Abstract:
A floor mat system having a plurality of floor mats and a frame assembly which prevents the floor mats from lifting and causing a tripping hazard to persons walking thereover. The floor mats may include carpeted sections over a plurality of orthagonally disposed spaced ribs. The frame assembly includes inner and outer frame members which extend between and around the floor mats, respectively. The inner fame members are T-shaped having a pair of horizontally disposed wings and the outer frame members are ramped and include a horizontally disposed upper flange. The wings and upper flanges which extend over peripheral edge portions of the floor mats to vertically retain them, the inner and outer frame which may be secured to the floor.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Technical Field  
           [0002]    Generally, the invention relates to a floor mat system. Particularly, the invention relates to a floor mat system which includes a frame which is disposable on the floor and one or more floor mats positionable within the frame. Specifically, the invention relates to a floor mat system which includes outer frame members having a ramped upper surface and defining a periphery of an area to be covered by the floor mat system and inner frame members which divide the area into wells which receive the floor mats, the outer frame members having an upper flange which extends inwardly over a peripheral portion of the plurality of floor mats and the inner frame members having a pair of wings which extends inwardly over a peripheral portion of the individual floor mats to prevent lifting of the floor mats during use.  
           [0003]    2. Background Information  
           [0004]    Floor mats are often used at the entrances of businesses for customers to wipe water and snow from the bottoms of their shoes. Conventional floor mats are typically constructed of a flexible rubber material with a plurality of spaced apart orthogonal ribs formed therein which define a plurality of rectangular openings. They may be covered by strips of carpet disposed between parallel ribs. These floor mats are may require a recessed area to be built into the floor where the floor mats are to be located for later installation. The recessed area retains the floor mats abutting together and from sliding movement when walked upon by people. The recessed area somewhat helps in reduce the tripping hazard presented by the otherwise elevated position of the peripheral edges of the floor mats to persons walking over the floor mats. The peripheral edges of the floor mats, particularly those which utilize strips of carpet which can tear loose from the underlying floor mat, are still prone to take a permanent upward set or curl due to inadvertent kicking thus presenting a tripping hazard unless the floor mats are secured directly to the floor.  
           [0005]    Another type of floor mat sets on non-recessed floors, but is part of a floor mat system that includes a ramped frame assembly comprised of a plurality of outer frame members which are secured directly to the floor in an attempt to lessen the tripping hazard Peripheral edges of the floor mats of this floor mat system are still prone to be lifted due and take a permanent set or curl due to inadvertent kicking unless secured directly to the floor. Law suits due to injuries incurred by tripping on either such floor mats and floor mat systems still cost retailers and other such businesses which use them millions of dollars each year.  
           [0006]    Therefore, the need exists for an improved floor mat system having a plurality of outer frame members with respective horizontally disposed upper flanges and which may include one or more inner frame members having pairs of horizontally disposed wings, the upper flanges and wings which extend over and retain peripheral edge portions of the floor mats from lifting so as to prevent tripping over such peripheral edge portions. Additionally, there exists a need for such a floor mat system which requires no recess in the floor, having ramped outer frame members which along with the inner frame members may be connected to each other and/or to the floor. Further additionally, there exists a need for such a floor mat system wherein the individual floor mats are removable to clean the floor below the floor mats.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    Objectives of the invention include providing a floor mat system which includes inner and outer frame members which prevents carpet pieces at peripheral edge portions of the floor mats from lifting from a base thereof and presenting a tripping hazard to persons walking thereon.  
           [0008]    A further objective is to provide a floor mat system in which the carpet pieces are removably connectable to permit cleaning and replacement by using interlockable patches of hook and loop fasteners affixed to the underside of the pieces of carpet and the base of the floor mats.  
           [0009]    A further objective is to provide a floor mat system in which the inner and/or outer frame members may be secured to the floor yet the individual floor mats may be removed from the frame assembly to allow clean-up dirt, debris, or water under the floor mat and placed back within the frame assembly after clean-up.  
           [0010]    A further objective is to provide a floor mat system which is easily installed on top of a floor without any modifications to the floor such as a recess or the use of fasteners.  
           [0011]    A further objective is to provide a floor mat system which includes a frame assembly and floor mats which are removably attachable together to form an integral unit which does not require securing to the floor and which when not secured to the floor is less prone to movement and slippage on the floor than other such non-secured floor mat systems due to the larger size of the integral unit.  
           [0012]    A further objective is to provide a floor mat system which allows water to be directed as desired to evenly disperse the water under the floor mats by selectively placing seals under the inner frame members.  
           [0013]    Yet another objective is to provide such a floor mat system in which the outer periphery of the mats may be sealed by placing seals under the outer frame members of the frame assembly to prevent the flow of water thereunder.  
           [0014]    A further objective is to provide a floor mat system utilizes simplified resilient tubular seals in the outer frame members.  
           [0015]    A still further objective is to provide a floor mat system which utilizes a pair of seals in each outer frame member to provide additional sealing protection.  
           [0016]    Another objective of the invention is to provide a floor mat system which is of simple construction, which achieves the stated objectives in a simple, effective, and inexpensive manner and which solves problems and satisfies needs existing in the art.  
           [0017]    These objectives and advantages are obtained by the improved floor mat system of the present invention, the general nature of which may be stated as including a floor mat system adapted to lay on floor, the system including: a floor mat adapted to lay on the floor; and a frame assembly which includes at least one outer frame member having a horizontally dispose upper flange and which may have one or more inner frame members having a pair of horizontally disposed wings, the inner and outer frame members being adapted to lay on the floor positioned adjacent to the mat with the respective wings and upper flanges disposed over and vertically retaining respective outer peripheral portions of the floor mats. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective top plan view of the floor mat system of the present invention, including a frame assembly and a plurality of floor mats;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an outer frame member of the frame assembly shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an inner frame member of the frame assembly shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line  4 - 4 , FIG. 1; and  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line  5 - 5 , FIG. 1. 
     
    
       [0024]    Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0025]    The floor mat system of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1, being designated generally at  20 , as positioned directly on a floor  23 . System  20  includes a plurality of floor mats  26  and a frame assembly  29  (FIG. 1) which extends around and between floor mats  26 . The floor mats  29  are typically about four foot by four foot square, but may be various sizes and shapes without affecting the concept of the invention. Floor mats  26  include a series of rectangular, parallel first and second ribs  32  (FIG. 1) and  35  (FIGS. 4 and 5). First ribs  32  are in groups of three spaced apart from one another by a distance equal to their respective widths. Second ribs  35  are in pairs of two which are spaced apart from one another, and from first ribs  32 , by a distance equal to their respective widths. Second ribs  35  are slightly shorter in height than first ribs  32 . A series of rectangular, parallel third ribs  38  extend perpendicular to and between first and second ribs  32  an  35  forming respective rectangular openings  41  (FIG. 1) and  44  (FIGS. 4 and 5) therebetween.  
         [0026]    Third ribs  38  comprise of a pair of middle ribs  47  which extend between a pair of support ribs  50  having respective rounded bottoms  53 . Third ribs  38  are shorter in height than first ribs  32 , thereby along with second ribs  35 , creating a sculptured upper surface  59  of floor mat  26 . Rounded bottom  53  of each support rib  50  extends substantially below first ribs  32 , second ribs  35 , and middle ribs  47  thereby suspending the majority of floor mat  26  above floor  23 , creating drainage channels  62  for water and debris which falls through the rectangular openings  41  and  44 . A plurality of carpet sections  63  such as short nap pile carpet are removably connected to the second ribs  35  in respective carpet receiving recesses  64  formed by the first and second ribs  32  and  35  in the upper surface  59  using a plurality of hook fastener strips or patches  65  are affixed to the carpet sections  63  such as by sewing or riveting. A plurality of loop fastener strips or patches  66  are affixed to the second ribs  35  in the respective carpet receiving recesses  64  such as by using adhesives or rivets. Such hook and loop fastener patches  65  and  66  are removably interconnectable by pressing them together and peeling apart, commonly known under the trade name VELCRO™. A plurality of support legs (not how) may extend downwardly to provide additional support against the floor.  
         [0027]    Frame assembly  29  includes a plurality of inner frame members  67  and outer frame members  68  which extend between and around, respectively, floor mats  26 . Inner frame members  67  are elongate, members of a hollowed T-shaped cross-section with a seal receiving recess  71 . Innerframe members  67  include an upperwall  74  with respective transversely extending wings  77  and  80  adapted to extend over a peripheral portion the floor mats  29 , and further include an upper surface  83 . A plurality of spaced, parallel raised projections  86  are formed in upper surface  83 , extending the entire length of inner frame members  67 . A pair of side walls  89  and  92  are downwardly dependent from upper wall  74  defining seal receiving recess  71 , side walls  89  and  92  having respective bottom ends  95  and  98 .  
         [0028]    Outer frame members  68  are elongate, generally triangular shaped in cross-section. Outer frame members  68  have an inner side surface  101  with respective upper and lower flanges  104  and  107  extending perpendicularly therefrom adapted to extend over a peripheral portion the floor mats  29 , and angled upper surface  110  which is tapered downwardly away from upper flange  104 . A bottom surface  113  extends horizontally from lower flange  107  to upper surface  110 . Upper surface  110  includes a plurality of spaced, parallel raised projections  116  formed along the entire length thereof. Bottom surface  113  is formed with respective large and small seal receiving recesses  119  and  122  which are of a generally C-shape, having respective circular upper walls  125  and  128 , and pairs of inwardly directed lower surfaces  131  and  134 , and  137  and  140 . Inner frame members  67  and inner frame members  68  are each of a constant cross-section and therefore are extrudable in plastic or aluminum materials thereby substantially reducing manufacturing costs for floor mat system  20 .  
         [0029]    Outer frame member may be manufactured without lower flange  107  without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Also, portions of frame assembly  29 , or all of frame assembly  29  may be manufactured of vinyl without departing from the spirit of the invention.  
         [0030]    A plurality of seals  43 ,  146 , and  149  may be received into the respective seal receiving recesses  71 ,  119 , and  122 . Seal  143  is a generally tubular shaped member having a center hole  152  and is formed of a resilient material such as rubber. Seal  143  may be positioned within recess  71  of inner frame members  67 , being sandwiched between inner frame members  67  and floor  23  during use. The downward pressure of inner frame member  67  causes seal  143  to deform to the oval shape shown in FIG. 5 creating a watertight seal between inner frame members  67  and floor  23 . Seals  146  and  149  are also generally tubular shaped members having respective center holes  155  and  158  and are formed of a resilient material such as rubber. Seal  146  may be positioned within small seal receiving recess  122  of outer frame members  68  and seal  149  positioned within large seal receiving recess  119  of outer frame members  68 . Seals  146  and  149  are sandwiched between outer frame members  68  and floor  23  during use. The downward pressure of outer frame member  68  causes seals  146  and  149  to deform to the oval shapes shown in FIG. 4 creating a watertight seal between outer frame members  68  and floor  23 .  
         [0031]    When assembled together, outer frame members  68  are placed on floor  23  so as to define a periphery  161  of an area  164  of floor  23  which floor mat system  20  is to cover. Each of outer frame members  68  have at least one of floor mats  26  abutting inner side surface  101  between upper and lower flanges  104  and  107 . Inner frame members  67  divide the area  164  of floor  23  to be covered by floor mat system  20  into four by four foot wells  167  (FIG. 1). Inner frame members  67  have at least one floor mat  26  abutting each side wall  89  and  92  thereof. Each well  167  receives one of the floor mats  26 , with the interlocking hook and loop strips  170  and  173  retaining the floor mats  26  and the frame assembly together, preventing floor mats  26  from sliding or otherwise moving when walked upon by people. The upper flanges  104  and wings  77  and  80  prevent peripheral edge portions of the floor mats  29  from lifting and creating a tripping hazard. Inner and outer frame members  67  and  68  may include a plurality of vertically dispose holes (not shown) for securing to the floor using a plurality f screws or bolts (not shown). The hook and loop strips  170  and  173  can also be affixed to the bottom periphery of the floor mats  26 , and to respective lower wings (not shown) of the inner frame members  67  and to the lower flanges  107  of the outer frame members  68 , or both.  
         [0032]    Floor mats  26  including carpet sections  63  are supported by support ribs  50  at a height relatively even with the upper surface  83  of inner frame members  67  and the upper flange  104  of the outer frame members  68  creating a substantially flat floor mat system  20  with a sculptured upper surface  59  for scraping water and debris from people&#39;s shoes. Projections  86  of inner frame members  67  and the upper flange  104  of outer frame members  68  are slightly higher than floor mats  26  to create additional scraping edges to scrape water and debris from people&#39;s shoes. Upper surface  110  of outer frame members  68  is ramped to prevent people from tripping when stepping from floor  23  onto floor mat system  20 .  
         [0033]    Water and debris is scraped from the people&#39;s shoes flows through openings  41  into drainage channels  62  under floor mats  26 . If a large area is covered by a plurality floor mats  26 , the front most of floor mats will accumulate more water and debris from the people&#39;s shoes, eventually becoming completely full, while the rear most of floor mats  26  remain relatively dry. By selectively inserting or removing seals  143 ,  146 , and  149  within the seal receiving recesses  71 ,  119 , and  122  of the respective inner and  15 s outer frame members  67  and  68 , the water and debris can be more evenly distributed beneath floor mat system  20  to therefore contain more water and debris. For example, seal  143  may be removed or excluded from certain inner frame members  67  allowing the water and debris to flow in the direction desired creating an even distribution of the water and debris under floor mat system  20 . Floor mats  26  will eventually have to be removed from wells  167  allowing the water and debris to be cleaned from wells  167 . Floor mats  26  are placed back within wells  167  for further use. A floor drain (not shown) is preferably located below one or more of floor mats  268  to provide continuous drainage of water and debris from beneath floor mats  26 . Seal  143  may be inserted within some of inner frame members  67  to create a desired flow of water to the drain. Also, seal  146  may be left out of a portion of one of outer frame members  68  in the event the drain is located outside or adjacent to floor mat system  20 . The water and debris may be directed toward one side or end of floor mat system  20  creating a flow to the adjacent drain. Alternatively, floor mats  26  may be removed from wells  62  allowing the debris to be flushed from wells  167  with a water hose (not shown) with the directional flow along the drainage channels  62  allowing the flushing water to exit frame assembly  29  into the drain.  
         [0034]    Floor mat system  20  may be adapted to cover virtually any size area  164  desired by making outer frame members  68  of a suitable length to enclose the periphery  161  of the area  164  and floor mats  26  of a suitable size to fit within the area  164 . An appropriate number and length of innerframe members  67  necessary to divide the area  164  into the appropriate size wells  167  to receive the floor mats  26  may be included within outer frame members  68 . Seals  143 , 146 , and  149  may be placed within seal receiving recess  71  of inner frame members  67 , and seal receiving recesses  119  and  122  of outer frame members  68  to direct the flow of water and debris within drainage channels  62  beneath floor mats  26 .  
         [0035]    The floor mat system  20  may be placed within a recessed area (not shown) formed in floor  23 . In such a configuration, the outer frame members  68  are eliminated and inner frame members  67  may be inserted within the recessed area around the edge thereof to define the periphery  161  of the area to be covered by floor mats  26 . These inner frame members  67  will thus have at least one floor mat  26  adjacent and abutting only one side thereof. Also, inner frame members  67  may be cut in any manner which allows the inner frame members  67  to form the desired size wells  167 . For example, one piece inner frame members (not shown) extending transversely between longer one piece outer frame members (not shown) are of a length equal to the length of two of floor mats  26  plus the width of the inner frame member extending between the two floor mats  26 . Further, it is understood that floor mats  26  and wells  167  may be other square or rectangular shapes such as three by three foot or three by five foot without departing from the inventive concept.  
         [0036]    Accordingly, the improved floor mat system is much safer, simplified, provides an effective, safe, inexpensive, and efficient device which achieves all the enumerated objectives, provides for eliminating difficulties encountered with prior art devices, and solves problems and obtains new results in the art.  
         [0037]    In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.  
         [0038]    Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.  
         [0039]    Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which the improved floor mat system is constructed and used, the characteristics of the construction, and the advantageous, new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts and combinations, are set forth in the appended claims.