Improvements in Mats and Rugs.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Mar., 1892-Accepted, 21st May, 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mats and Rugs.
A communication by ARTHUR JOHN WORRALL and THOMAS WILLIAM BALL,
both of Corner Grove and 13th Streets, Jersey City, in the State of New
Jersey, United States of America, Gentleman and Manufacturer respectively.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.L.M.E., of the Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street,
Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, and 323, High Holborn, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to mats and rugs; and the object in view is to provide a
mat or rug which will lie flat upon the floor and resume such position when the
same is accidentally or otherwise turned up at any point thereof.
With this object in view, the invention consists of a strip or series of steel strips
of flat or round or other shaped wire secured to the underside, or on the face of or
between the underside and face of mat or rug.
Referring to the drawings:-
Figure 1 is an inverted plan view of a mat or rug constructed in accordance with
this invention.
Figure 2 is a transverse section.
_
Figure 3 and 4 are details in plan of the joints between the longitudinal and
transverse strips, the same being modifications of that shown in Figure 1.
Figures 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are details of modified forms of strips.
Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of the
drawings:-
1 denotes an ordinary rug or mat and to the underside of the same is secured a
pair of longitudinally disposed strips 2 and transversely disposed strips 3, preferably
of steel.
The strips 2 and 3 may be formed of wire, whalebone, reed, steel or any other
resilient material and are, as before stated, upon the underside of the mat and are
located adjacent to the edges of the same. These strips may be secured to the
mat in any suitable manner, but in the present instance are covered with calico and
then sewn together.
As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the manner of connecting the ends of the strips
may be varied, which are herein shown as centrally riveted together, as at 6, or as
shown in Figure 4.
The manner of connecting the strips to the mat or rug may be varied at will, as
well as the manner of connecting the strips to each other.
A mat or rug thus provided will retain its shape and lie flat upon the floor and
if any of its corners or sides become accidentally turned, the strips will serve to
return the same to its original position.
If desired the strips may be covered with linen, paper, rubber or any other fabric
or material, also if desired, small perforations may be made in the strips 2 and 3
through which the same may be sewn to the mat.
As shown in Figures 7, 8, 9, crimped wires 7, 8, 9, may be substituted for the
strips 2 and 3 which may be located near the edges of and throughout the whole
back of mat.
If desired, the mat may be so woven as to form transverse and longitudinal
pockets near the edges and a strip can be inserted in each of the pockets of the
rug then the ends secured in any desired way and the ends of the pockets sewn up.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is-
1st. The mat or rug, having a continuous resilient frame applied to the under
side, and extending along the edges thereof, substantially as described.
2nd. The mat or rug having a resilient strip or strips applied thereto, substantially
as described.
3rd. A mat or rug having a frame of fibrous resilient material, like whalebones
eeds etc. applied thereto.
4th. A mat or rug having a resilient frame or strip or strips of flat, or other
shaped wire of suitable material.
5th. A mat or rug having a resilient frame of spring metal, applied thereto.
6th. The mat or rug having a continuous resilient frame of spring material
applied to the underside and extending along all the edges thereof, substantially as
set forth.
7th. The mat or rug having a resilient frame consisting of the wire coil,
convoluted and arranged in a zigzag line around the edges of the mat, substantially
as specified.
8th. The mat or rug, having a resilient frame applied thereto and consisting of
a spring wire bent in zigzag form, substantially as specified.
Dated this 7th day of March 1892.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.