GB2416486A

GB2416486A - A flexible mat for retaining fluids

Info

Publication number: GB2416486A
Application number: GB0416592A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Edward Stockwell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-07-24
Filing date: 2004-07-24
Publication date: 2006-02-01
Also published as: GB0416592D0

Abstract

A flexible mat 10, formed of rubber or elastomeric material, has at least one surface formed with depressions 14 for catching and retaining fluids. The mat, which has a bevelled edge 12, may further be provided with permanent magnets 18 for retaining any ferromagnetic items which may fall on the mat. The mat may even be produced of a rubber material with magnetic properties. The mat, intended for use by motor sports mechanics, may have a central portion 20 with no depressions to support the stand of a motorcycle or the sump of an engine. When not in use the mat be rolled up for storage.

Description

24 1 6486

MAT

The present invention relates to a mat for use in a workplace, and is particularly suited for use when working on mechanical devices such as engines.

In the field of motorcross and other motor sports, it is often necessary to work on an engine away from dedicated premises such as a garage or a service bay. Indeed, one may lo at times need to work on an engine in a field having muddy ground or on grass. Under such circumstances, the service engineer or mechanic has to face two specific problems. The first is that any spillage of lubricant or fuel on the ground can cause undesirable pollution, possibly rendering a patch of ground dangerous to other users, and any components dismantled from the engine (such as nuts, bolts and springs), tend to be lost if they fall on the ground.

With a view to mitigating the foregoing disadvantages, the present invention provides a flexible mat having at least one surface that is formed with depressions to catching and retaining a fluid so as to prevent the fluid from spilling off the mat, and further provided with at least one permanent magnet for retaining ferromagnetic components that are placed on or fall onto the mat.

Preferably, the mat is formed of a rubber or other elastomeric material.

It would be possible, but expensive to form the entire mat of a rubber material having magnetic properties. Such materials are of course well known. It is preferred, however, for reasons of economy, to provide the mat with magnetic properties in only certain discrete regions. This may be achieved either by adhering preformed magnets to receiving locations defined by the mat or by moulding the material of the mat around permanent magnets. - 2 -

The depressions are preferably rounded so that any fluid collecting in them can be washed away readily.

Typically, the depressions may be formed by circular recesses having a diameter of around 25 mm and a depth of around 5 mm.

A plurality of magnetic regions may formed on the mat, each preferably being circular and having a diameter of mm or more.

If used beneath a motorcycle, it will often be necessary to have a stand of the machine resting on the mat.

To be able to withstand the weight of the machine without being punctured, it is possible to provide the mat with a reinforced region, strengthened either by virtue of having a greater thickness or by inlaid strands similar to the plies of a tyre. Alternatively, a separate pad of rigid material may be used to spread the weight of the machine more evenly over the mat.

The central region of the mat need not have any depressions and such a region can be used if desired to carry a logo or other advertising material.

Because the mat is flexible it can easily be transported to the location at which it is to be used. When no longer needed, the mat can be rolled up and carried away or stored on board the machine.

It is envisaged that the mat will be of a length comparable with that of the machine being serviced, so that a mat intended for motorcross use should be of around 2 m in length. The width of the mat should be sufficient to provide adequate working space on each side of the machine, a width of 60 to 100 cm being suitable when working on a motorcycle. 3 -

It should be mentioned that the mat need not necessarily be laid on the ground as it may alternatively be placed under an engine while resting on a bench. Once again, the mat will serve to prevent fluid spillages and will provide a convenient position to retain the dismantled engine parts.

It is desirable to form the material of the mat as a closed cell foam. One reason for this is to reduce the weight of the mat and the cost of the material required for its manufacture. An advantage of such a material is that components that fall onto it will tend not to bounce off.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a mat of the invention, and Figure 2 is a section along the line II-II in Figure 1.

The mat 10 in the drawings is formed of a rubber and typically measures 200 x 60 ems. The upper side of the mat has a bevelled edge 12 around its entire perimeter. The upper surface is formed with depressions 14 and the under surface is formed with depressions 16 both being circular recesses with a diameter of 25 mm and a depth of 5 mm. The central section 20 of the mat 10 has no recesses on either side and is intended to support the stand of a motorcycle or the sump of an engine.

Four circular magnets having a diameter of between mm and 100 mm are inset into the surface of the mat, being adhered into wells that are moulded into the mat.

Alternatively, the mat can be moulded around the magnets 18.

The magnets may be metal magnets but it is preferred for them also to be made of a rubber so that they should not prevent the mat from being rolled up or separate from the mar when it is rolled up. - 4

The mat is designed to catch any lubricant, hydraulic fluid or fuel spilling from the machine resting on it in the depressions 14 and 16. As illustrated, the mat can be used with either side resting on the ground but it is of course not necessary for it to be reversible in this manner.

The magnets are designed to hold components dismantled from the machine and they may be of different shapes and sizes from the four that are illustrated. For example, they lo may be elongate and arranged around the entire periphery of the mat.

The edge of the mat is illustrated as being bevelled but is it alternatively possible for it to be designed to act as a moat.

To prevent the central region 20 from being damaged by the stand of a motorcycle, it may be reinforced with internal plies or covered by a separate plate.

Claims

1. A flexible mat having at least one surface that is formed with depressions to catching and retaining a fluid so as to prevent the fluid from spilling off the mat, and further provided with at least one permanent magnet for retaining ferromagnetic components that are placed on or fall onto the mat.

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2. A flexible mat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mat is formed of a rubber or elastomeric material.

3. A flexible mat as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the entire mat is formed of a rubber material having magnetic properties.

4. A flexible mat as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the mat is provided with magnetic properties in only certain discrete regions.

5. A flexible mat as claimed in claim 4, wherein preformed magnets to adhered in receiving locations defined by the mat.

6. A flexible mat as claimed in claim 4, wherein the material of the mat is moulded around permanent magnets.

7. A flexible mat as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the depressions are rounded so that any fluid collecting in them can be washed away readily.

8. A flexible mat as claimed in claim 7, wherein the depressions are formed by circular recesses having a diameter of around 25 mm and a depth of around 5 mm. - 6

9. A flexible mat as claimed in claim 7 or 8, having a plurality of magnetic regions, each being circular and having a diameter of 75 mm or more.

10. A flexible mat as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mat is provided with a reinforced region, strengthened either by virtue of having a greater thickness or by inlaid strands similar to the plies of a Lyre.

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11. A flexible mat as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mat is formed of a closed cell foam.