Exterior Door Mat with Base

Abstract

An exterior door mat includes a mat cover and a base. The mat cover has a top surface and a bottom surface that extends to a perimeter edge. The base includes a plurality of drainage holes therethrough, and is adapted to removably and interchangeably receive the mat. The bottom surface of the mat has a first mechanical fastener which removably engages a second mechanical fastener of the base, for removably engaging the mat with the base.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to door mats, and more particularly to an exterior door mat that is separable into two layers, a base and a cover, and which provides drainage of liquids (e.g., rainwater) therethrough.

Description of Related Art

Floor coverings are known that include a base layer and a removable top covering layer.

For example, Bell, U.S. Pat. No. 8,309,198, teaches a throw rug that includes a cover that is removably attachable to an underlying, non-slip, non-absorbent mat. Velcro strips are used to fasten the cover to the non-slip mat, in a preferred embodiment; however, in a second embodiment they are fastened together by a layer of grit material on the mat, and in a third embodiment by a resinous material which has projections that interlock with the bottom surface of the cover. When it is desired to separate the cover from the mat, the cover is simply pulled and stripped away from the mat so that the cover may be washed in a washing machine and the mat may also be manually washed or otherwise cleaned. If desired, the cover may be replaced with covers of different designs or textures.

While this manner of construction may be well suited for a throw rug, or an area rug, or some other form of interior floor covering, this is not suitable for use as an exterior door mat (e.g., a welcome mat), because a welcome mat is positioned on a front porch, where it will be expected to get wet from rain and snow. A throw rug such as is taught by Bell would not be suitable for exterior use.

The prior art teaches a throw rug with base that are fastened together with fabric hook and loop (Velcro) strips. However, the prior art does not teach an exterior door mat for outdoor use, which includes a base and a cover layer that are connected together via removable mechanical fasteners. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further advantages as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.

The present invention provides an exterior door mat comprising a mat cover and a base. The mat cover has a top surface and a bottom surface that extends to a perimeter edge. The base includes a plurality of drainage holes therethrough, and is adapted to removably and interchangeably receive the mat. The bottom surface of the mat has a first mechanical fastener which removably engages a second mechanical fastener of the base, for removably engaging the mat with the base.

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide an exterior door mat having advantages not taught by the prior art.

Another objective is to provide an exterior door mat that includes a mat cover that is removable from and interchangeable with a base.

A further objective is to provide an exterior door mat that allows liquids to drain therethrough, to prevent excessive pooling and mildew.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exterior door mat that includes a mat cover removably secured to a base, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof,

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the mat cover of the exterior door mat; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1, showing a mechanical fastener used to secure the mat cover with the base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above-described drawing figures illustrate the invention, an exterior door mat that includes a mat cover and a separate base. The mat cover may be selected from a plurality of options so that a mat cover with a particular decorative and/or festive theme may be used at different times of the year, and removably engaged with the base. The base is adapted to provide drainage and ventilation beneath the mat cover, so that the mat cover is able to dry after it gets wet, such as following a rain.

For the purposes of this application, the term “mat cover” is defined as any sheet of material used as a covering on a floor, ground, pavement, etc., to wipe the shoes on or provide cushioning, etc., and which may be a section of fabric, having any form of organic or synthetic fibers, or of plaited or woven straw/hemp/etc., or of some other pliant material, such as rubber, resilient plastic polymers, etc., or any other material known in the art that is suitable for this form of application.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exterior door mat 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof. As shown in FIGS. 1-2, in this embodiment, a mat cover 20 of the combination is in the form of a rectangular planar sheet having a top surface 22a and a bottom surface 22b that extends to a perimeter edge 24. The mat cover 20 may be removably and interchangeably mounted on a base 30. The mat cover 20 may be formed of materials that are at least semi-permeable to water, so that liquid passes through the mat cover 20 to drain out of the base 30, discussed below.

In this embodiment, the mat cover 20 is approximately 24″×36″ in dimensions (from the perimeter edges 24), with a thickness of about 0.5″. Of course, a wide range of potential dimensions may be constructed, and the present embodiment is intended only for the purpose of example. The mat cover 20 further includes a first mechanical fastener 26 that attaches the bottom surface 22b of the mat cover 20 to a second mechanical fastener 36 of the base 30. In this embodiment, the first mechanical fastener 26 is in the form of a plurality of steel plates attached (e.g., overmolded, bonded, welded, etc.) to the bottom surface 22b of the mat cover 20, and the second mechanical fastener 36 is in the form of a plurality of neodymium magnets, although they may of course be reversed in location. While one embodiment is illustrated, other mechanical fasteners may be used, e.g., snaps, hooks and loops fasteners, clips, buttons, screws, etc.

In this embodiment, the steel plates 26 each have a diameter of approximately 1.25″, though of course, other sizes of diameter may be used. The steel plates 26 may be attached to the bottom surface 22b via a heat staking process, providing enhanced durability and precision alignment. Alternative means of attachment may include a strong adhesive, welding, etc., or any other suitable means. Additional details of the first and second mechanical fasteners 26 and 36 are discussed further below. In various embodiments, the mat cover 20 may include any related features associated with this type of product, e.g., ornamentation, non-slip materials/attachments, etc. In this embodiment, bottom surface 22b of the mat cover 20 includes a mesh backing, which allows more drainage than a traditional solid backing.

As illustrated, the base 30 is in the form of a generally rectangular planar sheet having a top surface 32a and a bottom surface 32b with a plurality of drainage holes 34 formed therethough, and a raised perimeter edge 38. In this embodiment, the planar sheet is approximately 26.5″×38.5″ in dimensions, with a thickness of 1.25″ (not including the raised perimeter edge 38). In a fully assembled configuration, the exterior door mat 10 is approximately 1.63″ thick. Of course, a wide range of potential dimensions may be constructed, and the present embodiment is intended only for the purpose of example. In use, the mat cover 20 is positioned on top of the base 30, inside of the raised perimeter edge 38. In this embodiment, the raised perimeter edge 38 is chamfered on the outside, which may reduce the likelihood of a person tripping on the edge, or of objects catching on the edge.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the plurality of drainage holes 34 may be formed within a drain recess 40, wherein the drain recess 40 includes inner walls that are angled such that the flow of any liquid is guided downwardly through the drainage hole 34, and the surface area for potential water pooling is reduced. Other structures may be added, such as reinforcement ribbing (not shown), to reinforce the drainage holes 34. The base 30 may be formed of a wide range of rubber or rubber-like materials, “hydro dip,” polyester polypropylene, etc., and the mat cover 20 and/or base 30 may further include antimicrobial, mildew-resistant, and/or UV-stable features/material.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the mat cover 20 of the mat with base 10. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the base 30 includes the second mechanical fastener 36 for attachment to the first mechanical fastener 26 of the mat cover 20. In this embodiment, the steel plates 26 are positioned at eight mounting points, though any number and arrangement of mounting points may be included. Furthermore, while one configuration is illustrated, the steel plates 26 may be positioned in any suitable configuration.

In this embodiment, each steel plate 26 is attached to its respective magnet with a force of approximately 8 lbs, for a total force of 64 lbs, so that strong winds, gravity, etc., do not cause the mat cover 20 and base 30 to separate. However, the mat cover 20 and base 30 may still be manually pulled apart for cleaning/exchanging/etc., and any force requirements may be constructed according to the needs of the consumer.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1, showing the fasteners. As shown in FIG. 4, the base 30 further includes a plurality of protrusions 42 formed on the bottom surface 32b of the planar sheet, which functions to form a drainage groove 43 therebetween and raise the rest of the base 30 above the ground, so that there is drainage from and airflow beneath the base 30. In this embodiment, the drainage groove 43 of the base 30 is approximately 5-10 mm, but any suitable amount of space may be constructed. In this embodiment, the protrusions 42 are in the form of a plurality of rounded ridges spaced around the drainage holes 34. However, any form of protrusions may be implemented, e.g., straight or curved ridges, knobs, spikes, “feet,” columns, domes, a mixture of these, etc., provided it raises the planar sheet of the base 30 above the ground. In some embodiments, the protrusions 42 include sloped, dimpled, or ridged portions to optimally facilitate ventilation and drainage.

As illustrated, in this embodiment, the steel plates 26 are mounted to the bottom surface 22b of the mat cover 20 for engagement with upper recessed portions 44 of the top surface 32a of the base 30. The bottom surface 32b of the base 30 includes lower recessed portions 46 for receiving the magnets 36, such that the steel plates 26 are attracted to the magnets 36 through the base 30. Because the magnets 36 are embedded from the bottom surface 32b of the base 30, they should not create a tactile sensation underfoot when the mat cover 20 is being used. Furthermore, in this embodiment, each lower recessed portion 46 further includes a downwardly extending wall 48 that extends downwardly from the entire perimeter of the recessed portion 46, such that a plug 50 may be inserted after the magnet 36.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the assembled configuration, the steel plate 26 is secured within the upper recessed portion 44, the magnet 36 is secured within the lower recessed portion 46, and the plug 50 is secured within the downwardly extending wall 48 and contacts the ground. In some embodiments, the plug 50 further includes a drainage pattern. In this embodiment, the magnet 36 has a diameter of approximately 1″, with a thickness of approximately ¼″. In this embodiment, the plug 50 has a thickness of approximately 1.25″. As previously stated, these measurements may vary greatly, and are included to better enable the broad invention. In some embodiments, the plug 50 includes a ridge or cutout for removable engagement with the downwardly extending wall 48. In even further embodiments, the steel plates 26 and magnets 36 may be reversed.

The title of the present application, and the claims presented, do not limit what may be claimed in the future, based upon and supported by the present application. Furthermore, any features shown in any of the drawings may be combined with any features from any other drawings to form an invention which may be claimed.

As used in this application, the words “a,” “an,” and “one” are defined to include one or more of the referenced item unless specifically stated otherwise. The terms “approximately” and “about” are defined to mean+/−10%, unless otherwise stated. Also, the terms “have,” “include,” “contain,” and similar terms are defined to mean “comprising” unless specifically stated otherwise. Furthermore, the terminology used in the specification provided above is hereby defined to include similar and/or equivalent terms, and/or alternative embodiments that would be considered obvious to one skilled in the art given the teachings of the present patent application. While the invention has been described with reference to at least one particular embodiment, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments, but rather the scope of the invention is defined by claims made to the invention.

The title of the present application, and the claims presented, do not limit what may be claimed in the future, based upon and supported by the present application. Furthermore, any features shown in any of the drawings may be combined with any features from any other drawings to form an invention which may be claimed.

As used in this application, the words “a,” “an,” and “one” are defined to include one or more of the referenced item unless specifically stated otherwise. The terms “approximately” and “about” are defined to mean+/−10%, unless otherwise stated. Also, the terms “have,” “include,” “contain,” and similar terms are defined to mean “comprising” unless specifically stated otherwise. Furthermore, the terminology used in the specification provided above is hereby defined to include similar and/or equivalent terms, and/or alternative embodiments that would be considered obvious to one skilled in the art given the teachings of the present patent application. While the invention has been described with reference to at least one particular embodiment, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments, but rather the scope of the invention is defined by claims made to the invention.

Claims

1. An exterior door mat, comprising: a mat cover having a top surface and a bottom surface that extends to a perimeter edge;a base adapted to removably and interchangeably receive the mat cover;a plurality of drainage holes formed through the base; anda first mechanical fastener of the bottom surface of the mat cover which removably engages a second mechanical fastener of the base, for removably engaging the mat cover with the base.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the mat cover is in the form of a rectangular planar sheet.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein the first mechanical fastener is in the form of a plurality of steel plates attached to the bottom surface of the mat cover, and the second mechanical fastener is in the form of a plurality of magnets.

4. The combination of claim 3, wherein the base includes a plurality of lower recessed portions which each include a downwardly extending wall, wherein each of the lower recessed portions receives one of the plurality of magnets.

5. The combination of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of plugs, each of the plurality of plugs frictionally engaging one of the lower recessed portions to lock the magnet within the lower recessed portion.

6. The combination of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of drainage holes is formed within a drain recess, and each drain recess includes inner walls that are angled such that the flow of any liquid is guided downwardly through the drainage hole.

7. The combination of claim 1, wherein the base further includes a plurality of protrusions formed on the bottom surface of the mat cover, which functions to form a drainage groove therebetween and raise the rest of the base above the ground, so that there is drainage from and airflow beneath the base.

8. The combination of claim 1, wherein the mat cover is formed of a material that is at least semi-permeable to liquid, so that liquid passes through the mat cover to drain out of the base.

9. An exterior door mat, comprising: a mat cover having a top surface and a bottom surface that extends to a perimeter edge;a base adapted to removably and interchangeably receive the mat cover;a plurality of drainage holes formed through the base;a first mechanical fastener of the bottom surface of the mat cover which removably engages a second mechanical fastener of the base, for removably engaging the mat cover with the base;wherein the first mechanical fastener is in the form of a plurality of steel plates attached to the bottom surface of the mat cover, and the second mechanical fastener is in the form of a plurality of magnets;wherein the base includes a plurality of lower recessed portions which each include a downwardly extending wall, wherein each of the lower recessed portions receives one of the plurality of magnets; andfurther comprising a plurality of plugs, each of the plurality of plugs frictionally engaging one of the lower recessed portions to lock the magnet within the lower recessed portion.