CA1287966C - Modular carpet tile mat - Google Patents
Modular carpet tile matInfo
- Publication number
- CA1287966C CA1287966C CA000543188A CA543188A CA1287966C CA 1287966 C CA1287966 C CA 1287966C CA 000543188 A CA000543188 A CA 000543188A CA 543188 A CA543188 A CA 543188A CA 1287966 C CA1287966 C CA 1287966C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- mat
- carpet tile
- edging
- modular
- pieces
- 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 - Lifetime
Links
- 238000007688 edging Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 50
- 238000005304 joining Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000004026 adhesive bonding Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 101100495270 Caenorhabditis elegans cdc-26 gene Proteins 0.000 description 2
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009408 flooring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001788 irregular Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000003734 kidney Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007790 scraping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
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
- A47G27/0243—Features of decorative rugs or carpets
- A47G27/025—Modular rugs
Landscapes
- Carpets (AREA)
- Floor Finish (AREA)
Abstract
MODULAR CARPET TILE MAT
ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a novel modular carpet tile mat. More particularly, the invention relates to a novel modular carpet tile mat which is specifically adapted to hold carpet tiles in a fixed position so that they may be used in combination as a floor mat or a covering for part of a floor area, or a self-contained floor covering. The modular carpet tile mat comprises: (a) a mat base formed by connecting mat pieces together using mat joining means; (b) edging pieces attached to the perimeter of the mat base forming a smooth inclined border of the mat frame; and (c) carpet tiles forceably inserted into the mat frame.
ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a novel modular carpet tile mat. More particularly, the invention relates to a novel modular carpet tile mat which is specifically adapted to hold carpet tiles in a fixed position so that they may be used in combination as a floor mat or a covering for part of a floor area, or a self-contained floor covering. The modular carpet tile mat comprises: (a) a mat base formed by connecting mat pieces together using mat joining means; (b) edging pieces attached to the perimeter of the mat base forming a smooth inclined border of the mat frame; and (c) carpet tiles forceably inserted into the mat frame.
Description
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MODULAR CARPET TILE MAT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a novel modular carpet tile mat or self-contained floor covering. More particularly, this invention relates to a novel modular carpet tile mat which holds carpet tiles together in a fixed position so that they may be used as a mat or rug for floor covering and floor sign purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Carpet tiles have recently become popular as a ~-floor covering material. They offer many advantages over standard roll-type carpet floor covering. The tiles, which are approximately 0. 5 meters square, can be laid over a floor or other area in a mosaic or grid pattern and can easily be individually removed for cleaning or replacement purposes, when individual tiles become soiled or worn. A floor covering of carpet tiles is generally inexpensive in the long run because only the worn or soiled carpet tiles need be removed, the remaining portion of the carpet may be kept in place unlike conventional roll carpet flooring. Carpet tile also provides more flexibility in carpet design since tiles may be swiftly replaced with a different colour to suit a particular occasion. Reversable carpet tile exists which is of a different colour on the reverse side. Recently, it has been possible to create custom designs and signs on individual carpet tiles or a combination of tiles further expanding their creative possibilities.
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In the past carpet tile has only been used for wall-to-wall floor covering similar to wall-to-wall carpeting. Complete wall-to-wall placement of the carpet tiles was necessary because lateral support is needed to hold the tiles adjacent one another on the floor in the grid pattern and prevent tile slippage.
This support has been provided by the wall base.
Restriction of carpet tiles to wall-to-wall use has precluded the use of carpet tiles as floor mats or rugs or as self-contained floor covering. There are many situations where full wall-to-wall carpeting is not needed or desired. In hospitals, for example, because of the large amount of heavy rolling stock, large car-peted areas are to be avoided to reduce friction andproblems associated with carpet wrinkling. Certain entrance areas though do require mats for safety and foot cleaning purposes. Often the space to be covered by the mat is an irregular shape and cannot be satis-factorily covered with a standard size and shape mat.
Carpet tiles also have the capability of beingcustom made so that a unique design may be embedded into the carpeting of each tile or a combination of tiles.
This feature suits itself well for uses such as person-alized doormats and carpet advertising.
The inventor is aware of only one patent which discloses a form of mat, namely United States Patent No.
4,353,944 issued to H. Tarui on October 12, 1982 for a "Shoe Scraper Mat". Tarui discloses a rubber doormat to be used for scraping outdoor dirt and soil from foot-wear. Tarui does not disclose any modular mat features that would enable the mat to be used in different shapes or sizes. Also it is not used in combination with - . . .
- - : . ..................... : . -~ ~ .. . .
' .. ~ ' carpet tile to be used as carpet floor covering. Fur-thermore, Tarui does not disclose an inclined edging that provides a smooth transition from floor to mat so that rolling stock may be safely and smoothly negotiated over the mat. Tarui discloses a recessed scraper mat where the edges are higher than the interior. This construction is unsuitable for rolling stock. There is nothing in the prior art, to the inventor's knowledge, that encompasses a modular carpet tile mat that can be put together into a mat of a variety of shapes and sizes which overcome the aforementioned limitations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
_ A modular carpet tile mat for floor covering purposes comprising: (a) a mat base formed by connect-ing mat pieces together using mat joining means; (b) edging pieces attached to the perimeter of the mat base forming a smooth inclined border of the mat frame and 20 ( c) carpet tiles forceably inserted into the mat frame.
The mat frame is formed from cooperating modu-lar components and provides vertical and lateral support for the mat carpeting. The carpet tiles are removably 25 placed in the mat frame so that soiled or worn tiles may be easily removed for cleaning and replacement.
The mat frame further comprises a mat base surrounded by smooth inclined edging pieces affixed to the perimeter of the mat base in such a way that the joint-line between the edging pieces and the mat base is not continuous in any direction.
:
The mat base comprises at least one mat piece having tabs along the perimeter suitable for connecting .
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said mat pieces together by mat joining means affixed between said mat piece tabs. The edging pieces are connected to the perimeter of the mat base by affixing said edging piece tabs to said mat piece tabs on said mat base perimeter.
Carpet tiles are forceably inserted into the mat frame and maintained in their position by the later-al pressure exerted by the mat frame on the carpet tiles. The carpet tiles may be partially glued to the mat base to aid in maintaining the carpet tiles in a ixed position. Such partial gluing should not be of a permanent nature in order that soiled or worn tiles may be removed for cleaning and replacement when needed.
Gluing the tiles is not necessary to the invention since the lateral pressure exerted by the mat frame keeps the tiles fixed under ordinary conditions.
The edging pieces of the mat are affixed to the perimeter of the mat base so that the bottom of the mat base is coplanar with the bottom of the edging pieces so that there is no gap between the mat frame and the underlying floor surface. Furthermore, the edging pieces provide a smooth inclined transition from floor to carpet.
The edging pieces may be of any smooth linear shape including straight, circular or curved. The edging pieces are of cooperating lengths for modular interconnection purposes. The modular interconnecting feature enables mats of a variety of shapes and sizes to be formed including geometric shapes such as triangles, rectangles and circles and also arbitrary smooth curved shapes such as heart shaped or kidney shapes.
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The mat pieces are each of cooperating size and shape so that they may be modularly interconnected to form a variety of sizes and shapes of the mat base.
Generally, the interior mat pieces are rectangular in shape and form the majority of the area of the mat base.
Curved shaped mats, however, require non-rectangular external mat pieces conforming to the standard shapes of the edging pieces.
10 A ribbed rubber mat is attached to the under-side of the mat frame to provide for increased friction between the modular carpet tile mat and the underlying floor surface.
15 Instead of the ribbed underlying rubber mat, the mat pieces themselves may be ribbed to increase the friction with the floor surface.
The inside upper edge of the edging piece may be inclined inward with respect to the carpet tile so that the vertical gap between the carpet tile and the edging piece is minimized and the carpet tile is more tightly gripped. In this way, the carpet tile is less likely to be inadvertently removed from the mat frame.
The inside upper edge of the edging piece may also protrude in a lip fashion over the top of the carpet tile so that the vertical gap between the carpet tile and the edging piece is eliminated.
The modular carpet tile mat comprises at least one edge means, at least one carpet tilet and at least one mat means. The carpet tile is glued to the mat means by releasable adhesive. The carpet tiles may either singly or in combination include a design there-.:. :. . , ,....... :
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on. The edge means and carpet tiles may be of a variety of different co~lours. The mat means comprises at least one mat joining means. The edge means may be either curved or linear.
DRAWI NGS
In drawings which illustrate a specific embodiment of the modular carpet tile mat, but which should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way:
- Figure 1 illustrates a top view of the modular mat with the carpet tiles in place.
Figure 2 illustrates a-cross section view of the middle of the modular mat width taken along section lines A-A of Figure 1.
Figure 3 illustrates a close-up cross-section view of the edging piece of the modular mat as indi-cated by the dotted area in Figure 2.
Figure 4 illustrates a top view of the modular mat with the carpet tiles removed.
Figure 5 illustrates a bottom view of the modular mat with the ribbed rubber mat removed.
Figure 6 illustrates a top view of a square embodiment of the modular mat.
Figure 7 illustrates a bottom view of the square modular mat of Figure 6.
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Figures 8 and 9 illustrate alternative close-up cross-section views of the edging piece of the modular mat.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC
EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
One of the specific embodiments that will be herein descri~ed in association with some of the draw-ings is an oval shaped modular carpet tile mat. Thisshape clearly and simply demonstrates how standard curved sections and rectangular sections of tiles and mat borders and edging pieces may be connected together to form mats of various sizes and shapes.
Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 illus-trates a top view of the oval mat with the carpet tiles installed. In this disclosure and the following claims, the term "carpet tile" is intended to include modular items such as conventional carpet tiles constructed of a resilient backing member and a pile member adhesively secured together, conventional carpet cut up into pieces, or a single carpet piece, indoor-outdoor carpet-ing, and the like. It can be seen that two different shapes of edging pieces are used, four curved edging pieces 8 and two straight edging pieces 9. If required, two adjacent curved edging pieces can be extruded as a single piece. This avoids creating a point of weakness at the junction of the curved edging pieces 8. Four different shapes of tile are used, twelve square tiles 10, four quadrilateral tiles with one arced side 11l four tiles 12 which are the mirror-image of tiles 11, and four symetrical pie-shaped tiles 13.
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Figure 2 illustrates a cross-section view of the middle of the mat width taken along section lines A-A of Figure 1. It can be seen that the mat pieces 1 have tabs 2 protruding from the upper half of the entire mat piece perimeter. The mat pieces 1 are joined to-gether by gluing insert strips 3 to the underside of each of the opposing tabs 2 of individual mat pieces to form a mat base. A ribbed rubber mat 4 is glued under-neath the connected mat pieces 1 and mat joininy means 3. The edging pieces 5 are affixed to the perimeter of the mat base by gluing the edging piece tabs 6 to the underside of the mat piece tabs 2. It is apparent in Figure 2 that all joints are staggered through the use of interconnecting tabs. The absence of colinear joints provides for increased mat strength. The carpet tiles 7 are forceably inserted into place from the top of the mat frame.
Figure 3 illustrates a close-up cross-section view of the edge of the modular mat. It shows the interconnection of the edging piece tab 6 and mat piece tab 2. It can be seen from Figure 3 that the bottom ribbed underlying mat 4 is approximately coplanar with the bottom of the edging piece. As also seen in Figure 3 the carpet tile 7 top is approximately coplanar with the top of the edging piece 5. Figure 3 clearly shows that the joint between the edging piece S and the mat pieces 1 is non-continuous in any one direction due to the tab connection.
Figure 4 illustrates a top view of the modular mat with the carpet tiles removedO Figure 4 further reveals the two different shapes of mat pieces, two square mat pieces 14 and four quarter-circle pie-shaped mat pieces 15.
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Figure 5 illustrates a bottom view of the mat.
The insert strips 3 are clearly illustrated. Also shown are the mat piece tabs 16 and the ribbed underpadding 4~
Figure 6 illustrates a top view of a square embodiment of the modular mat. It displays four square carpet tiles 20 and four straight edging pieces 21.
Figure 7 illustrates how rectangular mat pieces 22 may be used in the modular mat to minimize the number of interconnections and insert strips 23 re-quired.
Figures 8 and 9 illustrate alternative confi-gurations for the joint between the edging piece 30 and carpet tile 31 and mat piece 32. They illustrate how a variety of connection methods are embraced by the inven-tion. Figure 8 illustrates the inside upper edge 33 of the edging piece 30 inclined inward with respect to the carpet tile 31 so that the vertical gap 34 between the carpet tile 31 and edging piece 30 is minimized and the carpet tile 31 is more tightly gripped. Figure 9 illus-trates the inside upper edge 35 of the edging piece ~5 protruding in a lip fashion over the top of the carpet tile 31 so that the vertical gap between the carpet tile and the edging piece is eliminated.
As will be àpparent to those skilled in the art of carpet making in light of the foregoing disclo-sure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.
_ g _ , , , , , ,: . : . -
MODULAR CARPET TILE MAT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a novel modular carpet tile mat or self-contained floor covering. More particularly, this invention relates to a novel modular carpet tile mat which holds carpet tiles together in a fixed position so that they may be used as a mat or rug for floor covering and floor sign purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Carpet tiles have recently become popular as a ~-floor covering material. They offer many advantages over standard roll-type carpet floor covering. The tiles, which are approximately 0. 5 meters square, can be laid over a floor or other area in a mosaic or grid pattern and can easily be individually removed for cleaning or replacement purposes, when individual tiles become soiled or worn. A floor covering of carpet tiles is generally inexpensive in the long run because only the worn or soiled carpet tiles need be removed, the remaining portion of the carpet may be kept in place unlike conventional roll carpet flooring. Carpet tile also provides more flexibility in carpet design since tiles may be swiftly replaced with a different colour to suit a particular occasion. Reversable carpet tile exists which is of a different colour on the reverse side. Recently, it has been possible to create custom designs and signs on individual carpet tiles or a combination of tiles further expanding their creative possibilities.
~ .
- . ,, . ~ -,, .. , .. . ... .,;.. . ., ~: . . ...
~~x~
In the past carpet tile has only been used for wall-to-wall floor covering similar to wall-to-wall carpeting. Complete wall-to-wall placement of the carpet tiles was necessary because lateral support is needed to hold the tiles adjacent one another on the floor in the grid pattern and prevent tile slippage.
This support has been provided by the wall base.
Restriction of carpet tiles to wall-to-wall use has precluded the use of carpet tiles as floor mats or rugs or as self-contained floor covering. There are many situations where full wall-to-wall carpeting is not needed or desired. In hospitals, for example, because of the large amount of heavy rolling stock, large car-peted areas are to be avoided to reduce friction andproblems associated with carpet wrinkling. Certain entrance areas though do require mats for safety and foot cleaning purposes. Often the space to be covered by the mat is an irregular shape and cannot be satis-factorily covered with a standard size and shape mat.
Carpet tiles also have the capability of beingcustom made so that a unique design may be embedded into the carpeting of each tile or a combination of tiles.
This feature suits itself well for uses such as person-alized doormats and carpet advertising.
The inventor is aware of only one patent which discloses a form of mat, namely United States Patent No.
4,353,944 issued to H. Tarui on October 12, 1982 for a "Shoe Scraper Mat". Tarui discloses a rubber doormat to be used for scraping outdoor dirt and soil from foot-wear. Tarui does not disclose any modular mat features that would enable the mat to be used in different shapes or sizes. Also it is not used in combination with - . . .
- - : . ..................... : . -~ ~ .. . .
' .. ~ ' carpet tile to be used as carpet floor covering. Fur-thermore, Tarui does not disclose an inclined edging that provides a smooth transition from floor to mat so that rolling stock may be safely and smoothly negotiated over the mat. Tarui discloses a recessed scraper mat where the edges are higher than the interior. This construction is unsuitable for rolling stock. There is nothing in the prior art, to the inventor's knowledge, that encompasses a modular carpet tile mat that can be put together into a mat of a variety of shapes and sizes which overcome the aforementioned limitations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
_ A modular carpet tile mat for floor covering purposes comprising: (a) a mat base formed by connect-ing mat pieces together using mat joining means; (b) edging pieces attached to the perimeter of the mat base forming a smooth inclined border of the mat frame and 20 ( c) carpet tiles forceably inserted into the mat frame.
The mat frame is formed from cooperating modu-lar components and provides vertical and lateral support for the mat carpeting. The carpet tiles are removably 25 placed in the mat frame so that soiled or worn tiles may be easily removed for cleaning and replacement.
The mat frame further comprises a mat base surrounded by smooth inclined edging pieces affixed to the perimeter of the mat base in such a way that the joint-line between the edging pieces and the mat base is not continuous in any direction.
:
The mat base comprises at least one mat piece having tabs along the perimeter suitable for connecting .
.
.
~ ~ ~ 7 ~
said mat pieces together by mat joining means affixed between said mat piece tabs. The edging pieces are connected to the perimeter of the mat base by affixing said edging piece tabs to said mat piece tabs on said mat base perimeter.
Carpet tiles are forceably inserted into the mat frame and maintained in their position by the later-al pressure exerted by the mat frame on the carpet tiles. The carpet tiles may be partially glued to the mat base to aid in maintaining the carpet tiles in a ixed position. Such partial gluing should not be of a permanent nature in order that soiled or worn tiles may be removed for cleaning and replacement when needed.
Gluing the tiles is not necessary to the invention since the lateral pressure exerted by the mat frame keeps the tiles fixed under ordinary conditions.
The edging pieces of the mat are affixed to the perimeter of the mat base so that the bottom of the mat base is coplanar with the bottom of the edging pieces so that there is no gap between the mat frame and the underlying floor surface. Furthermore, the edging pieces provide a smooth inclined transition from floor to carpet.
The edging pieces may be of any smooth linear shape including straight, circular or curved. The edging pieces are of cooperating lengths for modular interconnection purposes. The modular interconnecting feature enables mats of a variety of shapes and sizes to be formed including geometric shapes such as triangles, rectangles and circles and also arbitrary smooth curved shapes such as heart shaped or kidney shapes.
.. . . . .. : . : . . : : :.
- . . ~ ~ . ' , . . - ' ~, ' . . : . . . ' ' - , . . .. : ~ .
:. - . ~ , . , ~ ~7~
The mat pieces are each of cooperating size and shape so that they may be modularly interconnected to form a variety of sizes and shapes of the mat base.
Generally, the interior mat pieces are rectangular in shape and form the majority of the area of the mat base.
Curved shaped mats, however, require non-rectangular external mat pieces conforming to the standard shapes of the edging pieces.
10 A ribbed rubber mat is attached to the under-side of the mat frame to provide for increased friction between the modular carpet tile mat and the underlying floor surface.
15 Instead of the ribbed underlying rubber mat, the mat pieces themselves may be ribbed to increase the friction with the floor surface.
The inside upper edge of the edging piece may be inclined inward with respect to the carpet tile so that the vertical gap between the carpet tile and the edging piece is minimized and the carpet tile is more tightly gripped. In this way, the carpet tile is less likely to be inadvertently removed from the mat frame.
The inside upper edge of the edging piece may also protrude in a lip fashion over the top of the carpet tile so that the vertical gap between the carpet tile and the edging piece is eliminated.
The modular carpet tile mat comprises at least one edge means, at least one carpet tilet and at least one mat means. The carpet tile is glued to the mat means by releasable adhesive. The carpet tiles may either singly or in combination include a design there-.:. :. . , ,....... :
, . : .- ~ , . :. : : : :
. - .. ,.. . .... . . .. :
. . . .. . ..
- . .. ,. . . ~, . ::
. . . . . .
on. The edge means and carpet tiles may be of a variety of different co~lours. The mat means comprises at least one mat joining means. The edge means may be either curved or linear.
DRAWI NGS
In drawings which illustrate a specific embodiment of the modular carpet tile mat, but which should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way:
- Figure 1 illustrates a top view of the modular mat with the carpet tiles in place.
Figure 2 illustrates a-cross section view of the middle of the modular mat width taken along section lines A-A of Figure 1.
Figure 3 illustrates a close-up cross-section view of the edging piece of the modular mat as indi-cated by the dotted area in Figure 2.
Figure 4 illustrates a top view of the modular mat with the carpet tiles removed.
Figure 5 illustrates a bottom view of the modular mat with the ribbed rubber mat removed.
Figure 6 illustrates a top view of a square embodiment of the modular mat.
Figure 7 illustrates a bottom view of the square modular mat of Figure 6.
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Figures 8 and 9 illustrate alternative close-up cross-section views of the edging piece of the modular mat.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC
EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
One of the specific embodiments that will be herein descri~ed in association with some of the draw-ings is an oval shaped modular carpet tile mat. Thisshape clearly and simply demonstrates how standard curved sections and rectangular sections of tiles and mat borders and edging pieces may be connected together to form mats of various sizes and shapes.
Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 illus-trates a top view of the oval mat with the carpet tiles installed. In this disclosure and the following claims, the term "carpet tile" is intended to include modular items such as conventional carpet tiles constructed of a resilient backing member and a pile member adhesively secured together, conventional carpet cut up into pieces, or a single carpet piece, indoor-outdoor carpet-ing, and the like. It can be seen that two different shapes of edging pieces are used, four curved edging pieces 8 and two straight edging pieces 9. If required, two adjacent curved edging pieces can be extruded as a single piece. This avoids creating a point of weakness at the junction of the curved edging pieces 8. Four different shapes of tile are used, twelve square tiles 10, four quadrilateral tiles with one arced side 11l four tiles 12 which are the mirror-image of tiles 11, and four symetrical pie-shaped tiles 13.
.. . : . . . .. .. .
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Figure 2 illustrates a cross-section view of the middle of the mat width taken along section lines A-A of Figure 1. It can be seen that the mat pieces 1 have tabs 2 protruding from the upper half of the entire mat piece perimeter. The mat pieces 1 are joined to-gether by gluing insert strips 3 to the underside of each of the opposing tabs 2 of individual mat pieces to form a mat base. A ribbed rubber mat 4 is glued under-neath the connected mat pieces 1 and mat joininy means 3. The edging pieces 5 are affixed to the perimeter of the mat base by gluing the edging piece tabs 6 to the underside of the mat piece tabs 2. It is apparent in Figure 2 that all joints are staggered through the use of interconnecting tabs. The absence of colinear joints provides for increased mat strength. The carpet tiles 7 are forceably inserted into place from the top of the mat frame.
Figure 3 illustrates a close-up cross-section view of the edge of the modular mat. It shows the interconnection of the edging piece tab 6 and mat piece tab 2. It can be seen from Figure 3 that the bottom ribbed underlying mat 4 is approximately coplanar with the bottom of the edging piece. As also seen in Figure 3 the carpet tile 7 top is approximately coplanar with the top of the edging piece 5. Figure 3 clearly shows that the joint between the edging piece S and the mat pieces 1 is non-continuous in any one direction due to the tab connection.
Figure 4 illustrates a top view of the modular mat with the carpet tiles removedO Figure 4 further reveals the two different shapes of mat pieces, two square mat pieces 14 and four quarter-circle pie-shaped mat pieces 15.
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Figure 5 illustrates a bottom view of the mat.
The insert strips 3 are clearly illustrated. Also shown are the mat piece tabs 16 and the ribbed underpadding 4~
Figure 6 illustrates a top view of a square embodiment of the modular mat. It displays four square carpet tiles 20 and four straight edging pieces 21.
Figure 7 illustrates how rectangular mat pieces 22 may be used in the modular mat to minimize the number of interconnections and insert strips 23 re-quired.
Figures 8 and 9 illustrate alternative confi-gurations for the joint between the edging piece 30 and carpet tile 31 and mat piece 32. They illustrate how a variety of connection methods are embraced by the inven-tion. Figure 8 illustrates the inside upper edge 33 of the edging piece 30 inclined inward with respect to the carpet tile 31 so that the vertical gap 34 between the carpet tile 31 and edging piece 30 is minimized and the carpet tile 31 is more tightly gripped. Figure 9 illus-trates the inside upper edge 35 of the edging piece ~5 protruding in a lip fashion over the top of the carpet tile 31 so that the vertical gap between the carpet tile and the edging piece is eliminated.
As will be àpparent to those skilled in the art of carpet making in light of the foregoing disclo-sure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.
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Claims (12)
1. A modular carpet tile mat, comprising:
(a) a mat frame formed from cooperating modular components which provide vertical and lateral support for mat carpeting; and (b) carpet tiles removably placed in said mat frame.
(a) a mat frame formed from cooperating modular components which provide vertical and lateral support for mat carpeting; and (b) carpet tiles removably placed in said mat frame.
2. A modular carpet tile mat as recited in claim 1 wherein said mat frame further comprises a mat base surrounded by smooth inclined edging pieces affixed to the perimeter of said mat base so that the joint line between said edging pieces and said mat base is not continuous in any one direction.
3. A modular carpet tile mat as recited in claim 2 comprising:
(a) said mat base comprises at least one mat piece having tabs along the perimeter suitable for connecting said mat pieces together using mat joining means affixed between said mat piece tabs; and (b) said edging pieces are connected to the perimeter of said mat base by affixing said edging piece tabs to said mat piece tabs on said mat base perimeter.
(a) said mat base comprises at least one mat piece having tabs along the perimeter suitable for connecting said mat pieces together using mat joining means affixed between said mat piece tabs; and (b) said edging pieces are connected to the perimeter of said mat base by affixing said edging piece tabs to said mat piece tabs on said mat base perimeter.
4. A modular carpet tile mat as recited in claim 3 wherein said carpet tiles are forceably inserted into said mat frame and maintained in their positions by lateral pressure exerted by said mat frame on said carpet tiles.
5. A modular carpet tile mat as recited in claim 4 wherein said mat frame comprises said edging pieces affixed to the perimeter of said mat base so that a bottom of said mat base is coplanar with the bottom of said edging pieces.
6. A modular carpet tile mat as recited in claim 5 wherein said edging pieces provide a smooth inclined transition from floor to carpet tile.
7. A modular carpet tile mat as recited in claim 6 wherein:
(a) said edging pieces are of any smooth linear shape including straight, circular or curved;
and (b) said edging pieces are comprised of cooperating lengths for modular interconnection pur-poses.
(a) said edging pieces are of any smooth linear shape including straight, circular or curved;
and (b) said edging pieces are comprised of cooperating lengths for modular interconnection pur-poses.
8. A modular carpet tile mat as recited in claim 7 wherein said mat pieces further comprise:
(a) cooperating interior mat pieces which are generally rectangular in shape; and, (b) cooperating external mat pieces which are non- rectangular in shape.
(a) cooperating interior mat pieces which are generally rectangular in shape; and, (b) cooperating external mat pieces which are non- rectangular in shape.
9. A modular carpet tile mat as recited in claim 8 wherein said mat frame further comprises a ribbed underlying mat to provide increased friction between said modular carpet tile mat and the underlying floor surface.
10. A modular carpet tile mat as recited in claim 8 wherein said mat piece comprises a ribbed underside to provide for increased friction between said mat base and the underlying floor surface.
11. A modular carpet tile mat as recited in claim 9 or 10 wherein the inside upper edge of the edging piece is inclined inward with respect to the carpet tile so that the vertical gap between the carpet tile and the edging piece is minimized and the carpet tile is more tightly gripped.
12. A modular carpet tile mat as recited in claim 9 or 10 wherein the inside upper edge of the edging piece protrudes in a lip fashion over the top of the carpet tile so that the vertical gap between the carpet tile and the edging piece is eliminated.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000543188A CA1287966C (en) | 1987-07-28 | 1987-07-28 | Modular carpet tile mat |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000543188A CA1287966C (en) | 1987-07-28 | 1987-07-28 | Modular carpet tile mat |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1287966C true CA1287966C (en) | 1991-08-27 |
Family
ID=4136162
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000543188A Expired - Lifetime CA1287966C (en) | 1987-07-28 | 1987-07-28 | Modular carpet tile mat |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1287966C (en) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1325202A2 (en) * | 2000-09-19 | 2003-07-09 | Interface, Inc. | Area floor covering |
| US8220221B2 (en) | 2002-08-15 | 2012-07-17 | Interface, Inc. | System and method for floor covering installation |
| US8381473B2 (en) | 2000-09-19 | 2013-02-26 | Interface, Inc. | System and method for floor covering installation |
| US8468772B2 (en) | 2003-08-11 | 2013-06-25 | Interface, Inc. | Carpet tiles and carpet tile installations |
| US9988760B2 (en) | 2011-05-04 | 2018-06-05 | Tandus Centiva Inc. | Modular carpet systems |
-
1987
- 1987-07-28 CA CA000543188A patent/CA1287966C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1325202A2 (en) * | 2000-09-19 | 2003-07-09 | Interface, Inc. | Area floor covering |
| EP1325202A4 (en) * | 2000-09-19 | 2006-06-21 | Interface Inc | Area floor covering |
| US8381473B2 (en) | 2000-09-19 | 2013-02-26 | Interface, Inc. | System and method for floor covering installation |
| US8434282B2 (en) | 2000-09-19 | 2013-05-07 | Interface, Inc. | System for carpet tile installation |
| US9402496B2 (en) | 2000-09-19 | 2016-08-02 | Interface, Inc. | System for modular tile installation |
| US8220221B2 (en) | 2002-08-15 | 2012-07-17 | Interface, Inc. | System and method for floor covering installation |
| US8468771B2 (en) | 2002-08-15 | 2013-06-25 | Interface, Inc. | System and method for floor covering installation |
| US9085902B2 (en) | 2002-08-15 | 2015-07-21 | Interface, Inc. | Methods for installing modular tiles on a flooring surface |
| US8468772B2 (en) | 2003-08-11 | 2013-06-25 | Interface, Inc. | Carpet tiles and carpet tile installations |
| US9988760B2 (en) | 2011-05-04 | 2018-06-05 | Tandus Centiva Inc. | Modular carpet systems |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKEX | Expiry |