CA1273180A - Chair mat - Google Patents
Chair matInfo
- Publication number
- CA1273180A CA1273180A CA000511144A CA511144A CA1273180A CA 1273180 A CA1273180 A CA 1273180A CA 000511144 A CA000511144 A CA 000511144A CA 511144 A CA511144 A CA 511144A CA 1273180 A CA1273180 A CA 1273180A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- mat
- chair
- panel
- thickness
- order
- 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.)
- Expired
Links
Landscapes
- Carpets (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A chair mat for supporting castered furniture on a floor, including a generally planar panel having a peripheral beveled edge defining an inclined approach ramp extending from floor level to permit easy rolling of castered chairs onto and off of the mat. The inclined ramp is formed integrally with the panel and terminates at the extreme edge of the mat a sufficient distance above the bottom surface of the mat whereby the extreme edge is of a sufficient thickness to prevent chipping or cracking.
A chair mat for supporting castered furniture on a floor, including a generally planar panel having a peripheral beveled edge defining an inclined approach ramp extending from floor level to permit easy rolling of castered chairs onto and off of the mat. The inclined ramp is formed integrally with the panel and terminates at the extreme edge of the mat a sufficient distance above the bottom surface of the mat whereby the extreme edge is of a sufficient thickness to prevent chipping or cracking.
Description
1~73~ Docket ~o. 1376 SPE~CII~ICATION
CDAIR lltAT
Back~round Of The Invention This invention relates to chair or floor mats for supporting castered chairs or the like on a subjacent support surface or floor and, particularly, to a chair mat which provides for easy rolling of castered chairs onto and off of the mat.
It is well known in the prior art that chair mats are placed on top of carpeting in offices, for instance, so that` when castered furniture rolls across the surface of the mat it does so more easily than rolling across the surface ofa carpeted floor. Most offices throughout the country use such chair mats with carpeted flooring, &S well as to prevent the marring of other types of flooring. There have been at least two major problems with such chair mats, particularly when used with carpeting having relatively thick pile. First, it isquite difficult to roll castered furniture onto and off of the edge of the mat.
Second, the mat edge creates a safety hazard because individuals are prone to trip over the edge of the mat. These problems are caused because the peripheral edges of such mats are quite abrupt.
Attempts have been made to solve these problems by attaching reinforcing strips about the edges of the mats, the reinforcing strips often having an approach ramp thereabout. An example of such a reinforcing strip is shown in U.S. Patent No. 2,004,204 to Jackson. Ilowever, such reinforcing strips are difficult to install, are prone to loosen and greatly increase the cost of the mat. In addition, mats with such reinforcing strips are aesthetically unacceptable.
Attempts to form an approach ramp integral with the mat itself has been unacceptable because the resulting thin mat edge becomes prone to chipping or cracking. This is especially true since most chair mats used today are usually made of plastic material, particularly transparent plastic material.
~Z73~iL8V
Docket No. 1376 This invention is directed to solving these problems by pr~viding a new and improved chair mat with an integral, peripheral approach ramp edge having proven parameters whicn provide for easy rolling of castered furniture onto and off of the mat, while still preventing chipping or cracking of the mat.
Summary Of The Invention An object, therefore, of the Invention is to provide a new and improved chair mat of the character described.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, a chair mat is disclosed for supporting castered chairs or the like on a subjacent support surface or floor. The mat comprises a generally planar panel having a peripheral beveled edge defining an inclined approach ramp extending from floor level to permit easy rolling of castered chairs onto and off the mat. The inclined ramp is formed integrally with the panel and at an angle of approximately 11 from horizontal. The inclined ramp terminates at the extreme edge of the mat a distance above the bottom surface of the mat whereby the extreme edge is of a thickness to prevent chipping or cracking.
In the preferred embodiment, the chair mat is fabricated of plastic or vinyl material. Proven psrameters for providing easy rolling of castered furniture -onto and off of the mat, as well as to prevent cracking or chipping of the mat, includes forming the inclined ramp whereby the extreme edge of the mat is of a thickness on the order of .035 inch. As stated, the beveled edge is formed at an angle on the order of 11 from horizontel. The width of the inclined ramp is on the order of .625 inch. These dimensional parameters have been used successfully with a mat having a panel thickness on the order of .135 inch.
The resulting mat no~ only provides an essy approach ramp about the periphery thereof and prevents chipping or cracking of the mat, but the mat itself is aesthetically pleasing as well as providing functionality not heretofore remotely availsble without complex snd expensive reinforcing strips, The mst is provided ~73~0 Docket :lo. l376 with projecting grippers or cleats on the underside thereof, with a marginal area about the periphery of the mat void of the cleats.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Descriotion Of The Drawings The features of this invention which are believed to be novel are se~ forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with its objects and the advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements in the figures and in which:
FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a chair mat fabricated in accordance with the concepts of this invention; and Fl(~URE 2 is a fragmented vertical section, on an enlarged scale, through an edge of the mat and taken generally along line 2-2 of Figure 1.
Detailed Description Of The Preferred Embodiment Referring to the drawings in greater detail, and first to Figure 1, a chair mat, generally designated 10, is provided for supporting castered furniture on a subjacent support surface such as a floor. The mat includes a generally planar plastic panel 12 having a peripheral beveled edge defining an inclined approach ramp 14 extending from floor level to permit easy rolling of castered chairs onto and off of the mat. As is common, the mat is irregularly shaped, in that it includes a forward projecting tongue portion 16 which normally is positioned under a desk top between the side drawer portions of the desk.
Panel 12 preferably is fabricated of plastic or vinyl material and the inclined approach ramp 14 is formed integrally therewith. More particularly, referring to Figure 2, panel 12 has a thickness "T" on the order of approximately .135 inch. Inclined approach ramp 14 is formed about the periphery of the panel 1~73~
at an angle "~" on ~he order of approximately 11 to horizontal. The angle shown in E'i~ure 2 is illustrated relative to the top surface of panel l2. However, the top and bottom surfaces of the mat are mutually parallel as well as generally para]lel to the floor so that the angle of the inclined ramp is approximately 11 relative to floor level.
Stil] referring to Figure 2, inclined ramp 14 terminates at the extreme outer edge of the mat a dis-tance "H" above the bottom surEace of the mat to define an e~tremed mat edge 18 of a finite thickness. It has proven with plastic or vinyl material that maintaining outer edge 18 of a thickness on the order of approximately .035 inch, cracking or chipping of the mat is prevented while still providing the advantages of the inclined approach ramp. The resulting width "W" of the inclined ramp is on the order of approximate]y .625 inch. These parameters have been proven quite effective. Of course however, should the thickness "T" of the mat vary, while maintaining the angle of the inclined ramp and the thick-ness "H" of outer edge 16, the width "W" of the inclined ramp also would vary.
The underside of mat 10 is provided with pro-jecting grippers or cleats 20 which prevent slippage of the mat over a carpeted surface. ~he cleats cover sub-stantially the entire undersurface of panel 12. However, a marginal area 22 about the periphery of the mat, along ramp 14 on the underside of the mat, is void of the cleats.
A machine and method for forming inclined approach ramp 14 with precise controlled parameters are shown in copending Canadian application, Serial No. 511,140, filed June 9, 1986 and assigned to the assignee of this invention.
It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The pre-sent examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be con-sidered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, sp:
~ ~ 7 3~
and the inv~ntion is not to be limited to the de~ai].s given herein.
,- ,. sp~
,~,
CDAIR lltAT
Back~round Of The Invention This invention relates to chair or floor mats for supporting castered chairs or the like on a subjacent support surface or floor and, particularly, to a chair mat which provides for easy rolling of castered chairs onto and off of the mat.
It is well known in the prior art that chair mats are placed on top of carpeting in offices, for instance, so that` when castered furniture rolls across the surface of the mat it does so more easily than rolling across the surface ofa carpeted floor. Most offices throughout the country use such chair mats with carpeted flooring, &S well as to prevent the marring of other types of flooring. There have been at least two major problems with such chair mats, particularly when used with carpeting having relatively thick pile. First, it isquite difficult to roll castered furniture onto and off of the edge of the mat.
Second, the mat edge creates a safety hazard because individuals are prone to trip over the edge of the mat. These problems are caused because the peripheral edges of such mats are quite abrupt.
Attempts have been made to solve these problems by attaching reinforcing strips about the edges of the mats, the reinforcing strips often having an approach ramp thereabout. An example of such a reinforcing strip is shown in U.S. Patent No. 2,004,204 to Jackson. Ilowever, such reinforcing strips are difficult to install, are prone to loosen and greatly increase the cost of the mat. In addition, mats with such reinforcing strips are aesthetically unacceptable.
Attempts to form an approach ramp integral with the mat itself has been unacceptable because the resulting thin mat edge becomes prone to chipping or cracking. This is especially true since most chair mats used today are usually made of plastic material, particularly transparent plastic material.
~Z73~iL8V
Docket No. 1376 This invention is directed to solving these problems by pr~viding a new and improved chair mat with an integral, peripheral approach ramp edge having proven parameters whicn provide for easy rolling of castered furniture onto and off of the mat, while still preventing chipping or cracking of the mat.
Summary Of The Invention An object, therefore, of the Invention is to provide a new and improved chair mat of the character described.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, a chair mat is disclosed for supporting castered chairs or the like on a subjacent support surface or floor. The mat comprises a generally planar panel having a peripheral beveled edge defining an inclined approach ramp extending from floor level to permit easy rolling of castered chairs onto and off the mat. The inclined ramp is formed integrally with the panel and at an angle of approximately 11 from horizontal. The inclined ramp terminates at the extreme edge of the mat a distance above the bottom surface of the mat whereby the extreme edge is of a thickness to prevent chipping or cracking.
In the preferred embodiment, the chair mat is fabricated of plastic or vinyl material. Proven psrameters for providing easy rolling of castered furniture -onto and off of the mat, as well as to prevent cracking or chipping of the mat, includes forming the inclined ramp whereby the extreme edge of the mat is of a thickness on the order of .035 inch. As stated, the beveled edge is formed at an angle on the order of 11 from horizontel. The width of the inclined ramp is on the order of .625 inch. These dimensional parameters have been used successfully with a mat having a panel thickness on the order of .135 inch.
The resulting mat no~ only provides an essy approach ramp about the periphery thereof and prevents chipping or cracking of the mat, but the mat itself is aesthetically pleasing as well as providing functionality not heretofore remotely availsble without complex snd expensive reinforcing strips, The mst is provided ~73~0 Docket :lo. l376 with projecting grippers or cleats on the underside thereof, with a marginal area about the periphery of the mat void of the cleats.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Descriotion Of The Drawings The features of this invention which are believed to be novel are se~ forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with its objects and the advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements in the figures and in which:
FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a chair mat fabricated in accordance with the concepts of this invention; and Fl(~URE 2 is a fragmented vertical section, on an enlarged scale, through an edge of the mat and taken generally along line 2-2 of Figure 1.
Detailed Description Of The Preferred Embodiment Referring to the drawings in greater detail, and first to Figure 1, a chair mat, generally designated 10, is provided for supporting castered furniture on a subjacent support surface such as a floor. The mat includes a generally planar plastic panel 12 having a peripheral beveled edge defining an inclined approach ramp 14 extending from floor level to permit easy rolling of castered chairs onto and off of the mat. As is common, the mat is irregularly shaped, in that it includes a forward projecting tongue portion 16 which normally is positioned under a desk top between the side drawer portions of the desk.
Panel 12 preferably is fabricated of plastic or vinyl material and the inclined approach ramp 14 is formed integrally therewith. More particularly, referring to Figure 2, panel 12 has a thickness "T" on the order of approximately .135 inch. Inclined approach ramp 14 is formed about the periphery of the panel 1~73~
at an angle "~" on ~he order of approximately 11 to horizontal. The angle shown in E'i~ure 2 is illustrated relative to the top surface of panel l2. However, the top and bottom surfaces of the mat are mutually parallel as well as generally para]lel to the floor so that the angle of the inclined ramp is approximately 11 relative to floor level.
Stil] referring to Figure 2, inclined ramp 14 terminates at the extreme outer edge of the mat a dis-tance "H" above the bottom surEace of the mat to define an e~tremed mat edge 18 of a finite thickness. It has proven with plastic or vinyl material that maintaining outer edge 18 of a thickness on the order of approximately .035 inch, cracking or chipping of the mat is prevented while still providing the advantages of the inclined approach ramp. The resulting width "W" of the inclined ramp is on the order of approximate]y .625 inch. These parameters have been proven quite effective. Of course however, should the thickness "T" of the mat vary, while maintaining the angle of the inclined ramp and the thick-ness "H" of outer edge 16, the width "W" of the inclined ramp also would vary.
The underside of mat 10 is provided with pro-jecting grippers or cleats 20 which prevent slippage of the mat over a carpeted surface. ~he cleats cover sub-stantially the entire undersurface of panel 12. However, a marginal area 22 about the periphery of the mat, along ramp 14 on the underside of the mat, is void of the cleats.
A machine and method for forming inclined approach ramp 14 with precise controlled parameters are shown in copending Canadian application, Serial No. 511,140, filed June 9, 1986 and assigned to the assignee of this invention.
It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The pre-sent examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be con-sidered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, sp:
~ ~ 7 3~
and the inv~ntion is not to be limited to the de~ai].s given herein.
,- ,. sp~
,~,
Claims (15)
1. A chair mat for supporting castered chairs or the like on a subjacent support surface or floor, comprising a generally planar panel having a peripheral beveled edge defining an inclined approach ramp extending from floor level to permit easy rolling of castered chairs onto and off of the mat, said inclined ramp being formed integrally with the panel and terminating et the extreme edge of the mat a sufficient distance above the bottom surface of the mat whereby the extreme edge is of a sufficient thickness to prevent chipping or cracking.
2. The chair mat of claim 1 wherein said beveled edge is formed at an angle on the order of 11° from horizontal.
3. The chair mat of claim 1 wherein said extreme edge of the mat is of a thickness on the order of .035 inch.
4. The chair mat of claim 3 wherein the thickness of the mat is on the order of .135 inch.
5. The chair mat of claim 3 wherein the mat is fabricated of vinyl material.
6. The chair mat of claim 5 wherein said beveled edge is formed at an angle on the order of 11° from horizontal.
7. The chair mat of claim 1 wherein said extreme edge of the mat is of a thickness of approximately 25 percent of the thickness of the mat.
8. The chair mat of claim 7 wherein said beveled edge is formed at an angle on the order of 11° from horizontal.
9. The chair mat of claim 1 wherein the thickness of the mat is on the order of .135 inch and the width of the inclined ramp is on the order of .625 inch.
10. The chair mat of claim 1, including projecting cleats on the underside of the panel, with a marginal area about the periphery of the panel void of said cleats.
Docket No. 1376
Docket No. 1376
11. A chair mat for supporting castered chairs or the like on a subjacent support surface or floor, comprising a generally planar plastic panel having a peripheral beveled edge defining an inclined approach ramp extending from floor level to permit easy rolling of castered chairs onto and off of the mat, said inclined ramp being formed integrally with the panel and at an angle of approximately 11° from horizontal, and said inclined ramp terminating at the extreme edge of the mat a distance above the bottom surface of the mat to define a thickness of approximately .035 inch to prevent cracking or chipping.
12. The chair mat of claim 11 wherein the thickness of the mat is on the order of .135 inch.
13. The chair mat of claim 11 wherein the width of the inclined ramp is approximately .625 inch.
14. The chair mat of claim 13 wherein the thickness of the mat is on the order of .135 inch.
15. The chair mat of claim 11, including projecting cleats on the underside of the panel, with a marginal area about the periphery of the panel void of said cleats.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US74613985A | 1985-06-18 | 1985-06-18 | |
| US746,139 | 1985-06-18 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1273180A true CA1273180A (en) | 1990-08-28 |
Family
ID=24999632
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000511144A Expired CA1273180A (en) | 1985-06-18 | 1986-06-09 | Chair mat |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1273180A (en) |
-
1986
- 1986-06-09 CA CA000511144A patent/CA1273180A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |