Apparatus to prevent curling of a rug corner

Abstract

An apparatus to prevent curling of a rug corner. The apparatus includes a rigid and planar body having a top surface and a bottom surface. A hook-and-pile fastener detachably secures the body and rug together. The body maintains the rug corner in a flat condition thus preventing any curling of the rug.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to a device for preventing curling of a rug corner.

II. Description of Related Art

Many homes, office buildings, and the like use area rugs on the floor for decorative or other purposes. These area rugs are typically rectangular in shape and ideally lie flatly on the floor surface.

Unfortunately, over time, the corners of the rug curl upwardly away from the floor surface. When this occurs, the upwardly curled corner of the rug is not only visually unattractive but also presents a safety hazard in which people can trip on the corner of the rug. This is particularly serious in commercial establishments where people who trip on the upwardly curled corner of the rug may fall and hurt themselves and create legal and financial liability.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus to prevent curling of a rug corner that overcomes all of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

In brief, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a rigid and planar V-shaped body. The body has a planar top and a planar bottom which is spaced from the planar top by a small distance, e.g. one eighth of an inch.

An adhesive layer is applied to at least a portion of the top of the body. A removable protective cover is then provided over the adhesive layer to protect the adhesive layer when the apparatus of the present invention is not in use.

When use of the device of the present invention is desired, the protective cover for the adhesive layer is removed. The body is then adhered to the bottom of the rug corner by the adhesive layer. Upon doing so, the rigid and planar V-shaped body maintains the rug corner in a flat condition. Consequently, when the rug corner is again laid on the ground surface, the body is positioned between the floor and the rug corner and not only provides an anti-slip protection for the rug, but also prevents curling of the rug corner.

In another preferred embodiment, the V-shaped body is removably secured to the bottom of the rug by hook-and-pile fasteners. This allows removal of the device for machine washing of the rug.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view illustrating the application of the device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2 and enlarged for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing a modification thereof;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing a modification thereof;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing a modification thereof;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing a modification thereof; and

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing a modification thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

With reference first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of the apparatus 10 to prevent curling of a rug corner is shown. The apparatus 10 includes a V-shaped body 12 with a top 14 and bottom 16. The body 12, furthermore, includes two elongated legs 18 and 20 which intersect together generally perpendicularly and with a rounded nose 22.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the body is a laminate structure and comprises a bottom elastomeric layer 24 of an elastomeric material. This elastomeric material is adapted to abut against a floor surface 26 and, in doing so, prevents slippage between the apparatus 10 and the floor surface 26.

A plastic layer 28, preferably made of polypropylene copolymer, overlies the bottom elastomeric layer 24. The plastic layer 28 is preferably made of a rigid plastic material and maintains the entire body 12 in a rigid form. The plastic layer 28 and elastomeric layer 24 are preferably approximately one eighth of an inch in thickness and are attached together in any conventional fashion. Preferably, the elastomeric layer 24 comprises a sticky gel (polyurethane gel) covered by a removable backing. Alternatively, the bottom layer comprises a synthetic rubber layer such as Santoprene® by ExxonMobil Corporation. Both layers 24 form an anti-slip layer for the rug.

Alternatively, the bottom layer 24 is made of a sticky gel. The sticky gel adheres to the floor to prevent slippage, but without marring or otherwise damaging the floor surface 26.

As noted above, the bottom layer 24 may be formed from an elastomer such as, for example, acrylic resin, latex, rubber, silicone, ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, or a combination thereof. In embodiments, the bottom layer 24 is provided directly on the bottom of the plastic layer 28 with no intervening or intermediate layer therebetween.

A thin adhesive layer 30, such as 3M adhesive (acrylic foam tape), is then provided over at least a portion of the plastic layer 28. This adhesive layer 30 is then covered by a protective cover 32, preferably made out of paper or a synthetic material, and which remains attached to the body 12 until use of the apparatus 10 is desired.

With reference now to FIG. 1, when use of the apparatus 10 is desired, the protective cover 32, preferably made of paper, is first removed from the body 12 thus exposing the adhesive layer 30. The body 12 is then aligned with a corner 34 of a rug 36 so that one edge 42 of the one leg 18 of the body 12 extends closely adjacent one edge of the corner 34 of the rug 36 while an edge 40 of the leg 20 of the body 12 extends closely adjacent another edge of the corner 34 of the rug 36.

By pressing the apparatus 10 and leg together, the apparatus 10 is thus adhered to the corner 34 of the rug. When this happens, the rigid and planar body 12 of the apparatus 10 maintains the corner in a flat condition. As the corner is then lowered onto the floor 16, the elastomeric layer 24 contacts the floor 28 and prevents slipping of the corner of the rug. Simultaneously, the rigid body 12 maintains the corner in a flat condition.

With reference now to FIG. 4, a modification of the invention is shown in which the plastic layer 28 and elastomeric layer 24 are detachably secured to the rug 36 by a hook-and-pile fastener 50. The hook-and-pile fastener 50, often available under the trademark Velcro®, includes a hook half 52 and pile half 54 which are respectively adhesively secured to the rug 36 and plastic layer 28, or vice versa. The hook-and-pile fastener allows the plastic layer 28 to be easily detached to permit machine washing of the rug.

With reference now to FIG. 5, a modification of the invention is shown in which a plastic bonding layer 60 is provided between the plastic layer 28 and the elastomeric layer 24. The plastic bonding layer 60 bonds the elastomeric layer 24 to the plastic layer 28. In embodiments, the plastic bonding layer 60 comprises an adhesive layer, one or more plastic fiber layers impregnated with an adhesive, and or a combination thereof. The plastic bonding layer 60 is a non-rigid layer. As shown, the plastic bonding layer 60 has a thickness less than a thickness of the plastic layer 28. In this modification, the elastomeric layer 24 may comprise polyurethane, acrylic resin, latex, EVA foam, or rubber. The plastic bonding layer 60 and the elastomeric layer 24 may be joined to form an integral bi-layer laminate structure.

With reference now to FIG. 6, a modification of the invention is shown in which the plastic layer 28 is not provided. Accordingly, the plastic bonding layer 60 is provided between the adhesive layer 30 and the elastomeric layer 24 and in direct contact therewith. More particularly, a bottom surface of the adhesive layer 30 is positioned in contact with an upper surface of the plastic bonding layer 60 and an opposite lower surface of the plastic bonding layer 60 is positioned in contact with an upper surface of the elastomeric layer 24. As described herein, the elastomeric layer 24 may comprise polyurethane, acrylic resin, latex, EVA foam, or rubber. It should be appreciated that when the elastomeric layer 24 comprises EVA foam or rubber, the elastomeric layer 24 does not adhere to the floor surface 26. This is contrary to embodiments in which the elastomeric layer 24 comprises polyurethane, acrylic resin, or latex.

With reference now to FIG. 7, a modification of the invention is shown in which neither the plastic layer 28 nor the plastic bonding layer 60 are provided. Rather, the elastomeric layer 24 is provided on and in direct contact with a lower surface of the adhesive layer 30. This reduces the overall thickness of the apparatus as compared to the above modifications to reduce a distance between the rug 36 and the floor surface 26. In the present modification, the adhesive layer 30 and the elastomeric layer 24 may form an integral bilayer laminate structure.

With reference now to FIG. 8, a modification of the invention is shown in which a pair of plastic bonding layers 60 and a lower adhesive layer 30 positioned between the pair of plastic bonding layers 60 are provided instead of the plastic layer 28. More particularly, as shown, an upper plastic bonding layer 60 is in contact with a lower surface of an upper adhesive layer 30, an upper surface of the lower adhesive layer 30 is in contact with a lower surface of the upper plastic bonding layer 60, and an upper surface of a lower plastic bonding layer 60 is in contact with a lower surface of the lower adhesive layer 30. Further, a lower surface of the lower plastic bonding layer 60 is in contact with an upper surface of the elastomeric layer 24. In this modification, the elastomeric layer 24 may comprise polyurethane, acrylic resin, latex, EVA foam, or rubber. By providing the pair of plastic bonding layers 60 and the lower adhesive layer 30 positioned therebetween, the upper and lower adhesive layers 30 may be formed of different adhesives to secure the elastomeric layer 24 to the rug 36. Further, this also allows for the upper and lower plastic bonding layers 60 to be formed of different plastics or compositions. This may be beneficial in controlling flexibility and durability of the apparatus. It should be appreciated that, in embodiments, any pair of layers, such as the elastomeric layer 24 and the lower plastic bonding layer 60, the lower plastic bonding layer 60 and the lower adhesive layer 30, the upper plastic bonding layer 60 and the lower adhesive layer 30, and/or the upper plastic bonding layer 60 and the upper adhesive layer 30, may form an integral bi-layer laminate structure.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention provides a simple yet effective apparatus for preventing curling of rug corners of area rugs. Having described my invention, however, many modifications thereto will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains without deviation from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus to prevent curling of a rug corner away from a floor surface, the apparatus comprising: a rigid and planar body, said body having a planar top and planar bottom;an adhesive layer applied to at least a portion of said top of said body;a removable protective cover provided over said adhesive layer; andan elastomer layer that includes a first surface and an opposite second surface, said first surface is attached to at least a portion of said planar bottom of said body, said second surface of said elastomer layer is configured to contact the floor surface,wherein upon removal of said protective cover and exposure of said adhesive layer, said body is adhered to the rug corner by said adhesive whereby said body maintains the rug corner in a flat condition,wherein the body and the elastomer layer are a laminate structure.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said body comprises a rigid layer including a plastic layer, said adhesive layer being applied to a top of said plastic layer.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said elastomer layer is formed from acrylic resin.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said elastomer layer is formed from latex.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said elastomer layer is formed from rubber.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said elastomer layer is formed from silicone.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said elastomer layer is formed from ethyl vinyl acetate foam.

8. An apparatus to prevent curling of a rug corner away from a floor surface, the apparatus comprising: a laminate structure comprising: a rigid and planar body, said body having a planar top and planar bottom; andan elastomer layer that includes a first surface and an opposite second surface, said first surface is laminated to said planar bottom of said body;an adhesive layer applied to at least a portion of said top of said body; anda removable protective cover provided over said adhesive layer,wherein upon removal of said protective cover and exposure of said adhesive layer, said laminate structure is adhered to the rug corner by said adhesive whereby said body maintains the rug corner in a flat condition and said second surface of said elastomer layer is configured to adhere to the floor surface to prevent slipping of the rug corner.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said body comprises a rigid layer.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said rigid layer comprises a plastic layer, said adhesive layer being applied to a top of said plastic layer.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said body comprises two elongated legs which intersect each other perpendicularly.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said legs are coplanar.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said elastomer layer is formed from one or more of acrylic resin, latex, rubber, silicone, and ethyl vinyl acetate foam.

14. An apparatus to prevent curling of a rug corner away from a floor surface, the apparatus consisting of: a laminate structure comprising: a plastic bonding layer having a planar top and an opposite planar bottom; andan elastomer layer that includes a first surface and an opposite second surface, the first surface is laminated to said planar bottom of said plastic bonding layer,an adhesive layer applied to at least a portion of the top of the plastic bonding layer; anda removable protective cover provided over the adhesive layer,wherein upon removal of said protective cover and exposure of the adhesive layer, said laminate structure is adhered to the rug corner by said adhesive whereby said plastic bonding layer maintains the rug corner in a flat condition and said second surface of said elastomer layer is configured to adhere to the floor surface to prevent slipping of the rug corner.

15. The apparatus as defined in claim 14, further comprising a rigid layer provided between the adhesive layer and the plastic bonding layer.

16. The apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said rigid layer comprises a plastic layer, said adhesive layer being applied to a top of said plastic layer.

17. The apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said plastic layer comprises two elongated legs which intersect each other perpendicularly.

18. The apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein said legs are coplanar.

19. The apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein said plastic layer includes a rounded nose at the junction of said legs.

20. The apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said elastomer layer is formed from acrylic resin.

21. The apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said elastomer layer is formed from latex.

22. The apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said elastomer layer is formed from rubber.

23. The apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said elastomer layer is formed from silicone.

24. The apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said elastomer layer is formed from ethyl vinyl acetate foam.