Abstract:
A modular rollover mat comprises a plurality of interconnecting mat sections, each having a plurality of connection portions and a retaining rail assembly. Each of the plurality of mat sections comprises a hard top material for providing a smooth and durable rolling surface for computer chairs and the like. The sections engage each other in order to selectively connect separate floor mats together. The retaining rail comprises a raised edging located along the perimeter of the connected floor mat sections.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Sep. 28, 2009, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to floor mats, and in particular, to a modular rollover floor mat for use with chairs. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The use of rolling desk chairs is a common site in almost any office environment. Typically these rolling desk chairs include castors affixed to each leg which allow the chair to glide along the floor surface. While these chairs roll easily on hard tile or wood surfaces they are extremely difficult to roll when used on carpeted surfaces. As such, it is common to resort to the use of hard plastic chair mats to facilitate rolling as well as to protect the flooring surface. Unfortunately, the visual appearance of such floor mats is very aesthetically unappealing. These mats are usually fabricated from rigid vinyl or laminate and can crack or otherwise become damaged over time. Additionally, these mats are usually large and heavy and are often difficult to store, move, or fit into smaller rooms. Once furniture is in place, it can be almost impossible to properly position these unwieldy mats. Another disadvantage of conventional chair mats is situations where the chair rolls off of the edge of the mat and onto the carpeted surface, which often times requires the user to stand up and physically position the chair back upon the mat. 
     Some mats have attempted to solve some of these problems, such as including decorative visual elements to provide some aesthetically appealing characteristics or providing pliable materials having a smooth surface which lay on the carpeted surface. Examples of these mats can be seen by reference in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,103,333, issued in the name of Keith, which discloses a wood veneer laminated chair mat; and, 6,319,592, issued in the name of Ney et al., which discloses a decorative floor mat for use with a chair. While these mats may accomplish there intended purpose, the problem of portability and convenient positioning remain. 
     Other floor mats and tile systems provide a plurality of interconnecting members. These mats are typically intended for use as play mats or other floor coverings and provide a cushioned material. Examples can also be seen by reference in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,909,996, issued in the name of Ettinger, Jr. et al., which describes a modular floor mat; 4,287,693, issued in the name of Collette, which describes an interlocking rubber mat; 5,052,158, issued in the name of D&#39;Luzansky, which describes a modular locking floor covering; and, 5,970,541, issued in the name of Chiang, which describes a modular mat. While these mats provide varying degrees of modularization which may make them more portable, none are suited for use with rolling chairs. 
     All of these devices may accomplish their specific intended purpose; however, each suffers from one (1) or more disadvantage or deficiency with respect to design, function, or effectiveness. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which the protective features of office chair floor mats can be provided without the aforementioned disadvantages. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a system which protects a carpeted floor while allowing rolling desk chairs to easily glide from one location to the next. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a system which provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance to an office or other room. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system which is modular and thus easily transported, positioned, and stored at a desired location, particularly, in locations having limited space. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system which is easily assembled and disassembled and requiring no special tools or instruction. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system which includes various modular set-up configurations to provide desired floor coverage. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system which provides a means of preventing the rolling desk chair from rolling off an edge and onto the carpeted surface. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a system which is simple and intuitive to use with little to no training. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a system which is durable and economical to manufacture. 
     One (1) or more of these and other objects of the invention are achieved by a preferred embodiment of the system providing a modular rollover mat comprising a planar center member, four (4) planar generally square corner members disposed radially around the center member, and four (4) planar generally square interlocking members removably connected between two (2) adjacently positioned corner members. Each corner members includes an arcuate cutout between two (2) interior edge portions for mating to an edge portion of the center member. An interior edge portion of each corner member also includes a generally square cutout for mating to the interlocking member and a triangular connecting cutout projecting inwardly from the square cutout which removably interconnects with a triangular connecting tab projecting outwardly from side edge portions of each interlocking member. The connecting tabs removably connect to a correspondingly adjacent connecting cutout such that all members are connected to provide a rigid and durable contiguous planar surface. 
     In at least one (1) embodiment these objects are achieved by providing a border extending upwardly from a top surface of each member which mates to one (1) another when each member is connected, such that the border forms a contiguous border around an outside perimeter of the entire modular rollover mat. 
     In at least one embodiment these objects are achieved by providing a generally “T”-shaped planar extension member removably connected to two (2) adjacently positioned corner members in place of at least one (1) interlocking member. 
     In at least one (1) embodiment these objects are achieved by providing the bottom surfaces of each member having a plurality of conical-shaped protrusions projecting outwardly for anchoring to a carpeted surface. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the invention may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The invention can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a modular rollover mat  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the modular rollover mat  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the modular rollover mat  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 4  is an underside perspective view of the modular rollover mat  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 10 
                 modular rollover mat 
               
               
                   
                 15 
                 user 
               
               
                   
                 16 
                 chair 
               
               
                   
                 17 
                 work surface 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 center member 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 corner member 
               
               
                   
                 31 
                 first cutout 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 second cutout 
               
               
                   
                 33 
                 corner cutout 
               
               
                   
                 34 
                 center cutout 
               
               
                   
                 35 
                 corner portion border 
               
               
                   
                 40 
                 interlocking member 
               
               
                   
                 41 
                 first side tab 
               
               
                   
                 42 
                 second side tab 
               
               
                   
                 43 
                 front tab 
               
               
                   
                 45 
                 interlocking member border 
               
               
                   
                 46 
                 extension 
               
               
                   
                 47 
                 extension border 
               
               
                   
                 50 
                 protrusion 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a modular rollover mat (herein described as the “system”)  10 , preferably utilized with a rolling desk chair  16  comprising an office seat having casters. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental view of the system  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The system  10  enables the chair  16  to roll freely on carpeted flooring and is modular which may be disassembled in a manner similar to a jigsaw puzzle for storage or shipping purposes. The system  10  protects the flooring surface from rolling office chairs  16  and enables the chairs  16  to travel with ease without the aesthetically unappealing appearance of conventional methods. The system  10  comprises a center member  20 , a plurality of corner members  30 , a plurality of interlocking members  40 , an extension  46 , and a plurality of protrusions  50 . The system  10  is preferably manufactured in a variety of dimensions to accommodate various spaces and chair mobility. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the system  10  and  FIG. 3 , an exploded view of the system  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The system  10  is preferably fabricated from a durable plastic, yet other materials such as wood may be utilized without limiting the scope of the system  10 . The system  10  comprises a center member  20  which provides for a decorative seamless initial structural member for the chair  16  to travel upon. The center support  20  comprises a flattened, circular shape and enables each corner member  30  to abut an outer circumferential perimeter edge of the center support  20 . Although illustrated herein as depicting the corner members  30  abutting against the center support  20  it is known that other attachment means may be utilized without limiting the scope of the system  10 . An upper surface of the center member  20  may comprise indicia which may provide script or logos based upon a user&#39;s preference and may include images such as, but not limited to: sports names or logos, personal names, symbols, pictures, and the like to further customize and personalize the apparatus  10  further comprising a variety of colors and patterns. 
     The system  10  also comprises a plurality of corner members  30  which provide a region for the chair  16  to travel upon. The corner members  30  encompass the center member  20  and extend outwardly forming a rectangular boundary for the chair  16  to travel. Each corner member  30  comprises an arcuate center cutout  34  corresponding to the circumferential perimeter edge of the center member  20 . The center cutouts  34  are located on an inner portion of each corner member  30 . Each corner member  30  also comprises a corner portion border  35  on outer perimeter edges which provide a curbing means to the system  10 . The border  35  extends upwardly from each corner member  30  to deter the chair  16  from traveling beyond the border  35 . The border  35  is preferably integrally molded to each corner member  30 , yet other attachment means may be utilized without limiting the scope of the system  10 . Each corner member  30  also comprises a first cutout  31 , a second cutout  32 , and a pair of corner cutouts  33  to provide an attachment means to corresponding interlocking members  40  and the extension  46  which enable the system  10  to be secured. An upper surface of the corner members  20  may comprise indicia which corresponds to the center member  20  which may also provide script or logos based upon a user&#39;s preference and may include images such as, but not limited to: sports names or logos, personal names, symbols, pictures, and the like to further customize and personalize the apparatus  10  further comprising a variety of colors and patterns. 
     The system  10  also comprises a plurality of interlocking members  40  which provide an attachment means to the corner members  30  and enable the system  10  to be secured. Each interlocking member  40  comprises a generally “T”-shaped body further comprising a first side tab  41 , a second side tab  42 , a front tab  43 , and an interlocking member border  45 . Each interlocking member  40  engages a pair of corner members  30  on opposing sides of the interlocking members  40  via engaging a tab  41 ,  42 ,  43  with a corresponding cutout  31 ,  32 ,  33 . The first tab  41  on each interlocking member  40  engages the first cutout  31  on each corner member  30 , the second tab  42  on each interlocking member  40  engages the second cutout  32  on each corner member  30 , and the front tab  43  on each interlocking member  40  engages the corner cutout  33  on each corner member  30 . The first tab  41  and second tab  42  comprise a triangular-shape and the front tab  43  comprises a rectangular-shape for illustration purposes only; it is known that other shapes may be utilized without limiting the scope of the system  10 . The cutouts  31 ,  32 ,  33  are the negative shape of the tabs  41 ,  42 ,  43  which enable the tabs  41 ,  42 ,  43  to engage the cutouts  31 ,  32 ,  33  and further secure each corner member  40  and center member  30  as a stable unit. The interlocking member border  45  extends upwardly from each interlocking member  40  and aligns with the border  35  on each corner member  30  to form a rectangular cohesive boundary to prohibit a chair  16  from traveling beyond the borders  35 ,  45 . Each interlocking member  40  may also comprise indicia corresponding to the center member  20  and corner members  30  as above-mentioned. 
     The system  10  also comprises an extension  46  which provides further attachment means to the corner members  30  and enables the system  10  to be secured. The extension  46  also provides a means to place the user&#39;s feet during use. The extension  46  is preferably positioned under a work surface  17  (see  FIG. 1 ) where the user&#39;s feet rest when in a sitting position, yet other positions may be utilized without limiting the scope of the system  10 . The extension  46  comprises an extension border  47  which protrudes on the outer perimeter edges and provides further curbing means to the system  10 . The extension border  47  extends upwardly from the extension  46  to further deter the chair  16  from traveling beyond the extension border  47 . The extension border  47  is preferably integrally molded to the extension  46 , yet other attachment means may be utilized without limiting the scope of the system  10 . Integrally molded to the extension  46  is an interlocking member  40  which comprises abovementioned features. The interlocking member  40  enables the extension  46  to be secure to a pair of corner members  30  as described above. The interlocking member  40  is preferably integrally molded to the extension  46 , yet other means of attachment may be utilized without limiting the scope of the system  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an underside perspective view of the system  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The underside surface of the system  10  comprises a plurality of protrusions  50  which enable the system  10  to grip carpeted flooring to provide an anchoring means. The protrusions  50  preferably comprise a conical shape, yet other shapes may be utilized without limiting the scope of the system  10 . The protrusions  50  are to be evenly spaced and integrally molded to the underside of each member  20 ,  30 ,  40  and extension  46 . The protrusions  50  extend downwardly from the underside of the system  10  to prohibit the system  10  from moving in the x-axis or y-axis during use via gripping the carpeted flooring. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the system  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIGS. 1 through 4 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the system  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the system  10 ; positioning the center member  20  on a desired level surface; positioning each corner member  30  around the circumference of the center member  20  with the center cutout  34  facing toward the outer perimeter edge of the center member  20  and the border  35  upwardly facing; positioning each interlocking member  40  and extension  46  between a pair of corner members  30  with the interlocking member border  45  upwardly facing; engaging the first tab  41  on the interlocking member  40  with the first cutout  31  on the corner member  30 , engaging the second tab  42  on the interlocking member  40  with the second cutout  32  on the corner member  30 , and engaging the front tab  43  on the interlocking member  40  with the corner cutout  33  on the corner member  30 ; positioning a chair  16  upon the upper surface of the system  10  as desired; and, utilizing the system  10  to protect the desired flooring from chairs  16  or enabling a chair  16  to travel upon carpeting in a convenient and appealing manner. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.