Patent Publication Number: US-2017367513-A1

Title: Floor mat

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/354,261, filed on Jun. 24, 2016, and entitled “Non-Slip Wet Area Floor Mat with Impact Force Reduction,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a floor mat, and in particular to a non-slip wet area floor mat with impact force reduction. 
     Wet areas, such as shower, bath, and toilet areas, often become slipping hazards that can result in severe injury in the event of a fall. Traditional bath mats can provide some slip reduction by creating a non-slip surface to walk upon, but they do little to prevent severe injury should a fall still occur. Further, traditional bath mats also tend to trap and/or entrain water or other fluids, creating a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria and fungi. Traditional bath mats fail to provide structural support for impact force reduction in the event of a fall and they fail to provide for water or other fluids drainage and air circular underneath and around the mat to prevent dangerous bacteria and fungi from growing. 
     SUMMARY 
     A floor mat includes a body portion, a plurality of channels positioned on a top of the body portion, a plurality of supports extending away from a bottom of the body portion, and a first plurality of ribs extending between the plurality of supports on the bottom of the body portion. 
     A floor mat includes a body portion, and a plurality of supports extending away from a bottom of the body portion. The floor mat further includes a first plurality of arched ribs extending between the plurality of supports on the bottom of the body portion, and a second plurality of arched ribs extending along a first side of each of the plurality of channels. The floor mat is made out of a flexible material. 
     A method of draining a fluid through a floor mat includes running a fluid across a top of a body portion of the floor mat and across a plurality of channels on the top of the body portion. The fluid is flowed through a plurality of openings extending through the body portion. The openings are positioned between the plurality of channels. The fluid is run underneath a bottom of the body portion of the floor mat around a plurality of supports and through a first plurality of arched ribs and a second plurality of arched ribs. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a floor mat. 
         FIG. 1B  is a top plan view of the floor mat. 
         FIG. 2A  is a bottom plan view of the floor mat. 
         FIG. 2B  is an enlarged bottom view of a portion of the floor mat. 
         FIG. 2C  is a partial cross-sectional view of the floor mat taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1B . 
         FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of the floor mat taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1B . 
         FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the floor mat taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1B  when a force is being applied to a top of the floor mat. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a bottom of the floor mat. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As described herein, a floor mat implementing the structures and techniques of this disclosure can reduce impact forces and the likelihood of serious injury as a result of accidental falls in wet areas, including, but not limited to, shower, bath, and toilet areas. Additionally, a floor mat implementing the structures and techniques of this disclosure provides for increased air and fluid flow around it, preventing the growth of dangerous bacteria and fungi that can occur where traditional bath mats prohibit airflow and/or tend to trap water or other fluids. 
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of floor mat  20 .  FIG. 1B  is a top plan view of floor mat  20 . Floor mat  20  includes top  22 , bottom  24 , first side  26 , second side  28 , third side  30 , fourth side  32 , body portion  34 , frame  36 , openings  38 , channels  40 , supports  42  (shown in  FIG. 1A ), ribs  44  (shown in  FIG. 1A ), female connectors  46 , and male connectors  48  (shown in FIG.  1 A). 
     Floor mat  20  includes top  22  and bottom  24  opposite of top  22 . When floor mat  20  is positioned on the floor, top  22  will face upwards away from the floor and bottom  24  will face and be positioned on the floor. Floor mat  20  further includes first side  26 , second side  28 , third side  30 , and fourth side  32 . First side  26  is positioned between second side  28  and fourth side  32 , second side  28  is positioned between third side  30  and first side  26 , third side  30  is positioned between fourth side  32  and second side  28 , and fourth side  32  is positioned between first side  26  and third side  30 . 
     Floor mat  20  includes body portion  34  that forms a base for floor mat  20 . Body portion  34  is a square in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . Body portion  34  can be other shapes in alternate embodiments. Frame  36  forms a perimeter of body portion  34 . Frame  36  provides structural support for floor mat  20 . Openings  38  are formed in body portion  34  of floor mat  20 . Openings  38  are shaded for clarity in  FIGS. 1A-1B . Openings  38  extend through body portion  34  from top  22  to bottom  24  of floor mat  20 . Openings  38  are positioned within frame  36  in body portion  34 . Openings  38  are positioned in floor mat  20  to allow water or other fluids to flow from top  22  to bottom  24  of floor mat  20 . 
     Channels  40  are positioned on top  22  of floor mat  20  and are integrally formed with body portion  34 . Channels  40  form a repeating diamond pattern on top  22  of floor mat  20 . Channels  40  provide a non-slip surface on top  22  of floor mat  20  and can flex when pressure is applied to channels  40 . Supports  42  and ribs  44  are positioned on bottom  24  of floor mat  20  and are connected to body portion  34 . Supports  42  are cylindrical shaped posts that extend downwards from body portion  34 . Supports  42  are positioned on the floor to provide structural support for floor mat  20  while allowing water or other fluids to flow around supports  42  under floor mat  20 . Ribs  44  extend between supports  42  and along channels  40 . Ribs  44  provide structural support for floor mat  20  and are arched to allow water or other fluids to flow beneath ribs  44  under floor mat  20 . 
     Floor mat  20  also includes female connectors  46  and male connectors  48 . Female connectors  46  are positioned on first side  26  and fourth side  32  of floor mat  20 . Male connectors  48  are positioned on second side  28  and third side  30  of floor mat  20 . A first floor mat  20  can be attached to a second floor mat  20  by positioning male connectors  48  of the first floor mat  20  in female connectors  46  of the second floor mat  20 . 
     Floor mat  20  is made out of a flexible material. The flexible material that floor mat  20  is made out of can have a durometer range of about Shore A 55 to Shore A 85. Specifically, the flexible material that floor mat  20  is made out of can have a durometer of about Shore A 70. For example, floor mat  20  can be made out of plastics (e.g., polyvinyl chloride (PVC)) and rubbers. Floor mat  20  can be made using a two stage molding process or a single stage molding process. Floor mat  20  confers the advantage of reducing impact forces and the likelihood of serious injury as a result of accidental falls in wet areas. Additionally, floor mat  20  provides increased air and water or other fluids flow around it, preventing the growth of dangerous bacteria and fungi that can occur where traditional bath mats prohibit airflow and/or tend to trap water or other fluids. 
       FIG. 2A  is a bottom plan view of floor mat  20 .  FIG. 2B  is an enlarged bottom view of a portion of floor mat  20 .  FIG. 2C  is a partial cross-sectional view of floor mat  20  taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1B . Floor mat  20  includes top  22  (shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2C ), bottom  24 , first side  26  (shown in  FIG. 2A ), second side  28  (shown in  FIG. 2A ), third side  30  (shown in  FIG. 2A ), fourth side  32  (shown in  FIG. 2A ), body portion  34 , frame  36  (shown in  FIG. 2A ), openings  38 , channels  40 , supports  42 , ribs  44 A and  44 B, female connectors  46  (shown in  FIG. 2A ), male connectors  48  (shown in  FIG. 2A ), and cavities  50 . 
     Floor mat  20  includes top  22  and bottom  24 . Floor mat  20  further includes first side  26 , second side  28 , third side  30 , and fourth side  32 . Body portion  34  forms a base for floor mat  20 . Frame  36  extends around a perimeter of body portion  34 . Openings  38  are formed in body portion  34 . Openings  38  are shaded for clarity in  FIGS. 2A-2C . Channels  40  are positioned on top  22  of floor mat  20  and supports  42  and ribs  44  are positioned on bottom  24  of floor mat  20 . Female connectors  46  are positioned on first side  26  and fourth side  32  of floor mat  20 . Male connectors  48  are positioned on second side  28  and third side  30  of floor mat  20 . 
     Channels  40  extend along top  22  of floor mat  20  in a repeating diamond pattern. Channels  40  are positioned to run between supports  42 . Channels  40  have a cross-section that is shaped as a semi-circle in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C . In alternate embodiments, channels  40  can have a cross-section that is square shaped. Channels  40  include cavities  50  that are formed on a bottom surface of channels  40 . Cavities  50  are includes on the bottom surface of channels  40  to allow the channels additional flexibility when downward pressure is applied to the top surface of channels  40 . Channels  40  will flex when pressure is applied to channels  40 . 
     Supports  42  extend downwards from and are integrally formed with body portion  34  of floor mat  20 . Supports  42  are cylindrical shaped posts in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C , but can be any suitable shape in alternate embodiments. Further, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C , supports  42  are all the same height and will all contact the floor when floor mat  20  is positioned on the floor. In alternate embodiments, supports  42  can have varying heights and some supports  42  may not contact the floor when floor mat  20  is positioned on the floor. In this embodiment, supports  42  that do not contact the floor when floor mat  20  is positioned on the floor may come into contact with the floor when pressure is applied to top  20  of floor mat  20 . Supports  42  are positioned on bottom  24  of floor mat  20  to provide structural support for floor mat  20  when floor mat  20  is positioned on the floor, while allowing water or other fluids to flow around supports  42  under floor mat  20  when floor mat  20  is positioned on the floor. 
     Ribs  44  include first ribs  44 A and second ribs  44 B. First ribs  44 A extend between supports  42 . First ribs  44 A extend across channels  40 , bounding opposite ends of cavities  50  on the bottom surface of channels  40 . Second ribs  44 B extend along a first side of channels  40 . Second ribs  44 B abut supports  42  on a first side of supports  42 . First ribs  44 A are perpendicular to second ribs  44 B. First ribs  44 A and second ribs  44 B are arched so that water or other fluids can flow beneath first ribs  44 A and second ribs  44 B under floor mat  20 . First ribs  44 A and second ribs  44 B do not contact the floor when floor mat  20  is positioned on the floor but can contact the floor when pressure is applied to top  22  of floor mat  20 . 
     Openings  38  extend through body portion  34 . Openings  38  are positioned between channels  40  and supports  42 . Ribs  44 B extend along a first side of openings  38  along the first side of channels  40 . Openings  38  allow water or other fluids to flow from top  22  to bottom  24  of floor mat  20  through body portion  34 . Openings  38  allow floor mat  20  to be positioned in a wet area, as water or other fluids on top  22  of floor mat  20  will drain through openings  38 . 
     Floor mat  20  absorbs impact forces and allows both air and water or other fluids to flow about it. Channels  40  flex when a force is applied to floor mat  20  in order to absorb the force of an impact and reduce the severity of injury as the result of a fall. Supports  42  and ribs  44 A and  44 B are positioned on bottom  24  of floor mat  20  and provide additional structural support and impact reduction for floor mat  20 . Supports  42  further provide separation of bottom  24  of floor mat  20  from the floor underneath floor mat  20 . As such, water or other fluids and air can flow around supports  42  and ribs  44 A and  44 B to prevent water or other fluids from being trapped underneath floor mat  20 , to facilitate drying underneath floor mat  20 , and to prevent the growth of dangerous bacteria and fungi underneath and around floor mat  20 . Openings  38  are provided in floor mat  20  to allow water or other fluids and air to flow through body portion  34  of floor mat  20  to drain water or other fluids on top  22  of floor mat  20  through floor mat  20  to a drain in the floor. Further, openings  38  allow air to flow through floor mat  20  to dry the area underneath floor mat  20 . 
       FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of floor mat  20  taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1B .  FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of floor mat  20  taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1B  when force F is being applied to top  22  of floor mat  20 . Floor mat  20  includes top  22 , bottom  24 , channels  40 , supports  42 , and ribs  44 A and  44 B. Also shown in  FIGS. 3A-3B  is floor L and openings P. Also shown in  FIG. 3B  is force F. 
     Floor mat  20  includes top  22  and bottom  24 . Channels  40  are positioned on top  22  of floor mat  20  and supports  42  and ribs  44 A and  44 B are positioned on bottom  24  of floor mat  20 . Ribs  44 A extend between supports  42  and ribs  44 B extend along a first side of channels  40 . As shown in  FIGS. 3A-3B , supports  42  contact floor L and support floor mat  20  on floor L. Ribs  44 A and  44 B are positioned on bottom  24  of floor mat  20  but do not contact floor L when floor mat  20  is positioned on floor  20 . Ribs  44 A and  44 B are arched to create openings P between floor L and ribs  44 A and  44 B. When floor mat  20  is positioned on floor L, water or other fluids and air can flow through openings P. 
     As seen in  FIG. 3B , when force F is applied to top  22  of floor mat  20 , ribs  44 A and  44 B will deflect and can come into contact with floor L. The deflection of ribs  44 A and  44 B help to absorb impact in floor mat  20 . Ribs  44 A and  44 B provide structural support for floor mat  20 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3A , when floor mat  20  is positioned on floor L, water or other fluids and air can flow around supports  42  and underneath ribs  44 A and  44 B to drain water or other fluids and dry an area under floor mat  20  to prevent the growth of dangerous bacteria and fungi under and around floor mat  20 . Supports  42  and ribs  44 A and  44 B also provide structural support and impact force reduction for floor mat  20 . If a fall were to occur on floor mat  20 , ribs  44 A and  44 B can flex to absorb the impact of the fall, thus helping to prevent serious injury from occurring. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of bottom  24  of floor mat  20 . Floor mat  20  includes top  22 , bottom  24 , third side  30 , fourth side  32 , body portion  34 , frame  36 , openings  38 , channels  40 , supports  42 , ribs  44 , female connectors  46 , male connectors  48 , cavities  50 , body portion  52 , aperture  54 , rim  56 , support rib  58 , post  60 , and ridge  62 . 
     Floor mat  20  includes top  22  and bottom  24 . Floor mat  20  further includes third side  30 , and fourth side  32 . Body portion  34  forms a base for floor mat  20 . Frame  36  extends around a perimeter of body portion  34 . Openings  38  are formed in body portion  34 . Openings  38  are shaded for clarity in  FIG. 4 . Channels  40  are positioned on top  22  of floor mat  20  and supports  42  and ribs  44  are positioned on bottom  24  of floor mat  20 . Female connectors  46  are positioned on fourth side  32  of floor mat  20 . Male connectors  48  are positioned on third side  30  of floor mat  20 . Cavities  50  are formed in a bottom surface of channels  40 . 
     A single female connector  46  is shown in  FIG. 4 , however there are a number of female connectors  46  positioned along fourth side  32  of floor mat  20 . Female connector  46  include body portion  52 . Aperture  54  is extends through body portion  52  of female connector  46 . Rim  56  is positioned in aperture  54  on a top of body portion  52 . Support rib  58  extends from one rib  44 B to body portion  52  to provide structural support for body portion  52 . 
     A single male connector  48  is shown in  FIG. 4 , however there are a number of male connectors  48  positioned along third side  30  of floor mat  20 . Male connector  38  includes post  60 . Post  60  is a cylindrical post that extends from frame  36  of body portion  34  of floor mat  20 . Ridge  62  is positioned on post  60  between a first end and a second end of post  60 . 
     Floor mat  20  is a modular floor mat. Any number of floor mats  20  can be connected together using female connectors  46  and male connectors  48  to form a floor mat of a desirable shape and size. To connect female connectors  46  with male connectors  48 , posts  60  of male connectors  48  are positioned in apertures  54  in body portions  52  of female connectors  46 . Ridges  62  on posts  60  can be pressed into apertures  54  of female connectors  46  past rims  56  of female connectors  46 . Ridges  62  of male connectors  48  help to hold posts  60  of male connectors  48  in place in apertures  54  of female connectors  46 , as some force is required to pull ridges  62  past rims  56  of female connectors  46  to remove posts  60  of male connectors  48  from apertures  54  of female connectors  46 . 
     Floor mat  20  is made out of a flexible material to allow it to flex and absorb impact forces. Floor mat  20  is designed to structurally support weight that is placed on it and to absorb impact forces if a fall were to happen on floor mat  20 . Floor mat  20  also allows water or other fluids to drain through floor mat  20  and run freely underneath floor mat  20 . Floor mat  20  is designed to allow air to circulate under and around floor mat  20  to facilitate drying of the area under and around floor mat  20  to prevent dangerous bacteria and fungi from growing. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.