EP2033547A1 - Tapis de sol à configuration par l'utilisateur - Google Patents

Tapis de sol à configuration par l'utilisateur Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2033547A1
EP2033547A1 EP08250282A EP08250282A EP2033547A1 EP 2033547 A1 EP2033547 A1 EP 2033547A1 EP 08250282 A EP08250282 A EP 08250282A EP 08250282 A EP08250282 A EP 08250282A EP 2033547 A1 EP2033547 A1 EP 2033547A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tiles
floor mat
connectors
connector
tile
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Withdrawn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
EP08250282A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Elizabeth A. Zack
Ellen D. Diament
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.)
Skip Hop Inc
Original Assignee
Skip Hop Inc
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 Skip Hop Inc filed Critical Skip Hop Inc
Publication of EP2033547A1 publication Critical patent/EP2033547A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G27/00—Floor fabrics; Fastenings therefor
    • A47G27/02—Carpets; Stair runners; Bedside rugs; Foot mats
    • A47G27/0293—Mat modules for interlocking engagement
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G27/00—Floor fabrics; Fastenings therefor
    • A47G27/02—Carpets; Stair runners; Bedside rugs; Foot mats
    • A47G27/0243—Features of decorative rugs or carpets
    • A47G27/025—Modular rugs
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F15/00—Flooring
    • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
    • E04F15/08—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements only of stone or stone-like material, e.g. ceramics, concrete; of glass or with a top layer of stone or stone-like material, e.g. ceramics, concrete or glass
    • E04F15/082—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements only of stone or stone-like material, e.g. ceramics, concrete; of glass or with a top layer of stone or stone-like material, e.g. ceramics, concrete or glass with a top layer of stone or stone-like material, e.g. ceramics, concrete or glass in combination with a lower layer of other material
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F15/00—Flooring
    • E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
    • E04F15/10—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements of other materials, e.g. fibrous or chipped materials, organic plastics, magnesite tiles, hardboard, or with a top layer of other materials
    • E04F15/105—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements of other materials, e.g. fibrous or chipped materials, organic plastics, magnesite tiles, hardboard, or with a top layer of other materials of organic plastics with or without reinforcements or filling materials
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F15/00—Flooring
    • E04F15/22—Resiliently-mounted floors, e.g. sprung floors
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F2201/00—Joining sheets or plates or panels
    • E04F2201/09—Puzzle-type connections for interlocking male and female panel edge-parts
    • E04F2201/093—Puzzle-type connections for interlocking male and female panel edge-parts with the edge-parts being separate elements not being part of the panel body
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F2201/00—Joining sheets or plates or panels
    • E04F2201/09—Puzzle-type connections for interlocking male and female panel edge-parts
    • E04F2201/096—Puzzle-type connections for interlocking male and female panel edge-parts with only one type of connection parts, i.e. with male or female on one edge

Definitions

  • This invention relates in general to floor mats designed to provide a cushioned surface for a child to play or rest upon.
  • This invention relates in general to floor mats designed to provide a cushioned surface for a child to play or rest upon.
  • a floor mat acts as a cushion or barrier between one object and a floor.
  • play mats generally are padded to provide a soft, cushioned surface for the child or infant to play or lie upon.
  • the play mats are colorfully decorated to provide a pleasing appearance to the child.
  • the present invention overcomes a number of drawbacks of the prior art, unitary play mats.
  • the present invention uses removably attachable connectors to connect adjoining tiles eliminating hazards associated with unconnected edges. Further, the present invention allows greater freedom for the end user in fashioning a user-configured size and shape, even if that shape is irregular, since the circumference, even of an irregular shape, will be fully continuous and have no extraneous components, or open or unfinished edges.
  • the invention comprises several general aspects. Each of those can if desired be combined with additional features, including features disclosed and/or not disclosed herein, the resultant combinations representing more detailed optional embodiments of these aspects.
  • a first aspect of the invention is an apparatus useful as a play or rest area for an infant or child, comprising at least two tiles, each of which shares at least a portion of one edge with at least one other adjacent tile, wherein the tiles are connected via at least one removably attachable connector, and wherein the placement and positioning of the tiles is 20 determined solely by the end-user.
  • Said tiles may be of the same shape, or may be of different shapes. Further, said tiles may be of regular or irregular shapes, and may comprise repeating and/or non-repeating edges (e.g., saw tooth pattern).
  • the completed mat may additionally comprise at least one null connector.
  • At least one of said tiles may comprise at least one removably attachable segment internal to said tile.
  • Said segment may comprise a geometric shape, a symbol, an alphanumeric character, a sign, a roadway, a railway, or a river/river bank.
  • at least one additional segment may be nested within another segment.
  • the terminal end of said connector(s) may be configured such that it will not disengage from connected tiles when confronted with a force coplanar to the plane formed by the tile(s) and the connector(s). In certain related embodiments, the terminal end of the connector may be configured such that it will operably engage/disengage from connected tiles when confronted with a force perpendicular to the plane formed by the tile(s) and the connector(s).
  • the material comprising at least one of said tiles, connectors and/or segments may consist, at least in part, of polymer, including, but not limited to EVA or PVC, or of rubber.
  • the materials comprising at least one of said tiles and at least one of said connectors, at least one of said tiles and at least one of said segments, and/or at least one of said connectors and at least one of said segments may be the same, or may be different.
  • At least one surface of said tile(s), connector(s) and/or segment(s) may be smooth, that is, without a manufactured texture or pattern.
  • at least one surface of said at least one tile, at least one segment, and/or at least one connector may be plain or may comprise at least one picture and/or pattern.
  • said at least one tile, at least one segment, and/or at least one connector may be covered with a decal.
  • the decals may be permanent, or may be removably attachable.
  • the present invention provides a variety of features. These can be used in different combinations. The different combinations are referred to as embodiments. Most embodiments will not include all of the disclosed features. Some simple embodiments can include a very limited selection of these features. Those embodiments may have only one or a few of the advantages described below. Other preferred embodiments will combine more of these features, and will reflect more of the following advantages. Particularly preferred embodiments, that incorporate many of these features, will have most if not all of these advantages. Moreover, additional advantages, not disclosed herein, that are inherent in certain embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to those who practice or carefully consider the invention.
  • the user-configurable floor mat offers several new and important advantages.
  • the advantages offered by the various embodiments of this invention include:
  • the drawings included herein are viewed top-down, with only figure 10 showing an edge-on view.
  • the tiles, segments and connectors can be of arbitrary thickness, but the tiles, segments and connectors used in a particular mat are most likely to be of the same thickness to provide a uniform surface when assembled.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates one of the more typical basic tile shapes 101 usable with the present invention, and in successive drawings, details the components of said tile and how multiple tiles may be joined.
  • Figure 1 shows a basic tile shape 101, in this case, a "square", which contains at least one internal segment in the form of a geometric shape 201, in this instance, a circle. It should be noted that several other combinations and/or variations of basic tile shapes and internal segment(s) will be obvious to those skilled in the art.
  • Figure 2 shows four different removably attachable connectors, 301, 302, 303, and 304, the first three of which can connect at least two adjoining tiles, and the last being a "null" connector, used to provide a continuous edge to the user-configurable floor mat.
  • Figure 3 details a basic assembly for a single tile, comprising the tile 101, an internal segment 201, and four "null" connectors 304.
  • Figure 4 repeats this assembly of tiles 101, segments 201 and connectors 304, 303, herein detailing two adjoining tiles joined by two multi-head connectors 303.
  • Figure 5 further repeats this assembly, herein showing six tiles 101, each with at least one internal segment 201, connected in a 2 x 3 grid.
  • this configuration there are four null connectors 304, six two-headed connectors 303, and two four-headed connectors 301.
  • Figure 6 details the ability of the present invention to combine tiles of different shapes and dimensions, in this instance, a square tile 101 and a rectangular tile 102.
  • Figure 6 further details different types of internal segments which can be used without regard to the shape of the tile, specifically, geometric shapes 201 (circles, ovals, and triangles), symbols 202 (sun, airplane), alphanumeric characters 203 (the letter "A"), and signs 204, along with decals in the form of a roadway pattern 401.
  • Figure 7 details another type of basic tile, a hexagonal tile 103.
  • Figure 7 further details different types of internal segments which can be used without regard to the type of tile, specifically, geometric shapes 201 (circles, triangles, and a set of nested squares), symbols 202 (star, wave), and alphanumeric characters 203 (the letter "B"). It is further shown that tiles can exist without any internal segment.
  • Figure 8 details yet another type of basic tile, a triangular tile 104.
  • Figure 8 further details different types of internal segments which can be used without regard to the type of tile, specifically, symbols 202 (automobile, house, and sun & clounds), and alphanumeric characters 203 (the letter "Z" , and the numerals 1 and 2). It is further shown that tiles can exist without any internal segment.
  • Figure 9 details some of the other potential terminal ends available within the present invention as compared to the previously identified rounded head terminal end, an example of which is shown in the null connector 309. Each of the designs shown would enable the connector to be securely lodged into the tile.
  • the terminal ends shown include, but are not limited to, arrow heads, hooks, diamonds, triangles, and "hammer" heads.
  • Figure 10 details the direction of the forces capable of being resisted by the terminal end of the invention's removably attachable connectors.
  • a basic tile 101 in this case a square, is shown both in top view, and edge-on.
  • adjacent tiles would experience the majority of any unsupported forces within the X-Y plane (as would be documented through a simple free body diagram of, for example, someone stepping off of one tile). While the floor beneath the tile would counteract the downward force on the tile, only friction with the floor and the adjoining tiles would counteract any lateral forces imparted.
  • the terminal end of the connector 300 regardless of the terminal ends' shape or configuration, is required to be securely lodged into a tile such that it can not be removed regardless of the direction of the lateral force(s) imparted.
  • the connector in order to be removably attachable, offers little resistance to forces perpendicular to the X-Y plane.
  • the connector offers both a secure attachment mechanism for adjacent tiles, and is easily removably attachable.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Floor Finish (AREA)
EP08250282A 2007-09-04 2008-01-23 Tapis de sol à configuration par l'utilisateur Withdrawn EP2033547A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/896,551 US20090056016A1 (en) 2007-09-04 2007-09-04 User-configurable floor mat

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2033547A1 true EP2033547A1 (fr) 2009-03-11

Family

ID=39358363

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08250282A Withdrawn EP2033547A1 (fr) 2007-09-04 2008-01-23 Tapis de sol à configuration par l'utilisateur

Country Status (2)

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US (1) US20090056016A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP2033547A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3449984A1 (fr) 2017-09-04 2019-03-06 Trocellen GmbH Système de tapis, notamment à usage sportif
GB2588907A (en) * 2019-11-13 2021-05-19 Ian Smith Michael Infant play apparatus
FR3117555A1 (fr) * 2020-12-11 2022-06-17 Lmp Dispositif de fixation utilisé pour le montage de structures aquatiques flottantes

Families Citing this family (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100199427A1 (en) * 2009-02-07 2010-08-12 Jasson Design International Play mats with interlocking pieces
US20110083277A1 (en) * 2009-10-08 2011-04-14 Henson David Foam pad
US9220359B2 (en) * 2012-02-07 2015-12-29 Raymond Long Exercise mat
USD706552S1 (en) * 2012-10-15 2014-06-10 Wendell Morris Yoga pad
CN103919341B (zh) * 2014-04-26 2015-07-22 聂音弟 一种diy拼接组合件及使用该拼接组合件制成的手袋
CN104612376B (zh) * 2014-12-15 2016-09-07 湖北格丽特建材有限公司 一种布艺弹性地板及其加工方法
DK178611B1 (da) * 2015-01-09 2016-08-15 Pet-Pocket Aps Anordning til stimulering og træning
US9980591B2 (en) 2016-03-01 2018-05-29 Skip Hop, Inc. Playmat
US11013950B2 (en) 2016-10-19 2021-05-25 Rachel M. Dobronyi Portable foldable surface
USD927222S1 (en) * 2018-02-27 2021-08-10 Cha Yau Sponge Enterprise Co., Ltd. Hexagonal mat
WO2021026013A1 (fr) * 2019-08-02 2021-02-11 The Regents Of The University Of California Matelas à mécanisme souple multi-stable pour la prévention d'escarre de décubitus
USD970055S1 (en) * 2021-04-25 2022-11-15 James Loughran Modular floor panel locking system
CN113914575A (zh) * 2021-11-17 2022-01-11 阿姆斯壮地面材料（中国）有限公司 一种卷材地板锁扣及其安装方法
USD1053618S1 (en) * 2023-01-05 2024-12-10 Century Custom Molding Inc. Support pad

Citations (5)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2182378A5 (fr) * 1972-04-28 1973-12-07 Gautherot Pierre
FR2712013A1 (fr) * 1993-11-03 1995-05-12 Elasto Technologies Wood Milne Revêtement de surface modulable, clavette et plaque pour un tel revêtement.
GB2296188A (en) * 1994-12-21 1996-06-26 Kao Yung Hsin Skidproof pad from foamable material with integrally formed design figure
US20030136074A1 (en) * 2002-01-22 2003-07-24 Ku Chen Chung Combination floor structure
US20050028475A1 (en) * 2003-01-22 2005-02-10 David R. Barlow Interlocked base and an overlaying surface covering

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US527961A (en) * 1894-10-23 Third to david h
US4109439A (en) * 1977-06-20 1978-08-29 The Airomat Corporation Floor mat having interchangeable design elements
US4287693A (en) * 1980-03-26 1981-09-08 Pawling Rubber Corporation Interlocking rubber mat
SE9303756L (sv) * 1993-11-15 1995-05-16 Berendsen S Ab Mattanordning
US6277233B1 (en) * 1997-01-28 2001-08-21 Pacific Foam Technologies Customized cushioned floor mat and method of producing same
US5882764A (en) * 1997-03-24 1999-03-16 R & L Marketing Sales, Inc. Floor mat system
US6740380B2 (en) * 1997-03-24 2004-05-25 R&L Marketing & Sales, Inc. Floor mat system
US5970541A (en) * 1998-07-08 1999-10-26 Chiang; John H. Modular mat
US6408463B1 (en) * 2000-09-19 2002-06-25 Andrea Palacio Baby play mat with protective enclosure
US20040255540A1 (en) * 2003-06-23 2004-12-23 Wang Hui Li Pieced flooring that is made of foam material

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2182378A5 (fr) * 1972-04-28 1973-12-07 Gautherot Pierre
FR2712013A1 (fr) * 1993-11-03 1995-05-12 Elasto Technologies Wood Milne Revêtement de surface modulable, clavette et plaque pour un tel revêtement.
GB2296188A (en) * 1994-12-21 1996-06-26 Kao Yung Hsin Skidproof pad from foamable material with integrally formed design figure
US20030136074A1 (en) * 2002-01-22 2003-07-24 Ku Chen Chung Combination floor structure
US20050028475A1 (en) * 2003-01-22 2005-02-10 David R. Barlow Interlocked base and an overlaying surface covering

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3449984A1 (fr) 2017-09-04 2019-03-06 Trocellen GmbH Système de tapis, notamment à usage sportif
WO2019043236A1 (fr) 2017-09-04 2019-03-07 Trocellen Gmbh Système de tapis, en particulier à des fins sportives
US11318365B2 (en) 2017-09-04 2022-05-03 Trocellen Gmbh Mat system, especially for sports purposes
GB2588907A (en) * 2019-11-13 2021-05-19 Ian Smith Michael Infant play apparatus
FR3117555A1 (fr) * 2020-12-11 2022-06-17 Lmp Dispositif de fixation utilisé pour le montage de structures aquatiques flottantes

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