GB2338294A

GB2338294A - Heated floor mat

Info

Publication number: GB2338294A
Application number: GB9911925A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Joseph Walsh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-06-11
Filing date: 1999-05-24
Publication date: 1999-12-15
Anticipated expiration: 2019-05-24
Also published as: IES81101B2; GB9911925D0; IES980450A2; GB2338294B

Abstract

A mat has an electrical heating means 4 inserted in a well 8 between a base 2 and a top 3. A ground engaging spacer means 9 is provided on the underside of the mat for spacing the under side of the mat from the ground for facilitating air circulation beneath the mat. A series of air circulating openings 10 are provided through the mat from the underside to the top side of the mat for facilitating air circulation through the mat for heat convection. When the heating means 4 is connected to a power supply it provides a level of heat, by both convection and conduction means, to the individual sufficient to keep the feet and lower legs warm. It is for use under desks, workstations and other such places.

Description

1 "HEATED FLOOR MAT" The present invention relates to a heated floor mat.

2338294 People who sit or stand at desks or workstations for long periods of time suffer from one common problem, due to the scientific fact that warm air rises and cold air falls, the feet and lower legs get cold before any other part of the body, causing them to become uncomfortable, interfere with concentration and adversely effect efficiency and productivity. The best solution to this problem is an underfloor heating system. However, due to the cost and inconvenience of installing such a heating system it is not a realistic option in most circumstances. This invention solves this problem by providing under foot heating without any construction work or inconvenience.

According to the invention there is provided a mat comprising a heating means located in the mat.

In one embodiment of the invention, the heating means is electrically powered heating element, and preferably, an electrical resistive element. Ideally, the heating element is adapted to be powered from an AC power supply, and typically, from an AC mains supply, for example, a 220 volt 2 AC mains supply or a 110 volt AC mains supply. It may also be powered ftom a DC supply.

In another embodiment of the invention, a heat barrier means is provided adjacent the underside of the mat for minimising heat loss from the underside.

Preferably, the heat barrier means comprises a reflective layer, and ideally, the reflective layer is laminated to the underside of the mat.

In another embodiment of the invention, the mat is of plastics material and the heating means is embedded in the plastics material.

Alternatively, the mat is of a woven material, and ideally, the heating means is woven into the woven material of the mat.

In another embodiment of the invention, a ground engaging spacer means is provided on the underside of the mat for spacing the underside of the mat from the ground for facilitating air circulation beneath the mat. Preferably, the spacer means comprises a plurality of spaced apart runners located on the underside of the mat.

In a further embodiment of the invention, plurality of air circulating openings are provided through the mat from the underside to the top side tn 3 of the mat for facilitating air circulation through the mat for heat convection.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the mat is a floor mat, and preferably, is of size suitable for placing under a desk or the like to provide heating for the feet and legs of an individual sitting at the desk.

Additionally, the invention provides a method for heating the feet and legs of an individual sitting behind a desk, the method comprises the step of placing a mat having a heating means located therein beneath the desk so that the individual may place his or her feet on the mat, heating the mat by means of the heated means for heating the feet and legs of the individual.

In one embodiment of the invention, the feet and legs of the individual are heated by conducted heat from the mat, and in another embodiment of the invention, the feet and legs of the individual are heated by convected heat from the mat, and preferably, by both conducted and convected heat.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Z> Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mat according to the invention, 1 /1 1 4 Fig. 2 is an underneath plan view of the mat of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the mat of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a transverse crosssectional side elevational view of the mat of Fig. 1 on the line B-B of Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional end elevational view of the mat of Fig. 1 on the line A-A of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a mat according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The mat is of a plastics material, and a heating means comprising an electrical resistive heating element 4 is embedded in the mat 1 for heating the mat. The mat 1 is a floor mat, and is of suitable size and shape for placing beneath a desk for heating the feet and legs of a person sitting behind the desk. The mat 1 is of two-part construction having a base part 2 and a top part 3. A well 8 is formed in the base part 2 for receiving the heating element 4. The top part 3 closes the well 8 and secures the heating element 4 in the base part 2 between the base part 2 and the top part 3.

The mat 1 defines an underside 5 and a top side 6. A heat barrier means, namely, a reflective layer of reflective foil material 7, typically aluminium foil is laminated to the underside 5 for minimising heat loss through the underside 5 of the mat 1. A plurality of ground engaging spacer means, namely, runners 9 are secured to the underside 5 for spacing the underside 5 and the foil layer 7 above the ground for permitting air circulation between the mat 1 and the ground. A plurality of air circulating openings 10 extend through the mat 1 from the top side 6 to the underside 5 and through the foil layer 7 for facilitating air circulation through the mat 1 for heat convection.

An electrical cable 11 extending from the heating element 4 extends from the mat 1 and terminates in a plug top 12 for connecting into an AC or DC power supply for powering the heating element 4.

In use, the mat 1 is placed on the floor beneath a desk in an appropriate position for a person sitting behind the desk to place his or her feet thereon. With the plug top 12 plugged into the AC or DC power supply, the heating element 4 heats the mat which in turn transfers heat to the feet and legs of the individual by conduction and convection.

While the mat has been described as being of a plastics material with the heating element located therein, it will be appreciated that the mat may be of any other suitable material with the heating element embedded or otherwise located in or on the mat. It is envisaged in certain cases, that the mat may be a woven mat, and the heating element may be woven into the mat.

6 Additionally, it is envisaged that the heating element may be provided as a sheet member which would be located in the well between the base part and the top part.

It will of course be appreciated that any other suitable heating means besides an electrical powered heating element may be used.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described which may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims

A floor mat comprising a heating means encased between two layers of a plastic, or other material, further comprising a ground engaging spacer means to allow air circulation beneath the mat and further comprising a series of openings through the top and bottom layers to enable air circulation through the mat and thus generate convection heat, in addition to the conduction heat generated by the heating means.
A mat according to claim 1 which generates a maximum heat sufficient to warm the feet and lower legs of any person standing or sitting at a desk, work station or other like place.
3. A mat according to claim 2 which may be powered from either an AC or DC electrical power supply.
4. A mat according to claim 3 which does not need to be permanently fixed to a floor or such like and which is totally portable and may be easily moved from any one location to another.

A mat according to claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1-5 of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1.

A floor mat comprising a heating means encased between two layers of a plastic, or other material, further comprising a ground engaging spacer means to allow air circulation beneath the mat and further comprising a series of openings through the top and bottom layers to enable air circulation through the mat and thus generate convection heat, in addition to the conduction heat generated by the heating means.

A mat according to claim 1 which generates a maximum heat sufficient to warm the feet and lower legs of any person standing or sitting at a desk, work station or other like place.

A mat according to claim 2 which reduces the amount of heat lost by conduction to the underlying surface, due to it's ability to allow air circulate underneath and up through it. A mat according to claim 3 which does not need to be permanently fixed to a floor or such like and which is totally portable and may be easily moved from any one location to another.
5. A mat according to claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1-5 of the accompanying drawings.

i 1 JAMES JOSEPH WALSH