piece of fabric and a second end of the second piece of fabric to be joined around the corner of a boxing ring; and a discontinuous ring shaped towel with a first end, a second end, an inner circumference, an outer circumference and a promotional display thereon, in removable communication with the mat. The first end of the towel and the second end of the towel are attachable around the hingedly attached seat and the corner post of a boxing ring.  
         [0009]     According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of fabricating a boxing ring corner mat is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of: providing a mat having a bottom portion, a top portion, a front portion, a back portion and a seat fixedly attached thereto.  
         [0010]     According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of fabricating a boxing ring corner mat is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of: providing a mat having a bottom portion, a top portion, a front portion, a back portion and seat receiving means.  
         [0011]     This summary is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1A  depicts a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 1B  depicts a side view of an apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 1C  depicts a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 1D  depicts a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 1E  depicts a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 1F  depicts a side view of an apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 1G  depicts a side view of an apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 1H  depicts a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2A  depicts a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 2B  depicts a side view of an apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 2C  depicts a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 2D  depicts a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 2E  depicts a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 2F  depicts a side view of an apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 2G  depicts a side view of an apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 2H  depicts a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 3A  depicts a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 3B  depicts a side view of an apparatus according to the present invention; and  
         [0030]      FIG. 4  depicts a flowchart of a method according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0031]     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.  
         [0032]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  depict the boxing ring corner mat  20  according to the present invention. The corner mat  20  is comprised of a mat  22  and a seat  24  fixedly attached to the mat  20 . The seat  24  may be hingedly attached to the mat as to provide a collapsible seat  24 . An attachment means  26  may allow the corner mat  20  to rotate over or around the ropes  121 , corner post  122  or corner of a boxing ring  120 . The mat  22  is comprised of a top portion  28 , a bottom portion  30  a front portion  32  and a back portion  34 . The attachment means  26 , which may attach the corner mat  20  to the ropes  121 , corner post  122  or corner of a boxing ring  120 , may be comprised of a first piece of fabric  25  and a second piece of fabric  27 . The first end  40  of the first piece of fabric  25  and the first end  42  of the second piece of fabric  27  may be fixedly attached to the seat  24  or the mat  22 . The first piece of fabric  25  and the second piece of fabric  27  are long enough to allow the second end  36  of the first piece of fabric  25  and the second end  38  of the second piece of fabric  27  to be joined around the ropes  121 , corner post  122  or corner of a boxing ring  120 . Velcro, a tie or a clip, may join the second end  36  of the first piece of fabric  25  and the second end  38  of the second piece of fabric  27  around the ropes  121 , corner post  122  or corner of a boxing ring  120 . The attachment means  26  allows the corner mat  20  to be rotatable over and around the ropes  121 , corner post  122  or corner of a boxing ring  120 . Handles  37  may be attached to the mat allowing the mat to be easily moved in and out of place on the boxing ring surface. The corner mat  20  may have a promotional display  23  affixed to the top portion  28 , bottom portion  30  or the seat  24 . The promotional display may be a logo, advertisement, brand name, trademark and emblem.  
         [0033]     As displayed in  FIG. 1C , the mat  52  may be cone shaped, having a rounded front portion  44 , first side portion  48  and second side portion  50  extending from the rounded front portion  44  narrowing towards the back portion  46  of the mat  52 . The examples of mat shape as provided are not to be taken in a limiting sense, but rather by way of example. It is envisioned that a multitude of shapes and sizes are envisioned without departing from the scope of the invention.  
         [0034]     As displayed in  FIG. 1D , the mat  60  may have a peripheral lip  62  perpendicularly extending from the perimeter of the mat  60 , to prevent liquids from leaking off the mat  60  and onto the boxing ring surface  161 . The mat  60  may further comprise a drain means  64  located on the back portion  66  of the mat  60 , to rid the mat  60  of liquids thereon. The drain means  64  may be a hole in the bottom portion  68  of the mat  60 , a hole through the peripheral lip  62  of the mat  60 , or a channel  67  guiding liquids off the mat  60  through the peripheral lip  62 .  
         [0035]     As displayed in  FIG. 1E , the top portion  72  of the mat  70  may have water collection troughs  74  thereon formed by a multitude of intersecting ridges  76  extending perpendicularly from the top portion  72  of the mat  70 . These troughs  74  would retain liquids on the mat  70 , preventing spilling of the liquids and providing easy dumping of any liquids on the mat  70 . As displayed in  FIG. 1F , the top portion  82  of the mat  80  may also be elevated with the front portion  84  extending towards the back portion  86  in a downward sloping fashion, thus directing liquids from the front portion  84  of the mat  80  towards the back portion  86 . As shown in  FIG. 1G  the top portion  83  of the mat  81  may be elevated towards the front portion  89 , forming a ridge  85 . The top portion  83  extends toward the front portion  89  of the mat  81  in a downward sloping fashion providing a mat  81  that the boxer may easily step onto without the danger of tripping. The top portion  83  of the mat may also extend from the ridge  85  in a downward sloping fashion towards the back portion  87  of the mat  81  thus directing liquids from the ridge  85  of the mat  81  towards the back portion  87 . As shown in  FIG. 1H , the top portion  92  of the mat  90  may have channels  98  thereon. The channels  98  are formed by ridges  100  running from the front portion  94  of the mat  90  to the back portion  96  which are substantially perpendicularly extending from the top portion  92  of the mat  90 .  
         [0036]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  depict the boxing ring corner mat  220  according to the present invention. The corner mat  220  is comprised of a mat  222  seat receiving means  221  on the top portion  228  of the mat  20 . The seat receiving means  221  allow the seat  224  to be in removable communication with the mat  222 . The seat  224  and seat receiving  221  means may be removably attached using Velcro grips. The seat receiving means  221  may be through holes in which the seat  224  is in direct communication with the surface  231  of the boxing ring  229 . An attachment means  226  allows the corner mat  220  to rotate over or around the ropes  310 , corner post  311  or corner of a boxing ring  312 . The mat  222  is comprised of a top portion  228 , a bottom portion  230  a front portion  232  and a back portion  234 . The attachment means  226  attaching the corner mat  220  to the ropes  310 , corner post  311  or corner of a boxing ring  312  may be comprised of a first piece of fabric  225  and a second piece of fabric  227 . The first end  240  of the first piece of fabric  225  and the first end  242  of the second piece of fabric  227  may be fixedly attached to the mat  222 . The first piece of fabric  225  and the second piece of fabric  227  are long enough to allow the second end  236  of the first piece of fabric  225  and the second end  238  of the second piece of fabric  227  to be joined around the corner of a boxing ring  229 . Velcro, a tie or a clip, may join the second end  236  of the first piece of fabric  225  and the second end  238  of the second piece of fabric  227  around the corner of a boxing ring  229 . The attachment means  226  allows the corner mat  220  to be rotatable over or around the ropes  310 , corner post  311  or corner of the boxing ring  312 . Handles  237  may be attached to the mat allowing the mat to be easily moved in and out of place on the boxing ring surface. The corner mat  220  may have a promotional display  223  affixed to the top portion  228 , bottom portion  230  or the seat  224 . The promotional display may be a logo, advertisement, brand name, trademark and emblem.  
         [0037]     As displayed in  FIG. 2C , the mat  252  may be cone shaped, having a rounded front portion  244 , first side portion  248  and second side portion  250  extending from the rounded front portion  244  narrowing towards the back portion  246  of the mat  252 . The examples of mat shape as provided are not to be taken in a limiting sense, but rather by way of example. It is envisioned that a multitude of shapes and sizes are envisioned without departing from the scope of the invention.  
         [0038]     As displayed in  FIG. 2D , the mat  260  may have a peripheral lip  262  perpendicularly extending from the perimeter of the mat  260 , to prevent liquids from leaking off the mat  260  and onto the surface  271  of the boxing ring  273 . The mat  260  may further comprise a drain means  264  located on the back portion  266  of the mat  260 , to rid the mat  260  of liquids thereon. The drain means  264  may be a hole in the bottom portion  268  of the mat  260 , a hole through the peripheral lip  262  of the mat, or a channel  267  guiding liquids off the mat  260  through the peripheral lip  262 . As also displayed in  FIG. 2D , the seat receiving means may be composed of a round depressed area  261  that is approximately 18 inches in diameter, that will snugly hold a seat  263  in place  
         [0039]     As displayed in  FIG. 2E , the top portion  272  of the mat  270  may have water collection troughs  274  thereon formed by a multitude of intersecting ridges  276  extending perpendicularly from the top portion  272  of the mat  270 . These troughs  274  would retain liquids on the mat  270 , preventing spilling of the liquids and providing easy dumping of any liquids on the mat  270 . As displayed in  FIG. 2F , the top portion  282  of the mat  280  may also be elevated with the front portion  284  extending towards the back portion  286  in a downward sloping fashion, thus directing liquids from the front portion  284  of the mat  280  towards the back portion  286 . As shown in  FIG. 2G  the top portion  283  of the mat  281  may be elevated towards the front portion  289 , forming a ridge  285 . The top portion  283  extends toward the front portion  289  of the mat  281  in a downward sloping fashion providing a mat  281  that the boxer may easily step onto without the danger of tripping. The top portion  283  of the mat may also extend from the ridge  285  in a downward sloping fashion towards the back portion  287  of the mat  281  thus directing liquids from the ridge  285  of the mat  281  towards the back portion  287 . As shown in  FIG. 2H  the top portion  292  of the mat  290  may have channels  298  thereon. The channels  298  are formed by ridges  300  running from the front portion  294  of the mat  290  to the back portion  296  which are substantially perpendicularly extending from the top portion  292  of the mat  290 .  
         [0040]      FIGS. 3A and 3B , depict the boxing ring corner mat  130  according to another preferred embodiment. The mat  140  is in the shape of a quarter circle, and comprised of a top portion  131 , a bottom portion  142 , a back portion  143  a rounded front portion  144 , a first side portion  145  extending from the first end  147  of the front portion  144  substantially perpendicular to a second side portion  146  extending from the second end  148  of the front portion  144 . The corner mat  130  also comprises a seat  137  hingedly attached to the mat  131 . When the seat  131  is in the collapsed position, the entire corner mat  130  may slide underneath the ropes of the boxing ring  139 . The mat has a peripheral lip  149  perpendicularly extending from the perimeter of the mat  140 , to prevent liquids from leaking off the mat  140  and onto the boxing ring  139 .  
         [0041]     The attachment means  444  attaches the corner mat  130  to the corner of the boxing ring  139  is comprised of a first piece of fabric  446  and a second piece of fabric  454 . The first end  448  of the first piece of fabric  446  and the first end  456  of the second piece of fabric  454  are fixedly attached to the mat  140 . The first piece of fabric  446  and the second piece of fabric  454  are long enough to allow the second end  450  of the first piece of fabric  446  and the second end  452  of the second piece of fabric  454  to be joined around the corner post  138  of a boxing ring  139 . Velcro, a tie or a clip, may join the second end  450  of the first piece of fabric  446  and the second end  452  of the second end of fabric  454  around the corner of a boxing ring  139 . The attachment means  444  allows the corner mat  130  to be rotatable over and around the corner of the boxing ring  139 .  
         [0042]     The corner mat  130  further comprises a towel  132  in removable communication with the mat  140 . The towel  132  may be a discontinuous ring shape having an inner circumference  133  and an outer circumference  134 , a first end  135  and a second end  136 . The first end  135  of the towel  132  and the second end  136  of the towel  132  may be joined around the seat  137  and the corner post  138  of a boxing ring  139  providing a removable, rotatable towel  132 . The first end  135  and the second end  136  may be secured together using Velcro. The towel  132  may be in removable communication with the top portion  131  of the mat  140 . Velcro affixed to the top portion  131  of the mat  140  may removably secure the towel  132  to the mat  140 . Promotional displays  141  may also be affixed on the towel  132 . These promotional displays  141  may be logos, advertisements, brand names, trademarks or emblems. The ring shaped towel  132  allows for multiple promotional displays  141  to be displayed simultaneously. The rotatable nature of the towel  132  allows the promotional displays  141  to be rotated into various positions, be it on the top portion  131  of the mat  140  or hanging off the corner of the boxing ring  139 . The rotatable nature of the towel  132  may also allow for used, wet portions of the towel  132  to be rotated off the mat  140 , and drier portions of the towel  132  rotated into place on the mat  140 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 4  depicts a method of fabricating of a boxing ring corner mat  20 , the method comprising the steps of: step ( 400 ) providing a mat  22  having a seat  24  fixedly attached thereto. Step ( 402 ) is attaching an attachment means  26  to the corner mat  20  for rotatably fixing the corner mat  20  to a corner of a boxing ring  120 . Step ( 404 ) may be affixing a promotional display  23  onto a portion of the corner mat  20 . Step ( 406 ) may be providing a discontinuous ring shaped towel to be in removable communication with the mat.  
         [0044]     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to preferred embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.