Patent ID: 8251340

Claim:
A mat comprising: a resiliently deformable mat portion having a border about a periphery of the mat portion and a securing element provided thereon for securing an item attached thereto against movement relative to the mat portion, the mat portion having a generally flat portion having a horizontal upper surface and a horizontal lower surface, and wherein the mat portion is arranged to grip a support surface on which the mat portion is laid, in use, by formation of at least a partial vacuum between a portion of the horizontal lower surface of the mat portion and the support surface upon deformation of the mat portion, wherein the mat comprises a projection on an interior portion of the upper surface of the mat portion spaced inward from the border, wherein the flat portion extends between the projection and the border, and positioned proximate the securing element so that the projection will be under the item in order to urge the item away from the support surface when held by the mat, wherein the action of the item being urged away from the support surface creates a deformation in the mat portion and thereby forms the partial vacuum between the mat portion and the support surface, wherein the deformation is aligned with the securing element and is substantially within a boundary defined by the projection.