July 2, 1968
`
`S.S.STATA
`
`3,390,912
`
`FLOOR MAT AND LOCATING FRAME COMBINATION FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
`Filed May 6, 1966
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`

`

`July 2, 1968
`3,390,912
`S.S.STATA
`FLOOR MAT AND LOCATING FRAME COMBINATION FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
`
`Filed May 6, 1966
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`3,390,912
`July 2, 1968
`S.S.STATA
`FLOOR MAT AND LOCATING FRAME COMBINATION FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
`
`Filed May 6, 1966
`
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`

`United States Patent Office
`
`3,390·,912
`Patented July 2, 1968
`
`1
`
`3,390,912
`FLOOR MAT AND LOCATING FRAME COM(cid:173)
`BINATION FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
`Stanley S. Stata, 301 Longwood,
`Rockford, Ill. 61107
`Filed May 6, 1966, Ser. No. 548,101
`10 Claims. (Cl. 296-1)
`
`5
`
`2
`FIG. 5 is a sectional detail similar to FIG. 3 taken on
`broken line 5-5 of FIG. 4 and corresponding to a sec-
`tional detail on the broken line Sa-Sa of FIG. 1;
`·
`FIG. 6 is a detail on the line 6~6 of FIG. 5;
`.
`,
`FIG. 7 is a plan view of the floor mat and locating
`frame combination of my invention provided for each of
`the two rear-1,eat passengers' positions, a portion of the
`mat being broken away to better illustrate the frame;
`FIG. 8 is a sectional detail on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7,
`lO made on the same scale as FIGS. 3 and 5;
`FIGS. 9 and 10 are sectional details on the correspond(cid:173)
`ingly numbered lines of FIG. 1, showing the parts on
`the same scale as in FIG. 3, both of these views inllicating
`in dotted lines how the toe-board extension is adapted
`15 to be flexed upwardly to overlie the carpet on .the toe-
`·
`board;
`FIG. 11 is a side view taken on the line 11-11 of
`FIG.1;
`FIG. 12 is a plan view of the same corner of the ~at
`20 and frame combination shown in FIG. 11, and
`.
`FIG. 13 is a sectional detail on the line 13-13 of
`FIG. 12.
`Similar reference numerals are applied to correspond~
`ing parts throughout the views.
`Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 8 to 13, the refer-
`ence numeral 14 designates a floor mat made in accord~
`ance with my invention, designed for use at the driver's
`position, the same having only a narrow toe-board ex(cid:173)
`tension 15 on the left-hand side to rest on the toe-board
`30 carpet to the left of the steering column, and 16 designates
`the locating frame therefor. The floor mat is preferably
`molded of rubber or plastic material but the frame 16
`is metallic preferably and generally U-shaped and has a
`downwardly and outwardly curved flange portion 17 in-
`tegral with the top of the outer wall 18 of an open top
`channel 19 that extends all around the inside of the frame
`16. The channel 19 has an inner wall 20 not as high as
`wall 18 over which the marginal rim portion 21 of the
`mat 14 extends horizontally so that the downwardly ex-
`40 tending tapered flange 22 prov,ided thereon can have wedg(cid:173)
`ing engagement on the inner side of the correspondingly
`inclined inner wall 20 of the channel 19 to secure the mat
`14 in place and yet permit removal of the mat from the
`frame whenever it is to be thoroughly washed to clean
`45 off any unsightly smears of dirt that might otherwise mar
`the neat and attractive appearance of the ensemble. The
`frame 16 is adapted to be fastened to the sheet metal
`floor 23 of the motor vehlcle by means of sheet metal
`screws 24 entered through holes 25 in horizontal ears
`50 26 provided at points where the inner wall 20 of the
`channel 19 is omitted leaving a gap 27 as seen in FIG.
`5, the inclined outer wall 18 being also altered at these
`points, as indicated by the vertical wall 28 in FIG. 5,
`to leave ample room for entering and fastening the
`55 screws. Each screw 24 passes through the carpet 29 and
`sound deadening jute 30 therebeneath to thread in a hole
`31 pierced in the sheet metal floor 23. Three of these
`screws are indicated, one in each of the arms 32 of the
`generally U-shaped frame 16 near the front end, and one
`60 at the middle of the cross-portion 33. Of course, more
`screws may be used, if needed, but three are doubtlessly
`sufficient for rigid fastening of the frame. When the
`screws 24 are tightened, the frame 16 is impressed into
`the carpet 29, as clearly appears in FIGS. 3 and 5, but
`65 the mat 14 rests on top of the carpet and it has conical
`projections 34 which are molded integral with the bottom
`of the mat and its extension 15, these serving by impres(cid:173)
`sion in the carpet 29 when the mat is placed inside the
`frame 16 to hold the carpet in a set position and prevent
`70 its shifting about even under fairly heavy foot pressure,
`as when one is scraping dirt off the bottom of his shoes.
`
`35
`
`This invention relates to a novel floor mat and lo(cid:173)
`cating frame ,combination for application over the carpet
`on the floors of motor vehicles.
`The principal object of my invention is to provide a
`floor mat of sufficient depth between the shoe scraping
`ribs thereof to collect moisture and dirt in the antici(cid:173)
`pated amount, the moisture being retained in the recesses
`between •the ribs during evaporation while leaving the
`top surfaces of the ribs fairly dry, and the mat being
`designed to rest on top of the carpet on the floor of the
`motor vehicle and be detachably secured in place by means
`of a relatively rigid generally rectangular frame rigidly
`secured to •the floor, the marginal portions of the mat
`having downwardly projecting tapered rim portions wedg(cid:173)
`ingly engageable on the correspondingly inclined inner
`side walls of an annular recess provided therefor in the
`frame so that the mat is securely though detachably re- 25
`tained in place in the frame with the •top surface thereof
`flush with the top of the frame for a neat and attractive
`appearance. In the case of the floor mats at the driver's
`position and the front passenger's position, the mat in(cid:173)
`cludes a thinner forwardly extending ribbed foot scraping
`toe 0board portion on the front end thereof rflush with the
`top of the main body portion ,of the pan, which is adapted
`to be flexed upwardly and rest on the carpet of the toe(cid:173)
`board so as to drain freely into the main body portion of
`the pan, the locating frame in both those cases being
`the mat having
`devoid of any front cross-portion,
`shoulders provided on its marginal portions at both sides
`for locating abutment with the front end of the side por(cid:173)
`tions of the frame, and, in the case of the floor mat for
`the driver's position, where the toe-board extension on the
`mat extends upwardly only on the left-hand side of the
`steering column, the front edge portion of the main body
`portion of the pan to the right of the toe-board extension
`is curved downwardly to match the shape of the frame for
`good appearance and also to facilitate sweeping dirt off
`the toe-board carpet into the recess of the pan, the down(cid:173)
`ward curvature on all sides of the frame providing simi-
`lar convenience. In all four locations where these floor
`mats are used in a motor vehicle, the mats, although se(cid:173)
`curely held in position once inserted in the frames, are
`easily removable and replaceable, enabling thoroughly
`washing and drying the same ,at intervals for neater ap(cid:173)
`pearance, vacuum cleaning of the mats between such
`thowugh cleanings serving to keep the mats always neat
`and attractive in appearance.
`The invention is illustrated in the accompanying draw(cid:173)
`ings, in which:
`FIG. 1 is a plan view of a floor mat and locating frame
`combination made in accordance with my invention, the
`mat shown being for the driver's position;
`FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1 showng how the toe(cid:173)
`board extension is adapted to be flexed upwardly to over-
`lie the carpet on the toe-board;
`!FIG. 3 is a sectional detail on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1
`with the parts substantially full size and showing how the
`locating frame and mat overlie the carpet with the frame
`impressed more or less in the carpet while the mat rests
`on top of the carpet;
`FIG. 4 is a floor mat and locating frame combination
`of my invention provided for the front passenger's posi(cid:173)
`tion;
`
`

`

`3,390,912
`
`Ii
`
`3
`The mat 14 has a pan portion 35 that is fairly deep and
`has--space"d parallei-scraping ribs 36 formed integral with
`the bottom 37, these ribs extending substantially the full
`depth of the pan and ending short of the sides thereof to
`leave a deep annular recess 38 all around the pan com-
`munfoating with the ends of recesses 39 provided between
`the ribs 36, whereby to provide enough space for the col(cid:173)
`lection of the anticipated amount of moisture and dirt,
`the moisture being retained in the pan during evaporation
`while leaving the top surfaces of the ribs 36 fairly dry. 10
`Other short scraping ribs 40 are provided in right angle
`relationship to the ribs 36 and in evenly spaced parallel
`relation in the recesses 39, all of these being of the same
`height as ribs 36 and having their top surfaces therefore
`in coplanar relationship to the top surfaces of ribs 36 15
`to serve also in scraping off dirt from the bottom of
`shoes. Longer ribs 41 are provided in the front recess
`42 in closer spaced parallel relationship and at right
`angles to the front rib 36, those on the right hand end of
`this row serving as a heel rest behind the accelerator 20
`pedal when it is disposed in front of the pan. These ribs
`allow easy drainage of moisture from between them into
`the adjacent annular recess 38. To conserve in the cost of
`production and also to make the mats lighter weight, all
`of the ribs 36, 40, and 41 may be made hollow, as indi- 25
`cated at 43. In passing, it will be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5
`that the top of the pan portion 35 lies substantially flush
`with the top of the frame 16, thus giving a nice trim ap(cid:173)
`pearance and at the same time allowing easy sweeping
`of dirt off the carpet 29 into the pan 35.
`The toe-board extension 15, molded integral with the
`pan 35, is generally rectangular in form and fairly nar(cid:173)
`row, and extends from the left front corner of the pan
`and is adapted to rest on the carpet on the toe-board,
`represented by the dotted line at TB in FIG. 2. The toe- 35
`board extension 15, as clearly illustrated in FIGS. 2, 9,
`and 10, is thinner than the pan 35 and normally disposed
`in coplanar relationship to the top thereof but is arranged
`to be flexed upwardly at an angle of approximately 45 °
`to rest on the carpet on the toe-board TB. The toe-board 40
`extension 15 has a shallow generally rectangular recess
`44 provided therein from which project a plurality of foot
`scraping ribs 45 of small height in widely spaced parallel
`relation off which there is good drainage into the pan 35,
`as indicated at 46. Thus, there is no likelihood of any 45
`moisture scraped off the shoes on the mat getting onto
`the carpet 29, whether it be in using the ribs 45 of small
`height or the other ribs 36, 40, or 41. All of the moisture
`is retained in the pan 35 until evaporated, and, of course,
`all of the dirt also, but the top surfaces of the ribs 36, 50
`40, 41, and 45, will always remain fairly dry.
`The mat 14 has downwardly curved edge portion 47
`on the three sides of the toe-board extension 15 and across
`the front of the pan portion 35, these edge portion match-
`ing the curvature of the marginal portion 17 of the frame 55
`16, thereby giving a fine appearance to the mat and frame
`assembly but also facilitating sweeping dirt off the carpet
`into the pan 35 from all directions. Square shoulders 48
`are defined on opposite sides of the mat 14 for flush
`abutment with the front ends of the two arms 32, whereby 60
`to fix the location of the mat 14 properly with respect
`to the toe-board TB so that the toe-board extension 15
`will rest properly on the toe-board carpet. Upward dis(cid:173)
`placement of the mat relative to the front end of the
`frame 16 is prevented by the engagement of rearwardly 65
`projecting lugs 49 on the mat 14 at shoulders 48 in the
`open front ends of the arms 32 on opposite sides of the
`frame 16, as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 1 and bet-
`ter illustrated in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13.
`In operation, it should be clear that so long as the mat 70
`114 is in place in the locating frame 116, the driver can
`scrape off dirt and moisture from the bottom of his shoes
`into the pan ,35, and any dirt on the carpet around the
`mat and frame assembly can be swept nicely into the pan
`,3,5 over the curved edges 17 of the frame and curved 75
`
`4
`edges 47 of the mat. Whatever moisture is collected in the
`pan is allowed to evaporate, the top surfaces of the vari(cid:173)
`ous ribs 36, 40, 41, and 45 meanwhile remaining fairly
`dry. Vacuum cleaning of the mat from time to time will
`keep it clear of dirt but if, for example, there are any
`unsightly smears of dirt that might not be otherwise so
`easily removed, the mat can be removed from the frame
`16 for thoroughly washing it, the mat being stripped off
`the frame easily after lifting its toe-board extension 15
`and unhooking the lugs 49 from the front end of the
`frame. In replacing the mat in the frame, one can first
`insert the lugs 49 in the front end of the frame and then
`lay the toe-board extension 15 on the toe-board TB,
`after which the rest of the mat can be dropped and pressed
`into place, or do it the reverse way, stepping on the front
`end of the mat to snap the lugs 49 into place. The wedg-
`ing engagement of the tapered flanges 22 on the rim 21 of
`the mat 14 on the sloping sides 20 of the channels 19 of
`the frame 16 assures the mat being laid flat as the flanges
`22 are pressed down firmly into place, and, with this
`wedging frictional engagement between the frame and the
`marginal edge portions of the mat there is every assur(cid:173)
`ance of the mat not working loose and standing up here
`and there. It will always remain neatly flush with the
`frame all around.
`Mat 14a shown in PIG. 4 is for the front passenger's
`position and is similar to the mat 14 shown in FIG. 11,
`except that the toe-board extension 15a extends the full
`width of the pan portion 35a, and all of the shoe scraper
`30 ribs 45a are of the same length as the shoe scraper ribs
`36a in the pan 35a. The ribs 41a provided in a row
`across the front of the pan 35a are all of the same length
`as those at the left hand end of the front row of ribs
`41 in FIG. 1. The bottom 37a of the pan 35a has the same
`channels 38a and ,39a as are provided at 38 and 3,9 in
`pan 35, and there are the same ribs 34a in channels 39'a
`as at ,34 in channels 39, the ribs 34a, 36a, and 41a all
`having their top surfaces in substantially coplanar rela(cid:173)
`tionship, similarly as in mat 14 previously described. The
`toe-board extension 15a has a recess 44a draining into
`the pan portion 35a similarly as in the mat 1'4. Also, there
`are the same shoulders '48a provided on the front por(cid:173)
`tion of the mat for locating abutment with the front end
`of the arms 32a of the frame 16a, the latter being a dupli(cid:173)
`cate -of the frame 16, fastened by three screws 24 simil(cid:173)
`larly arranged as in the construction of FIG. 1, and sim-
`ilarly interlocked with the front end portion of the mat
`by entry of lugs 49a in the front ends of the arms 32a of
`the frame. This mat and frame combination is otherwise
`the same as that disclosed in FIG. 1, and, of course, the
`operation is substantially the same.
`Referring next to FIG. 7 and 8, the floor mat 14b is
`designed for use in each of the two-rear seat locations
`and has a complete four-sided rectangular locating frame
`16b in which the rim portion ,on all four sides of the
`pan 35b has the same wedging engagement as was de-
`scribed for the three sides of the mats 14 and 14a pre(cid:173)
`viously, the channel 19b extending all around the inside
`of the frame 16b and having the downwardly tapered
`flange 22b on the marginal portion of the mat wedgingly
`engaged therein against the sloping inner side wall 20b of
`the channel. In this construction the frame is fastened
`rigidly to the floor by four screws 24, one at the middle
`of each of the four sides of the frame. The pan 35b has
`only two sets of foot scraping ribs 34b and 36-b of the
`same height as the ribs 34 and 36 of FIG. 1 and ribs 34a
`and 36a of FIG. 4, the pan 35b being of the same depth
`as pans ,35 and 35a of FIGS. 1 and 4 with interconnect(cid:173)
`ing channels 38b and 39b similarly arranged as the chan-
`nels 38a and 39a of FIG. 4. Hence, substantially the
`same -operation is obtainable with this combination of
`mat and frame as with the two others previously de(cid:173)
`scribed. However, in the absence of the toe-board ex(cid:173)
`tension, which facilitates stripping the mat from the frame,
`a notch 50 is provided in the rear edge of the mat Nb
`at the middle in register with the gap 27 at the middle
`
`

`

`3,390;912
`
`5
`of the inner wall 20b of channel 19b, so that a screw
`driver or other similar tool can be entered between the
`mat and frame to pry the mat upwardly out of the frame
`enough to permit one to take hold of it and strip it the
`rest of the way out of the frame. The downwardly curved
`marginal portion of frame 16b will, of course, be im(cid:173)
`pressed into the carpet on all four sides of the assembly
`similarly as in the frames 16 and 16a, as shown in FIGS.
`3 and 5, respectively, and hence, it is easy to sweep dirt
`from the carpet into the pan 35b on all four sides of
`the assembly. The conical projections 34 provided on
`the bottom of the mats 14 and 14a are not required in
`the mat 14b due to the confinement of the mat by the
`frame 16b on all four sides.
`'1t is ,believed the foregoing description conveys a good
`understanding of the objects and advantages of my inven(cid:173)
`tion. The appended claims have been drawn to cover all
`legitimate modifications and adaptations.
`I claim:
`1. In a floor mat construction for vehicles, a substan(cid:173)
`tially horizontal floor overlaid with carpet of compressable
`material, a generally rectangular frame of relatively rigid
`material resting on the carpet and rigidly secured to the
`floor through said carpet so as to be impressed therein
`and thereby held against lateral displacement, said frame
`having downwardly inclined side portions impressed into
`the carpet so as to facilitate sweeping of dirt off the
`carpet amund said frame over said frame, a floor mat of
`flexible material which includes a generally rectangular
`pan resting on the carpet inside and closely confined by
`said frame so as to fix the location -of said mat on said
`floor, shoe scraper means provided in said pan, whereby
`dirt and moisture scraped from the bottom of shoes is
`retained in said pan for evaporation of the moisture while
`the top of said .scraper means remains fairly dry, the top
`of said pan lying substantially flush with the top of said
`frame to facilitate sweeping dirt from the carpet around
`said frame over said frame into said pan, said mat being
`removable from and replaceable in said frame to facilitate
`thorough cleaning of said pan and scraper means, and
`vertically interfitting flanges and grooves provided on said
`floor mat and frame frictionally interconnecting these
`parts to maintain assembled relationship between said mat
`and frame and yet permit removal of said mat from said
`frame.
`2. A floor mat construction as set forth in claim 1
`wherein the floor mat has a marginal horizontal top wall
`disposed flush with the top of said frame and having a
`downwardly projecting tapering flange which wedgingly
`engages on the outer side of an inwardly inclined inner
`wall of a channel portion provided in said frame, whereby
`to frictionally connect the mat and frame.
`3. A floor mat construction as set forth in claim 1
`wherein the shoe scraper means provided in said pan is
`in the form of integral ribs in spaced relation to one
`another and to the sides of said pan, whereby moisture
`collected in said pan is substantially uniformly distributed
`to facilitate evaporation thereof.
`4. A floor mat construction as set forth in claim 1
`wherein said frame is generally U-shaped with the arms
`of the U substantially parallel and projecting forwardly
`from the ·cross portion of the U, the mat having shoul(cid:173)
`ders defined on opposite sides of the pan portion thereof
`for locating abutment with the front ends of the arms of
`said U-shaped frame while said pan is closely confined
`on three sides by said frame.
`5. A floor mat construction as set forth in claim 1
`wherein said frame is generally U-shaped with the arms
`of the U substantially parallel and projecting forwardly
`from the cross portion of the U, the mat having shoul(cid:173)
`ders defined on opposite sides of the pan portion thereof
`for locating abutment with the front ends of the arms
`of said U-shaped frame while said pan is closely confined
`on three sides by said frame, the mat including a gen(cid:173)
`erally rectangular toe-board extension on the front end
`thereof that is normally in coplanar relationship to the
`
`6
`top of the rest of the mat but is flexible upwardly to over(cid:173)
`lie the carpet on the toe-board.
`6. A flo,or mat construction as set forth in claim 1
`wherein said frame is generally U-shaped with the arms
`5 of the U substantially parallel and projecting forwardly
`from the cross portion of the U, the mat having shoul(cid:173)
`ders defined on opposite sides of the pan portion thereof
`for locating abutment with the front ends of the arms of
`said U-shaped frame while said pan is closely confined
`10 on three sides by said frame, the mat including a gen(cid:173)
`erally rectangular toe-board extension on the front end
`thereof that is normally in coplanar relationship to the
`top of the rest of the mat but is flexible upwardly to over(cid:173)
`lie the carpet on the toe-board, the toe-board extension
`15 having a generally rectangular recess provided therein
`communicating at the rear thereof with the front portion
`of said pan so as to drain into said pan.
`7. A floor mat construction as· set forth in claim 1
`wherein said frame is generally U-shaped with the arms
`20 of the U substantially parallel and projecting forwardly
`from the cross portion of the U, the mat having shoul(cid:173)
`ders defined on .opposite sides of the pan portion thereof
`for locating abutment with the front ends of the arms of
`said U-shaped frame while said pan is closely confined
`25 on three sides by said frame, the mat including a gen(cid:173)
`erally rectangular toe-board extension on the front end
`thereof that is normally in coplanar relationship to the
`top of the rest of the mat but is flexible upwardly to over(cid:173)
`lie the carpet on the toe-board, the toe-board extension
`30 having a generally rectangular recess provided therein
`·communicating at the rear thereof with the front portion
`of said pan so as to drain into said pan, and shoe scraper
`ribs integral with said toe-board extension in spaced rela(cid:173)
`tion to one another and to the sides of said recess whereby
`35 moisture scraped off shoes on said ribs can drain from
`said recess into said pan.
`8. A floor mat construction as set forth in claim 1
`wherein said frame is generally U-shaped with the arms
`of the U substantially parallel and projecting forwardly
`40 from the cross portion of the U, the mat having shoul(cid:173)
`ders defined on opposite sides .of the pan portion thereof
`for locating abutment with the front ends of the arms of
`said U-shaped frame while said pan is closely confined
`on three sides by said frame, the mat including a gen(cid:173)
`erally rectangular toe-board extension on the front end
`45 thereof that is normally in ·coplanar relationship to the
`top of the rest of the mat but is flexible upwardly to over(cid:173)
`lie the carpet on the toe-board, the toe-board extension
`having a generally rectangular recess provided therein
`communicating at the rear thereof with the front portion
`50 of said pan so as to drain into said pan, and shoe scraper
`ribs integral with toe-board extension in spaced relation
`to one another and to the side of said recess whereby
`moisture scraped off shoes on said ribs can drain from
`said recess into said pan, the toe-board extension being
`55 narrow in relation to the rest of the mat and extending
`forwardly from the left side thereof.
`9. A floor mat construction as set forth in claim 1
`wherein said frame is generally U-shaped with the arms
`of the U substantially parallel and projecting forwardly
`60 from the cross portion of the U, the mat having shoul(cid:173)
`ders defined on opposite sides of the pan portion thereof
`for locating abutment with the front ends of the arms of
`said U-shaped frame while said pan is closely confined
`on three sides by said frame, and rearward projections
`65 on said shoulders which extend into recesses provided
`therefor in the front ends of said arms whereby to pre(cid:173)
`vent displacement of said mat relative to said frame.
`10. A floor mat construction as set forth in claim 1
`wherein said frame is generally U-shaped with the arms
`70 of the U substantially parallel and projecting forwardly
`from the cross portion of the U, the mat having shoul(cid:173)
`ders defined on opposite sides of the pan portion thereof
`for locating abutment with the front ends .of the arms
`of said U-shaped frame while said pan is closely confined
`75 on three sides by said frame, and interfitting projections
`
`

`

`7
`and recesses provided on said mat and frame at said
`shoulders to prevent displacement of said mat relative to
`said frame.
`
`References Cited
`UNITED STATES PATENTS
`9/1922 Conway.
`10/1941 Collins __________ 180-90.6 X
`10/1957 De Vault ______________ 16-7
`
`5
`
`1,428,006
`2,258,238
`2,807,826
`
`3,390,912
`
`8
`8/1959 Byers.
`2,897,963
`8/1963 McIntyre
`3,100,522
`3,114,272 12/1963 Sawyer.
`FOREIGN PATENTS
`4/ 1932 Great Britain.
`
`370,231
`
`BENJAMIN HERSH, Primary Examiner.
`J. A. PEKAR, Assistant Examiner.
`
`15-238 X
`
`