.0)
`
`Europaisches Patentamt
`
`European Patent Office
`
`Office européen des brevets
`
`{9 Publication number:
`
`0 379 630
`
`A1
`
`®
`
`EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
`
`@ Application number: 891073553
`
`@ Int. Cl.5: BGON 3/04
`
`@ Date of filing: 24.04.89
`
`
`@ Priority: 23.01.89 IT 1915189
`@ Applicant: Sagona, Margherita
`Via Ugo La Malta 10126
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Date of publication of application:
`01.08.90 Bulletin 90/31
`
`Designated Contracting States:
`AT BE CH DE ES FR GB GR LI LU NL SE
`
`I-90147 Palermo(lT)
`
`@ Inventor: Sagona, Margherita
`Via Ugo La Malfa 10126
`I-90147 Palermo(lT)
`
`Representative: Filippi, Remo
`Via Aldrovandi, 5
`
`1-20129 Milano(lT)
`
`
`
`@ Floor mat for motor vehicles that includes means for draining off and absorbing water.
`
`6?) Floor mat(10) for the inside of motor vehicles(29)
`in which, at the point where the feet(35) rest on the
`floor, there is a "package" formed of one or more
`overlain layers (16)of absorbent material, and of a
`grating(17)on top of them whose purpose is to ab-
`
`sorb any water brought in from outside on the driv-
`er's shoes(36),
`supplying said shoes with a dry
`structure on which to rest, and further permitting
`absorption of deodorants.
`
`Lise—5—
`
`36
`
`
`
`41
`
`21
`
`16
`
`11
`
`23
`
`Xerox Copy Centre
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`EP0379630A1
`
`EX1021
`
`Yita V. MacNeil
`
`IPR2020-01 140
`
`EX1021
`Yita v. MacNeil
`IPR2020-01140
`
`

`

`1
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`EP 0 379 630 A1
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`2
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`Field of the art
`
`The invention concerns a floor mat
`senger compartments in motor vehicles.
`
`for pas-
`
`Prior art
`
`The ordinary type of mat put on the floor of
`motor vehicles under the feet are well-known ac-
`cessories.
`
`They provide a useful foot rest especially for
`the driver, whose feet are constantly moving to
`press the pedals, and also protect areas on the
`floor covering particularly exposed to hard wear.
`Said accessories cannot however prevent oc-
`currence of discomfort caused by water brought
`into the vehicle from outside (for example water
`formed by melting of snow caught in the rubber
`treads on the soles of winter boots).
`In particular
`the leg above the foot pressing the pedals is nec-
`essarily in an inclined position and this causes
`hems of trousers or of long skirts to rest on the mat
`and absorb the water stagnating there.
`The invention here described avoids these
`
`drawbacks at the same time offering advantages as
`will be explained below.
`
`Description of th_e invention
`
`Subject of the invention is a mat for motor
`vehicles that comprises a removeable grating.
`in
`the area of said mat under the feet. which provides
`a dry surface for shoes even when water has been
`brought inside the vehicle on said shoes. The water
`drips down through the grating into one or more
`layers of absorbent material placed between said
`grating and the underside of the mat.
`In association with this system. or as an alter-
`native to it. drainage channels are provided to
`convey the water into a tray-like receptacle com-
`prised in the structure of the mat. The absorbent
`layer. or layers. consist of spongy material of var—
`ious kinds.
`
`The grating is made of rigid or semi-rigid plas-
`tic and is formed of crossed strips, or else of a
`sheet
`through which holes are bored in different
`ways.
`Preferably the "package",consiting of the grat-
`ing plus the absorbent layer or layers. is placed in
`the mat's tray-like depression and is fixed to the
`base of the tray part by holding means at the front
`or at the sides, or by removeable means such as
`screws and the like, or else by a lateral or other-
`wise situated hinge and the like.
`it being possible
`in this way to lift out
`the grating and absorbent
`layers for periodical cleaning or for renewal of said
`
`layers when necessary.
`The above frontally mounted means consist of
`knobs and the like fixed to the mat so that,when
`
`they penetrate through
`light pressure is applied.
`holes in said grating made for them.
`ln a preferred type of execution there is a wide
`hole in the grating in an area behind that occupied
`by the feet, or even at one side. said hole serving
`for easy introduction into the absorbent layers of a
`deodorant in liquid. powder or paste form.
`Alternatively the mat may comprise a container
`communicating with the absorbent layers for grad-
`ual transfer of the deodorant into said layers.
`The tray-like base into which the “package" is
`placed is preferably created by a depression down-
`ward from the upper surface of the mat for a depth
`sufficient to take the thickness of said "package".
`To even up the protrusion on the underside of
`the mat, created by the depth of the tray shaped to
`receive the "package".
`ribs or similar
`types of
`protruding structures are made on the outward
`facing zones of said underside.
`This ensures that
`total
`thickness of the mat
`described is more or less the same over its whole
`area.
`
`On the upper surface ribbing on the sides of
`the mat extending outwards from the tray lie prac-
`tically perpendicular to the edges of said tray. the
`effect being to create drainage channels, especially
`where said sides slope down to the tray. conveying
`water into the absorbent layers.
`
`Advantages
`
`Water carried inside the motorvehicle on boots
`
`is promptly drained away and absorbed leaving the
`top surface of the grating practically dry and pre-
`venting clothes. especially trouser hems. from get-
`ting wet.
`Water dripping onto the ribbed sides of the mat
`also runs down the drainage channels so formed
`and reaches the absorbent
`layers or
`the tray-
`shaped receptacle below them.
`As the mat and grating can be easily taken
`apart, periodical cleaning and renewal when neces-
`sary of the absorbent layers is facilitated.
`It deodorant is put into the absorbent layers the
`inside of the motor vehicle will be agreeably per-
`fumed.
`
`Characteristics and purposes of the invention
`will be made even clearer by the following example
`of its execution illustrated by diagrammatic draw-
`ings.
`
`Example of execution
`
`70
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`15
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`

`3
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`EP 0 379 630 A1
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`4
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`Fig. 1: Perspective view of the inside of a
`motor vehicle showing the mats subject of
`the
`invention.
`
`Fig. 2: Detailed view of the mat seen from
`
`Fig. 3: A longitudinal cross section of the
`
`above.
`
`mat.
`
`Fig. 4: Detail of a motor vehicle showing the
`driver‘s foot on a pedal and one of the mats on the
`market.
`
`Fig. 5: The same, but with the mat subject of
`the invention.
`
`The mat 10 comprises a tray-like depression
`in a more or less central position, and outer
`11
`zones 12.
`
`Said tray is shallow and is situated under the
`area where the feet usually rest.
`The outer zones 12 have ribs 13 substantially
`
`perpendicular to the edges of the tray thus creating
`drainage channels 14 down which the water runs
`into the tray 11.
`Placed in said tray is the "package" 15 com-
`prising the absorbent
`layer 16 and grating 17 of
`semi-rigid plastic.
`The absorbent layer 16 preferably consists of
`spongy material.
`The grating 17 comprises square holes 18 and,
`in one internal area, rectangular holes 19.
`The "package" 15 is made stable by knobs 21
`on shanks 22 which knobs, when lightly pressed,
`pass through holes 23 in the grating.
`Posterior to the central area of the mat there is
`
`an aperture 25 through which a deodorant can be
`introduced into the absorbent layer 16.
`Thickness of the "package" 15 is practically
`the same as the depth of the tray-like receptacle
`11.
`
`Thickness of the entire underside of the mat is
`
`practically constant this being ensured by the pres-
`ence of ribbing 27 on the lower surface of said mat
`on the areas 26 around the tray 11, said ribbing
`
`projecting down from said lower surface as far as
`the depression forming the tray 11 so that overall
`thickness of
`the mat
`is practically the same
`throughout.
`Fig.
`1 shows mats 10 in position on the front
`and back floors. 30 and 31, of the motor vehicle 29.
`Fig. 4 illustrates the normal position of
`the
`driver's foot and trouser leg on the floor 41 of a
`motor vehicle 29. Through the shoe 36, the foot 35
`presses the pedal 38 while the heel 37 rests on the
`type of mat 50 sold in the market. When the foot
`presses the pedal, resulting inclination of the leg
`causes the hem 40 of the trouser 39 to rest on said
`mat 50, a lump 40' of trouser material accumulat-
`ing as seen in the figure.
`Said lump of material absorbs the water carried
`inside the motor vehicle by the driver's shoes
`
`where it collects as a stagnant pool on the mat.
`Figure 5 however shows how the grating 17 on
`the mat 10, subject of
`the invention, keeps the
`shoe 36, and therefore the trouser 39 and espe-
`cially its hem area 40', perfectly dry since the
`water has been absorbed by the spongy layer 16.
`Deodorant put in through the aperture made for it
`is rapidly absorbed by the absorbent layer.
`
`Claims
`
`1. Floor mat for motor vehicles characterized in
`
`it has a
`in the position where the feet rest,
`that,
`removeable grating (17) and other means suitable
`for keeping said zone substantially dry even if
`water is carried inside the vehicle from the outside
`on the driver's shoes (36).
`2. Floor mat for motor vehicles as in claim 1,
`characterized in that the water collecting below the
`
`runs down drainage channels into a
`grating 17)
`posterior tray-like depression in said mat (10).
`3. Floor mat for motor vehicles as in claim 1,
`characterized in that between the grating (17) and
`the bottom of the mat (10) there are one or more
`layers (16) of absorbent material.
`4. Floor mat for motor vehicles as in claim 3,
`characterized in that the absorbent layers 16) are
`of spongy material.
`5. Floor mat for motor vehicles as in claim 1.
`characterized in that the grating (17)
`is made of
`plastic material and is formed of crossed strips or
`consists of a perforated sheet.
`6. Floor mat for motor vehicles as in claims 1
`and 3, characterized in that a "package" (15), con-
`sisting of
`the grating (17) and absorbent
`layers
`(16),
`lies in a tray-like depression (11) in the floor
`mat (10), channels (24) being created in zone (12)
`of said mat
`(10) around the tray-like depression
`(11), for draining water into the absorbent
`layers
`(16).
`for motor vehicles as in claim
`7. Floor mat
`1.characterized in that the grating (17) is held to
`the mat (10) by frontally or laterally placed snap-
`fixing means, knobs (21) or the like, fixed to the
`mat (10), that when lightly pressed, enter holes (18)
`made for them in said grating, or by moveable
`means such as screws and the like, or by a side
`
`hinge or the like. said means being suitable for
`quick and easy removal of the grating (17) or for
`taking it off to facilitate cleaning.
`8. Floor mat for motor vehicles, as in claims 1
`and 3, characterized in that there is a zone in the
`grating (17) behind that on which the feet rest,
`there being in said zone a wide hole (25) through
`which a liquid, powder or paste deodorant can
`easily be put
`into the absorbent
`layers (16)
`to
`neutralize any unpleasant smells inside the vehicle
`
`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`3O
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`

`

`5
`
`EP 0 379 630 A1
`
`and make it more comfortable.
`9. Floor mat for motor vehicles, as in claims 1
`and 3. characterized in that a box, communicating
`with the absorbent layers (16), is associated to the
`mat (10) for gradual transfer of deodorant from said
`box to said layers.
`10. Floor mat for motor vehicles as in claim 6,
`
`characterized in that the tray-like depression (11)
`holding the "package" (15)
`is made downward
`from the upper plane of the mat (10) to a depth
`practically corresponding to the thickness of the
`"package" (15), the protrusion on the underside of
`the mat created by the tray (11) being evened up
`by ribbing (27),or protruding structures and the like,
`on the other zones (26) of said underside so that
`total thickness of the mat (10) is about the same all
`over
`
`5
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`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`

`EP 0 379 630 A1
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`

`EP 0 379 630 A1
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`EP 0 379 630 A1
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`

`a) Exotica Patent
`)
`ice
`
`EUROPEAN SEARCH REPORT
`
`ApplicationNumber
`
`EP
`
`89 10 7355
`
`
`
`CLASSIFICATIO\ OF THE
`
`
`APPLICATIO\ (Int. CLS)
`Relevant
`
`to claim
`
`
`B 60 N
`3/04
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT
`
`Category
`
`Citation of document with indication, where appropriate,
`of relevant passages
`
`(RAIDA)
`FR-A-Z 531 991
`* Page 4,
`lines 5-24;
`figures *
`
`(FRANCAISE)
`FR-A-Z 617 102
`* Page 2,
`lines 11-35;
`figures *
`
`(CANNON)
`GB-A-Z 171 901
`* Page 1,
`lines 62-130;
`
`figures *
`
`(FAGAN)
`CA-A-l 014 191
`* Page 1,
`line 13 - page 2, 1ine 8;
`figures *
`
`(DESPRO)
`FR-A-Z 381 152
`* Page 2, 1ine 6 - page 3,
`figures *
`
`line 15;
`
`A
`
`A
`
`A
`
`1,2,6,
`10
`
`1-3,5
`
`l1,3,8
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`TECHVICAL FIELDS
`
`SEARCHED (Int. CLS)
`
`
`
`The present search report has been drawn up for all claims
`Place of search
`Date of completion of the search
`
`
`
`Exatruncr
`
`
`
`THE HAGUE
`
`CATEGORY OF CITED DOCLMENTS
`
`:
`55
`§
`_
`5
`95
`5'.
`a;
`2
`
`
`
`X : particularly relevant if taken alone
`Y : particularly relevant if combined with another
`
`
`document of the same category
`A : technological background
`0 : non~written disclosure
`
`
`
`P : intermediate document
`document
`
`
`13-12-1989
`
`
`T : theory or principle underlying the invention
`E : earlier patent document, but published on. or
`after the filing date
`I) : document cited in the application
`I. : document cited for other reasons
`......................................................................................................
`& : member of the same patent family, corresponding
`
`HORVATH R.C.
`
`