Method for securing and detaching an Anti-slip mat and Anti-slip mat

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for attaching an anti-slip mat (3) to an access path, a perimeter and / or a substrate (1) of a pool, swimming pond, water basin or the floor of a wet or damp room, wherein the anti-slip mat (3) has a top surface with a plurality of raised areas for slip resistance, wherein the anti-slip mat (3) has a bottom surface to which a plurality of first magnetic means (4) are associated, which are firmly connected to the anti-slip mat (3), and wherein second magnetic means (2) are firmly connected to the substrate (1) or floor, and the method comprises the following steps: - placing the anti-slip mat (3) on the substrate or floor and thereby forming a magnetic attraction between the first magnetic means (4) and the second magnetic means (2), such that the anti-slip mat (3) is held in place on the substrate (1) or floor.floor remains, - removal of the anti-slip mat (3) from the surface (1) or floor by lifting the anti-slip mat (3) and applying a force greater than the holding force between the magnetic means (2,4).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for attaching an anti-slip mat with the features of the preamble of claim 1 and a non-slip area with a substrate and a non-slip area with an anti-slip mat with the features of the preamble of claim 8.

[0002] Underwater surfaces inevitably become covered with a biofilm. This biofilm has gelatinous properties and makes all underwater surfaces extremely slippery. The standard solution for slip resistance on land is to create rough surfaces with displacement spaces. Underwater, this technology is only of limited use and is not maintenance-free, because even uneven structures often become slippery.

[0003] US 10 850471 B2 and US 2018 / 056626 A1 each describe a floor mat consisting of several layers, the upper and lower layers being connected by magnetic means.

[0004] US 11 459 773 B2 describes the fastening of decking boards to a substructure using magnetic force.

[0005] US 5 524 317 A uses the industrial cleaning of runners as motivation to design the runners in multiple parts, with the upper layer attached to a base by means of magnetic means and thus easily removable for cleaning.

[0006] From US 2004 / 154091 A1 it is known to attach magnetic panels behind a pool cladding in order to conceal UV-induced color changes in the pool with decorative means, wherein the decorative means have magnets and adhere to the magnetic panels.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an anti-slip solution for wet or damp areas, in particular for pools and swimming ponds, which is easy to handle and provides long-term slip resistance. This object is achieved by a method for attaching an anti-slip mat with the features of claim 1 and by a slip-resistant area with the features of claim 8.

[0008] Accordingly, a method is provided for attaching and detaching an anti-slip mat to an access route, a perimeter and / or a substrate (e.g. stairs, floor surface, etc., in particular horizontal walking surfaces) of a pool (swimming pool), swimming pond, water basin or a floor (including stairs) of a wet or damp room, wherein the anti-slip mat has a top surface with a plurality of protrusions for slip resistance of a walking surface, and a bottom surface to which a plurality of first magnetic means are associated, which are firmly connected to the anti-slip mat and wherein second magnetic means are firmly connected to the substrate or floor, and the method comprises the following steps: Placing the anti-slip mat on the surface or floor, thereby creating a magnetic attraction between the first magnetic means and the second magnetic means, such that the anti-slip mat remains firmly in place on the surface or floor, in particular being non-slip / not slipping when walked on / entered; removing the anti-slip mat from the surface or floor by lifting the anti-slip mat and applying a force greater than the holding force between the magnetic means, whereby the surface is permanently covered with water and the placement and removal take place underwater.

[0009] The use of magnetic elements allows the anti-slip mat to be attached to a surface or floor after installation. The magnetic force secures the mat in place, enabling it to be used as a walking surface. Furthermore, when used underwater, the anti-slip mat can be easily removed, cleaned, and reapplied.

[0010] A water feature can be, for example, a water play area, water play surface, or wading pool designed and intended for use by a user. A wet room is defined as an interior space where, due to its use, large quantities of water accumulate, both in gaseous (water vapor) and liquid form. Examples include indoor swimming pools, saunas, commercial kitchens, laboratories, etc. In particular, the amount of water is so large that floor drainage is required for its removal. A damp room is a room with permanently elevated humidity. The floor of a wet room or damp room includes the walking surface of stairs. A walking surface is a surface designed and intended for regular and continuous foot traffic.

[0011] Preferably, the first and / or second magnetic means are made of ferritic steel. Preferably, the first and / or second magnetic means are permanent magnets. In a preferred embodiment, the second magnetic means are made of ferritic steel, in particular formed as a sheet, and the first magnetic means are permanent magnets. It is advantageous if the anti-slip mat has several permanent magnets assigned to a single sheet.

[0012] The second set of magnetic elements is preferably retrofitted in an existing pool or swimming pond in the area of ​​the walking surface. However, the method can also be used for pools or swimming ponds that are being installed, and the magnetic elements to be connected to the substrate can be attached during installation, for example, beneath the base of the pool or swimming pond.

[0013] Preferably, the second magnetic means are glued or screwed onto the running surface.

[0014] It is advantageous if the first magnetic elements are glued, riveted, and / or screwed into recesses in the anti-slip mat on one underside. It is preferred if the underside of the first magnetic elements is flush with the underside of the anti-slip mat.

[0015] Furthermore, a non-slip area is provided, comprising a base of a pool, swimming pond or a floor of a wet or damp room and an anti-slip mat having a top surface with a plurality of raised areas for slip resistance of a walking surface, wherein the anti-slip mat has a bottom surface to which a plurality of first magnetic means are associated, which are firmly connected to the anti-slip mat and wherein second magnetic means are firmly connected to the base or floor, and the magnetic means are designed such that a magnetic attraction is formed between the first and second magnetic means so that the anti-slip mat remains fixed in place on the base or floor, wherein the first magnetic means are glued, riveted and / or screwed into recesses of the anti-slip mat on a bottom surface.

[0016] Preferably, the base of the swimming pond is mortared and the second magnetic elements are screwed to the mortared surface. Furthermore, the features described above may be provided.

[0017] Furthermore, the use of an anti-slip mat for attachment to an access path, a border and / or the base of a pool, swimming pond or water basin is provided, wherein the anti-slip mat has a top surface with a plurality of raised areas for slip resistance of a walking surface, and the anti-slip mat has a bottom surface to which a plurality of first magnetic means are associated, which are firmly connected to the anti-slip mat, and second magnetic means are firmly connected to the base or floor, wherein the first and second magnetic means are designed such that a magnetic attraction is formed so that the anti-slip mat remains stationary on the base or floor.

[0018] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Figure 1: a top view of a floor with an anti-slip mat, and Figure 2: a cross-section through an anti-slip mat.

[0019] In the Figure 1 Fastening elements 2 (magnetic means) are attached to a floor or substrate 1. The fastening elements 2 are at least partially, and preferably entirely, made of ferritic steel. The fastening elements 2 are preferably sheets of a constant thickness. However, the sheets can also be of different thicknesses and shapes, e.g., formed as a solid plate. Ferritic steel belongs to the chromium steel grades and is strongly magnetic and stainless. The chromium content is between 12 and 18 percent, while the carbon content is very low (preferably below 0.05 percent).

[0020] An anti-slip mat 3, which has magnets 4 on its underside, rests on the substrate 1 and the fastening elements 2. The magnets 4 are permanent magnets and can have various shapes and thicknesses and be made of different materials. Preferably, the magnets 4 are ferrite magnets or neodymium (NdFeB) magnets. The magnets 4 are firmly connected to the anti-slip mat 3. The magnets 4 interact with the fastening elements 2, generating a holding force in the form of a magnetic force. The holding force can be influenced by the number of magnets 4 and / or by the material or shape of the magnets 4, as well as their position or distance from each other. Preferably, the magnets 4 have a flat surface that interacts with a flat surface of the fastening elements 2.

[0021] The anti-slip mat 3 is made of a flexible material with a profiled surface. This flexibility allows the mat to conform to uneven surfaces. The surface is structured, for example, with narrow raised areas, creating a high displacement volume. The walkable surface of the mat is designed so that biofilm is immediately destroyed upon contact and forced into an adjacent displacement space.

[0022] The profiling can preferably be linear with small spacing. However, it can also be conical, sleeve-shaped, or thread-like. Preferably, the resulting profiling has an efficiency independent of the user's direction of travel. The spacing between the raised sections is designed to allow cleaning by devices such as pool robots, preferably in any direction. The spacing is preferably between 3 mm and 10 mm.

[0023] It is also conceivable that the anti-slip mat has a grid-like structure, i.e., perforations that ensure a reliable drainage effect on walking surfaces that are not permanently submerged in water.

[0024] The flexible material can be, for example, extruded rubber, silicone, or any type of plastic. To allow the anti-slip mat to be attached to stair treads, it is preferably rectangular. Preferably, one of its shorter sides has a width between 15 and 25 cm, more preferably about 20 cm. For surface applications at the bottom of a pond or pool, or in the walking area of ​​Kneipp pools, injection molding, casting, or thermoforming processes can also be used to manufacture the anti-slip mat. This allows for the production of any technically feasible dimension. The thickness of the anti-slip mat is preferably in the range of 8 mm to 25 mm, particularly between 8 mm and 15 mm. For applications in children's play areas, the anti-slip mat, with a suitable thickness, can also serve as fall protection.

[0025] A key advantage is the easily manageable size of the anti-slip mat 3. The anti-slip mat 3 can be removed in just a few steps and cleaned, for example, in a dishwasher.

[0026] However, it is also conceivable to design the anti-slip mat in the form of pads, strips, discs or other shapes in order to achieve a customized slip resistance.

[0027] For occasional deep cleaning, the anti-slip mat 3 is designed to be removable from the substrate 1. By overcoming the magnetic holding force, the anti-slip mat 3 can be peeled off the substrate 1. Removing the mat, particularly in swimming ponds, prevents the formation of rotting areas beneath it and avoids thermally induced dimensional changes that could lead to voids.

[0028] Figure 2Figure 3 shows three exemplary ways of attaching the magnets 4 to the anti-slip mat 3. The anti-slip mat 3 has a non-slip profile 5 on its upper surface. Recesses 6 are provided in the underside of the anti-slip mat 3, which serve as receptacles for the magnets 4. It is possible to glue the magnets 4 into the recesses, as shown on the left. It is also possible to incorporate the magnets 4 into the underside of the anti-slip mat 3 during its manufacture. The figure in the middle shows a magnet 4 being attached to the recess using a rivet 7. It is also possible to attach the magnets 4 in a detachable manner, for example, using screws 8, as shown on the right. Figure 2 The anti-slip mat 3 may incorporate stabilizing elements such as wires or stiffer plastic profiles (not shown).

[0029] Anti-slip mats are particularly popular for use in existing pools or swimming ponds. They are especially useful in swimming ponds whose liner is covered with a layer of mortar. The fastening elements, particularly metal plates, can be screwed into the mortared surface. For example, with fiberglass pools or ponds with liners, the fastening elements, especially metal plates, can be glued to the surface.

[0030] It is also conceivable to permanently install permanent magnets in the form of ferritic steel sheets in the bottom of a pond or pool (either directly or interchangeably in a holder). The ferritic counterpart would then be located in the anti-slip mat. Magnetic strips embedded in anti-slip mats or woven anti-slip mats with ferritic steel wires could also serve the same function.

[0031] Furthermore, the method can be used for the rapid safety-related upgrading and retrofitting of excessively smooth surfaces. An example is tiles in damp rooms. Sheet metal. out of Ferritic steel sheets can be glued onto tiles. The anti-slip mat attached to the sheets immediately creates a non-slip, hygienic surface because it can be easily removed and machine-cleaned. Applications include saunas and restaurants, as well as private bathrooms.

[0032] In new installations, ferromagnetic metal rails can be integrated directly into the floor surface. Applications include, for example, sanitary areas in private and public bathrooms, and in retirement and nursing homes.

Claims

1. Method for attaching and removing an anti-slip mat (3) to an access path, a border, and / or a ground (1) of a pool, swimming pond, water basin, or floor of a wet or damp room, wherein the anti-slip mat (3) has an upper side with a plurality of protrusions for preventing slipping on a walking surface, wherein the anti-slip mat (3) has an underside to which a plurality of first magnetic means (4) are associated, which are firmly connected to the anti-slip mat (3), and second magnetic means (2), which are firmly connected to the flooring (1) or floor, and the method comprises the following steps: - Placing the anti-slip mat (3) on the substrate or floor and thereby generating a magnetic attractive force between the first magnetic means (4) and the second magnetic means (2) such that the anti-slip mat (3) remains fixed in position on the ground (1) or floor; the method is characterized by - removing the anti-slip mat (3) from the ground (1) or floor by lifting the anti-slip mat (3) and applying a force greater than the holding force between the magnetic means (2, 4), wherein the ground (1) is permanently covered with water and the placement and removal take place underwater.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and / or second magnetic means (2, 4) are made of ferritic steel.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and / or second magnetic means (2, 4) are permanent magnets.

4. A method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second magnetic means (2) are retrofitted in an installed pool or swimming pond in the area of the walking surface.

5. A method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second magnetic means (2) are glued or screwed to the walking surface.

6. A method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first magnetic means are glued, riveted, and / or screwed into recesses in the anti-slip mat on an underside.

7. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that an underside of the first magnetic means is flush with the underside of the anti-slip mat.

8. An anti-slip area comprising a ground of a pool, swimming pond, or the floor of a wet or damp room, and an anti-slip mat having an upper surface with a plurality of protrusions for preventing slipping on a walking surface, wherein the anti-slip mat (3) has an underside to which a plurality of first magnetic means (4) are associated, which are firmly connected to the anti-slip mat (3), and wherein second magnetic means (2) are firmly connected to the ground (1) or floor, and the magnetic means (2, 4) are configured such that a magnetic attractive force is generated between the first and second magnetic means (2, 4) such that the anti-slip mat (3) remains fixed in place on the ground (1) or floor, characterized in that the first magnetic means are glued, riveted, and / or screwed into recesses in the anti-slip mat on a bottom side.

9. Anti-slip area according to claim 8, characterized in that the substrate of the swimming pond is grouted and the second magnetic means are screwed to the grouted surface.

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