WO2022208511A1

WO2022208511A1 - Holder for floor mats

Info

Publication number: WO2022208511A1
Application number: PCT/IN2021/050796
Authority: WO
Inventors: Saurabh Kapoor; Gaurav Kapoor
Original assignee: Saurabh Kapoor; Gaurav Kapoor
Priority date: 2021-03-30
Filing date: 2021-08-18
Publication date: 2022-10-06

Abstract

The present invention discloses a floor mat assembly including a hanger (100), one or more securing means (150) and a floor mat (200). The hanger (100) includes one or more holding means (120), a body portion (130), and a connector (140). The floor mat (200) includes a top edge (201) and a bottom edge (202). The body portion (130) of the hanger (100) includes a plurality of openings (137, 138). The top edge (201) of the floor mat (200) is attached to the plurality of openings (137, 138) of the body portion (130) of the hanger (100) via the one or more securing means (150). The connector (140) of the hanger (100) includes at least one hole (135). The bottom edge (202) is coupled to the hole (135) of the connector (140), thereby providing a floor mat assembly that is easy to assemble and requires minimal space for transportation.

Description

HOLDER FOR FLOOR MATS

FIELD OF INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to an automobile accessory, more specifically the present invention relates to a packaging holder for floor mats of automobiles.

BACKGROUND

[002] Floor mats form an essential part of an automobile. Floor mats provide premium look to the automobile and also improve its aesthetic value. The floor mats provide protection from dust, ice, water, mud etc. to the floors, for example a car floor. The floor mats are typically merchandised on hangers. The hangers support the weight of the floor mat while it is being handled, stored, transported or displayed.

[003] Conventional hangers used with floor mats are very flimsy (i.e., they are made up of delicate plastic). Due to flimsiness of the conventional hangers and generally uneven weight distribution of the floor mat over the hanger; it is difficult for the hanger to carry the weight of high quality/durable floor mats (which tends to be very heavy). Due to the heavy weight mats, the hanger fails to remain intact (i.e. the hanger may break for being overstretched because of the heavy weight floor mat). The aforementioned characteristic of the hangers makes it impractical to use.

[004] Additionally, accessories like header cards are usually attached to the hanger and mat assembly. These header cards are generally damaged during normal handling due to inefficient coupling between the hanger and the header card. The header card generally includes a cardboard sheet folded in the middle and is further secured to the hanger and mat assembly with staples. Use of such staples results in tearing of the floor mat and consequently damages the product.

SUMMARY

[005] The present invention relates to a floor mat assembly including a hanger, one or more securing means and a floor mat. The hanger includes one or more holding means, a body portion, and a connector for connecting the holding means to the body portion. The floor mat includes a top edge and a bottom edge. The body portion of the hanger includes a plurality of openings. The top edge of the floor mat is attached to the plurality of openings of the body portion of the hanger via the one or more securing means. The connector of the hanger includes at least one hole. The bottom edge is coupled to the hole of the connector, thereby l providing a floor mat assembly that is easy to assemble and requires minimal space for transportation.

BRIEF DISCRETION OF DRAWINGS

[006] The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale.

[007] FIG.l represents an exploded view of a hanger 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[008] FIG.2 represents an assembly of floor mat 200 and the hanger 100 in open configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[009] FIG.3 represents an assembly of floor mat 200 and the hanger 100 in closed configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[010] Prior to describing the invention in detail, , definitions of certain words or phrases used throughout this patent document will be defined: the terms "include" and "comprise", as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term "or" is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases "coupled with" and "associated therewith", as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have a property of, or the like; definitions of certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, and those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that such definitions apply in many, if not most, instances to prior as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

[Oil] Particular embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein-below with reference to the accompanying drawings, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms.

Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

[012] The present invention relates to a packaging holder (or hanger) for a mat. The hanger can be used with mats like floor mats, car mats, etc.

[013] The hanger of the present invention along with a floor mat makes a floor mat assembly. The hanger provides easy packaging as well as easy handling of mats. Further, the hanger of the present invention provides uniform distribution of weight of the mat, thereby leading to increase in the lifespan of the hanger and minimizing any cracks or distortions that are caused due to uneven distribution of stresses. The hanger of the present invention facilitates a closed configuration of the floor mat assembly. The said configuration of the floor mat assembly helps to increase stability of the assembly during its handling and storage.

Further, the hanger makes it easy to assemble the floor mat assembly which requires minimal space for transportation.

[014] Now referring to the figures, Fig. 01 depicts a hanger 100 with one or more securing means 150. The hanger 100 includes a plurality of components including, without limitation, one or more holding means 120, a body portion 130, a connector 140, etc. The hanger 100 helps in easy handling and storage of a floor mat.

[015] The hanger 100 is made of a material including plastic, ABS, PP, POM etc. In an embodiment, the hanger 100 is made of plastic. The hanger 100 may include a length ranging from 200 to 300 mm. The hanger 100 may include a height ranging from 200 to 300 mm. Alternately, the length and height of the hanger 100 vary as per the size of the floor mat.

[016] In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more holding means 120 includes one or more arms 121 and 123. The arm 121 may have any shape. In an embodiment, the arm 121 is hook shaped. The hook shaped arm 121 may include a curvature. The curvature of the arm 121 may be provided in such a manner that it improves the ergonomics for better handling of the hanger 100.

[017] The arm 123 may be coupled to the arm 121 to form an integral unit. The arm 123 may have any shape. In an embodiment, the arm 123 is hook shaped. Similar to the arm 121, the arm 123 may include a curvature. The curvature of the arm 123 may complement a feature of a displaying shelf or other equivalent means (not shown). The arm 123 may help the floor mat to be easily showcased as required. The arm 123 may further improve the ergonomics for better handling of the hanger 100.

[018] The holding means 120 may be coupled to the body portion 130 via the connector 140. Alternatively, the holding means 120, the body portion 130 and the connector 140 form an integral unit. The connector 140 includes at least one hole 135 to be operatively coupled to a bottom edge of the floor mat (described below). Such coupling helps in uniform distribution of weight of the floor mat.

[019] The body portion 130 may have any shape. In an exemplary embodiment as depicted in Fig. 1, the body portion 130 is rectangular shaped. The body portion 130 may include a length complementing the length of the floor mat. The body portion 130 may have a width ranging from 100 to 200 mm. The body portion 130 helps to reinforce the hanger 100 while the hanger 100 is used to package the floor mat. The body portion 130 prevents unnecessary flexing of the hanger 100 and the floor mat, thereby maintaining the durability of the hanger 100 and the floor mat. [020] The body portion 130 may include a plurality of openings 137, 138. In an embodiment, the body portion 130 includes five openings. The openings 137, 138 facilitate coupling of the hanger 100 with the floor mat (described below). The openings 137, 138 also provide structural rigidity to the hanger 100 without sacrificing on limited flexibility. The limited flexibility prevents the hanger 100 from getting fractured. [021] The one or more securing means 150 help to secure a floor mat (or mat) 200 to the hanger 100 (as shown in Fig. 2). The securing means 150 may include without limitation fasteners, nut, pin, rivet, retaining ring, screw, bolt, etc. In an embodiment as shown in Fig. 1, the securing means 150 includes fasteners. The fasteners may include a pin 150a and a complementary holder 150b. The pin 150a may be coupled to the holder 150b via any means including a snap-fit coupling, a threaded coupling, or a bonded coupling. In an embodiment, the pin 150a and the holder 150b is coupled by a snap-fit mechanism.

[022] FIG.2 represents a floor mat assembly of the floor mat 200 and the hanger 100 in an open configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this configuration, the floor mat 200 is attached to the hanger 100 at one end. That is, the top edge 201 of the floor mat 200 is attached to the openings 137, 138 of the body portion 130 of the hanger 100. [023] The floor mat 200 includes at least two holes 205a and 205b towards the top edge 201 and an engagement means 210 towards the bottom edge 202.

[024] The holder(s) 150b of the securing means 150 is passed through the hole 205a of the floor mat 200 from one side and thereafter passed through the opening 137 of the body portion 130 of the hanger 100. The pin 150a is then secured to the holder(s) 150b from the other side of the hanger 100 to attach the floor mat 200 to the hanger 100.

[025] Similarly, another securing means 150 is inserted via hole 205b provided in the floor mat 200 followed by the opening 138 of the body portion 130 to secure the top edge 201 of the floor mat 200 to the hanger 100. [026] A third securing means 150 is inserted via the engagement means 210 provided at the bottom edge 202 of the mat 200 to the hole 135 of the connector 140. To do so, the floor mat 200 is folded after the top edge 201 of the mat 200 is connected to the hanger 100. The engagement means 210 at the bottom edge 202 is aligned with the hole 135 and secured thereafter. [027] The engagement means 210 may be of a shape and size complementary to the pin

150a. The engagement means 210 facilitates coupling of the bottom edge 202 of the mat 200 to the hanger 100 thereby, reducing the surface area of the mat for easy storage and transportation.

[028] It is to be noted that other mechanisms equivalent of the engagement means 210 for coupling the bottom edge 202 of the mat 200 to the hanger 100 are within the teachings of the present invention.

[029] Fig. 3 depicts the mat 200 secured to the hanger 100 once the top edge 201 and the bottom edge 202 of the mat 200 are secured to the hanger 100. This is referred to as closed configuration of the floor mat assembly. The closed configuration of the assembly helps to increase stability of the assembly thereby, improving its handling and storage.

[030] It is possible that one or more accessories for example, a header card are being attached to the assembly depicted in Fig. 3.

[031] The header card may be made of a material including but not limited to cardboard, etc. The header card may include a plurality of openings for its attachment to the hanger 100 and/or the floor mat 200. [032] The header card may be folded over the hanger 100 such that one or more of the plurality of openings of the header card may align with the one or more openings 137, 138 of the body portion 130 of the hanger 100.

[033] The scope of the invention is only limited by the appended patent claims. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present invention is/are used.

Claims

WE CLAIM

1. A floor mat assembly comprising: i. a hanger (100) including one or more holding means (120), a body portion (130), and a connector (140) for connecting the holding means (120) to the body portion (130); ii. one or more securing means (150); and iii. a floor mat (200) including a top edge (201) and a bottom edge (202), wherein the body portion (130) of the hanger (100) includes a plurality of openings (137, 138); wherein the top edge (201) of the floor mat (200) is attached to the plurality of openings (137, 138) of the body portion (130) of the hanger (100) via the one or more securing means (150); wherein the connector (140) of the hanger (100) includes at least one hole (135); wherein the bottom edge (202) is coupled to the hole (135) of the connector (140), thereby providing a floor mat assembly that is easy to assemble and requires minimal space for transportation.

2. The floor mat assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more holding means (120) include one or more arms (121, 123).

3. The floor mat assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more securing means (150) includes a pin (150a) and a complementary holder (150b).

4. The floor mat assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top edge (201) of the floor mat (200) includes at least two holes (205a, 205b).

5. The floor mat assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom edge (202) includes an engagement means (210).

6. The floor mat assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holding means (120), the body portion (130) and the connector (140) form an integral unit.

7. The floor mat assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floor mat assembly is in an open configuration.

8. The floor mat assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the open configuration includes the floor mat (200) attached to the hanger (100) at the top edge (201).

9. The floor mat assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floor mat assembly is in a closed configuration.

10. The floor mat assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the closed configuration includes the floor mat (200) attached to the hanger (100) at the top edge (201) and the bottom edge (202).