United States Patent (19)
`Sherman
`
`USOO6155629A
`Patent Number:
`11
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`6,155,629
`*Dec. 5, 2000
`
`54 MOLDED MATS WITH RELEASABLE
`FLOORATTACHMENT SYSTEM
`
`75 Inventor: Raymond O. Sherman, Fairfield, Ohio
`73 Assignee: Nifty Products, Inc., Hamilton, Ohio
`
`c:
`*
`
`inal dis
`t
`biect t
`tent i
`Thi
`Notice:
`OCC R ent IS Subject to a terminal dIS
`
`21 Appl. No.: 09/072,731
`22 Filed:
`May 4, 1998
`51) Int. Cl." ............................... B62D 2520 B32B 302
`52 U.S. C.
`296/97.23 428/99: 16/4
`52) -rr /97.23;
`/99; 16/
`58 Field of Search ........................... 296/97.23; 428/99,
`428/100; 16/4, 17.1, 16, 8
`References Cited
`
`56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,288,121 2/1994 Graves ............................. 296/97.23 X
`5,891,546 4/1999 Sherman .
`... 296/97.23 X
`6,027,782 2/2000 Sherman ................................... 428/88
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`58-183322 10/1983 Japan .................................. 296/97.23
`9116218 10/1991 WIPO ................................. 296/97.23
`Primary Examiner D. Glenn Dayoan
`Assistant Examiner Patricia Engle
`Att
`Agent, or Firm-Charles R. Wil
`Orney, Agent, Or firm
`CS
`ISO
`57
`ABSTRACT
`57
`Afloormatis produced to fit the carpeted floor compartment
`area of a van, pickup truck, Sport utility vehicle or other
`vehicle having a floor which is substantially flat and even
`with a door sill. The floor mat has a flat base with a retention
`System operably associated with the door Sill. In one
`embodiment, the floor mat has raised walls near each of its
`outside edges which form a tray-like central area. At least
`one of the raised walls is double walled with a substantially
`horizontally extending floor engaging peripheral lip. The
`tray-like central area of the floor mat catches debris. It is
`2,651,540 9/1953 Zulo .................................... 296/97.23
`23. SE S. r
`. 7.5 x E. cleaned Simply by removing the full mat from the
`4,921,742 5/1990 Altus ..................................... 428/99 x
`Venicle.
`4,984,838
`1/1991 Kim ......
`296/97.23 X
`5,207,963 5/1993 Grace ...................................... 264/163
`
`
`
`23 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`MacNeil Exhibit 2075
`Yita v. MacNeil IP, IPR2020-01139
`Page 1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 5, 2000
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`Sheet 1 of 10
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`6,155,629
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`MacNeil Exhibit 2075
`Yita v. MacNeil IP, IPR2020-01139
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 5, 2000
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`Sheet 2 of 10
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`MacNeil Exhibit 2075
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 5, 2000
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`Sheet 3 of 10
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 5, 2000
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`Sheet 4 of 10
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 5, 2000
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`Sheet 5 of 10
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`Dec. 5, 2000
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`Sheet 6 of 10
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`FIG. 8
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`F.G. S.
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 5, 2000
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`Sheet 7 of 10
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`U.S. Patent
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 5, 2000
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`Sheet 9 of 10
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`MacNeil Exhibit 2075
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 5, 2000
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`Sheet 10 Of 10
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`MacNeil Exhibit 2075
`Yita v. MacNeil IP, IPR2020-01139
`Page 11
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`1
`MOLDED MATS WITH RELEASABLE
`FLOORATTACHMENT SYSTEM
`
`This invention relates to molded floor mats designed to
`overlie a carpeted floor area of a vehicle with a flat floor
`Surface which extends to a door Sill. More particularly, the
`invention relates to molded floor mats with an enhanced
`retention System to retain the mat in place when used in a
`van, pickup truck, Sport utility vehicle or other similar
`vehicle.
`Vans, pickup truckS and Sport utility vehicles are becom
`ing increasingly popular with the general driving public.
`They are no longer being used just for light commercial
`usage. As a result, their floors are also being carpeted.
`However, the floors of Such vehicles do not have a floor well
`which is so common in most automobiles. The floors, other
`than at the firewall or center hump areas, are more flat and
`Substantially even with an exterior door Sill. Vacuuming
`away loose debris in Such a flat area is relatively easy.
`However, the vehicle's owner is also often concerned with
`more permanent Stains and Surface wear. Floor mats are
`needed to meet the concern.
`Producing contoured floor mats at a reasonable cost to
`neatly fit a floor of a van, pickup truck or Sport utility vehicle
`is feasible. Holding them in place under normal use condi
`tions is more difficult. Conventional two sided tapes are of
`Some use. A more durable retention System designed spe
`cifically for the aforementioned vehicle, though, is desired.
`Any retention System must Securely hold the floor mat in
`place. It also must permit a ready removal of the floor mat
`for thorough cleaning or replacement.
`There has now been developed a floor mat primarily for
`use in vans, pickup trucks and Sport utility vehicles which fit
`in place and can be made to Stay in place. In accord with a
`demonstrated need, the floor mats of this invention are
`contoured to neatly fit any floor compartment area and have
`a retention System to Securely, but removably, hold them in
`place.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`Molded floor mats are dimensioned to fit into floor
`compartment areas of Vans, pickup trucks, Sport utility
`vehicles and vehicles with similarly configured floors. The
`floor mat has a flat base. In one embodiment, a floor mat also
`has four raised walls which form a tray-like central area to
`catch debris. A raised wall which is positioned adjacent a
`door sill is double walled and has a substantially horizon
`tally extending floor engaging peripheral lip. Other raised
`walls are either double walled with the floor engaging
`peripheral lip or are single wall with a peripheral lip which
`structurally blends with the vehicle's interior contour. The
`floor mats of the invention also have a retention system. The
`retention System includes a retention plate which is remov
`ably secured to an underside of the floor mat. The retention
`plate is configured to be immovably held by the door sill.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is an environmental view showing a floor mat of
`the invention in perspective and showing a retention System
`in phantom.
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the floor mat of FIG. 1 with
`the retention System partially exposed.
`FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view in perspective of a retention
`plate used with the floor mat of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 4 is a top plan view in perspective of the retention
`plate of FIG. 3.
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`FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a floor mat of the invention
`with another retention System illustrated in phantom.
`FIG. 6 is a top plan view in perspective of a retention plate
`used with the floor mat of FIG. 5.
`FIG. 7 is a top plan view in perspective of a retention plate
`using hook or loop fasteners as part of a retention System for
`a floor mat of the invention.
`FIG. 8 is a top plan view of another retention plate using
`door Sill spacers as part of a retention System for a floor mat
`of the invention.
`FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the retention plate of
`FIG. 8.
`FIG. 10 is an environmental view showing a preferred
`floor mat of the invention in perspective.
`FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the floor mat of FIG. 10.
`FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the floor mat of FIG. 10.
`FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the floor mat of FIG.
`10.
`FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the floor mat of the
`invention taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 11.
`FIG. 15 is another sectional view of the floor mat of the
`invention taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 11.
`FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a floor mat of the
`invention designed to fit onto a back Seat carpeted floor of
`a vehicle.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`The floor mats of this invention are intended for use in the
`carpeted floor compartment areas of those vehicles having
`substantially flat floors which extend to the exterior at a door
`Sill. These vehicles primarily include vans, pickup truckS
`and sport utility vehicles. Different makes and models of
`Such vehicles have different shaped floor compartment
`areas. However, all lack a floor well and instead have the
`substantially flat floor which lies in Substantially the same
`plane as a door Sill.
`The invention is described with reference to the drawings
`wherein a particular shaped floor mat intended for one
`commercially available pickup truck model is shown. It
`should be understood that other floor mats having similar
`contoured areas designed for use in other vehicles of the type
`envisioned in this invention are contemplated.
`With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a floor
`mat 10 of the invention. The shape of the depicted floor mat
`10 fits the profile of the driver's side of the pickup truck. The
`floor mat 10 has a substantially flat base 11 with a front
`Section 12 which is shaped to slope upwardly to directly
`overlie an upwardly sloped firewall of the pickup truck.
`Similarly, a side section 13 of the floor mat 10 opposite the
`door Side is contoured to accommodate the truck's center
`hump area. Aback Side Section 14 and a door Sillside Section
`15 of the floor mat 10 are both substantially flat and lie
`directly on the truck's carpeted floor Surface. AS evident in
`FIGS. 1 and 2, the underside of the floor mat has two female
`Snap buttons 16 near the mat’s door sill side 15. The Snap
`buttons are spaced apart at least about one inch, preferably
`from about two inches to about five inches, and form a part
`of the mat's retention system. The Snap buttons mate with
`male Snap buttons found on a retention plate as described in
`detail in the immediately following paragraphs.
`Still with reference to FIG. 2, the floor mat 10 also has a
`retention System 20 comprised of a floor engaging retention
`plate 21, mat attachment means 22, and floor attachment
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`3
`means 23. The retention plate 21 is best seen in FIGS. 3 and
`4. It is Substantially flat. It is also rectangular-shaped and
`ranges from about two inches to about five inches in width
`and about three inches to about fifteen inches in length. A
`preferred retention plate ranges from about three inches to
`about four inches in width and about four inches to about six
`inches in length. The dimensions of the plate are not critical.
`In fact, the plate can have a length which extends the full
`length of the floor mat's flat surface on its door sill side. The
`upperSide of the retention plate 21 has two male Snap buttons
`24 positioned near one edge. The Snap buttons 24 are spaced
`apart a Sufficient distance to be in alignment with the female
`Snap buttons 16 on the underside of the floor mat 10 and snap
`together when pressure is applied. The underSide of the
`retention plate 21 preferably has a set of protrusions 25
`which extend Vertically from the plate to engage the vehi
`cle's carpeted floor. The portion of the retention plate which
`extends under the door sill and the protrusions 25 which
`engage the carpeted floor form the floor attachment means
`23. It should be evident the retention plate 21 is configured
`to fit under the vehicle's door sill and be trapped by it. The
`retention plate 21 is also removably attached to the floor mat
`10 by interaction of the mating snap buttons 16 and 24.
`While not shown, a plurality of retention systems 20 can
`be used. For example, two retention plates 21 can be
`Substantially equi-spaced along the floor mat's door Sillside
`for enhanced retention. Three Substantially equi-spaced
`retention plates can as well be used and provide optimum
`mat retention.
`The floor mat 10 is a composite of one piece construction.
`That is, it is unitary in Structure, there being no Seams,
`overlapping edges or anything of this Sort. The floor mat has
`two distinct layers. A tufted carpet represents the top layer.
`The carpet includes a backing and pile yarns which are
`Secured to the backing and extend therefrom to form a pile
`Surface on the carpets top Surface. The backing is a woven
`or non-woven fibrous material. The pile yarns can be made
`from natural or Synthetic materials. Typically, they are made
`from a Synthetic material because Such materials are more
`durable and clean better. Polyester, polypropylene, and
`nylon are examples of widely used pile yarn materials. The
`yarns are usually Secured to the backing by a binder com
`position.
`A thermoplastic material represents the Second layer and
`covers the underside of the carpet. The thermoplastic plastic
`provides a tough, elastic and non-tacky backing. Primarily,
`it imparts StiffneSS and moldability to the carpet So that the
`carpet can be molded to a desired deeply contoured shape
`and Such shape be retained. Examples of Suitable thermo
`plastics include polymers of ethylene and propylene,
`copolymers of ethylene with ethylenically unsaturated
`monomers, e.g. ethylenevinyl acetate, acrylates, polyvinyl
`chlorides and Styrene-butadiene polymerS. Preferably, as
`explained below, the thermoplastic material is capable of
`being Softened at a temperature of from about 190 degrees
`F. to about 240 degrees F. to become readily moldable. The
`backing is applied to the carpet in any manner, e.g. by
`dispersion coating, extrusion coating, calendaring and lami
`nation. Thermoplastic backed carpets of the nature described
`are commercially available in a range of colors and weights.
`FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate another retention system for
`holding the floor mat 10 in place. The retention system 26
`has a Substantially flat retention plate 27 with male Snap
`buttons 28 and door sill bolt receiving holes 29. The
`retention plate has an elongated rectangular-shaped main
`body 30 with a laterally extending tab 31. The main body 30
`ranges from about two inches to about three inches in width
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`and about five inches to about fifteen inches in length. The
`tab 31 is preferably centered along a long edge of the main
`body and is about one inch to about two inches in width and
`about two inches to about five inches in length. A portion of
`the main body 30 of the retention plate 27 is dimensioned to
`fit under the door sill with the tab 31 extending inwardly.
`The male Snap buttons 28 are aligned with the female Snap
`buttons 16 found on the underside of the overlying floor mat
`10. The receiving holes 29 are positioned to receive the door
`sill bolts which are used to hold the door sill in place.
`As evident in FIG. 5, the retention plate 27 is positioned
`under the door sill and is held in place by the door sill bolts.
`AS readily imagined, the bolts are initially removed, the
`retention plate Slipped under the door Sill, its position
`adjusted until the holes 29 are in alignment with the door sill
`holes and then the bolts reinstalled. The retention plate is
`thus held securely in place. Next, the floor mat 10 is installed
`by adjusting its position until the male and female Snap
`buttons match up. Applying a force to the buttons causes
`them to Snap together.
`Mat attachment means and floor attachment means other
`than as described above with reference to FIGS. 1-6 can be
`used. For example, in place of the Snap buttons on the floor
`mat's underside and on the retention plate's upperSide,
`mating hook and loop fasteners better known as Velcro
`fasteners can be used. FIG. 7 illustrates this preferred mat
`attachment means used with a retention plate 32 of the type
`described above with respect to FIGS. 1-4. As shown, hook
`or loop fastener patches 33 are positioned on the retention
`plate 32 near one edge. While not shown, a floor mat has
`mating hook or loop fastener patches on its underside and
`aligned with the retention plate fastener patches. An adhe
`Sive on an underside of the fastener patches hold them in
`place. Protrusions 34 on an underside of the retention plate
`and near an edge opposite the fastener patches can be used
`for enhanced interaction with the carpeted floor Surface of
`the vehicle.
`FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a highly preferred retention plate
`used as part of a retention System of the invention. The
`retention plate 35 is a thin polymeric plate with a tab portion
`36 extending from one side of the plate's main body. A
`fastener patch, e.g. a hook or loop fastener patch 37 is
`positioned on a top side of the tab portion 36 to interact with
`a mating hook or loop fastener positioned on a bottom Side
`of a floor mat and in alignment there with. A Set of protru
`sions 38 extend from the bottom side of the retention plate's
`main body. The protrusions provide enhanced interaction
`with the carpeted floor surface of the vehicle. About two to
`about eight protrusions per Square inch of Surface area
`provide the desired enhanced carpet gripping interaction.
`The protrusions preferably range from about 300 mils to
`about 500 mils in length.
`In accord with this embodiment of the invention, a set of
`door sill spacers 39 extend from the top side of the retention
`plate's main body. Many door Sills are essentially an elon
`gated metal Strip which have a generally arch-shaped or
`raised center profile. A hollow Space exists directly below it.
`The spacers 39 on the retention plate 35 receive and transmit
`a downward holding force from the door sill of a vehicle
`when the Sill is properly installed. As a result, the retention
`plate is more immovable or trapped in place by the door Sill
`itself. The Spacers preferably are equi-Spaced on the reten
`tion plate's main body with a spacer density of about two to
`about eight Spacers per Square inch. Each Spacer is prefer
`ably about 100 mils to about 300 mils in length.
`FIGS. 10-15 illustrates a highly preferred floor mat 40.
`The floor mat has a substantially flat base 41 and raised walls
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`42, 43, 44 and 45 near outside edges of the flat base 41. A
`retention system 46 similar to that described with reference
`to FIGS. 1-4 holds the floor mat 40 in place. The four raised
`walls of the floor mat form a tray-like central area.
`The floor mat 40 has two peripheral lips near the raised
`walls 42 and 43 which are substantially flat and on the same
`plane as the flat base. With reference to FIGS. 10 and 15, the
`first raised wall 42 of the floor mat 40 is substantially
`vertical. It is double walled with an inside wall 47 which
`extends substantially vertically from the flat base 41 up to
`about three inches, preferably about one inch to about two
`inches, a Substantially horizontal top wall 48, and an outside
`wall 49 which extends substantially vertically down to the
`approximate Same plane as the flat base 41. A floor engaging
`peripheral lip 50 extends substantially horizontally from the
`outside wall 49. Similarly, and with reference to FIG. 14, the
`Second wall 43 which extends at an about right angle to the
`first wall 42 is also double walled with a substantially
`horizontally extending floor engaging peripheral lip 51. The
`peripheral lips 50 and 51 lie in substantially the same plane
`as the flat base 41 of the floor mat.
`The third wall 44 of the floor mat 40 extends at an about
`right angle from the Second wall 43 and runs in the same
`direction as the first wall. The third wall 44 of the floor mat
`40 is intended to lie along the center hump of the pickup
`truck. Accordingly, as seen in FIG. 15, the third wall 44
`extends vertically upwardly with a substantially horizontally
`extending peripheral lip 52. The lip 52 abuts against the
`center hump of the truck and is intended to Structurally blend
`with it to present a Smooth line of contact.
`Extending at another about right angle from the third wall
`44 of the floor mat 40 back towards the first wall 42 is the
`fourth wall 45. The fourth wall 45 slopes upwardly and away
`from the Substantially flat base 41. It is angled to fit flush
`with the firewall of the pickup truck. As best seen in FIG. 14,
`a peripheral lip 53 extends substantially horizontally from
`the fourth wall to engage a Surface of the firewall in a Smooth
`continuous line.
`As should be evident, the molded floor mat 40 conforms
`to the driver side front floor area of the pickup truck by
`abutting against the center hump, by being flush with the
`firewall and by Sitting flat at the door Sill and the Seat area
`opposite the firewall. The profile of the raised wall adjacent
`the door sill is low and as a result does not interfere with the
`driver getting into or Out of the pickup truck.
`The floor mat 40 has a retention system 46 to retain it in
`position on the carpeted floor Surface during use. The
`retention System 46 is Similar in construction to the retention
`system 20 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-4.
`An optional auxiliary retention System 55 is used to aid in
`holding the floor mats of the invention in place. The auxil
`iary retention System is positioned on the mat's underside
`and in a central location. AS best Seen in FIG. 12, a gripping
`plate 56 has a flexible plastic planar surface with lower
`protrusions 57 uniformly spaced over its bottom surface.
`The protrusions interact with the carpeted floor of the
`vehicle to prevent substantial lateral movement. However,
`the floor mat can be readily removed by simply lifting it in
`a vertical direction.
`Still with reference to FIG. 12, the gripping plate 56 is a
`thin plate of a polymeric material having Sets of Vertically
`extending protrusions on each Side. The upper Set of pro
`trusions (not shown) is used to permanently hold the grip
`ping plate to the carpet component while the lower Set of
`protrusions 57 is used to hold the floor mat in position when
`placed on a carpeted floor. The size of the gripping plate is
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`not critical. It can have a length and width Sufficient to
`Substantially cover the carpet 20 component's underSide.
`Maximum holding power would be attained in this instance,
`though is more than is needed under normal use circum
`StanceS.
`Small carpet floor mats such as the mat 40 of FIG. 10
`optionally use a single gripping plate 56 ranging in size from
`about five inches to about ten inches in length and width and
`centrally placed near a back edge. Floor mats Such as used
`on a back Seat floor compartment or a cargo floor compart
`ment will use a Series of Similarly shaped and dimensioned
`gripping plates placed Strategically in the corners and/or
`along the edges of the mat's underSide. 5
`Optionally, a heel pad is permanently positioned on the
`auxiliary molded floor mat to be used on the driver's side.
`Again, with reference to FIG. 10, a heel pad 58 is dimen
`Sioned and Secured to the top Surface of the carpet to cover
`an area where the driver's heel makes repeated contact while
`driving. A finished edging Such as Serging or Stitched bind
`ing can also be provided for appearance purposes.
`The molded floor mats of the invention are also useful in
`the back Seat carpeted floor area and, when present, the
`carpeted floor cargo area of the van, pickup truck or Sport
`utility vehicle. As seen in FIG. 16, the floor mat 60 has a
`profile to fit into the back floor area and over the center
`hump. A substantially flat base 61 has raised walls 62, 63, 64
`and 65 near outside edges of the floor mat and extending
`substantially vertically from the flat base 61. Each raised
`wall is double walled similar in construction to the double
`walls 42 and 43 described above with reference to the floor
`mat of FIGS. 10-15. Further, each of the raised walls has a
`Substantially horizontally extending floor engaging periph
`eral lip 66–69.
`It should be understood the preferred floor mats of the
`invention all have at least one raised wall which is double
`walled with a substantially horizontally extending floor
`engaging peripheral lip. The raised wall which is double
`walled is always adjacent an exterior door Sill in use. The
`other raised walls of the floor mat are either single wall with
`a peripheral lip which Structurally blends into a center hump,
`firewall, seat structure, or side wall or are double walled with
`the floor engaging peripheral lip. The mats of the invention
`are custom made to conform with a particular vehicle's
`interior carpeted area. The use of the double wall or Single
`wall construction is dictated by the intended vehicles inte
`rior lay-out. In all instances, raised walls are present to
`create the tray-like central area.
`The floor mats of the invention are produced by a molding
`operation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,963 describes one very effi
`cient carpet molding process, though other processes are
`usable. Male and female molds are initially made with
`profiles which match those of the portion of floor compart
`ment area to be covered. Generally, a fiberglass reinforced
`resinous material is used to produce the mold, though other
`molds made of cast metal, e.g. aluminum can as well be
`used. A blank of the thermoplastic backed carpet and, in
`certain embodiments, a sheet of the non-slip material are cut
`to a size which is Sufficient to result in a complete molded
`floor mat, yet with as little exceSS as possible. Obviously,
`any exceSS carpet and non-slip material must ultimately be
`trimmed off the molded floor mat and discarded as waste.
`The carpet blank is positioned in a heat Zone to heat its
`thermoplastic backing. A convection oven can be used,
`though this phase of the molding operation is more practi
`cally done using a bank of heaters which directs its heat to
`the thermoplastic backing. For example, quartz heaters are
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`able to quickly heat the plastic to the required Softening
`point without adversely affecting the yarn piles. The amount
`of heat and dwell time in the heat Zone will depend on the
`particular plastic backing and its thickness. Normally, Suf
`ficient heat is applied until a 190 degrees F. to 240 degrees
`F. Surface temperature is reached.
`The heated carpet blank is then promptly transported to
`the aforementioned molds. The heated blank can be manu
`ally transported to the molds and manually Suspended ther
`ebetween. A more efficient proceSS results when the heated
`carpet blank is Suspended in an open rack by clamp means.
`The rack is used for moving and holding the heated blank.
`The heated carpet blank and non-Slip Substrate are SuS
`pended between the molds and together molded to the shape
`of the molds when they are closed under pneumatic pressure.
`The molds are held together to impart the desired configu
`ration to the composite. The molds are allowed to cool either
`by loSS of heat to the Surroundings or circulation of a coolant
`in the molds. The cooling has the effect of allowing the
`thermoplastic backing to reharden in the molds. Eventually,
`the molds are opened and the molded floor mat removed.
`ExceSS material is trimmed from the floor mat's edges either
`while still in the molds or after removed.
`The resultant molded floor mat is a dimensionally stable
`article having a desired contoured shape. AS should be
`evident, the floor mat is a one piece construction. No Seams,
`overlap areas, etc. appear in the article. Most importantly a
`high quality floor mat is efficiently produced. The floor mat
`fits onto the carpeted floor compartment areas of the van,
`pickup truck or Sport utility vehicle with no Substantial folds
`or wrinkles.
`In use, initially the vehicle's door sill is removed or at
`least lifted a Sufficient distance to insert the retention plate
`so as to be in alignment with the floor mat's underside. The
`door Sill is replaced and tightened to effectively trap the
`retention plate. Next, the floor mat is simply positioned on
`the carpeted floor so as to overlie the retention plate. When
`floor mat 10 of the invention is used, a slight downward
`preSSure is exerted to cause the protrusions on the underside
`of the retention plate to interact with the carpeted floor and
`the Snap buttons to interact. The floor mat will remain in
`place under normal use. The plate remains attached to the
`carpet component due to the first Set of Snap buttons. The
`floor mat catches debris. Most importantly, the floor mat is
`readily removed from the vehicle for cleaning purposes.
`Once cleaned, the mat is reinstalled.
`Having described the invention in its preferred
`embodiment, it should be clear that modifications can be
`made without departing from the Spirit of the invention. It is
`not intended that the words used to describe the invention
`nor the drawings illustrating the Same be limiting on the
`invention. It is intended that the invention only be limited by
`the Scope of the appended claims.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A floor mat for positioning in a carpeted floor com
`55
`partment area of a vehicle to catch debris, Said floor mat
`having a Substantially flat base and having a first raised wall
`which is double walled with a substantially horizontally
`extending floor engaging peripheral lip, a Second raised
`wall, a third raised wall and a fourth raised wall, each of Said
`first, Second, third and fourth raised walls being at about
`right angles to one another to form a tray-like central area
`and further being contoured to neatly conform to the car
`peted floor compartment area, further Said floor mat having
`a retention System for operable association with a door Sill
`of the vehicle wherein Said retention System includes a
`Substantially flat retention plate extending from the floor mat
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`40
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`45
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`60
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`8
`and lying in Substantially the Same plane as the Substantially
`flat base of the floor mat and further configured for extend
`ing under the door sill to be held thereby, said flat retention
`plate having attachment means on an upperside thereof to
`releasably attach to the floor mat.
`2. The floor mat of claim 1 wherein the floor mat has a set
`of Snap buttons on an underside and the retention plate of the
`retention System has a mating Set of Snap buttons on its
`upperSide to engage the Snap buttons on the floor mat.
`3. The floor mat of claim 2 wherein the retention plate has
`a set of protrusions on its underSide to engage the carpeted
`floor of the vehicle.
`4. The floor mat of claim 1 wherein the floor mat has a
`hook or loop fastener on an underside and the retention plate
`has a mating hook or loop fastener on its upperside to engage
`the hook or loop fastener on the floor mat.
`5. The floor mat of claim 1 wherein the retention plate of
`the retention System has a set of bolt holes for receiving door
`Sill bolts to engage the door Sill and be trapped thereby.
`6. The floor mat of claim 1 wherein the first raised wall
`comprises an inside wall which extends Substantially verti
`cally upwardly from the flat base, a top wall which extends
`substantially horizontally from the inside wall and an out
`side wall which extends substantially vertically downwardly
`from the top wall and the peripheral lip extends from the
`outside wall.
`7. The floor mat of claim 1 wherein the floor mat is
`molded.
`8. The floor mat of claim 4 further having a set of spacers
`on a top Side of the retention plate for transmitting a hold
`down force from the door sill to enhance its retention to the
`carpeted floor compartment.
`9. A molded floor mat for positioning in a carpeted floor
`compartment area of a vehicle to catch debris and for
`temporary removal from the vehicle to extract the debris,
`said floor mat having a substantially flat base with a first
`raised wall which is double walled with a substantially
`horizontally extending floor engaging peripheral lip, a Sec
`ond raised wall, a third raised wall and a fourth raised wall,
`each of Said first, Second, third and fourth raised walls being
`at about right angles to one another to form a tray-like
`central area, further Said floor mat having a retention System
`for operable association with a door sill of the vehicle
`wherein the retention System includes a Substantially flat
`retention plate with attachment means on an upperside
`thereof to releasably attach to the floor mat.
`10. Th