A MAGNETIC FLOOR MAT MOUNTING APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract

An improved apparatus for reversibly securing a floor mat, and related methods. The apparatus of the present invention utilizes embedded or attached magnetic materials in the floor mat and the floor to provide an improved method of securing a floor mat to the ground. The system operates under magnetic coupling alone, preventing twisting, rotating or lifting of a floor mat, while allowing easy removal of the mat with no needed clean up or degraded attachment function.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to floor mats, more specifically, the present invention relates to floor mats having apparatus operable to temporarily secure a mat to the floor and methods of using the same.

DISCUSSION OF THE BACKGROUND

A floor mat typically functions to prevent tracking in unwanted debris through the interior of a building. Floor mats are often placed in front of the entryway of a building to allow passers to wipe the dirt collected from walking from place to place. A problem which arises in placing a floor mat at the exterior of the building is the formation of crosswinds created from the structure of the building, and these crosswinds cause floor mats to drift from their original location, typically a floor mat does not have a mass sufficient to neutralize the force of the wind acting on the mat.

There have been many attempts to prevent the slip or movement on the surface of substantially frictionless surfaces or floors. A general-purpose solution has been to install an all-purpose grip tape, and another frequent solution is the addition of paneling or tiles that have an anti-slip tread; these two methods are solutions for adapting a frictionless surface to have a coefficient of friction sufficient in preventing slip of a floor mat. However, these solutions prove to be unsustainable when subjected to the forces of nature, the material properties of grip tape retain dirt and grime, and cleaning these materials typically requires heavy-duty machinery (e.g., pressure washer). Anti-slip paints and coatings are another adaptation utilized to prevent slip, but these paints are not easily removable, some coatings are only removable with high hardness abrasive tooling and the incorporation of an acid solution.

Conventional methods used to prevent slip in the vertical direction involve using a thin foam pad with an adhesive applied to the top and bottom surfaces. This pad is then placed on the four corners of the mat. Another method uses a hook and loop material attachment member placed on the floor substrate and the base portion of the floor mat in contact with the floor. The adhesive materials used to secure the floor mat are difficult to remove from the respective surfaces presenting a labor-intensive and challenging removal process. Additionally, the adhesive can lose its adhesive properties over time as dirt, and other particles penetrate the surface preventing the functionality of the material.

An improved method and apparatus for securing a floor mat is desirable. The methods must reduce or remove the shortcomings of current methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved apparatus for temporarily securing a floor mat, and methods. The apparatus of the present invention utilizes embedded or attached magnetic materials in the floor mat and the floor to provide an improved method of securing a floor mat to the ground. The only connecting mechanism between the mat and the underlying substrate is magnetism, preventing twisting, rotating or lifting of a floor mat, while allowing easy removal of the mat with no needed clean up or degraded attachment function.

The apparatus may be comprised of complementary components operable to attach to various substrates (e.g., flooring, concrete, wood, etc.) and may be capable of attaching to various floor mat materials (e.g., textile, rubber, etc.); other supporting mechanisms may be required for installation and the production of an aesthetic finish. Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that is operable to be removed and transferred to another substrate. Other aspects that may be included in the apparatus are described herein.

Conventional methods of securing a floor mat incorporate devices that have a finite life, and in some methods, an incorporated device may require significant maintenance. Many attempts of securing a floor mat have been made, but a permanent solution that is operable to adapt to various floor mats has not been available. Conventional methods in securing a floor mat typically incorporate a hook and loop attachment device, such attachment device have a finite life and often gather debris which render the device unusable. It is another fault of this method that the attachment devices are not reusable (i.e., when mounting the device the adhesive used to secure the component of the hook and loop device does not allow for relocation of the attachment device). In contrast, the apparatus of the present invention is operable to prevent the gathering of debris and is more effective and reliable.

The apparatus of the present invention includes a bracket operable to attach to various surfaces or substrates, a base plate operable to attach to various surfaces or substrates, an anchor (e.g., threaded concrete anchor, steel adhesive grip anchor, etc.) operable to be embedded into a substrate, and an adhesive may be utilized to assist in firmly securing components of the invention. In some embodiments, a mat may be operable to receive and secure the bracket; the mat receiving location may have a depression operable to nest the bracket. The depression may have a geometry that is complementary to the geometry of the bracket and may have a sufficient depth to have a surface that is flush with the face of the bracket.

The bracket of the present invention may be comprised of one or more magnets placed in a material, e.g., a plurality of magnets arranged in a pattern (e.g., a linear pattern, a circular pattern, a polygonal pattern, etc.). As an example, and without limitation, the bracket may include a plurality of magnets may be oriented in a linear geometry to be placed along the edge of a floor mat. The magnets may be embedded or held in a suitable material, e.g., a material that is operable to allow for flex in a torsional direction, and is permeable to electromagnetic fields.

The brackets may have any shape or size based upon required need or aesthetically designed choice. Similar to the brackets, the magnets are not limited by any shape or size. The invention may include using multiple magnets side by side to increase the magnetic force between the brackets and anchor plates. Additionally, the magnets and/or brackets may be coated the magnets with a rubberized coating, to assist in eliminating movement of the mat by friction between the bracket and the anchor plates.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a bracket that may be mounted to at least one location on the basal surface of a floor mat; the basal surface of a floor mat refers to the surface of the floor mat in contact with the floor. The bracket may be mounted by utilizing a suitable adhesive operable of securing the bracket to the basal surface of the floor mat. In some embodiments, individual brackets may be placed at multiple locations on the basal surface of the floor mat. As an example, without limitation, a bracket may be located at each of the four corners of a rectangular mat.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a base plate that is complementary to the geometry of the bracket. A base plate may be dimensionally larger or smaller than the bracket. The base plate that may have the same geometric shape, but may be sized to a different scale. As an example, without limitation, a circular bracket may have a diameter of five inches and the corresponding base plate may have a diameter of two inches; the reverse of this example may be appropriate for certain applications (where the base plate is larger and the circular bracket is smaller). The material of the base plate may be of a ferromagnetic type (e.g., iron, nickel, etc.). Additionally, the base plate may be mounted to a surface or substrate with an adhesive, the adhesive type may vary according to the substrate material, an anchoring device (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.), or another fastening method. In some embodiments, the base plate may be embedded within the substrate; a substrate may be prepared (e.g., by drilling, boring, milling, etc.) to receive the base plate. In another embodiment, a base plate may be fastened to the basal surface of the mat and the bracket may be nested into a depression in the floor.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which is easily removable and operable to be reused; the bracket may be detached from the basal mat surface and may be operable to be mounted to a new mat surface.

It is further an object of the invention to provide a functional and aesthetic system for securing a floor mat to the ground, which is capable of being reused. These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon inspection of the detailed description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an environmental perspective view of a floor mat fastening mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows a trimetric view of a floor mat system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B shows a trimetric view of a floor mat system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a trimetric view of a floor mat system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of a floor mat system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of a floor mat system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows an environmental side view of a floor mat and floor mat fastening mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of a floor mat system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a component of a floor mat system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of a floor mat system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of a floor mat system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a side view of a floor mat system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows a side view of a floor mat system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows a side view of a floor mat system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows a side view of a floor mat system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

References will now be made in detail to certain embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in reference to these embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that are included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In the following disclosure, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and referring particularly to FIGS. 1-8, it is seen that the present invention includes various embodiments of mat fastening device, and methods of using the same.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary mat fastening device 100, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprising a bracket 101 operable to attach to a mat 110 and operable to attach to a base plate 103. The mat 110 may have an opening with geometry complementary to the bracket 101, and operable to receive and attach to the bracket 101. The bracket 101 may be on the top surface to attached to the basal surface of the mat 110 with an adhesive, mechanical anchor, or other attachment device. The base plate 103 may be mounted to a substrate surface 120. Mounting to the substrate surface 120 may be accomplished by utilizing an adhesive, mechanical anchor, or other attachment device.

FIG. 2A shows a trimetric view of the device of FIG. 1. Specifically, FIG. 2 shows an assembled trimetric view of the bracket 101, the exterior portion of the bracket is transparently presented to reveal the interior geometry of the bracket 101. The bracket 101 in this embodiment may have an interior geometry operable to receive a plurality of magnets 102. A magnet 102 may have a symmetrically north pole and south pole with equal and opposite magnetic force. The bracket 101 operable to embed the magnets 102 and secure the magnets in a pattern; where each magnet 102 having the same magnetic orientation as adjacent magnets.

FIG. 2B shows a trimetric of the device of FIG. 1. Specifically, FIG. 2B shows a disassembled array of magnets 102 in the bracket 101 and shows the force vector F for inserting the plurality of magnets 102. The interior of the bracket has a geometry that is complementary to that of the individual magnets 10. The cylindrical geometry shown is an example and non-limiting as the geometry may be any shape that is capable of being symmetrically magnetized in a fashion that is operable to connect to the base plate 103. The individual magnets in the bracket assembly 101 may have an adhesive applied between the bracket 101 cylinders and the magnet base.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the base plate 103 of the device of FIG. 1. A base plate 103 may be mounted to a substrate surface 120 with an adhesive; the adhesive type may vary depending on the material of the surface 120 and the material of the base plate 103. The base plate 103 material may be of a ferromagnetic material and operable to attract a magnetized material. In some embodiments, the base plate may have a geometry that is of shape complementary to the bracket 101 to provide excellent surface area contact with the magnets in the bracket 101. The base plate 103 may be attached to or embedded in the substrate 120. The substrate 120 may be prepared with a cutout or recess of the base plate 103 geometry and secured with an adhesive. In some embodiments, a substrate 120 may surround the top portion of the base plate 103. The material of the substrate 120 may be permeable to an electromagnetic field.

FIG. 4 shows a view of the basal portion of a mat 110 and bracket mechanism 101 of the device of FIG. 1. A plurality of bracket mechanisms 101 may be positioned individually at multiple locations on the basal side of the mat 110 to prevent drift and sway from the mat 110 in the event an applied lateral force.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the device of FIG. 1, the device 100 and a base plate 103 concealed behind a mat 110. It is preferred that the basal surface of the mat remains flush with the substrate 120.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary environmental perspective view of another embodiment of a mat fastening device 200. The device 200 may comprise a mat 110, and a plate 203 operable to fasten to a bracket 201, which may be operable to attach to a substrate surface 120. The substrate surface 120 may be the ground surface (e.g., concrete, hardwood flooring, etc.). The mat plate 203 and bracket 201 may be fastened together using the material and magnetic properties of the plate and bracket combination 200. The mat plate 203 may be placed at strategic locations on the basal surface of the mat 110, which may be complementary to the location of the bracket 201 on the substrate surface 120. The bracket 201 may be threaded into an anchor mechanism 202. The anchor mechanism 202 may be placed into a drilled hole or other insertion or attachment point in the substrate surface 120. In some embodiments, the bracket 201 may be fastened to the substrate surface 120 with an adhesive to further secure the bracket.

The mat 110 may be comprised of a textile material, rubber, or another suitable material for aesthetic or functional means; the mat plate 203 may be constructed of a ferromagnetic material (e.g., iron, cobalt, nickel, etc.), the material properties allow for the mat plate 203 to be functionally attracted to the bracket 201. The bracket 201 may be of a ferromagnetic material which may be magnetized, and the bracket 201 may include a face which comes into contact with the mat plate 203. The bracket 201 may include one more anchors that may be operable to inserted into the substrate 120 and may include a securing mechanism (e.g., threading) to secure the bracket 201. An anchor 202 may be comprised of steel or another rigid type material. To further secure the essential components of the device, an adhesive may be utilized to secure the components to their respective locations (e.g., mat plate 203 to the mat 110, bracket 201 to the substrate). The adhesive may vary depending on the materials bonded together through installation. However, the only connecting mechanism between the mat 110 and the substrate 120 is magnetism to allow for a secure connection between the mat 110 and the substrate 120 that still allows for easy removal of the mat with no needed clean up or degraded attachment function.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary view of a component of the device of FIG. 6; specifically, the bracket 201 and an anchor 202. The anchor 202 may be operable to receive the bracket 201 with complementary threading, and the anchor may further be operable to clasp onto the inner surface of the borehole of the substrate 120. The bracket shaft may be operable to initiate the clasping of the anchor 202 as the shaft is threaded into the anchor 202. In some embodiments, an anchor 202 may be made from a steel material. The lower face of the bracket 201 may be operable to come into close contact with the substrate 120.

In some embodiments, the substrate 120 may be prepped with to receive the bracket 201 and anchor combination. Prepping the substrate 120 may include, without limitation, drilling and boring a hole with a diameter and depth complementary to the anchor, the substrate 120 may be operable to receive the bracket 201, and the face of the bracket 201 may be positioned flush with the upper surface of the substrate.

In some embodiments, the substrate 120 may be constructed around the placement of the bracket 201, an example and without limitation, the bracket 201 may be placed in the preferred position, and a substrate 120 may be poured around the bracket 201 (e.g., the substrate 120 may be concrete, rubber, or other pourable material). A preferred position of the brackets 201 may vary according to the egress point of a building or the bracket positions of the floor mat.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the device of FIG. 6, specifically a view of the mat plate 203 component. The device may be constructed of a ferromagnetic material and may be attached to a mat with an adhesive.

FIGS. 9-14 provide views of alternative arrangements of the magnetic brackets and different shapes of the brackets and mats in which they are embedded. The present invention is not limited to such arrangements. The pattern of magnets embedded in the brackets and the number and arrangement of the brackets can be varied. Additionally, the magnets may alternatively be embedded in the anchoring plates embedded in the floor. In still further embodiments, there may be magnets embedded in both the anchoring plates in the floor and in the brackets on the underside of the mat. In such embodiments, the magnets may be arranged in complementary patterns with the polarity of the magnets in the anchors in the floor opposite to the those embedded in the brackets in the mat.

It should be understood that 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 teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and 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.

Claims

1. A system for discreetly securing a floor mat with respect to a floor, the system comprising: a. a floor mat secured on a basal surface to at least one bracket having a top mat-interfacing surface for securing to the floor;b. said at least one bracket having magnetic connectors on a basal surface thereof configured to magnetically connect to at least one anchor; andc. an anchor fastened to said floor and operable to connect to said at least one bracket.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said bracket interior has an arrangement of bracket recesses having magnets nested within each channel.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said arrangement of channels may have a recesses geometry complementary in shape for receiving at least one magnet.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one bracket comprises a plurality of brackets.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said basal surface is configured to receive using an applied adhesive to affix said top mat-interfacing surface of said bracket to said basal surface.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said anchoring structure is fastened to the floor.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said anchor is comprised of a ferromagnetic material and adhered to the surface of the floor.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one bracket is configured to be placed at right angles and centerlines of said floor mat.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said bracket is magnetically attracted to said anchor has a substantially strong magnetic force operable to secure the floor mat to the floor and prevent dislodgement of the floor mat when tangential forces are applied thereto.

10. A system for discreetly securing a floor mat with respect to a floor, the system comprising: a. at least one plate having a top-mat interfacing surface for securing a floor mat to the floor, and an anchoring structure;b. said floor mat having a basal surface configured to secure said at least one plate; andc. an anchor fastened to said floor having a magnetic connector on a top surface thereof configured to magnetically connect to said at least one plate.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said plate is comprised of a ferromagnetic material.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein said at least one plate comprises a plurality of plates.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein said at least one plate is configured to be placed at right angles and centerlines of said floor mat.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the said anchor is fastened to said floor with an adhesive.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the anchor is comprised of a magnetized ferromagnetic material.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein said anchor is magnetically attracted to said plate has a substantially strong magnetic force operable to secure the floor mat to the floor and prevent dislodgement of the floor mat when tangential forces are applied thereto.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein said plate has a geometry that is complementary to the shape of said anchor.