Cushioned carpeted floor mat with at least one cushioning integrated rubber protrusion

Abstract

This invention relates to a cushioned floor covering article wherein the mat includes a tufted carpet placed on the top side of a foam rubber sheet and at least one foam rubber protrusion integrated within at least a portion of the bottom side of the foam rubber sheet. Such an article provides effective removal of moisture, dirt, and debris from the footwear of pedestrians through the utilization of a carpet pile component. Furthermore, the utilization of a foam rubber backing also allows for either periodic heavy duty industrial-scale laundering in such standard washing machines or periodic washing and drying in standard in-home machines, both without appreciably damaging the inventive floor covering article, such as a floor mat. Additionally, the presence of integrated foam rubber protrusions within the mat structure provides an effective cushioning effect for pedestrian comfort as well as a means to prevent slippage of the article from its contacted surface. A method of producing such an inventive cushioned floor covering article is also provided.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to a cushioned floor covering article wherein the mat includes a tufted carpet placed on the top side of a foam rubber sheet and at least one foam rubber protrusion integrated within at least a portion of the bottom side of the foam rubber sheet. Such an article provides effective removal of moisture, dirt, and debris from the footwear of pedestrians through the utilization of a carpet pile component. Furthermore, the utilization of a foam rubber backing also allows for either periodic heavy duty industrial-scale laundering in such standard washing machines or periodic washing and drying in standard in-home machines, both without appreciably damaging the inventive floor covering article, such as a floor mat. Additionally, the presence of integrated foam rubber protrusions within the mat structure provides an effective cushioning effect for pedestrian comfort as well as a means to prevent slippage of the article from its contacted surface....

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The inventive mat provides a long-lasting non-slip, cushioned carpeted article which provides comfort to users as well as significantly reduced changes of slipping, all in a one-step procedure. All of this translates into reduced cost for the consumer as costs to produce are lower and possible medical and insurance costs may also be reduced with the utilization of such specific mats which also work to remove dirt and moisture from the pedestrians' footwear.

Problems solved by technology

Moisture, dirt, and debris from out of doors easily adhere to such footwear, particularly in inclement weather and particularly in areas of grass or mud or the like.

Such unwanted and potentially floor staining or dirtying articles need to be removed from a person's footwear prior to entry indoors.

Such cleats are formed during a vulcanization step and have required a time-consuming procedure of placing the green (unvulcanized) rubber sheet on a molded silicone pad and then removing the same after vulcanization.

As a result, and particularly if the covered area is hard, the mat does not appreciably cushion the pedestrian's foot.

Such mats do not also provide cushioning characteristics with the same non-slip components, however.

To date, the prior art has neither taught nor fairly suggested such a combination of elements in a cushioned carpeted floor covering article.

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