GB2487791A - Floor mat for wheeled vehicle - Google Patents

Floor mat for wheeled vehicle Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2487791A
GB2487791A GB1102051.8A GB201102051A GB2487791A GB 2487791 A GB2487791 A GB 2487791A GB 201102051 A GB201102051 A GB 201102051A GB 2487791 A GB2487791 A GB 2487791A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
mat
floor
floor mat
slip
susceptible
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1102051.8A
Other versions
GB201102051D0 (en
Inventor
Adele Tobias
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
TALL INNOVATIONS LTD.
Original Assignee
TALL INNOVATIONS Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by TALL INNOVATIONS Ltd filed Critical TALL INNOVATIONS Ltd
Priority to GB1102051.8A priority Critical patent/GB2487791A/en
Publication of GB201102051D0 publication Critical patent/GB201102051D0/en
Priority to GB1200634.2A priority patent/GB2487821A/en
Priority to PCT/GB2012/050187 priority patent/WO2012107740A1/en
Publication of GB2487791A publication Critical patent/GB2487791A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62BHAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B9/00Accessories or details specially adapted for children's carriages or perambulators
    • B62B9/16Mud-guards or protecting devices for wheels
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47GHOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G27/00Floor fabrics; Fastenings therefor
    • A47G27/02Carpets; Stair runners; Bedside rugs; Foot mats
    • A47G27/0206Carpets; Stair runners; Bedside rugs; Foot mats to protect the underlying surface, e.g. temporary covers, disposable carpets, absorbent pads, wheelchair pads, hearth rugs
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62JCYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
    • B62J19/00Parking covers for cycles
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04HBUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H6/00Buildings for parking cars, rolling-stock, aircraft, vessels or like vehicles, e.g. garages
    • E04H6/42Devices or arrangements peculiar to garages, not covered elsewhere, e.g. securing devices, safety devices, monitoring and operating schemes; centering devices
    • E04H6/428Devices for collecting oil or other fluids under parked cars
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62BHAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B15/00Other sledges; Ice boats or sailing sledges
    • B62B15/007Towed sledges
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62BHAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B2301/00Wheel arrangements; Steering; Stability; Wheel suspension
    • B62B2301/34Protection against mud, e.g. by retracting or enclosing the wheels

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Carpets (AREA)
  • Passenger Equipment (AREA)

Abstract

A floor mat for receiving a wheeled vehicle on an upper surface thereof is provided with a mechanism to allow the mat to be attached to a wheeled vehicle, such as a pushchair, pram or bicycle. The mat is also provided with a slip-susceptible surface which allows the mat to slide relative to an underlying floor surface. Such a floor mat advantageously protects an underlying floor surface from the transfer of dirt and/or moisture present on the vehicle and facilitates the transportation of a vehicle positioned on the floor mat over the floor surface. The mat may be double sided, having a first side which is plastic or pvc and slip susceptible over carpeted surfaces and a second side which is of fleece material and is slip susceptible over hard floor surfaces.

Description

Floor Mat for Wheeled Vehicle The present invention relates to a mat, more specifically to a floor mat. In particular, the present invention relates to a mat which allows a wheeled vehicle, such as a buggy, pram or bicycle, to be received on an upper surface thereof in order to protect an underlying floor surface from dirt and/or moisture.
When wheeled vehicles, such as buggies, prams, bicycles, motorcycles and mopeds etc are used outside, it is usual for the wheels of the vehicle to become dirty and/or wet. For example, mud, dog excrement, rain-water, snow and ice may collect or be deposited on the vehicle. Moreover, it is often necessary to use the vehicle in an inside environment, such as a house or other building, meaning that any dirt or moisture present on the vehicle, particularly on the wheels of the vehicle, will be readily transferred onto the internal surfaces of the building, notably the floor. This is clearly undesirable.
The present invention seeks to alleviate problems associated with the transfer of dirt and/or moisture from a vehicle, particularly the wheels of a vehicle, to an underlying floor surface.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a floor mat for receiving a wheeled vehicle on an upper surface thereof, the floor mat comprising: attachment means for attaching the floor mat to the wheeled vehicle such that the floor mat is positioned between the wheels of the vehicle and an underlying floor surface; wherpi n 1-hp Fl nnr mt rnmnri spc si I n-siucnnt I hi r surface.
In the context of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the generally planar surface of the mat which, when positioned on a given floor, faces upward and which therefore receives a given wheeled vehicle thereon, is designated the "upper" surface of the mat, and that the opposing surface which is in contact with the floor is the "lower" surface.
According to the present invention, the lower surface of the mat comprises the slip-susceptible surface and may be considered to be the "working surface" of the mat.
Thus, a floor mat embodying the present invention is provided with attachment means for attaching the mat beneath the wheels of a given vehicle. According to a preferred embodiment, the attachment means comprises one or more attachment assemblies. Each attachment assembly preferably comprises a clip, which may be formed of metal or plastic for example, for gripping the wheeled vehicle securely in use.
Advantageously, each attachment assembly alternatively or additionally comprises a cord, elasticated strap or other variable length connection which extends between the mat and each of the clips. The location of the, or each of the, attachment assemblies is/are selected so as to be appropriately positioned with respect to the size and wheel arrangement of the intended vehicle. Preferably, a mat according to the present invention may be provided with an attachment means comprising a plurality of attachment assemblies located at the front of the mat in order that the mat can be advantageously attached to any buggy, pram or bicycle and used universally despite size and wheel arrangement.
A floor mat embodying the present invention is provided with a slip-susceptible surface. Embodiments of the present invention thus provide a slideable floor mat which facilitates the transportation of a wheeled vehicle positioned on an upper surface thereof.
Preferably, the properties of the slip-susceptible surface of a given floor mat embodying the present invention are advantageously selected according to the characteristics of the intended underlying floor surface. Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to provide a floor mat which, by virtue of the properties of the slip susceptible surface, tends to allow the mat to "slip" -i.e. move or slide, relative to the underlying floor surfaces, when forces are imparted to the mat (either directly or indirectly, e.g. via the vehicle) in a plane substantially horizontal thereto.
For example, a floor mat according to an embodiment of the present invention which is intended for use on a carpeted floor, is preferably provided with a slip susceptible surface which is formed of plastic and/or pvc (polyvinylchloride) or any other smooth and/or shiny material or plastic-coated fabric.
Such materials are particularly susceptible to slipping relative to most known carpet materials such as wool, nylon, viscose, polyester, acrylic and also plant fibres such as jute, flax, sisal and seagrass.
On the other hand, a mat embodying the present invention which is intended for use on a wooden or laminate flooring, or on a ceramic or stone flooring, may be formed of a so-called "fleece" fabric, which is typically made from PET or other synthetic fibres.
According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, one side of the mat provides a working surface which is susceptible to slip relative to carpet whilst the other (opposite) side of the mat provides a working surface which is susceptible to slip relative to wood. For example, according to a preferred embodiment, a first working surface of the mat is formed of plastic and/or pvc (polyvinylchloride) and a second working surface, which forms the opposing surface of the mat, is formed of fleece fabric. According to such an embodiment1 the floor mat may be manufactured and sold for deployment in conjunction with a wide variety of specific floor surfaces, with the end-user being able to select which surface of the mat is most appropriate for forming the working surface of the mat according to the particular floor surface.
Thus, the function of a mat embodying the preset invention can be considered to be essentially two-fold. Firstly, the mat advantageously acts as a barrier between the wheels of a vehicle and the underlying floor surface in order that any dirt or moisture on the wheels does not transfer to the flooring.
Secondly, the provision of a slip-susceptible surface advantageously facilitates the conveyance or transportation of a wheeled vehicle positioned on an upper surface of the mat over the underlying floor surface. Rather than the wheels of the vehicle being operated to convey the vehicle over the floor surface, forces may instead be imparted to the mat (either directly or via the vehicle) in order to cause the mat carrying a vehicle to slide on the underlying floor surface. This is particularly beneficial when using the mat in conjunction with a buggy, pushchair or pram. Specifically, it is common for a child to fall asleep when being transported around in such a vehicle and it is often desirable to allow the child to remain asleep in the vehicle when arriving home. A floor mat embodying the present invention not only allows the buggy, for example, to be brought inside whilst protecting the underlying floor surface from the transfer of dirt and/or moisture present on the buggy, but the slip-susceptible surface readily allows the buggy, still positioned on the floor mat, to be moved away from the entrance area of the building, which is typically noisy and/or cold, to another area of the building and avoids the wheeled vehicle blocking entrance to and exit from the building.
Within the context of the present invention, the term "floor" should be interpreted generally to encompass any surface upon which the wheels of the vehicle would otherwise need to come into direct contact with and which, it is desired, to protect from dirt and/or moisture. For example, in most instances the upper surface of a floor will comprise one or more of carpeting, wood, ceramic and/or any other known internal flooring-material. Whilst it is envisaged that the present invention will find particular use within an internal setting, especially but not exclusively a domestic setting such as a house, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention also extend to use in a variety of other scenarios.
For example, a mat embodying the present invention may be deployed for use outside, on paving or grass for example, or in commercial and/or public buildings. Essentially, a mat embodying the present invention can potentially be used to protect any floor or ground covering which needs to be protected from dirt and/or moisture.
The present invention is particularly applicable for use in conjunction with wheeled vehicles which are commonly used in both an inside and an outside environment. For example, buggies, bicycles, tricycles etc., all tend to be used both inside and outside and there is a need to provide a means for protecting internal floor surfaces when bringing the vehicle inside in order that dirt and/or moisture which has previously been collected or deposited on the vehicle does not transfer to the internal floor surface. The size of the mat is selected according to the size of the intended wheeled vehicle and, preferably, is large enough to one or both end(s) of the mat to be folded at least part-way up and over the front and/or rear wheel(s) of the vehicle when attached thereto in use.
Preferably, a floor mat embodying the present invention is of a lightweight fabric and/or is adapted to allow a user to change the mat from a first configuration to a second configuration, the first configuration being more portable than the second configuration and wherein the second configuration comprises the in-use configuration of the mat. For example, the mat may advantageously be folded or rolled and therefore stored or carried easily, in order that it may be used when visiting other people's houses with a wheeled mode of transport.
Preferably, the floor mat is of varying lengths in order that it can be used for buggies (standard length) and bicycles (longer length).
Preferably, the floor mat is machine washable at 40 degrees so that it can be easily cleaned after several uses.
For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a floor mat according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2A and 23 show a floor mat according to a second embodiment of the present invention which is positioned beneath a pushchair; Figures 3A and 38 show a floor mat according to a third embodiment of the present invention which is positioned beneath a bicycle; and Figure 4 shows examples of attachment assemblies which may be used in conjunction with a floor mat of the present invention.
A rectangular floor mat 1 is made from fleece on one side and plastic on the other (for ease of sliding on wood or carpet flooring respectively) and fitted with three elastic loops and corresponding metal clips along the front 2, and an additional elastic loop and corresponding clip at the back 3. Once a buggy, pram or bicycle is wheeled onto the mat, the elastic loops are stretched around the bicycle wheel forks or the buggy frame (at the point where it attaches to the wheel) and clipped into the clips. As the buggy, pram or bicycle is pushed forward, the attached mat slides along the floor and remains under the wheels, protecting the floor from dirt.
The reader will appreciate that a longer length mat is typically necessary if the mat is intended to be for use with bicycles than is required if the mat is intended for use with buggies and prams.
Figures 2A and 28 show a floor mat 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention which is positioned beneath the wheels 11, 12 of a pushchair or "buggy" 15. As shown in Figure 2A, the mat extends up and over the front wheel 12 and is attached at the front of the buggy by means of a pair of elastic loops l3A and 138 which, in this illustration, are each wrapped around one of the front "legs" 16A or 168 of the buggy, i.e. the portion of the buggy which connects the chassis 14, or the framework of the buggy, to the main body or seat of the buggy. The elastic loops l3A and 136 are secured in place and the mat is attached to the buggy by means of a clip (not shown). Figure 26 shows a front view of the arrangement shown in Figure 2A and depicts the underside working surface of the mat 10 which forms the slip-susceptible surface of the mat.
Figures 3A and 36 show a floor mat 20 according to a third embodiment of the present invention which is positioned beneath a bicycle 25. As shown in Figure 3A, the mat extends up and over both the front wheel 21 and the rear wheel 22 of the bicycle.
The mat is provided with an attachment means comprising an attachment assembly 23 at the front of the mat, for attaching the mat to a front portion of the frame of the bicycle, and an attachment assembly 24 at the rear of the mat for attaching the mat to a rear portion of the frame of the bicycle. Figure 36 shows a front view of the arrangement shown in Figure 3A and depicts the underside working surface of the mat 20 which forms the slip-susceptible surface of the mat.
Figure 4 shows examples of attachment assemblies which may be used in conjunction with a floor mat 30 of the present invention.
The attachment assembly 26 comprises an elasticicated cord, one end of which is connected to the floor mat, for example by being fed through a reinforced edge 31 of the mat. The attachment assembly 27 comprises a self-closing clip.

Claims (13)

  1. CLAIMS1. A floor mat for receiving a wheeled vehicle on an upper surface thereof, the floor mat comprising: attachment means for attaching the floor mat to the wheeled vehicle such that the floor mat is positioned between the wheels of the vehicle and an underlying floor surface; wherein the floor mat comprises a slip-susceptible surface.
  2. 2. A floor mat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower surface of the mat comprises the slip-susceptible surface.
  3. 3. A floor mat as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the attachment means comprises one or more attachment assemblies.
  4. 4. A floor mat as claimed in claim 3, wherein each attachment assembly preferably comprises a clip for gripping the wheeled vehicle securely in use.
  5. 5. A floor mat as claimed in claim 4, wherein the clip is formed of metal and/or plastic.
  6. 6. A floor mat as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the attachment means comprises a cord or an elasticated strap.
  7. 7. A floor mat as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the slip susceptible surface is formed of plastic and/or pvc (polyvinylchlo ride).
  8. 8. A floor mat as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the slip susceptible surface is formed from PET or fleece fabric.
  9. 9. A floor mat as claimed in any preceding claim, the mat comprising first and second slip-susceptible surfaces, wherein the first slip susceptible surface is formed of plastic and/or pvc (polyvinylchloride) and the second slip susceptible surface is formed of fleece fabric or PET.
  10. 10. A floor mat as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mat is adapted to allow a user to change the mat from a first configuration to a second configuration, the first configuration being more portable than the second configuration and wherein the second configuration comprises the in-use configuration of the mat.
  11. 11. A floor mat as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the edge perimeter of the mat is reinforced.
  12. 12. A floor mat as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the attachment means comprises a self-closing clip.
  13. 13. A floor mat substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. -*10-
GB1102051.8A 2011-02-07 2011-02-07 Floor mat for wheeled vehicle Withdrawn GB2487791A (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1102051.8A GB2487791A (en) 2011-02-07 2011-02-07 Floor mat for wheeled vehicle
GB1200634.2A GB2487821A (en) 2011-02-07 2012-01-16 Floor mat for wheeled vehicle
PCT/GB2012/050187 WO2012107740A1 (en) 2011-02-07 2012-01-30 Floor mat for wheeled vehicle

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1102051.8A GB2487791A (en) 2011-02-07 2011-02-07 Floor mat for wheeled vehicle

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201102051D0 GB201102051D0 (en) 2011-03-23
GB2487791A true GB2487791A (en) 2012-08-08

Family

ID=43836293

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1102051.8A Withdrawn GB2487791A (en) 2011-02-07 2011-02-07 Floor mat for wheeled vehicle
GB1200634.2A Withdrawn GB2487821A (en) 2011-02-07 2012-01-16 Floor mat for wheeled vehicle

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1200634.2A Withdrawn GB2487821A (en) 2011-02-07 2012-01-16 Floor mat for wheeled vehicle

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (2) GB2487791A (en)
WO (1) WO2012107740A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2020202099A2 (en) 2019-04-05 2020-10-08 Craig Hudson A temporarily attachable sled device for human-powered household vehicles

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD771974S1 (en) 2014-12-23 2016-11-22 Ergodriven Inc. Mat for standing
US9861220B2 (en) * 2015-03-04 2018-01-09 John Charles BURKHALTER Slidable anti-fatigue mat
USD825223S1 (en) 2015-12-01 2018-08-14 Ergodriven Inc. Mat for standing
USD827333S1 (en) 2016-10-28 2018-09-04 Varidesk, Llc Mat
USD847536S1 (en) 2016-10-28 2019-05-07 Varidesk, Llc Mat

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2230495A (en) * 1989-04-22 1990-10-24 Joyce Wilson Wheel cover
US6280817B1 (en) * 1998-12-16 2001-08-28 Mccrossin Thomas K. Portable protective floor covering mat for appliances
GB2435452A (en) * 2006-02-28 2007-08-29 Debra Fowlston Wheel cover for pushchair
GB2464940A (en) * 2008-10-30 2010-05-05 Patrick Boam Movable mudguard for wheeled vehicle

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3771808A (en) * 1971-07-12 1973-11-13 H Duerst Portable carcass skid
FR2651159A1 (en) * 1989-08-25 1991-03-01 Bazonnais Alain Device for protecting the wheels of a trolley, such as a golf caddy, from picking up dirt in the course of a round
US20030025284A1 (en) * 2001-07-31 2003-02-06 Donald James Maclam Sliding attachment for shopping carts
GB0914952D0 (en) * 2009-08-27 2009-09-30 Clapp Dennis Carpet slider for baby strollers

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2230495A (en) * 1989-04-22 1990-10-24 Joyce Wilson Wheel cover
US6280817B1 (en) * 1998-12-16 2001-08-28 Mccrossin Thomas K. Portable protective floor covering mat for appliances
GB2435452A (en) * 2006-02-28 2007-08-29 Debra Fowlston Wheel cover for pushchair
GB2464940A (en) * 2008-10-30 2010-05-05 Patrick Boam Movable mudguard for wheeled vehicle

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2020202099A2 (en) 2019-04-05 2020-10-08 Craig Hudson A temporarily attachable sled device for human-powered household vehicles

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2012107740A1 (en) 2012-08-16
GB2487821A (en) 2012-08-08
GB201102051D0 (en) 2011-03-23
GB201200634D0 (en) 2012-02-29

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
GB2487791A (en) Floor mat for wheeled vehicle
WO2007050594A3 (en) Disposable protective cover for pet beds and other to-be-protected surfaces
US20090288255A1 (en) Stretcher
WO2013123573A1 (en) Removable protective cab for a four-wheel electric scooter
US20100018466A1 (en) Car dog seat
US20110127796A1 (en) Grocery cart covering device
US8622357B2 (en) Luggage support arm
JP6108484B2 (en) Convertible dual-purpose instrument
US20120119459A1 (en) Multi-use cart
USD548921S1 (en) Cover for shopping carts
US20130257114A1 (en) Storage structure attached to car seat
EP1747963A3 (en) Anti-dirt device for a wheeled vehicle adapted to transport infants and/or children
GB2485432A (en) Cover
CN204399216U (en) Hand barrow and fixing fitting thereof
US20220194459A1 (en) A temporarily attachable sled device for human-powered household vehicles
US7950677B2 (en) Sled attachment for load carrying cart
AU2014101453A4 (en) Portable pet mat
CN202624012U (en) Positioning structure of car boot carpet
US7927222B2 (en) Portable sandbox
US20070052186A1 (en) The portable wheeled shopping bin system
US20050263228A1 (en) Disposable tire/wheel cover
JP3161544U (en) Multipurpose sheet
US20180103592A1 (en) Attachment device for suction apparatus
KR20100002721U (en) Multifunction carrier
GB2403933A (en) Towing assembly

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
COOA Change in applicant's name or ownership of the application

Owner name: TALL INNOVATIONS LTD.

Free format text: FORMER OWNER: ADELE TOBIAS

WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)