Patent Application
20240245246
The present disclosure relates to a mat for use in aquatic environments, and more particularly, relates to mats having gripping features and cleaning features.
Aquatic environments include various environments close to and related to water, such as lakes, oceans, pools, and in some cases bathrooms. Typically, it is desired for an individual to clean or wipe feet or shoes that are unclean before entering locations near aquatic environments or in aquatic environments. For example, water can increase the tendency of dirt or debris to collect on feet.
A common recreational activity near or in aquatic environments is boating. Boats may have surfaces, such as fiber glass, that are easily dirtied or damaged. Typically, before entering onto a boat, it is desirable for individuals to clean their feet so that they do not bring debris or dirt onto the boat which can mar or soil the boat. In many instances, boat mats or other mats are used for individuals to wipe or clean their feet to remove dirt or debris prior to entry, and additionally, such mats may be used in areas near bodies of water or where water is present, such as bathrooms, showers, lakes, pools, waterparks etc.
The present disclosure generally relates to a mat for use on support surfaces, and in particular, a boat. The mat includes a surface layer formed from a first material and includes a first pattern for cleaning objects when rubbed thereagainst. The mat additionally includes a gripping layer formed from a second material including a second pattern extending into the gripping layer. The second pattern extends across the gripping layer and grips against a support surface, thereby holding the surface layer in place when an object is rubbed on the surface layer.
In one example implementation, the present disclosure includes a mat having a surface layer formed from a first material including a first pattern for cleaning objects rubbed thereagainst. A gripping layer is attached to the first layer and is formed from a second material including a second pattern extending into the gripping layer, wherein the gripping layer is configured to grip against a support surface while an object is rubbed against the surface layer thereby holding the surface layer in place with respect to the support surface.
Additional implementations of the present disclosure may include the first pattern having a plurality of high-points and low-points, wherein the high points are configured to remove dirt, debris and/or other material from an object rubbed thereagainst and the low points are configured to capture the dirt, debris and/or other material.
Implementations may also include the first pattern being a checkered pattern, and/or the second pattern having a plurality of grooves, which could be wavy shaped, extending in a transverse direction.
Additional implementations could include the first and second materials being made of quick drying materials and/or the second material being a high grip material or non-scuff material.
Other implementations may include the first material being polyester and/or the second material being a thermo-plastic elastomer (TPE). Additionally, the first and second materials may be formed from readily flexible materials.
In some implementations, the surface layer is disposed above the gripping layer.
In some implementations, the gripping layer is configured to create a suction against the surface by creating plurality of air pockets with the second pattern, the air pockets hold the mat in place when the mat is pressed onto a surface.
In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a mat for use with a support surface. The mat includes a surface layer formed from a first material including a plurality of resilient fibers which are configured to remove dirt or debris from an object rubbed thereagainst and a gripping layer formed from a second material. The gripping layer is configured to grip against the support surface by creating suction thereagainst while an object is rubbed against the surface layer thereby holding the surface layer in place.
In one aspect, the surface layer includes a first pattern configured to collect debris and the gripping layer includes a second pattern configured to hold the mat in place.
In another aspect, the first pattern includes a plurality of high and low points, wherein the high points being square-shaped and the low points extend around the squares.
Further implementations may include the first and second materials being readily flexible materials and/or the surface layer being disposed above the gripping layer.
Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments or implementations of the invention. In this regard, the description with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments or implementations of the invention may be practiced.
In the drawings, like numbers generally indicate identical or similar elements.
The present disclosure relates to systems and mats for cleaning or removing debris from feet, shoes or other footwear prior to entering an area after being in an aquatic environment (e.g., for near or in a body of water or wet area) or prior to entering the aquatic area, or other areas where water and/or other liquids may be present. In one particular implementation, the present disclosure is related to a boat mat. It is desirable for a boat mat to have high grip levels, as surfaces of a boat can be formed from a low friction material such as fiber glass. Additionally, since boats are in water there is a high likelihood of the low friction materials becoming wet, further reducing the already low friction. Boats float on water and move up and down with such water which, may cause items that are not secured, such as boat mats (even mats with high grip surfaces), to move around.
In order to restrain mats used on boats from sliding, prior art boat mats usually use adhesives or weighted or heavy bottoms. The adhesives and weighted bottoms often are not easily moved and create mars or damage to the material of the boat. In some instances, the prior art boat mats are rigid and do not bend. Additionally, the prior art boat mats may be difficult to clean and may take extended periods of time to dry.
The present disclosure relates to a mat that addresses at least some issues of the prior art. Referring to
In some embodiments, the surface layer 110 includes a pattern 110A configured to capture debris such as dirt or debris. Referring to
In referring to
In some examples, the grooves 122 create voids or air pockets, creating a suction effect when placed on a surface which restrains or prevents the mat 100 from sliding. In some examples, the suction effect is enhanced when placed in a fluid (for example: water) and when placed on a surface, such as a low-friction surface, the air pockets create a suction effect which prevents the boat mat 100 from sliding while maintaining releasability by picking up the boat mat 100. For example, in use on a boat or other aquatic environment, a user can dip the boat mat 100 into water or a different suitable fluid, and then remove the boat mat 100 from the water. The boat mat 100 can then be placed onto a low-friction surface and air pockets form within the grooves 122 with the water or fluid and thereby creating the suction effect. Alternatively, a user can simply place the mat 100 on a surface and apply pressure thereby creating a suction effect.
In some examples, the mat 100 can flex such that a portion of the boat mat 100 is releasable from the ground or surface which the mat 100 is gripping to such that the boat mat 100 can be easily peeled from the surface or floor which it is gripping to. For example, a corner or other portion of the boat mat 100 could release from the surface and a user could peel the boat mat 100 therefrom to remove the mat 100. Although the grooves 122 are depicted as extending in the transverse direction 140, other configurations are additionally possible. For example, the grooves 122 can extend in the longitudinal direction 130 or any other suitable direction between the transverse and longitudinal directions 140, 130. In some examples, the grooves 122 extend into the gripping layer 120 about 1/16 of an inch, about 1/32 of an inch, about 1/48 of an inch or any other suitable distance. In some examples, the grooves 122 extend into the gripping layer 120 between about 1/48 of an inch and about 1/16 of an inch, about 1/24 of an inch and about 1/32 of an inch or any other suitable range of distances.
In some embodiments, the surface layer 110 is formed from a material that is quick drying. In some embodiments, the surface layer 110 is formed from a hydro-phobic material. In some examples, the surface layer 110 is formed from a material that includes a plurality of strands that promote removal of dirt or debris. In some examples, the strands are resilient and return to their original location after a force has been applied to them. In some examples, the strands firmly stick up and move as a bristle when force or pressure is applied to them. In some examples, the surface layer 110 is formed from a synthetic fabric material. In some embodiments, the surface layer 110 is formed from a polyester material. In other embodiments, the surface layer 110 is made from any other material having suitable properties. Examples include but are not limited to: synthetic fabrics, natural fabrics, polypropylene, ARIAPRENE®, neoprene, nylon, synthetic blends, natural fabrics, wool, or cotton.
In some embodiments, the gripping layer 120 is formed from a low-density material allowing for the boat mat 100 to easily be moved. In some embodiments, the mat 100 is formed from a material that is abrasion and tear resistant. In some embodiments, the gripping layer 120 is formed from a material that is non-marking, meaning, when a force is applied to the gripping layer 120 when the gripping layer 120 is against a surface, minimal or no marks are left on the surface. In some embodiments, the gripping layer 120 is formed from a relatively soft material, thereby allowing the gripping layer 120 to grip to a surface without causing damage.
In some embodiments, the gripping layer 120 of the boat mat 100 is formed from a material that is hydro-phobic. In some examples, the gripping layer 120 of the mat 100 is formed from a material that is quick drying, for example the gripping layer 120 can have minimal fluid such as water after the fluid has been applied quickly in comparison to other materials such as heavy rubbers, fabric or other materials that are thick and include material that is similar to carpet. In some embodiments, the gripping layer 120 is formed from the material that is readily flexible, as demonstrated in
In some embodiments, the gripping layer 120 and the surface layer 110 are both made from hydro-phobic or quick drying materials that allow the mat 100 to be cleaned and dried easily. For example, the mat 100 can be sprayed with a fluid such as water to remove dirt or debris which are stuck to the mat 100 and dry quickly.
It will be appreciated that although there is only a gripping layer 120 and a surface layer 110 depicted, any number of additional layers can be disposed between the gripping layer 120 and the surface layer 110. For example, an adhesive layer or any other material could be disposed between the gripping layer 120 and the surface layer 110.
The breadth and scope of this disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described example embodiments but should be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63481383 | Jan 2023 | US |
