Patent Publication Number: US-8524350-B2

Title: Threshold mat and floor protector

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The carpet or other flooring material around the threshold of a doorway or other opening typically endures substantial wear and tear, from pedestrian traffic and pets, for example. House pets such as cats and dogs, for example, may scratch the floor near an entry door. The floor area near the latch end of a door or gate may be the focus of a pet&#39;s scratching and therefore endure excessive wear and tear, often resulting in damage to the floor and requiring expensive and time-consuming repairs. 
     Traditional door mats provide limited protection for the carpet or other floor near a doorway because, for example, the edge of the mat can be easily raised or curled by foot traffic or the scratching activity of pets. If the edge of a door mat lies near the latch end of a door where a dog or cat might be naturally inclined to scratch at the floor, the door mat can be easily lifted, exposing the carpet to damage. Also, door mats often move or slide under normal use, such as when the door opens or closes. 
     Thus, there is an unsatisfied need in the art for greater protection and stability than is currently available from traditional door mats or other inadequate coverings. 
     SUMMARY OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS 
     A mat for covering part of a threshold of an opening and part of a floor near the threshold, in one embodiment, may include a substantially planar mat body with upper and lower surfaces. The opening may be partly defined by a substantially vertical first side jamb and a substantially opposing second side jamb. Each of the first and second side jambs may have a substantially planar face. The mat body may be substantially rectangular, having a first edge sized and shaped to at least partially engage the first side jamb and a second edge sized and shaped to at least partially engage the second side jamb. The mat body may be sized in length according to the threshold such that the mat covers substantially all of the threshold. 
     If the first side jamb includes a first non-planar feature, then the first edge may define a first cutout that is sized and shaped to at least partially match the first non-planar feature. Similarly, if the second side jamb includes a second non-planar feature, then the second edge may define a second cutout sized and shaped to at least partially match the second non-planar feature. In this configuration, the mat body with the first and second cutouts may be described as substantially H-shaped. 
     Where the opening is partly defined by a wall adjacent the opening, at least one of the first and second cutouts at least partially engages the wall. Further, the mat may include one or more protrusions extending downwardly from at least a portion of the lower surface for engagement with the floor. The protrusions may include a substantially planar adhesive layer. The protrusions may include an array of pegs, an array of projections arranged at an angle with respect to each nearest projection, or a series of ridges and grooves disposed alternately to form a corrugation. The protrusions may include a rim disposed near an edge of the mat body. The mat body may be made of material that is substantially transparent, substantially opaque, imbued with one or more colors, or imbued with a graphic image at least partially visible through the upper surface. A first portion of the mat body may have a first thickness and a second portion of the mat body near at least a portion of its edge may have a second thickness at least partially thinner than the first thickness, such that the difference between the thicknesses defines a taper. 
     In another embodiment, a mat for covering part of a threshold of an opening and part of a floor near the threshold may include a substantially planar mat body with upper and lower surfaces. The opening may be partly defined by a substantially vertical first side jamb and a substantially opposing second side jamb. The mat body may define a perimeter edge having a first contour sized and shaped to at least partially engage the first side jamb and a second contour sized and shaped to at least partially engage the second side jamb. The mat body may also have one or more protrusions extending downwardly from at least a portion of the lower surface for engagement with the floor. The mat body may be sized in length according to the threshold such that the mat covers substantially all of the threshold. The mat body may be sized in width such that the mat covers part of the floor on only one side of the threshold. Where the opening is partly defined by a wall adjacent the opening, at least one of the first and second contours at least partially engages the wall. 
     In another embodiment, a mat for covering part of a threshold of an opening and part of a floor near the threshold may include a substantially planar mat body with upper and lower surfaces. The opening may be partly defined by a substantially vertical first side post. The mat body may define a perimeter edge having a first contour sized and shaped to at least partially engage the first side post. If the first side post has a substantially planar face, then the first contour may include a substantially linear edge for engaging at least a portion of the substantially planar face. Where the opening is further partly defined by a second side post substantially opposing the first side post, the perimeter edge may have a second contour sized and shaped to at least partially engage the second side post. In this configuration, the mat body with the first and second contours may be described as substantially H-shaped. The mat body may be sized in width such that the mat covers part of the floor on only one side of the threshold. Where the opening is partly defined by a wall adjacent the opening, at least the first contour at least partially engages the wall. The first contour may include a slot that is sized and shaped to at least partially engage the wall such that, when so engaged, the first contour and the slot resists movement of the mat body. The mat may include one or more protrusions extending downwardly from at least a portion of the lower surface for engagement with the floor. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Having thus described various embodiments in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  is a plan view of a mat selectively covering the threshold of a doorway, and part of the floors on both sides of the threshold, according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the mat of  FIG. 1A , depicting one side jamb of the doorway. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a mat, according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of a mat selectively covering part of a threshold and part of a floor, according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of a mat selectively covering a threshold and part of the floors on both sides of the threshold, according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of a mat selectively covering part of a threshold and part of a floor, according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of a mat engaged with a side jamb and selectively covering part of a threshold, according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view of a mat engaged with a side jamb and selectively covering part of a threshold, according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view of a mat engaged with a side jamb and a molding, and selectively covering part of a threshold, according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 9A  is a plan view of a mat engaged with a side jamb, a molding, and a wall, the mat selectively covering part of a threshold, according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 9B  is a plan view of the mat of  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 9C  is a plan view of a mat having a contour that includes a slot, the mat also including lateral protrusions extending outwardly, according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 10A  is a plan view of a mat engaged with a side post and a fence or wall, the mat selectively covering part of a threshold, according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 10B  is a plan view of the mat of  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 11  is a plan view of a mat engaged with a side jamb, a molding, and a wall, the mat selectively covering part of a threshold, according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of a mat engaged with a wall, according to various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
       FIG. 1A  is a plan view of a mat  10  according to an embodiment of the invention. The mat  10  shown in  FIG. 1A  is selectively covering part of the sill or threshold  40  of a doorway or other opening  100 . A threshold  40  may include the area or region along the base of a door frame, window frame, gate, or other passageway between two spaces. A threshold  40  is not necessarily defined by a physical element or structure, such as a timber or stone. A threshold  40  is not necessarily part of a frame or other supporting structure. 
     The opening  100  shown in  FIG. 1A  includes a frame for a door  50  mounted on hinges. The frame may be described as having a pair of substantially vertical and opposing side posts or jambs such as the hinge-side jamb  44  and the latch-side jamb  42  shown in  FIG. 1A , and a header jamb or lintel joining the upper ends of the side jambs. The frame may or may not include a substantially horizontal threshold  40  or door sill joining the lower ends of the side jambs. 
     The mat  10  may be used for any kind of opening  100 . A side post or jamb may include an upright post, column, standard door jamb, or other substantially vertical member near an opening. A jamb is not necessarily part of a frame or other structure around an opening. A jamb may be a simple pole or a post. A jamb may include several distinct elements; for example, a face, a stop, a casing, and a decorative molding. A jamb may have a substantially planar face, or it may include one or more non-planar features. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1B , the mat  10  may include a perimeter edge  12  having one or more cutouts or contours  14  that are sized and shaped to at least partially engage a side post or jamb near the opening  100 . The contour  14  may be sized and shaped to nearly match the size and shape of a side post or jamb. The mat  10  may be formed to include a desired contour  14 . Alternatively, the contour  14  may be formed by cutting a mat  10  into a desired shape. In this aspect, the body of a mat  10  may be formed in a beginning overall shape (rectangular, for example), and the addition of cutouts or contours  14  may change the overall shape of the mat  10 . For example, two cutouts or contours  14  cut into opposing ends may create a mat  10  that is substantially H-shaped. 
     The mat  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1A , may include a contour  14  on each end for engagement with the side jambs  42 ,  44  of a door frame. As shown in a perspective view, in  FIG. 1B , the contour  14  at the right end of the mat  10  at least partially engages with the hinge-side jamb  44 . When the mat  10  is in place, the engagement between the contour  14  and the side post or jamb  44  may help resist unintended movement of the mat  10 . When present, a closed door  50  may also help resist unintended movement of the mat  10 . 
     The spaces near the opening  100  may include a floor and a floor covering. For example, the space nearer the viewer may include a first or nearby floor  76 , as shown in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B . The space on the other side of the opening  100  may include a second or distant floor  78 . The spaces may be separated by a wall  60 , as shown in  FIG. 1B . The mat  10  shown in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  covers part of the threshold  40  and part of both the nearby floor  76  and distant floor  78 . As described herein, the mat  10  may be placed so that it covers any of a variety of different areas near an opening  100  or wherever floor protection is desired. 
     The mat  10  of particular embodiments may be used with any of a variety of standard door frames, which may include standard door sills, side jambs, casings, doorstops, moldings, and other features having a standard size. As shown and described herein, however, the mat  10  may also be used with any of a variety of non-standard or irregular openings, including those with no door. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a mat  10  according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown, the mat  10  may have a substantially planar upper surface  16  and a lower surface  18  substantially parallel to the upper surface. In one embodiment, the lower surface  18  may include one or more protrusions  22  extending downwardly and sized and shaped to engage the floor  70 , which may be covered with a carpet  72 , as shown, or any other type of floor covering. When the mat  10  is in place, the protrusions  22  may engage the floor  70  and/or the floor covering such that the protrusions  22  may help resist unintended movement of the mat  10 . In this aspect, the protrusions  22  may have any size and shape that at least partially engages with the floor and performs the function of resisting unintended movement of the mat  10 . The downward protrusions  22  may take the form of a substantially planar adhesive layer, one or more ridges or downward-facing rim elements near the perimeter edge  12 , a series of ridges and grooves, an array of regularly distributed pegs or knobs, or any combination of these elements. Protrusions  22  of different sizes and shapes may be used in order to sufficiently engage the type of floor or floor covering, including bare ground, which exists in the area to be covered. 
     In one embodiment, the upper surface  16  of the mat  10  may include one or more protrusions extending upwardly, which may take the form of a series of pegs, knobs, ridges, or the like, in order to provide a rough or textured upper surface  16 . In this aspect, the rough texture of the upper surface  16  may dissuade animals, such as dogs and cats, from scratching at the upper surface  16  of the mat  10 . 
     The mat body or mat  10  may be made of any of a variety of suitable materials. For example, the mat  10  may be made of a material having a weight that may help resist unintended movement of the mat  10  once in place. The opacity of the material may range from nearly transparent to opaque. Also, the material may be imbued with one or more colors or with graphic images, like the ones depicted in  FIG. 6 . A portion of the mat  10  may have a first thickness  31 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . In one embodiment, the first thickness  31  may be sized to permit operation of a door or gate or other component near the opening. 
     In one embodiment, another portion of the mat  10  may have a second thickness  32  near the perimeter edge  12 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The second thickness  32  may be thinner than the first thickness  31 , as shown. The difference between the first thickness  31  and the second thickness  32  defines a taper  34  which may extend around all or part of the perimeter edge  12  of the mat  10 . Also, the second thickness may be sufficiently thin to allow manual trimming of the perimeter edge  12  with scissors or other cutting tool, thereby allowing the user to cut a contour  14  that fits a non-standard or otherwise irregular side post or jamb. In this aspect, the user may create a custom contour  14 , tailored to fit the shapes and features of any opening. 
     In one embodiment, a portion of the mat  10  may have a third thickness (not shown), which may be thinner than both the first thickness  31  and the second thickness  32 . The portion of the mat  10  having a third thickness may be sufficiently thin so that the perimeter edge  12  in this region is flexible or elastic. Part of this elastic region may or may not lie near or within a contour  14 . In use, this region may be sufficiently elastic to allow the mat  10  to be placed against a side post or jamb which has an irregular shape. In this aspect, the mat  10  may engage a side post or jamb without including a contour  14  and/or without precisely matching the size and shape of the side post or jamb. Also, the elastic nature of this region may help resist unintended movement of the mat  10  once in place. 
     As shown in the various figures and described herein, the mat  10  may have any of a variety of shapes and sizes. The mat  10  may be sized and shaped to span nearly the entire opening  100  or only part of it. Similarly, the mat  10  may be sized and shaped to cover nearly the entire threshold  40  or only part of it. The mat  10  may be sized and shaped to engage only one side post or jamb, or with both. Also, the mat  10  may be sized and shaped to cover part of the floor on one or both sides of the opening  100 . The size of the mat  10  may range from very small relative to the opening  100  or very large, depending on the amount of coverage or protection desired. In this aspect, the mat  10  of particular embodiments may be used for selectively covering any portion of the area near an opening. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 4 , the mat  10  may be sized and shaped to span almost all of the opening  100 , cover substantially all of the threshold  40 , and cover part of the floor on both sides of the opening  100 . As shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 5 , the mat  10  may be sized and shaped to span part of the threshold  40  and part of the floor on only one side of the opening  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 6 through 11 , the mat  10  may be sized and shaped to engage only one of the side posts or jambs, and/or part of the threshold  40 , and/or part of floor on one or both sides of the opening  100 . In one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 12 , the mat  10  may cover a portion of the floor near an opening  100  while not covering any part of the threshold  40 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the mat  10  in one embodiment may be sized and shaped to cover part of the threshold  40  and part of the floor on one side of the opening  100 . In this view, the mat  10  may be placed to cover part of the floor on the interior of a structure; for example, over the floor inside an entry door of a home where pets might be expected to focus their scratching activity. 
     The mat  10  in various embodiments may be any of a variety of shapes and sizes suitable for a given opening  100  or intended use.  FIG. 11  shows a mat  10  that includes a combination of shapes. Also, as shown in the various figures and described herein, any corner or other portion of the perimeter edge  12  of the mat  10  may be square or rounded. Any rounded corner may be sharply rounded (using a curve having a relatively small radius) or broadly curved (using a relatively large radius). 
     As described herein, the contour  14  may have any of a variety of shapes and sizes adapted to engage a side post or jamb having any shape. The jambs  42 ,  44  shown in  FIG. 4  have a substantially planar face and, correspondingly, the contour  14  has a substantially linear edge. In this aspect, the contour  14  has been sized and shaped to at least partially engage the jambs  42 ,  44 . The mat  10  may be sized in length to nearly match the size of the opening  100 . In this embodiment, when the mat  10  is in place, the engagement between the contours  14  and the side jambs  42 ,  44  may help resist unintended movement of the mat  10 .  FIG. 5  shows a similar mat  10  that only covers a portion of the threshold  40 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the mat  10  may include a contour  14  that is sized and shaped to engage one jamb  43 . The jamb  43  may or may not have an opposing jamb on the other side of the opening. As shown, the mat  10  may cover only a portion of the threshold  40 . The mat  10  may include one or more graphic images  90 .  FIG. 7  shows a mat  10  having a different shape, for a single jamb  43  that covers a portion of the threshold  40 . 
     The mat  10  depicted in  FIG. 8  may include a contour  14  that engages with more of the jamb  43  than the mat shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the jamb  43  may include a door molding  48  (also shown in  FIG. 1B ) which, in this example, may extend beyond the surface of the wall  60 . The mat  10 , as shown, may cover only a portion of the threshold  40 . In this embodiment, when the mat  10  is in place, the engagement between the contour  14  and the door molding  48  may help resist unintended movement of the mat  10 . 
     The mat  10  shown in  FIG. 9A  may include a contour  14  that engages with still more of the side elements than the mat shown in  FIG. 8 . As shown in  FIG. 9A , the contour  14  at least partially engages with both part of the jamb  43  (which includes a door molding  48 ) and part of the wall  60 . The mat  10 , as shown, may cover only a portion of the threshold  40 . In this embodiment, when the mat  10  is in place, the engagement between the contour  14  and the door molding  48  may help resist unintended movement of the mat  10 .  FIG. 9B  shows the mat  10  alone. The portion of the contour  14  that is sized and shaped to engage part of the wall  60  may be referred to as a slot  15 , as shown in  FIG. 9B . The slot  15 , as shown, may be almost as wide as the contour  14  whereas, in other embodiments, the slot  15  may be narrower. In this aspect, the slot  15  is not necessarily a narrow opening. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9C , the mat  10  in one embodiment may include a contour  14  with a slot  15  and one or more lateral protrusions  24  extending outwardly. The lateral protrusions  24  may extend from the edge of the mat  10  or any portion of the contour  14 , including the slot  15 . The lateral protrusions  24  may be sized and shaped to engage part of a jamb, a door molding, a wall, and any other side element near an opening. The lateral protrusions  24  may be flexible or substantially rigid. The lateral protrusions  24  may be shaped like gear teeth, knobs, pegs, ridges, corrugations, or the like. In this embodiment, when the mat  10  is in place, the engagement between the lateral protrusions  24  and the side elements, such as a jamb, may help resist unintended movement of the mat  10 . Any of the embodiments shown or disclosed herein may include lateral protrusions  24 . 
     The mat  10  in one embodiment may be used with a side jamb having any shape, such as the substantially cylindrical side post  45  shown in  FIG. 10A . In this example, the post  45  acts like the door jamb depicted in the other figures. The mat  10 , as shown, may include a contour  14  that at least partially engages with part of the post  45  and part of the fence or wall  60 . A wall may include a fence, barrier, partition, border, or boundary, either inside a structure or outside. The mat  10  may cover only a portion of the threshold  40 . In this embodiment, when the mat  10  is in place, the engagement between the contour  14  and part of the post  45  and/or the wall  60  may help resist unintended movement of the mat  10 .  FIG. 10B  shows the mat  10  alone. The portion of the contour  14  that is sized and shaped to engage part of the wall  60  may be referred to as a slot  15 , as shown in  FIG. 10B . The slot  15 , as shown, may be somewhat narrower than the contour  14 . 
     The slot  15  does not necessarily engage a wall  60  or fence. For example, if the structure depicted in  FIG. 10A  included only a post  45  (without a wall  60 ), then the contour  14  would nevertheless at least partially engage the post  45 . Similarly, if the structure depicted in  FIG. 9A  did not include a physical wall  60 , then the contour  14  would nevertheless at least partially engage the jamb  43 . In this aspect, the presence of a slot  15  in the contour  14  does not require a wall  60  or fence. 
     The mat  10  depicted in  FIG. 11  may include a contour  14  that at least partially engages with part of the jamb  43  (which may include a door molding  48 ) and part of the wall  60 . The mat  10 , as shown, may cover only a portion of the threshold  40 . In this embodiment, when the mat  10  is in place, the engagement between the contour  14  and part of the jamb  43 , the door molding  48 , and/or the wall  60  may help resist unintended movement of the mat  10 . In this example, the mat  10  includes a combination of shapes. The mat  10  shown in  FIG. 12  may cover a portion of the floor near an opening  100  while not covering the threshold  40  or engaging with the jamb  43 . 
     In use, the mat  10  in one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 1A , may be described as substantially H-shaped, positioned lengthwise in the opening  100 . The contours  14  located at the opposing ends give the mat  10  its letter-H shape. The mat  10  may be sized in length to nearly match the size of the opening  100 . In commerce, the mat  10  may be produced in several lengths according to the size of several standard doorway types. To place the mat  10  along the opening  100 , with the door  50  open, a user may start by positioning the contour  14  on one end of the mat  10  against one of the side posts of jambs; for example, against the hinge-side jamb  44  shown in  FIG. 1A . This position places the top of the letter-H shape against the hinge-side jamb  44 . With one contour  14  in place, the other end of the mat  10  may be lowered and the opposing contour  14  may be positioned against the latch-side jamb  42 . Once in place across the threshold  40 , the mat  10  in this embodiment may extend to cover part of the nearby floor  76  and the distant floor  78 . The mat  10  may have a thickness sized to allow operation of the door  50  in the opening  100 . Protrusions extending downwardly from part of the lower surface of the mat  10  may engage the floors  76 ,  78  and/or floor coverings, and once engaged may help resist movement of the mat  10 . A door  50  may also help resist movement of the mat  10 . The engagement between the contours  14  and the side jambs  42 ,  44  may also help resist movement of the mat  10 . 
     In another embodiment, the mat  10  shown in  FIG. 3  may be described as about half the size of the mat  10  shown in  FIG. 1A . The contours  14 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , engage about half the jambs  42 ,  44 . The mat  10  may be sized in length to nearly match the size of the opening  100 . To place the mat  10  along the opening  100 , a user may position one end at a time, as described above. Alternatively, a user may maneuver the mat  10  from the near side of the opening  100  toward the threshold  40  until the contours  14  engage with the jambs  42 ,  44  and then lower the mat  10  onto part of the nearby floor  76 . Once in place across the threshold  40 , the mat  10  in this embodiment may extend to cover part of the nearby floor  76 . 
     In another embodiment, the mat  10  shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  7 ,  8 , and  11  may be described as engaging a single side jamb  43 . The mat  10  may be sized according to the desired use, with or without regard to the size of the opening. To place the mat  10 , a user may position the contour  14  against the jamb  43  and then lower the mat  10  onto part of the threshold  40 . Once in place, the mat  10  in this embodiment may extend to cover part of the nearby floor. 
     In another embodiment, the mat  10  shown in  FIGS. 9A and 10A  may be described as engaging a side jamb  43  or post  45 , respectively, and also engaging a wall  60 . The mat  10  may be sized according to the desired use, with or without regard to the size of the opening. To place the mat  10 , a user may start by positioning the contour  14  against the jamb  43  or post  45 . In this embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 9B and 10B , the slot  15  may be somewhat narrower in width than the contour  14 . Accordingly, placement of this mat  10  may require the user to manipulate or bend the mat  10  until the contour  14  partially surrounds the jamb  43  or post  45 , and the slot  15  engages the wall  60 . In this positioning process, the contour  14  may snap in place around the jamb  43  or post  45 . The user may then lower the mat  10  onto part of the nearby floor. 
     Conclusion 
     Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. For example, as will be understood by one skilled in the relevant field in light of this disclosure, the invention may take form in a variety of different mechanical and operational configurations. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purposes of limitation.