Patent Abstract:
An improved apparent surface (Astroturf like) material surrounded by a water tight enclosure with raised borders that better control and conceal any debris and dirt that is scraped off the shoes or otherwise fall onto the mat. Means are provided to direct the debris to an area where it is better concealed from view and more protected from any blowing air. The debris is less likely to be blown about by any stream of air, such as a heater fan. In one configuration the debris is substantially completely sealed.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. 61/214,726 filed 2009 Apr. 28 by the present inventor. 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. 61/217,828 filed 2009 Jun. 5 by the present inventor. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention relates to floor mats in general, but most specifically those used in cars, trucks, and other human operated equipment where vehicle appearance and protection, personal appearance and protection, and air quality within the vehicle are all of concern. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Upon entering a vehicle, depending on location and weather conditions, it is normal to track into the vehicle, the following undesired elements (undesirables); water, snow, ice, earth, grass, pollen, gravel, sand, animal excrement, and anything else one has had the misfortune to step on or into. To protect the vehicle&#39;s original floor mat covering from these undesirables, a variety of accessory floor mats are currently on the market. These floor mats are typically made of a carpet material, similar to the material used in the vehicle&#39;s original floor mating, or a waterproof elastomeric material, more suited for inclement weather conditions. Such waterproof elastomeric mats are commonly known as All Weather mats, and typically have numerous indentations and wells for collecting dirt and water. While these standard floor mat mats are effective at protecting the original floor mat covering of the vehicle, there are adverse effects, caused by the introduction of the undesired elements, for which the standard floor mats do not protect against. 
     One such adverse effect, common among carpeted floor mats, is the diminished appearance of the floor mat once these undesirables are introduced. The simple presence of the undesirables is unsightly, requiring the floor mat to be vacuumed on a regular basis. Even when vacuumed, the undesirables often leave stains, requiring the floor mat to be washed. Even when washed, the abrasive nature of some of the undesirables causes wear on the floor mat and eventually the floor mat must be replaced. In most cases the first area to wear out is the heel pad area, generally as a result of the accumulated debris being ground into the mat by the back of the driver&#39;s shoe as he operates the accelerator and brake pedals. 
     Another adverse effect is salt damage and this commonly occurs during protracted inclement weather such as snow. Salt, used to keep roads from freezing, along with excess snow and ice, are tracked onto the floor mat and quickly result in a salt water solution. This solution not only has the potential to spill onto the car floor mat, later causing rust, it is also often absorbed by the heel of the occupant&#39;s shoe and lower pant leg, causing salt stains and damage upon drying. 
     There are a number of prior art patents which have proposed solutions to this problem and which show various means for collecting and/or draining off the water and snow melt, none of which proposed solutions are considered completely satisfactory. Examples of the patented devices are shown in: U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,650,855 to Peirce; 3,149,875 to Stata; 3,284,836 to Ioppolo; 4,211,447 to DiVincenzo; 4,280,729 to Morawski and 4,420,180 to Dupont. 
     Yet another adverse effect not covered by the prior art, is the pollution of cabin air caused by the introduction of the undesirables. Once tracked into the vehicle, the undesirables are then deposited on the floor mat and further ground down by the action of one&#39;s feet on the mat. This grinding down phenomenon creates a fine dust and particle mixture of the undesired material. The heater, air conditioner, or ventilation fan blows down upon the surface of the mat, which introduces the undesired and potentially unhealthy, dust and debris mixture into the vehicle&#39;s cabin air. Compounding this problem is the fact that each year, as cars get smaller and lower, the interior space of the cabin gets smaller. This has two consequences that cause the degree of air pollution to increase exponentially. The first consequence is that the volume of cabin air decreases, yet the amount of introduced undesirables remain the same. The second consequence of the smaller and lower cars, is that the distance from the fan to floor mat, along with the distance from the floor mat to the occupants, are both significantly reduced. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Vehicle Mat Embodiment 
     In accordance with one embodiment, a floor mat system utilizing floor mat with a top surface created by a multitude of projections or blades, a predetermined hole pattern in the bottom surface, and a multi planar surface on the mat bottom surface that directs substantially all the debris that has fallen down through the blades into the holes and down into a tray with raised edges. The tray (waterproof sealed base with raised edges), into which the mat is inserted has depressions that match the hole pattern of the mat. This allows for a greater amount of debris to accumulate as well as for better protection for the accumulated debris. Provision is made for the mat to move the precise distance, relative to the tray to seal all the depressions and further protect the accumulated debris. In one embodiment that describes the mat system for use in a vehicle, provision is also made for a replaceable heel pad as well as a carpeted mat with the same shape and locking features of the floor mat so as to be interchangeable with the floor mat when an all carpet appearance is preferred. 
     Entrance Mat Embodiment 
     The aforementioned problems also exist with entrance mats, more specifically, large entrance mats typically found in large commercial buildings. The basic floor mat as described herein provides the best scraping mat available and has been very successfully marketed as such for many years by the manufacturers of a similar product (Solutia). However, due to its very nature, it is very difficult to vacuum since the hose can never be brought close to the bottom. In ordinary household mats, this is overcome by merely turning the mat upside down. In large entrance mats, especially like those in office building entrances, this is not the case. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Several embodiments of the present invention will be provided, by way of examples only, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  shows the completed assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the vehicle floor mat, herein called the First Embodiment. 
         FIG. 1B  shows the exploded view of the First Embodiment assembly; an Floor mat, a waterproof lining welded to the underside of said Floor mat, a plastic rubber border either welded or sewn to said Floor mat, and a carpet heel pad. 
         FIG. 1C  shows a close up view of the Floor mat crimped projections and the holes in the bottom surface of the Floor mat in accordance with the First Embodiment. 
         FIG. 1D  shows a cross section of heel pad  112  set within floor mat pad  106  with the top surface of heel pad  112 A flush with top surface of floor mat pad  106 A. 
         FIG. 2A  shows the completed assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the vehicle floor mat, herein called the Second Embodiment. 
         FIG. 2B  shows the exploded view of the Second Embodiment assembly; a replaceable heel pad, a heel pad plate, an Enhanced Floor mat with a multi-planar bottom surface and hole pattern herein called Enhanced Floor mat, a waterproof tray, a rotatable cam, a cover plate and sponges. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  show various views of the Enhanced Floor mat with multi-planar bottom surface, hole pattern, crimped blade like projections, and cam follower, in accordance with the Second Embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  shows the water proof tray, with a plurality of ribs matching the hole pattern of the Enhanced Floor mat, water drainage slots, a water collection area, and a heel pad section 
         FIG. 5A  shows the Enhanced Floor mat inside the waterproof tray without the cam, in accordance with the Second Embodiment. 
         FIG. 5B  shows a close up of the cam and the cam follower attached to the Enhanced Floor mat, in accordance with the Second Embodiment. 
         FIG. 5C  shows the top and bottom view of the rotatable cam used for shifting the position of the Enhanced Floor mat. 
         FIG. 5A  shows the Enhanced Floor mat inside the waterproof tray with the cam set in the open position, in accordance with the Second Embodiment 
         FIG. 6B  shows the Enhanced Floor mat inside the waterproof tray with the cam set in the closed position, in accordance with the Second Embodiment. 
         FIG. 7A  shows an exploded view of the cover plate, sponge, and cam assembly, in accordance with the Second Embodiment. 
         FIG. 7B  shows a close up view of the cover plate, sponge, and cam assembly, in accordance with the Second Embodiment. 
         FIG. 8A  shows the replaceable heel pad and heel pad plate with a locking lever, in accordance with the Second Embodiment. 
         FIG. 8B  shows a close up view of the heel pad and heel pad plate locking into the waterproof tray, in accordance with the Second Embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  shows a waterproof tray with vertical ribs, in accordance with another embodiment 
         FIG. 10A  shows an Enhanced Floor mat with ribs molded to the underside surface, in accordance with another embodiment 
         FIG. 10B  shows a section view, in accordance with another embodiment of the vehicle floor mat, a water proof tray, the Enhanced Floor mat with a hole pattern and ribs on the underside, a replaceable heel pad, and a moveable plastic sheet. 
         FIG. 11A  shows another embodiment herein called the OEM embodiment utilizing a waterproof tray designed to fit into a recess, an Enhanced Floor mat with carpeted heel pad. This embodiment allows for a standard sized unit that can be installed in either the OEM carpet, the OEM aftermarket floor mat, or any one of the custom aftermarket floor mat mats available, whether made of plastic or carpeted material. 
         FIG. 11B  shows the OEM embodiment sitting inside the recess cut out of an aftermarket carpet floor mat 
         FIG. 12  shows an entrance mat made from Enhanced Floor mat placed inside a waterproof tray in accordance with another embodiment 
     
    
    
     DRAWINGS 
     Reference Numerals 
     
         
           100 —First Embodiment 
           102 —Floor mat 
           104 —Hole pattern in Floor mat 
           106 —Floor mat projections (blades) 
           106  A top surface of projections 
           108 —Waterproof Lining (welded to Floor mat) 
           108 A underside of Floor mat 
           110 —Raised plastic rubber border 
           110 A—Floor mat perimeter 
           112 —Heel pad 
           112  A top surface of heel pad 
           112  B underside of heel pad 
           114 —Cut out section for Heel Pad in Floor mat 
           200 —Second Embodiment 
           202 —Waterproof tray 
           202 A—Bottom surface of waterproof tray 
           202 B—Inside perimeter of tray 
           204 —Ribs for collecting and sealing undesirables 
           204 A—Top surface of ribs 
           206 —Water Drainage Slots 
           208 —Water collection area 
           208 A—Water collection area ribs 
           208 B—Water drainage slots in ribs 
           210 —Cam 
           210 A—Open position of cam 
           210 B—Closed position of cam 
           212 —Cam Compartment 
           214 —Cover plate 
           214 A—Screw holes in cover plate 
           214 B—Screw posts for cover plate in tray 
           216 —Sponge 
           218 —Enhanced Floor mat 
           220 —Multi-planar bottom surface 
           222 —Cam follower 
           224 —Heel pad plate 
           224 A—Locking lever 
           224 B—Locking channel in waterproof tray 
           226 —Section in tray for heel pad/heel plate assembly 
           302 —Waterproof tray with vertical ribs 
           304 —Vertical ribs 
           306 —Side mounted cam 
           308 —Water collection area 
           400 —Third Embodiment 
           402 —Waterproof tray (no ribs) 
           404 —Moveable plastic sheeting 
           406 —Enhanced Floor mat with ribs molded to the underside 
           408 —Ribs on the underside of the Floor mat 
           410 —Water collection area 
           500 —OEM Embodiment 
           502 —OEM waterproof tray 
           504 —Vertical Edges 
           506 —Lip on top surface 
           508 —Recess cut out from carpet floor mat 
           510 —OEM Vehicle Type Carpet Floor Mat 
           602 —Waterproof tray—Commercial Entrance Mat Embodiment 
           604 —Ribs on the top surface of the tray 
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     First Embodiment 
     It should be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical, mechanical or electrical connections or couplings. Furthermore, and as described in subsequent paragraphs, the specific mechanical and/or electrical, other configurations illustrated in the drawings are intended to exemplify embodiments of the invention. However, other alternative mechanical and/or electrical or other configurations are possible which are considered to be within the teachings of the instant disclosure. 
     One embodiment of the vehicle floor mat, herein called the First Embodiment  100  is illustrated in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  (exploded view). This embodiment utilizes a plastic mat with a multitude of crimped projections  106 ,a predetermined hole pattern  104  herein called Floor mat  102  ( FIG. 1C ). A waterproof lining  108  is attached to the underside of the Floor mat  108 A and a plastic rubber border  110  is attached to the entire Floor mat perimeter  110 A ( FIG. 1B ). The attachment of the waterproof lining  108  and the plastic rubber border  110  would ideally be accomplished through thermal welding however other embodiments may employ other means of attachment such as gluing, chemical welding, sewing or the like. A heel pad  112 , in this embodiment made of carpet, is placed into a cutout section of the Floor mat  114  (shown in  FIG. 1B ) such that the top of the heel pad  112 A sits flush with the top of the Floor mat projections  106 A as seen in  FIG. 1D . Other embodiments may utilize another soft, non abrasive, non skid material for the heel pad such as a foamed flexible plastic that could be easily replaceable. It should be noted, that the overall effect of adding a waterproof sealed bottom with a raised edge border could easily be replaced by using a tray with molded raised edges into which the Floor mat is placed. 
     Operation 
     First Embodiment FIGS.  1 A, 18 ,  1 C and  1 D 
     The crimped projections  106  of the Floor mat  102  are ideal for scraping any undesired material off the sole of a shoe and for concealing said undesired material below the visible top surface of the projections  106 A. The flush nature of the top surface of the heel pad  112 A with the top of the Floor mat projections  106 A, enable the occupant of the vehicle to simply push any undesired material off the surface of the heel pad  112 A with a simple swipe of his shoe sole edge into the crimped Floor mat projections  106  where it will then drop down to the bottom surface and be concealed as well. The crimped projections  106  also serve as an air flow deflection, reducing the amount of undesirables mixing with the cabin air when the air conditioner, heater, or ventilation fan is turned on. The combination of a waterproof lining  108 , welded to the bottom of the Floor mat  108 A, and the plastic rubber border  110  welded to the perimeter of the Floor mat  110 A, create a waterproof enclosure capable of containing any water caused by snow melt. The crimped projections  106  also serve as a barrier, preventing the heels of the operator&#39;s shoe, and the bottom of the operator&#39;s pant leg from coming into contact with any water. After months of use in off road and winter conditions, the mat still looks clean and the undesirables are contained and protected without the need to clean. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Another embodiment of the vehicle floor mat, herein called the Second Embodiment  200  is illustrated in  FIGS. 2A through 88 . This embodiment utilizes the following components ( FIG. 2A  and exploded view  FIG. 2B ): a heel pad  112 , which could be replaceable, a heel pad plate  224  with locking lever  224 A, a water proof tray with raised edges  202 , a cover plate  214 , a sponge  216 , and enhanced Floor mat  218  with a multi-planar bottom surface  220 , crimped projections  106 , and a predetermined hole pattern  104 , herein called Enhanced Floor mat  218 .  FIGS. 3A and 3B  show various views of the Enhanced Floor mat  218 , with the multi-planar bottom surface  220 , the predetermined hole pattern  104 , the crimped blade like projections  106 , and a cam follower  222 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the waterproof tray  202  contains a plurality of ribs  204 , water drainages slots  206 , a cam compartment  212 , and a water collection area  208 . The water collection area  208  is contained by the inside perimeter  202 B of the tray  202  and a rib  208 A. The Enhanced Floor mat  218  is placed inside a waterproof tray  202  as shown in  FIG. 5A . A cam  210  is placed inside the waterproof tray cam compartment  212  where it is connected to said cam follower  222  as shown in  FIG. 58 .  FIG. 5C  shows the top and bottom views of the Cam  210 . Illustrated in  FIG. 6A , the waterproof tray  202  has a plurality of ribs  204  that match the predetermined hole pattern of the Enhanced Floor mat  218 . The Enhanced Floor mat  218  rests on the top surface  204 A of the plurality of ribs  204 . As shown in  FIG. 6A , when the cam  210  is in the open position  210 A, the Enhanced Floor mat  218  is shifted into a position such that the predetermined hole pattern  104  rests in between the plurality of ribs  204  of the waterproof tray  202 . As shown in  FIG. 5B , when the cam  210  is in the dosed position  210 B, the Enhanced Floor mat  218  is shifted into a position such that the predetermined hole pattern  104  rests on top of the plurality of ribs  204  of the waterproof tray  202 . Illustrated in  FIG. 7A  (exploded view) and  78 , is the assembly of the cover plate  214 , the sponge  216 , and the cam  210 . The sponge  216  is placed in the water collection area  208 , and the cam  210  is placed in the cam compartment  212 . The cover plate  214  is then placed on top of the cam  210  and the sponge  216  and with screws is attached using the provided screw holes  214 A on the cover plate  214  and the screw posts  2148  inside the waterproof tray  202 . In other embodiments of the vehicle floor mat, the sponge  216  may be attached to the cover plate  214  or may not be used altogether. In other embodiments of the vehicle floor mat the cover plate  214  may be attached to the tray using other attachment methods aside from screws such as rivets, snap fittings, glue or chemical or thermal welding.  FIG. 8A  shows the replaceable heel pad  112  and heel pad plate  224  with locking lever  224 A. In this embodiment the replaceable heel pad  112  and heel pad plate  224  will be attached using glue. Other embodiments may use another means of attachment such as sewing or staples or the like. Other embodiments might not utilize a heel pad plate  224  at all and would simply use a replaceable heel pad  112 . The replaceable heel pad  112  and heel pad plate  224  are contained in the heel pad section  226  of the waterproof tray  202 .  FIG. 5B  shows a section view illustrating the heel pad  112  and heel pad plate  224  with locking lever  224 A, locking into the heel pad section  226  of the waterproof tray  202 . As in the first embodiment, the top surface  112 A of the heel pad  112  sits flush with the top surface  106 A of the Enhanced Floor mat  218 . 
     Operation 
     Second Embodiment FIGS.  2 A Through  7 B 
     The Second Embodiment  200  of the vehicle floor mat incorporates the majority of operations and benefits described in the First Embodiment  100 . The differences and additional benefits are explained as follows. The undesirable material is scraped off the soles of the operator&#39;s shoes, by the crimped blade like projections  106  of the Enhanced Floor mat  218 . The material then falls to the bottom multi-planar surface  220  and then through the predetermined hole pattern  104  of the Enhanced Floor mat  218  and then into the waterproof tray  202 . The multi-planar bottom surface  220  is designed such that each plane of the surface slopes towards the predetermined hole pattern  104 , and there are no horizontal surfaces for the undesired material to collect. When exposed to the vibrations of use, the undesirable material is then directed to the predetermined hole pattern  104  where it will then fall through and into said waterproof tray  202 . It should be noted, the blade like projections  106  of the Enhanced Floor mat  218 , as best shown in  FIG. 1C , are formed from circular tufts of blades that have holes  104  in the center of the tufts. The undesirables that fail through this area fall straight through, as the blades  106  also have no horizontal areas. Either attached to, or molded as part of the Enhanced Floor mat  218  is a cam follower  222 . The cam  210  is attached to the cam follower  222  and held in place by the cover plate  214 . When rotated, the cam  210 , shifts the Enhanced Floor mat  218  position inside the waterproof tray  202 . When the cam  210  is rotated to the open position  210 A, the predetermined hole pattern  104 , of the Enhanced Floor mat  218 , rests in between the plurality of ribs  204  of the waterproof tray  202  ( FIG. 6A ). The undesirable material that falls through the predetermined hole pattern  104 , of the Enhanced Floor mat  218 , then falls in between the plurality of ribs  204 , and onto the bottom surface  202 A of the waterproof tray  202 . When the cam  210  is rotated to the sealed position  2108 , the predetermined hole pattern  104 , of the Enhanced Floor mat  218 , rests on the top surface  204 A of the plurality of ribs  204  ( FIG. 6B ). This traps any undesirable material that has previously fallen to the bottom surface  202 A of the waterproof tray  202 , and prevents said undesirable material from mixing with the cabin air, and provides more space and better concealment for the undesirables. This feature is especially important for those who suffer allergies due to dust, pollen, spores, and other similar matter. The waterproof tray  202  contains water drainage slots  206  which direct any water that has accumulated in said tray  202 , to a water collection area  208 . A sponge  216  is located in the water collection area  208  that will absorb any water and facilitate water removal when required. ( FIG. 7A ). The cover plate  214  covers the water collection area  208  and provides a means to secure the cam. The replaceable heel pad  112  and heel pad plate  224  with locking lever  224 A has the ability to lock into the heel pad section  226  of the waterproof tray  202 , through the locking channel  2245  as shown in  FIG. 88 . This prevents the possibility of the heel pad accidently shifting out of position during operation, causing a potentially dangerous situation, while at the same time holding down the top section of Enhanced Floor mat  218 . 
     Other Embodiments 
     Other embodiments of the vehicle floor mat, having similar features and benefits are possible as well. For example, one such embodiment may utilize a waterproof tray  302  having vertical ribs  304  instead of horizontal ribs and the Enhanced Floor mat  218  would be shifted horizontally instead of vertically using a cam  306  mounted on the side of the tray ( FIG. 9 ). This would allow all the dirt and debris to easily flow straight to the water collection area  308 . 
     Another embodiment  400  might utilize a waterproof tray without any ribs at all  402 . Instead ribs  408  might be molded onto the underside of the Enhanced Floor mat  406  ( FIG. 10A ), which would sit on top of a moveable plastic sheet  404 , located inside the waterproof tray  402  ( FIG. 10B ). In this embodiment, dirt and debris (undesirables) would fall through the predetermined hole pattern of the further Enhanced Floor mat  406  with ribs molded to the underside  408 , and land on the moveable plastic sheet  404 . The sheet  404  can then be rolled, or pulled, carrying the fallen dirt and debris and depositing it into the water collection area  410 . 
     Another embodiment herein called the OEM Embodiment  500 , would utilize all or some of the above features. An OEM waterproof tray  502 , with similar features to the Second Embodiment tray  202 , but shaped with substantially vertical edges  504  and preferably with a lip  506  on the top surface, along with the Enhanced Floor Mat  218  and heat pad  112 , would be inserted into a recess cut  508  out of the original OEM car mat  510 . The carpeting that is cut out could be then be cut into the shape of the Floor mat  218  and the heel pad insert  112 . The heel pad carpet would be lined with a plastic backing similar to the heel pad backing  224  and the Floor mat shaped cut out would be lined with a similar plastic backing but in the shape of the Floor mat  218  together with cam follower  222 .  FIG. 11A  shows the cutout  508  cut out of an aftermarket floor mat shape, but the same cutout could be made in the original carpet as installed in a new car. In the former case, the aftermarket custom shape mat could be plastic or carpeting, and if it is plastic, the carpet needed for the carpeted insert would preferably be the same as that chosen for the heel pad. This embodiment would provide a flush installation in the car with the possibility of using either the Floor mat insert when conditions demanded it, or the carpeted mat insert when a more formal appearance is desired. It should be noted that the use of well secured custom shapes is of particular commercial importance now as a result of massive re calls by some car manufacturers and the resultant media attention, all as a result of several floor mat mats jamming under the accelerator pedal. Customized floor mat mats have the car shape of that particular model and the securement provisions designed to fit that model. This embodiment allows for a standard Floor mat unit, with its resultant cost savings to be applied in a market where customizing the mat is of the most importance. It further provides an all season, all weather floor mat system that one can change over as required, from Floor mat insert to fully carpeted. 
     It should be noted that the same combinations of mat and tray can be set into any floor mating material to provide the advantages of such a combination in a flush with floor mating embodiment. 
     Entrance Mat Embodiment FIG.  12   
     The use of the improved floor mat in combination with a tray provides a means to hold, conceal, and seal large quantities of debris. The use is not limited to vehicle mats. In large entrance mats, especially those used in office building entrances, this feature would have significant benefits. The basic floor mat  102  as described herein provides the best scraping mat available and has been very successfully marketed as such for many years by the manufacturers of the product (Solutia). Due to its very nature, it is very difficult to vacuum since the vacuum hose can never be brought dose to the bottom. In ordinary household mats, this is overcome by merely turning the mat upside down. For large entrance mats in commercial applications, this is not easily done, as the size and weight of the mat prohibit easy lifting. The improved floor mat  218  when used in combination with a waterproof tray  602 , having ribs  604  similar to those mentioned in the vehicle floor mat embodiment  200 , seals in debris making regular cleaning unnecessary. When cleaning is finally required, the light weight floor mat  218  could be easily removed and the waterproof tray  502 , which would normally be made of a heavy rubber composite with wide sloping edges and a depression to accommodate the mat could easily be vacuumed. 
     Those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof of parts noted herein. While a device or an accompanying method have been described for what are presently considered the exemplary embodiments, the invention is not so limited. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8