The present invention relates to a weighted rug, generally. Specifically, the weighted rug that is the present invention is weighted about its perimeter, through guided inserts into receiving pockets or sleeves, whereby rug edges are ladened with weighted additions in the form of slender panels or beaded inlays.
Rugs may be of many types and constructions and typically fall into the categories of raised and flat rugs (deemed those carpets with pile and without pile) wherein thickness translates into increases in weight, thickness and weight being roughly proportional. Rugs are customarily woven, knotted, hooked, knotted, tufted, or flatweave.
Rugs may be further subdivided into interior and exterior rugs where flatter rugs may be “pile-less” (e.g., flatweave) that may be handloom rugs, hooked rugs (with or without backing), machine-made rugs and/or braided rugs.
Rugs may also be delineated by choice of materials where wool, silk and cotton (for warps, wefts, or both) have traditionally been utilized in rug manufacture alone or with the blending of materials, including synthetic fibers like polypropylene, nylon, or other materials like polyester, silk, and acrylic, which may be also incorporated to add integrity and durability. Other natural materials may include hemp, seagrass, jute, sisal (agave fibers) or synthetic materials including nylon, viscose, acrylic, polypropylene, and microfiber/polyester rugs. Blended rugs, those having both natural and synthetic fibers, may be preferable to wholly natural materials for various reasons including strength, resilience, durableness, aesthetics, dye acceptance, bleeding, ease of construction and cost.
Outdoor rugs, unlike indoor rugs, must be designed to withstand various environmental conditions including exposure to weather elements unrealized by indoor rugs and carpeting including sun, large temperature ranges and wind. Likewise, these same weather elements may lead to expedited deterioration necessitating materials resistant to the elements of exposure. Wool is sometimes used for outside areas but is particularly susceptible to mold and mildew. Other natural fibers, for example Jute and Sisal, provide fibers which are sturdy materials, which are also eco-friendly and biodegradable, but may tend to fade in direct sunlight and also have the propensity to mold and mildew accumulation over time.
In terms of synthetic fibers, polypropylene is extremely durable and best for humid, damp or rainy climates where moisture (and foot traffic) is high. Nylon too is particularly durable and easily maintained but requires additional processing before being incorporated into fibers for rug manufacturing. Polyester, which may be a coated polyester, is equally durable, but unlike natural fibers, is better suited to dryer climates. Recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate), manufactured from recycled plastics, are also a viable alternative to both natural and previously described synthetic materials. PET rugs are highly durable, easily cleaned and environmentally responsible choices made from “down-cycling” through sorting, washing and melting of recycled plastics (bottles), which may be superior to lower grades of synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester). This higher quality resin is inherently designed to meet FDA requirements, due to its original use, which do not require chemical treatments (as in nylon) and tend to resist stains and fading due to light exposure.
Regardless of construction, though, virtually all flatweave rugs, given their thinness and weight, are particularly susceptible to bunching, gathering and upturns where gravity itself is an insufficient pull to hold rug edges and corners pat. While this may be an issue for all rugs, it is especially true for outdoor, exterior rugs where foot traffic and wind may provide sufficient force to cause rug edges and corners to dislodge and untowardly separate from the underlying surface.
Many modes exist to overcome ruffling and wrinkling of rug edges and corners from upturning. Some of these include weighting, reverse rolling, folding, warming, steaming, cooling, taping, rug pads and/or corner protectors. Although each method achieves various degrees of success, no one method solves the issue of both edge straightening or flattening of corners to any appreciable extent wherein certain measures operate more successfully than others based on rug material, construction and weight.
Inventor has created a means for maintaining and controlling both flatness of edges and corners of an outdoor (as well as indoor) rug, through the use of a ubiquitous design and implementation, whereby weighted edges and corners, served in the form of panel inserts or weighted beads, weight down 2 to 4 perimeter edges (and thereby 4 rug corners) as to allow a rug to maintain a largely planar, uniform and flat configuration coplanar with the surface to which the rug is applied.
While certain advancements have been made to overcome the inadequacies of proper maintenance of a uniformly planar rug in highly dynamic situations, and over the life of a rug, it remains evident that considerable failings remain in maintaining an entirely flat rug, especially over time and across changing weather conditions and environments, while insuring peak functionality across all indoor and outdoor accepting surfaces. It is in light of the above shortcomings, inventors seek to remediate the deficiencies of previous failed attempts to address the long felt, unaddressed need for a precisely placed weighting device and system, and method of provision thereof, that adequately serves the need of consumers.
And, while inventor has set forth the best mode or modes contemplated of carrying out the present invention, the preferred embodiments are, however, not intended to be limited to the present disclosure, but, on the contrary, are included in a non-limiting sense apt to alterations and modifications, based on materials, sizes and placement points falling within the scope and spirit of the disclosure as provided.
The present invention provides weighted rugs as a means of flooring protection, to guard against slippage, slipping and falling and to provide uniform, aesthetic beauty to spaces. The weighted rug system prevents rug edges and corners from rolling or bunching by keeping rug fibers tight, taught and stretched with weighted sides, as well as ends, to maintain a largely flat configuration and to keep the weighted rug secure in its designated placement with minimal movement due to traffic and/or wind. Moreover, the present invention is designed to maintain a coplanar confirmation with an underlying surface, but also, as exposure to environmental elements causing additional warping, gathering or rippling, to ensure wear on the rugs fibers does not further warp or deform the rug over time.
The invention itself consists of two to a plurality of guided inserts applied to the underside of at least 2 rug edges wherein a sleeve or pocket is utilized to accept, secure and protect inserts and to ensure adequate receipt of same. As disclosed, the present invention may extend to all four edges of a rug, or any and all linear edges of any number of various geometric shapes, that allow a rug to maintain a largely flat configuration which is coplanar with the surface to which it is applied. What is more, the present invention may also be modified to supply weight to a center portion, and/or non-edge portions of the interior of a rug, wherein “crossed” members may be utilized whereby, for example, an “X” (or other intersecting linear, arced, angular or like stays) may be inserted or otherwise adhered to the bottom of a rug as to provided weighted stability.
It is also contemplated by inventor that a combination flatweave rugs, or layers of a plurality of flatweave rugs, may be “stacked”, or otherwise combined, as to provide a “sandwiching” of rugs and layers wherein flat inserts or weighted beads are placed therebetween, and/or interspersed within the interior of conjoined rugs, or sections of rugs, as to provide adequate weight for securing and weighting.
What is more, inventor further contemplates that a combination of edge, corner or interior pockets may be formed as to accept inserts, together with those other inserts or “sandwiched” weight portions with multiple rug layers, as to provide various and varied means of weighting a rug that may use any one, or a multiplicity of inserts and designs, as to facilitate proper weighting across any number of configurations allowing for weighting of shapes, linear, angular, circular, curved, or a combination thereof.
Thus, there remains a significant and long-felt need in the art for weighting of rugs, inferiorly pocketed and within layers, if applicable, that may create a multiplicity of weighting mechanisms, across and among single layer (pocketed) and multi-layer rugs serving the purpose of better adhering rugs to an accepting surface. It is to be understood, by those having skill in the art, that one or more of the described mechanisms for weighting may be achieved through the present disclosure and that one or all of the described means may be utilized in a single (rug) application.
Advantages and other aspects of the invention will be readily appreciated by those having skill in the art and may be better understood with further reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers designate like or similar elements throughout the several provided figures of the drawings and wherein:
The detailed description refers to the following drawings, in which like numerals refer to like objects, and in which:
It should, however, be understood that the above-described figures are not intended to limit the invention to any particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the provided figures are intended to cover all modifications, alternatives and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined within each claim's broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the specification.
A detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and methods of effectuating same are disclosed and described below. Yet, each and every possible dimension, arrangement and configuration, within the limits of the specification, are not disclosed as various permutations are contemplated to be in the purview of those persons having skill in the art as rug size, shape and materials may dictate. It is therefore possible for those having skill in the art to practice the disclosed invention while observing that certain features and spatial arrangements are relative and capable of being amended and adapted with regard to the present invention that nonetheless accomplishes the remediation of one or more of the infirmities as outlined and discussed above in the field of rug securing, placement and management. As well, each rug, and its panel (and/or weighted bead) accepting components, may be sized (i.e., lengthened, shortened, enlarged, shrunken and of variable widths) so long as the proportions are maintained that allow for maintaining the proper flat orientation of an interior and/or exterior (i.e., indoor and outdoor) rug.
Equally, it should be observed that the present invention can be understood, in terms of both structure and function, from the accompanying disclosure in addition to the associated drawings and appended claims. And whereas the present invention, system and method of use are capable of several different embodiments, variations, and uses, which can be modified into several different iterations, each exhibiting accompanying interchangeable functionalities, without departing from the teachings of the present application as shown and described.
Referring now to
In
Generally, the present invention is currently made of a polyblend material for both outdoor and indoor use wherein the rugs themselves are designed with perimetered, underside pockets for insertion of rubber coated metal panels acting as weighted inserts which are guided (or otherwise inserted into) accepting pockets or sleeves thereby creating a weighted outer edge or specifically weighted side or sides. The coating, which may consist of any type of water resistive or water proof outer material, is vital for the long term use of a weighted insert, inserts or beads as to insure that any metal components utilized in weight construction do not rust or otherwise corrode due to exposure to water and moisture. As described, indoor and outdoor rugs of various dimensions and materials may be designed and constructed to have installed within a side or plurality of underside pockets, on each sides, all sides or simply two sides of the rug, as necessity, function and aesthetics dictate.
While the dimensions of the rug generally are a four-sided polygon having four edges and four corners. Said polygon may be of a rectangular quadrilateral construct, having either four equal sides and four equal (90 degree) angles or dimensions which may also be a quadrilateral (a non-square rectangle) with two sets of opposing equal length sides wherein each opposing sets are of equal length, but each connected edge is of differing lengths.
As currently considered, a pocket is made of 18 oz. vinyl coated polyester, which due to coating, is water resistant and weatherproof. Too the coated metal panels (inserts), which may also be a rubber coating, representationally use 2″ wide by ¼″ thick metallic inserts, for the current weighting system wherein metal panels are encased on two, three or four sides of a square or rectangular rug, wherein the metal can be covered in any type of protectant to prevent rusting and/or extend the life of the metal inserts. As envisioned, metal panels are then sprayed with a rubberized undercoating in a 1/16″ thick layer. Various size metal panels and/or weighted beads are also able to be used to create a weighted system depending on the size of the rug. Where weighted beads are utilized, those weighted beads may be packeted, prepackaged, and insertable at any area along the length or width of the underside of a rug, up to and including interior portions of the rug. It is to be noted that inserts and/or weighted beads may extend across the entire length of a rugs side, rug edges, or along any portion of a rug interior area uniformly, non-uniformly, sequentially, non-sequentially, linearly, non-linearly, continuously or non-continuously, congruously or non-congruously and/or sporadically, or any combination thereof which in all cases accomplished the function of weighting some or all edges, corners, interior or central areas.
In one preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a weighting system for a rug, which comprises the rug, where the rug comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, the top and bottom surfaces have an outer edge and an inner central surface; and at least two pockets or sleeves, the pockets or sleeves are placed on the bottom surface of the rug; and at least two flat weighted inserts to maintain the rug in a largely planar, uniform and flat configuration coplanar with the surface to which the rug is applied; the flat weighted inserts placed within the pockets or sleeves on the bottom surface of the rug.
In another preferred embodiment, the rug is configured in a geometric shape, an ornamental shape or a combination thereof. Examples of the shape include but are not limited to quadrilateral, rectangular, square, round, oval, or a combination thereof. In yet another preferred embodiment, the outer edge is straight, curved, round, wavy, or a combination thereof.
In still yet another preferred embodiment, the pockets or sleeves are placed on the opposite ends along the entire edge or a small portion of the edge of the rug, are placed adjacent to each other along the entire edge of the rug or a small portion of the rug, in a diagonal orientation across the inner central surface of the rug, in a straight line orientation across the inner central surface of the rug, or a combination thereof.
For example, the flat weighted inserts may be attached to one, two or a plurality of rug sides, center (i.e., “crisscrossed”), or at any inferior location on a rug and/or into accepting channels, weighing the rug down on any and/or every side in addition to accepting channels with themselves may be crossed and intersecting centrally.
In another preferred embodiment related to the pockets or sleeves, the pockets or sleeves are attached to the bottom surface of the rug or can be detached and reattached to the bottom surface of the rug. The detachable pockets or sleeves can be reattached to the bottom surface by a number of mechanisms including but not limited to hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-pile fasteners, or touch fasteners, a zipper, an interlocking mechanism, or a combination thereof.
In yet another preferred embodiment, the pockets or sleeves comprising the weighted inserts have both ends that are sealed firmly.
In another preferred embodiment, the pockets or sleeves comprising the weighted inserts covers one side or surface of the weighted inserts and the side or surface of the weighted inserts opposite to the side or surface covered by the pockets or sleeves touches the bottom surface of the rug or wherein the pockets or sleeves comprising the weighted inserts completely encases the weighted inserts.
In yet another preferred embodiment, the pockets or sleeves comprising the weighted inserts described above may have one end that is sealed and the other end may be open or they may have one end that is sealed and the other end of the pockets or sleeves may have an interlocking mechanism, a flap, hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-pile fasteners, or touch fasteners, a zipper, or a combination thereof.
Further, in another preferred embodiment, the weighted inserts are coated metallic inserts, non-metallic inserts, or weighted pellets, wherein the metallic or non-metallic inserts have a length greater than their width. In another preferred embodiment, the metallic inserts may be coated with any number of coatings including but not limited to synthetic plastics, natural rubber or a combination thereof. In another preferred embodiment, the non-metallic inserts may be polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene, recycled materials, acrylic material, rubber or a combination thereof.
In yet another preferred embodiment, the weighted inserts are weighted pellets. Said weighted pellets, if metallic, may be individually coated or, alternatively, may be reside in a coated packaging wherein said packaging itself is water-resistant or water-proof. Where pellets are non-metallic (e.g., rock or sand) coating may or may not be utilized for corrosion protection but for a different purpose (ex. assistance in aggregation, as a form of envelopment, as a preventative against staining, prevention against individual particle disbarment and the like).
In one preferred embodiment for attaching metal inserts to the inferior perimeter of rugs, permanent double-sided tape or adhesive may be utilized as a means of attaching or adhering said metal inserts to the underside of a rugs edges.
In another preferred embodiment, attaching metal inserts to the perimeter of rugs, attachment may be accomplished through small pointed threaded or threaded attachment stakes on the upper side of the metal whereby such threaded attachments may protrude or otherwise stick through the fibers of the carpet. Once inserted through the carpet, a nut or attachment holder may be made to completely cover the threaded attachment thereby adhering the metal insert to a carpet's edge or corners. The nut may thereby have a smooth sloping top with an Allen hexagonal inclusion, Phillips (“X”) or standard (“-”) receptor, other means of actuating a turning action, on the top of said nut for “screwing” the nut tightly against the carpet. By tightly adhering the nut to the threaded attachment, the rug is held securely against the metal stay wherein the nut is made to sink into the rug, flush with the surrounding material, making said nut less likely to cause snagging or tripping. Alternatively, it is within the contemplation of inventor that this confirmation could be reversed, inserting a “smooth topped” or “flush topped” threaded insert into an accepting and corresponding threaded receiver wherein the treaded portion of the screw is inserted superiorly, from the top of the carpet, down through the carpet fibers and into threaded accepting holes in the body of the weighted metal strip.
In yet another preferred embodiment, heavily weighted pellets may be inserted or encased into the edges, corners or interior areas of a rug as a means to weigh the rug down.
In another embodiment, design and manufacture of a rug may be implemented to extend the length of the rug to create a “curtain” pocket for insertion of the metal inserts into instead of attaching the vinyl pockets to the underside of each rug edge.
In yet another embodiment, the rug and correspondingly the rug's outer perimeter may be non-angular (e.g., round, rounded, oblong, oval or otherwise without angles) wherein edges and pockets may be curved and accepting of inserts, weighted beads or a combination thereof.
In another embodiment, weighted beads may be injected or otherwise inserted into a rug's material or into pockets, appearing uniformly, sequentially or sporadically across the bottom surface of a rug, whereby receiving packets or bags provide weight based on (1) the size of each pocket, (2) the size of inserted beads and (3) the amount of beads injected or inserted.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of using a weighted rug. This method comprises placing weighted inserts in the bottom surface of the weighted rug.
In yet another preferred embodiment, the weighted inserts are placed in pockets or sleeves that are attached to the bottom surface, detached from the bottom surface, or a combination thereof.
In still another preferred embodiment, the weighted inserts are placed in the detached pockets or sleeves and then attached to the bottom surface or wherein the detached pockets or sleeves are attached to the bottom surface and the weighted inserts are placed in the pockets or sleeves.
The present application claims priority to the previously filed provisional application No. 63/499,892 filed May 3, 2023.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
63499892 | May 2023 | US |