United States Patent (19)
`Altus
`
`11
`(45)
`
`Patent Number:
`Date of Patent:
`
`4,921,742
`May 1, 1990
`
`(54)
`
`75
`
`(73)
`
`(21)
`22
`(51)
`52)
`
`(58)
`
`56)
`
`FLOORMAT RETENTION SYSTEM FOR
`AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES
`Inventor: Mark Altus, Huntington Woods,
`Mich.
`Assignee: The 2500 Corporation, Farmington
`Hills, Mich.
`Appl. No.: 199,600
`Filed:
`May 27, 1988
`Int. Cl. ............................ B32B 3/06; B60J 9/00
`U.S. C. ....................................... 428/81; 428/82;
`428/85; 428/86; 428/95; 428/99: 428/101;
`428/223
`Field of Search ....................... 428/81, 82, 85, 86,
`428/95, 99, 101, 223; 74/564
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2,136,980 1 1/1938 Pim ....................................... 74/564
`3,114,272 12/1963 Sawyer ..........
`... 74/564
`4,716,065 12/1987 McLaughlin ......................... 428/95
`
`4,748,063 5/1988 Reuben ................................. 428/95
`4,758,457 7/1988 Altus ..................................... 428/85
`Primary Examiner-Marion C. McCamish
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Dykema Gossett
`57
`ABSTRACT
`There is disclosed a floor mat retention system for auto-.
`motive vehicles which provides for positive attachment
`of the floor mat to the vehicle body without penetrating
`the automotive carpet. A first retainer portion is fixedly
`mounted to the automotive vehicle by a method other
`than penetrating the automotive carpeting and a second
`retainer portion is removably attached to said first re
`tainer portion. A floor mat construction is then remov
`ably attached to at least said second retainer portion.
`The first and second retainer portions may have bristles
`on one or both sides thereof to aid in preventing slip
`page, and the floor mat construction may have carpet
`nap on both sides thereof so that it may be made revers
`ible, if desired.
`
`39 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`MacNeil Exhibit 2111
`Yita v. MacNeil IP, IPR2020-01139
`Page 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent May 1, 1990
`
`Sheet 1 of 3
`
`4,921,742
`
`
`
`4/
`4.
`It g|Ia 47
`\
`42-l-H lag III (Fig-2
`N
`- 2
`
`5O
`
`43
`
`4/
`/ is
`
`A 4
`
`S.
`RQ-2 s
`
`A
`
`Ka
`
`
`
`MacNeil Exhibit 2111
`Yita v. MacNeil IP, IPR2020-01139
`Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent May 1, 1990
`
`Sheet 2 of 3
`
`4,921,742
`
`
`
`APAYAava Yava Aaayaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...w v 7 .
`
`MacNeil Exhibit 2111
`Yita v. MacNeil IP, IPR2020-01139
`Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent May 1, 1990
`
`Sheet 3 of 3
`
`4,921,742
`
`
`
`/2 233 (Fig-9 (34 -30
`
`SAYZZ 5O
`
`(s 49 - 42
`4/
`-/
`HILII
`I
`4-44-44-42
`S" 42
`3 - 2
`I 3O
`(Fig-2B
`41 - &SS/
`
`25
`
`32
`
`MacNeil Exhibit 2111
`Yita v. MacNeil IP, IPR2020-01139
`Page 4
`
`

`

`1
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`FLOORMAT RETENTION SYSTEM FOR
`AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES
`BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to automotive floor
`mats, and more particularly to a method and apparatus
`for postively locating floor mats in automotive vehicles
`by having at least one portion of the floor mat retainer
`system mounted to the automotive vehicle. The need
`for retainers in connection with automotive floor mats
`is fully discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,361,610; 4,481,240,
`4,588,628 and 4,673,603 owned by the assignee of the
`present invention. However, even though these patents
`discuss the need for the retention of automotive floor
`mats with regard to automotive carpets, they do not
`deal with the positive retention of floor mats in automo
`tive vehicles by having a portion of a floor mat mount
`20
`ing system attached to the automobile body, which is
`the subject of the present invention.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`It has long been the practice to cover areas of auto
`motive carpeting which are subjected to heavy wear
`with separate floor mats, which usually have at least
`25
`one surface covered with a carpet material, although
`they may be of an all rubber construction. For as long as
`this has been done, there has been a severe problem
`with these mats unexpectedly moving, and sometimes
`causing interference with the proper operation of the
`30
`brake and/or accelerator pedals in automobiles. Re
`cently there have been recalls involving thousands of
`automobiles to have their floor mats replaced because
`they have slipped and jammed under the accelerator
`pedal, and in some cases have caused accidents. While
`35
`the floor mats disclosed in the above-mentioned patents
`of the common assignee of the present application, and
`in a recent application owned by said common assignee
`entitled "Floor Mat and Method of Attaching Retainer
`Thereto', filed on Oct. 15, 1987, under Ser. No.
`07/109,291, have been found to be entirely satisfactory
`for a large majority of automotive applications, it has
`also been found that some floor pan designs, whether
`dictated by styling, function, or otherwise, still present
`problems which are not entirely solved by the afore
`45
`mentioned floor mats. This has caused the inventors in
`the present application to continue their work in the
`automotive floor mat area, and has led to the present
`invention which provides positive retention of the floor
`mat in the automotive vehicle by having at least part of 50
`the system positively mounted to the vehicle itself.
`Substantial and long-standing problems in the art had to
`be solved to determine how to provide this positive
`retention and still provide for the periodic removal and
`cleaning of the automotive floor mat.
`Applicants are aware of many previous attempts to
`provide positive retention of automotive floor mats.
`One of these is to sew the floor mat to the automotive
`carpet. However, this makes it completely unremova
`ble, which is undesirable, and because of the twisting
`60
`motions placed on the floor mats when the occupants
`enter and leave the a vehicle, the floor mats tended to be
`torn where they were sewn to the carpet.
`Another attempt simply was to try and attach the
`floor mats to the automotive floor pan. However, as is
`well known in the automotive art, automotive carpeting
`is backed by a water proof bonding layer to prevent
`moisture, such as accumulated on the carpeting when
`
`4,921,742
`2
`occupants enter when it has been raining or snowing,
`from penetrating the carpeting and contacting the auto
`motive floor pan, which causes severe rusting problems.
`Whether one attempted, for example, to screw the floor
`mat down through the automotive carpeting to the
`floor pan, or place a fastening means on the floor pan
`and provide an opening in the carpet for the fastering
`means to pass through, both of these destroyed the
`water imperviousness of the automotive carpeting, and
`presented severe rusting problems. Thus, Applicants
`knew a novel solution to this problem was needed.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`In order to provide a floor mat retention system
`which does not pose any of the problems of earlier floor
`mat retention systems, we have provided a floor mat
`retention system for automotive vehicles having a first
`retainer portion fixedly attached to the vehicle other
`than through the automotive carpeting and floor pan,
`and we have further provided a second retainer portion
`adjacent to, and removably attached to said first re
`tainer portion. Attached to said second retainter por
`tion, also in a removable manner is a floor mat construc
`tion. The floor mat construction may have carpet nap
`on one or both sides thereof, and one or both of the
`retainer portions may have bristles on one or both sides
`thereof.
`Thus, it is an object of the present invention to pro
`vide a method and apparatus for positively locating
`floor mats in automotive vehicles.
`It is a further object of the present invention to pro
`vide a positive floor mat retention system for automo
`tive vehicles which does not destroy the water impervi
`ousness of the automotive carpeting.
`It is further object of the present invention to provide
`that the automotive floor mat, with or without the sec
`ond retainer portion, is easily removed and replaced in
`the automotive vehicle.
`Still another object of the present invention is to
`provide a positive floor mat retention system for auto
`motive vehicles which can be used regardless of the
`shape of the automotive floor pan.
`Still another object of the present invention is to
`provide a floor mat construction which is securely at
`tached to the automotive vehicle.
`A further object of the present invention is to provide
`a positive floor mat retention system wherein a floor
`mat construction is removably attached thereto by ap
`propriate fastening means.
`Further objects and advantage of the present inven
`tion will be apparent from the following description and
`appended claims, reference being had to the accompa
`nying drawings forming a part of the specification,
`wherein like reference characters designate correspond
`ing parts in the several views.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view showing one
`embodiment of our invention mounted in an automotive
`vehicle.
`FIG. 2 is a sectional view, taken in the direction of
`the arrows, along the section line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 2A is a view similar in large part to FIG. 2 but
`showing a floor mat construction having carpeting only
`on side thereof.
`
`40
`
`55
`
`65
`
`MacNeil Exhibit 2111
`Yita v. MacNeil IP, IPR2020-01139
`Page 5
`
`

`

`5
`
`10
`
`4,921,742
`4
`3
`is aided in its retention on the first retainer portion 21 by
`FIG. 2B is a view similar in large part to FIG. 2 but
`bristles 25, although the bristles 25 are only recom
`showing the male fastening means mounted to the re
`mended if the first carpet piece 40 is not retained under
`tainer instead of the floor mat construction.
`the lip 29. The first carpet piece is substantially co
`FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken in the direction of
`extensive with the first retainer portion 21. The first
`the arrows, along the section line 3-3 of FIG. 1.
`carpet piece 40 terminates proximate the base line 46 of
`FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the
`the extensions 33. Edge binding 43 may be placed about
`relationship of the parts of the construction shown in
`the other 3 edges of the first carpet piece 40, but is not
`FIG 1.
`found on the longitudinal edge 45. Carpet nap 42 may
`FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view showing a modifi
`be provided on one or both sides.
`cation of our invention mounted in an automotive vehi
`The floor mat construction 41 may be similar to that
`cle.
`described in co-pending patent application Ser. No.
`FIG. 6 is a sectional view, taken in the direction of
`07/109,291, and may have carpet nap 42 on one or both
`the arrows, along the section line 6-6 of FIG. 5.
`sides of a suitable carpet base 47. The manufacture of
`FIG. 7 is a sectional view, taken in the direction of
`the actual carpet material by this time is well known in
`the arrows, along the section line 7-7 of FIG. 4.
`15
`the art, and need not be described in detail herein. Edge
`FIG. 8 is an exploded partial perspective view show
`binding 43 will be applied around the entire periphery
`ing an alternate method of providing for the removable
`on the floor mat construction 41 except where it is to
`attachment of the second retainer portion to the first
`meet the longitudinal edge 45 of the first carpet piece,
`retainer portion.
`which will be described in more detail hereinafter. One
`FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view, taken in the direc
`20
`or both of the first retainer portion 21, and the second
`tion of the arrows, along the section line 9-9 of FIG. 8.
`retainer portion 30, preferrably will have fastening
`It is to be understood that the present invention is not
`means in the form of male fasteners 48 mounted thereto,
`limited in its application to the details of the construc
`which, when passed through complimentary placed
`tion and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accom
`openings 49 in the floor mat construction 41, will allow
`panying drawings, since the invention is capable of
`25
`said floor mat construction to be held firmly in place by
`other embodiments, and of being practiced or carried
`virtue of the female fasteners 50 being attached to the
`out in various ways within the scope of the claims. Also,
`it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminol
`male fasteners 48.
`Referring now to FIGS. 2, 2A, and 2B, various modi
`ogy employed herein is for the purpose of description,
`fications of my invention are shown. In FIG. 2 there is
`and not of limitation.
`shown a floor mat construction 41 having carpet nap 42
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`on both sides of a suitable carpet base 47, and 2-sided
`EMBODIMENT
`second retainer portion 30 having bristles 25 on both
`surfaces. A plurality of openings 55 are provided in the
`Referring to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown a positive
`floor mat retention system generally designated by the
`retainer to allow the male fasteners 48 to be passed
`therethrough, and to engage the female fasteners 50, .
`numeral 20, and including a first retainer portion 21
`thereby securely holding the floor mat construction 41
`which is held in place under the sill plate 22 of the
`to the second retainer 30. Since in this embodiment, the
`automotive vehicle. The first retainer portion 21 will
`floor mat construction 41 is reversible, a male fastener
`have an upper surface 23 and a lower surface 24, either
`or both of which may be covered wholly or partially by
`48 has to be provided on both sides thereof, and the
`40
`unused male fastener is capped by an additional female
`bristles 25 for the purposes described in said co-pending
`patent application Ser. No. 07/109,291.
`fastener 50. It can be seen that when it is desired to
`A second retainer portion 30 may either be attached
`reverse the floor mat construction 41, the female fasten
`ers 50 are unfastened from. the male fasteners 48, the
`to the first retainer portion 21 as shown in FIG. 8, or the
`second portion 30 may be placed contiguously with the
`floor mat construction 41 is reversed, and the female
`45
`fasteners 50 are reattached. If...desired, the female fas
`first retainer portion 21 as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and
`tener placed on the top side of the floor mat construc
`elsewhere. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 4,
`tion 41 may be used for decorative purposes, such as
`a plurality of extentions 33 are provided on the first
`having a logo embossed thereon.
`retainer portion 21, and a like number of complimentary
`recesses 34 are provided in second retainer portion 30 so
`The modification shown in FIG. 2A shows a one
`sided floor mat construction 41 having carpet nap 42 on
`that second retainer portion 30 will fit contiguously
`the top of a suitable carpet base 47 and having edge
`with the first retainer portion 21 like pieces of a "jig
`binding 43 sewn thereon except where it is to meet the
`saw' puzzle.
`longitudinal edge 45 of the first carpet piece 40, in
`The second retainer portion 30 may be of a greater
`which case the edge binding will be cut away as shown
`width than the first retainer portion 21 or they may be
`55
`in FIG. 4. When a one sided carpet construction 41 is
`of the same width. When placed together, the first re
`used, one may eliminate the bristles 25 on the top side of
`tainer portion 21 and the second retainer portion 30
`the second retainer portion 30, if desired.
`make a "continuous' surface for the mounting of the
`Referring to FIG. 2B, it can easily be seen that the
`first carpet piece 40 and the floor mat construction 41.
`male fasteners can be placed on the retainer 30, rather
`The sill plate 22 is provided to cover the joint between
`60
`the rocker panel 26 and the floorpan 27. The first carpet
`than on the floor mat construction 41. In this case, the
`complimentary openings 49 mentioned in connection
`portion 40 may or may not be retained under the lip 29
`with the description of FIGS. 1 and 4 allow the male
`of the sill plate 22, although it is preferred that the first
`fasteners 48 to pass through the floor mat construction
`retainer portion 21 be so retained, as in this embodiment
`of the invention this is how the positive retention of our
`41 and have a female fastener 50 attached. Since the
`65
`floor mat mounting system is accomplished.
`second retainer portion 30 is made of a plastic material
`The first carpet piece 40 may have carpet nap on one
`and is durable, it usually does not need to be reversible,
`so we have shown only one male fastener 48 provided
`or both sides thereof, and in the preferred embodiment,
`
`30
`
`35
`
`50
`
`MacNeil Exhibit 2111
`Yita v. MacNeil IP, IPR2020-01139
`Page 6
`
`

`

`O
`
`35
`
`40
`
`4,921,742
`6
`5
`ond retainer portion 30, are only approximately half the
`on said retainer portion 30. However, it is well within
`thickness of the retainer, the first retainer portion 21 and
`the scope of the present invention to have male fasten
`the second retainer portion 30 preferrably being of
`ers on the top and the bottom of the retainer 30. If
`equal thickness to present a uniform thickness for the
`desired, reinforcements (not shown) can be placed
`mounting of the first carpet piece 40 and the floor mat
`around the complementary openings 49 to give extra
`construction-41.
`strength to the floor mat construction 41. Also, it should
`Whereas in the modification of my invention de
`be understood that the position of the male and female
`scribed in FIG. 4 there is no direct connection between
`fasteners can be reversed, in that the female fasteners
`the first retainer portion 21 and the second retainer
`could be placed on the retainer, and the male fasteners
`portion 30, in this modification of our invention, the
`mounted on the carpet construction 41, or referring
`posts 68 on the extensions 33 of the first retainer portion
`back to FIGS 2 and 2A, the female fasteners could be
`21 fit in complimentary post holes 69 provided in the
`placed on the carpet construction 41, and the male fas
`recesses 34 on the second retainer 30 to provide a posi
`teners could then be inserted into the female fasteners to
`tive interlocking contact between the first retainer por
`hold the floor mat construction 41 to the retainer por
`tion 21 and the second retainer portion 30. This modifi
`15
`tions 21, 30.
`cation of my invention is preferrably used where large
`Referring now to FIG.7, it can be seen how a portion
`areas of automotive vehicle floor must be covered to
`of the edge binding 43 is cut away wherever the floor
`provide additional strength to the construction.
`mat construction 41 meets the first carpet piece 40.
`Whichever modification of our invention is used, the
`Since there is no edge binding on the longitudinal edge
`bristles 25 may be on one or both sides of the first re
`45 of the first carpet piece 40, and as shown in dotted
`20
`tainer portion 21 or the second retainer portion 30, and
`lines, there is no edge binding on the top side of the
`may cover all or only a portion of the retainer. The
`floor mat construction 41, where it is to meet said longi
`density of the bristles, where bristles are provided, will
`tudinal edge, the carpet nap 42 from the first carpet
`depend on the type of carpeting being used. Preferra
`piece 40 will intermingle with the carpet nap from the
`bly, the density of the bristles forming the lower surface
`floor mat construction 41, giving the appearance of a
`25
`of either retainer is from 50% to 100% of the density of
`continuous piece of carpet. As can be seen, the edge
`the carpet cover material, although the exact density
`binding is cut away in a mirror image on the lower edge
`will vary depending on the particular carpet material.
`of the floor mat 41 so that when it is reversed, the same
`Likewise, the length of the bristles, their composition,
`occurrence will take place, giving the appearance of a
`and exact shape will depend on the particular applica
`continuous floor mat going from the toe pan of the
`30
`tion to which our positive floor mat retention system is
`automobile, to the floorpan, and up to the door sill. The
`to be put, which in turn, is at least partly dependent on
`combination of positively retaining the first retainer
`the shape of the automobile floor pan, and on the type
`portion under the sill plate 22, combined with the hold
`and density of the carpet material covering said floor
`ing power of the bristles 25 as described in the afore
`pan. A particularly useful length of bristle has been
`mentioned patents and patent application, and proved
`found to be no more than of the average length of the
`by a large measure of commercial success, provide an
`carpet cover material on which said retainer is to be
`extremely stable floor mat and solve long standing
`placed.
`problems in the art.
`The aforementioned mass reduction openings 66 may
`Referring to FIG. 5, it is anticipated that there may be
`be of various sizes and shapes, depending upon the
`some applications in which the first retainer portion
`particular application to which the retainer is to be
`may not be able to be captured between the sill plate 22,
`placed.
`the rocker panel 26, and floor pan 27, and in this case, it
`Thus, after carefully analyzing the previous attempts
`is preferred to mount the first retainer portion 21 to the
`at providing positively retained automotive floor mats,
`seatbelt anchors 60 by means of the strap 61, as shown
`we have developed a novel positive floor mat retention
`in more detail in FIG. 6. While at first glance it would
`45
`system for an automotive vehicle.
`seem logical to mount the strap 61 in place when the
`I claim:
`bolt 62, are used to fasten the seat belt anchors 60 in
`1. A positive floor mat retention system for automo
`position, it is the understanding of Applicants that fed
`tive vehicles including:
`eral regulations prevent such attachment. Therefore,
`(a) a first retainer portion fixedly attached to said
`we have shown a modified end portion 65 of the strap
`automotive vehicle;
`61 adapted to be press fit over the combination of the
`(b) a first piece of carpet covering said first retainer
`bolt 62 and the seat belt anchor 60. Aside from having
`portion;
`the strap 61 with the modified end portion in 65, the
`(c) a second retainer portion removably attached to
`remainder of the first retainer portion is substantially
`said first retainer portion; and
`the same as, and operates in substantially the same man
`55
`(d) a floor mat construction removably attached to
`ner as, the first retainer portion 21, described in connec
`said second retainer portion.
`tion with FIGS. 1-4, although the first carpet piece 40
`2. The device defined in claim 1, wherein:
`usually does not extend on to the strap portion 61 of the
`(a) said floor mat construction is removably attached
`first retainer 21.
`to said second retainer portion by appropriate fas
`Whether the modification of my invention shown in
`tening means.
`FIGS. 1-4 is used, or the modification shown in FIGS.
`3. The device defined in claim 2, wherein said appro
`5 and 6 is used, mass reduction openings 66 may be
`priate fastening means include male and female fasten
`placed in the second retainer portion 30 to save weight.
`If desired, these openings may also be placed in the first
`erS.
`4. The device defined in claim 2, wherein said floor
`retainer portion.
`65
`mat construction includes:
`Now referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a modification of my
`(a) a carpet base having nap on one side thereof; and
`invention is shown whereby the extensions 33 on the
`(b) an edge binding around the perimeter thereof.
`first retainer portion 21, and the recesses 34 on the sec
`
`60
`
`50
`
`MacNeil Exhibit 2111
`Yita v. MacNeil IP, IPR2020-01139
`Page 7
`
`

`

`10
`
`7
`5. The device defined in claim 4, wherein:
`(a) said edge binding is absent from the nap side of
`said carpet base where said floor mat construction
`meets said first piece of carpet.
`6. The device defined in claim 5, wherein said first
`retainer portion includes a lower bristled surface.
`7. The device defined in claim 6, wherein said second
`retainer portion includes lower bristled surface.
`8. The device defined in claim 7, wherein said second
`retainer portion also includes an upper bristled surface.
`9. The device defined in claim 8, wherein said second
`retainer portion has mass reduction openings therein.
`10. The device defined in claim 9, wherein said sec
`ond retainer portion is removably attached to said first
`retainer portion by an interlocking fastening means.
`11. The device defined in claim 10, wherein said inter
`locking fastening means include:
`(a) a plurality of projections proximate one edge of
`said first retainer portion; and
`20
`(b) an equal plurality of complimentary recesses in
`said second retainer portion to accept and securely
`locate said projections, thereby removably attach
`ing said second retainer portion to said first retainer
`portion.
`12. The device defined in claim 11, wherein at least a
`portion of said appropriate fastening means are located
`on said projections.
`13. The device defined in claim 12, wherein said ap
`propriate fastenings means include male and female
`
`25
`
`15
`
`4,921,742
`8
`23. The device defined in claim 22, wherein said first
`retainer portion includes a lower bristled surface.
`24. The device defined in claim 23, wherein said Sec
`ond retainer portion includes a lower bristled surface.
`25. The device defined in claim 24, wherein said Sec
`ond retainer portion also includes an upper bristled
`surface.
`26. The device defined in claim 25, wherein said first
`retainer portion includes mass reduction openings
`therein.
`27. The device defined in claim 25, wherein said sec
`ond retainer portion includes mass reduction openings
`therein.
`28. The device defined in claim 27, wherein said sec
`ond retainer portion is removably attached to said first
`retainer portion by an interlocking fastening fastening
`C3S
`29. The device defined in claim 28, wherein said inter
`locking fastening means include:
`(a) a plurality of projections proximate one edge of
`said first retainer portion; and
`(b) an equal plurality of complementary recesses in
`said second retainer portion to accept and securely
`locate said projections, thereby removably attach
`ing said second retainer portion to said first retainer
`portion.
`30. The device defined in claim 29, wherein at least a
`portion of said appropriate fastening means are located
`on said projections.
`31. The device defined in claim 29, wherein the bris
`tles forming said lower bristled surface Öf said second
`retainer portion are formed in such a manner so as to
`provide a taper to at least a portion of said lower bris
`tled surface.
`32. The device defined in claim 29, wherein the
`length of the bristles forming said lower bristled surface
`of said second retainer portion is no more than three
`fourths of the average length of the carpet cover mate
`rial on which the retainer is placed.
`33. The device defined in claim 32, wherein the den
`sity of the bristles forming said lower bristled surface of
`said second retainer portion is from 50% to 100% of the
`density of the carpet cover material where bristles are
`provided on said second retainer portion.
`34. The device defined in defined in claim 33, wherein
`said extension are approximately one-half the thickness
`of said first retainer portion, and said recesses are ap
`proximately one-half the thickness of said second re
`tainer portion,
`35. The device defined in claim 34 and including:
`(a) a post provided on each of said extensions; and
`(b) a post hole provided in each of said recesses to
`accept said post, thereby securely attaching said
`first retainer portion to said second retainer por.
`tion.
`36. The device defined in claim 34, wherein the rela
`tionship between said posts and said post holes is a press
`fit relationship.
`37. The device defined in claim 36, wherein said ap
`propriate fastening means include male and female fas
`tenes.
`38. The device defined in claim 37, wherein said male
`fasteners are located on said second retainer portion.
`39. The device defined in claim 38, wherein said fe
`male fasteners are located on said floor mat construc
`tion.
`
`fasteners.
`x
`14. The device defined in claim 13, wherein said male
`fasteners are located on said second retainer portion.
`15. The device defined in claim 14, wherein said fe
`35
`male fasteners are located on said first retainer portion.
`16. The device defined in claim 11, wherein the bris
`tles forming said lower bristled surface of said second
`retainer portion are formed in such a manner as to pro
`vide a taper to at least a portion of said lower bristled
`40
`surface.
`17. The device defined in claim 11, wherein the
`length of the bristles forming said lower bristled surface
`of said second retainer portion is no more than three
`fourths of the average length of the carpet cover mate
`45
`rial on which the retainer is placed.
`18. The device defined in claim 17, wherein the den
`sity of the bristles forming said lower bristled surface of
`said second retainer portion is from 50% to 100% of the
`50
`density of the carpet cover material where bristles are
`provided on said second retainer portion.
`19. The device defined in claim 11, wherein said ex
`tensions are approximately one-half the thickness of said
`first retainer portion, and said recesses are approxi
`55
`mately one-half the thickness of said second retainer
`portion.
`20. The device defined in claim 7, wherein said first
`retainer portion has mass reduction openings therein.
`21. The device defined in claim 2, wherein said floor
`60
`mat construction includes:
`(a) a carpet base having nap on both sides thereof; and
`(b) an edge binding around the perimeter thereof.
`22. The device defined in claim 21, wherein:
`(a) said edge binding is absent from the nap side of
`65
`said carpet base at both locations where the nap of
`said carpet base can meet said first piece of carpet.
`
`s
`
`k
`
`k
`
`k
`
`2s
`
`MacNeil Exhibit 2111
`Yita v. MacNeil IP, IPR2020-01139
`Page 8
`
`