Abstract:
A non-slip, water resistant, oil resistant surface structure for use where water and/or oil are likely to create a slippery surface, including a rubber-bottom mat upon which a thrice coated, non-slip surfaced substrate is fastened, the coating on the substrate including crushed walnuts, or the equivalent, to provide for a non-slip surface and the coating comprising a thermosetting epoxy resin material with an amine hardener.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is directed to a non-skid surface structure that can be used as a floor, or a mat adapted for placement on garage floors, and includes, preferably features that render it relatively water resistant, oil resistant and non-slip. 
     B. Description of the Prior Art 
     Various non-skid surface structures are known, as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,662,972, 5,475,951, 5,500,267 and 5,763,070. However, none of these structures provide the combination of features yielding the usefulness, flexibility, durability, ease of manufacture, and practicality of the present invention. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a non-slip, water resistant, oil resistant surface structure that can be used as a floor or as a mat for placement on garage floors and other flat surfaces where the presence of water and/or oil may create a slippery surface. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of making a non-slip, water resistant and oil resistant surface structure that can be used as a floor or as a mat for placement on garage floors and other floor areas. 
     With reference to the above-described object, the present invention provides a surface structure that can be used as a floor or as a mat having a skid surface which is adapted for use on floors, stairs and other surfaces, as well as a method of for preparing such a mat. 
     The method of manufacture of the present surface structure includes coating a base material, preferably wood, with a thermosetting epoxy resin, and then placing a cloth which has been dipped in the epoxy resin material on the base material and allowing both to dry until the coating hardens. The coated, hardened base material is then coated with a third coating of the thermosetting epoxy resin, which third coat contains abrasive materials such as walnut shells or other granular materials and then allowing the third coating to dry and harden. The coated base, cloth dipped, granular coated substrate is then fastened to a conventional rubber-bottomed mat with an appropriate adhesive, such as “Gorilla Glue” and/or conventional fasteners. The size, depth, width, length and thickness of the surface structure may vary. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the method of manufacturing the surface structure of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of a first, preferred embodiment of the surface structure of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a is a top view of a second, preferred embodiment of the surface structure of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic diagram of the method of manufacture  20  of the surface structure of the present invention will be described. First, a substrate or sheet  22  is selected. Preferably the substrate is a wooden board or other durable, flat material. The substrate functions as a main supporting member and upon which and over which one or more layers of coating material are applied. Next, a first coating is applied at step  24 . The 1 st  coating is a mixture of SIKAGARD 62 HI BILD Part A and Part B thermosetting epoxy resin materials. The preferred coating for the mat of the present invention is an epoxy resin sold as SIKAGARD 62 HI BILD, which product includes a Part A epoxy compound, and a Part B amine curing agent, manufactured by the SIKA Corporation of Lindhurst, N.J. 07071. A copy of the SIKA Corporation product information sheet on its SIKAGARD 62 HI BILD product is incorporated by reference herein, and a copy is submitted herewith. 
     The Part A and Part B liquids are mixed in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Once the SIKAGARD 62HI BILD mixture is prepared, the board is coated with the mixture. Then a section of a cloth of sufficient size to cover the board is then dipped in the SIKAGARD 62 HI BILD-Part A and Part B mixture. The mixture laden cloth is then laid on the board and permitted to dry, so that the coating hardens. The cloth is preferably a bedsheet-like material used to cover joints and nicks on the base material; it gives the base material a smoother finish and makes the epoxy resin bond stronger and harder to the coated base material, as shown in at  26  in FIG.  1 . 
     Next, a third coating is applied in step  28 . In this third coating, a third mixture of the SIKAGARD 62 HI BILD Part A and Part B is prepared, in accordance with the instructions from the manufacturer. Then, to this third mixture a quantity of crushed walnut shells or other granular material are added. In addition to crushed walnut shells, “SIKAGARD 62 granules” are preferred. SIKAGARD 62 granules are also commercially available from Sika Corporation. The granular material is mixed, preferably at a concentration of approximately ½ pound of granular material per gallon of the epoxy/amine mixture. The amount of granular material added may vary but must be at least enough to provide the function of yielding a non-slip surface in the finished product, but not so much granular material that the epoxy coating is unable to provide a coating that will adhere to the substrate. The mixture containing the granular material is then applied to the coated base material and the coating is allowed to dry and harden, thus forming a base material having two coatings, one of which contains SIKAGARD 62 HI BILD Part A and Part B, second one of which contains cloth dipped SIKAGARD 62 HI BILD Part A and Part B and a third one of which contains granular material, as shown at  30 . 
     Once the three times coated board is dried, it is fastened to a conventional rubber-bottom structure or mat with an adhesive and/or conventional fasteners. Preferably, an adhesive commercially available and known as “Gorilla Glue” is used, as illustrated at  32  in FIG.  1 . Once the coated substrate is attached to the rubber-bottomed mat, the non-skid, water resistant, oil resistant mat of the present invention results, as shown at  34 . Other adhesives may be used in the present invention, so long as they function to adhere the coated substrate to the rubber-bottom structure or mat. 
     With reference to FIG. 2, a first preferred embodiment of the finished surface structure  34  of the present invention is illustrated. In a first embodiment  36 , the mat has an overall size of 4 feet by 6 feet, with a two-inch wide, 8{fraction (1/16)} of an inch thick border as illustrated in FIG.  2 . The center of the structure is approximately 3 feet, 1 inch across from the inside peripheries of the border. The depth of the structure below the top surface of the borders is {fraction (4/16)} of an inch. The size, depth, width, length and thickness of the structure and its various components can vary, according to the particular application chosen. Such variances are within the skill of the art in this field. 
     With reference to FIG. 3, a second preferred embodiment  38  will be described. The mat  38  is a surface structure having a rubber center strip  40  and an overall size of approximately 15 feet, 11 inches by 17 feet, 5 inches. In the embodiment  38 , a one inch wide, {fraction (8/16)} of an inch thick rubber center strip  40  separates two sections of the structure  42  and  44 , each of which has a rubber outer strip  46  and  48 , respectively. These outer strips  46 ,  48  are each 2 inches wide and {fraction (8/16)} of an inch thick, with a depth of {fraction (4/16)} of an inch. Preferably the surface structure  38  is {fraction (8/16)} of an inch thick and the sections  42  and  44  may be interlocked, in a conventional tongue-in-groove fashion, as is well-known. 
     As may be appreciated, one of the advantages of the present inventions is that a non-skid surface substrate may be easily manufactured to conform to the dimensions of commercially available rubber mats, and to thereby provide a non-skid function for such surface structures when used in locations where the presence of oil, water and other such liquids might cause a slippery surface. 
     As may be appreciated, and as believed to be within the capability of those skilled in this field, the mats can be made to have different shapes, colors and structures that provide for interlocking sections to each other and in various configurations. Also, although rubber is the preferred bottom material, other elastomeric materials may be used, so long as they are durable in the chosen environment and are able to be fastened to the created substrate. 
     The SIKAGARD 62 HI BILD, Part A is an epoxy resin, specifically epichlorohydrin/bisphenol. The SIKAGARD 62 HI BILD Part B amine-curing agent includes 2, 4, 6-tri(dimethylaminomethyl) phenol in a concentration of 5 ppm and is available in various colors. The composition also includes a proprietary blend of aliphatic and cyclic amines, coated precipitated calcium carbonate, amorphous silica and titanium dioxide. In the green colored product, chromium III oxide (2:3) is included in a concentration of 0.5 mg/m 3 . The coated, precipitated calcium carbonate is in the range of 10 mg/m 3 -5 mg/m 3 . The amorphous silica is provided in a concentration of 20 mppcf to 10 mg/m 3 , and the titanium dioxide is in a concentration of 10 mg/m 3  to 15 mg/m 3 , except in the red colors. 
     It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations as they are outlined within the description above and within the claims appended hereto. While the preferred embodiments and application of the invention have been described, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the objects and features of the present invention are only limited as set forth in the claims appended hereto.