GB2394655A

GB2394655A - Vehicle mat

Info

Publication number: GB2394655A
Application number: GB0225082A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Denis Brown
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-10-29
Filing date: 2002-10-29
Publication date: 2004-05-05
Also published as: GB0225082D0

Abstract

A vehicle mat comprises a reflective surface 2 and a conventional cleaning surface 1. The reflective surface is constructed from metal, such as chrome or steel, mirrored glass or mirrored plastic materials and is mounted in a recessed position on the cleaning surface. The reflective surface is attached by adhesive to the cleaning surface and may be curved so as to magnify a reflected image. The mat may be door-mounted using a bracket 13. The conventional cleaning surface has an upper surface which may include dimpling, ribbing, bristles, wires, or brushes and may be detachably mounted to the mat. The lower surface incorporates gripping methods such as dimpling or roughening of the surface. The structure of the mat is laminate.

Description

DOORMAT

Field of Invention

5 This invention relates to footwear and feet cleaning surfaces. In particular doormats and mats for automobiles.

Conventional footware and feet cleaning surfaces, in particular doormats, are manufactured from a range of products including vegetable or animal 10 fibre, rubber, plastic, metal, or a mixture of these. Such products are generally used at entrances, exits, and doorways and openings of all types of buildings and automobiles. The designs used so far have proved adequate in so far as the physical act of cleaning is concerned. However, the effectiveness of such products is limited to the diligence of the user.

15 Often, a user does not adequately clean the whole area of the footwear or foot, or does not do so for an adequate period of time. Furthermore, users are often unaware that their footwear or feet are unclean.

It can also prove difficult for the aged or users with restricted flexibility 20 or mobility to adequately inspect their footwear or feet after using a cleaning surface.

Summary of the Invention

25 The present invention provides a footwear or foot cleaning device comprising a user supporting surface, characterised in that the user supporting surface comprises at least one reflective surface by which the user may examine the footwear or foot.

30 Preferably, the device may be of a conventional matting type, for example a doormat or automobile mat. The device may be of a conventional type

to which a reflective surface has been permanently or removably attached.

Alternatively, the device may be specifically adapted to incorporate, or be integral with the reflective surface.

5 In a preferred embodiment, the reflective surface is recessed on the upper side of the device. In this embodiment, the reflective surface may be permanently or removably attached to the device.

In a further preferred embodiment, the device may comprise an aperture 10 through which the reflective surface may be viewed. For example, the device may comprise a laminate structure. One sheet of the laminate may comprise an aperture and a reflective surface may be permanently or removably retained between the laminates and may be viewed through the aperture. Preferably, the device comprises a lower surface capable of gripping the surface to which it is proximate. Conventional gripping methods may be used, for example, by providing a dimpled or roughened lower side to the cleaning surface.

Similarly, the upper surface (the surface facing the user) may be provided with a gripping portion. This may serve the purpose of providing a grip for the users footwear or feet, and/or may be used to clean the user's footwear or feet.

The upper surface may be constructed from any of the conventional designs. Commonly dimpling, ribbing, the provision of bristles, wires, brushes and the like may be formed integrally with, or permanently or removably attached to the cleaning surface. Furthermore, the upper 30 surface may include fabric or cloth impregnated or bearing disinfectant and/or detergent materials.

The device of the present invention may, in itself, provide the cleaning means required by a user, i.e., comprise a cleaning surface.

Alternatively, the device may be adapted to be permanently or removably 5 attached, via engagement means, to a conventional doormat.

The dimensions of the device are conventional. In one embodiment, the device is substantially square or rectangular. Preferably, the length and/or width of the device are in the range of 0.3 metros to 3 metros, 10 more preferably 0.4 metres to l metre. The depth of the device is preferably in the range of 2 mm to 5 cm, more preferably 5 mm to 2 cm.

Alternatively, the device may be approximately circular, oval, or other geometric shapes.

15 The reflective surface may be constructed from any suitable material.

Preferably, the material is substantially weather and/or scuff proof.

Preferably, the reflective material provides sufficient reflection to easily view the footwear or foot. Preferably, the reflective material is constructed from metal, for example chrome or steel, mirrored glass, 20 mirrored plastic materials, and the like.

The reflective surface may be any suitable shape. Where a magnifying surface is used, the reflective surface is preferably circular in shape.

25 In a particularly preferred embodiment, the reflective surface is a magnifying surface. This provides the user with the ability to better view the footwear or foot. The magnifying surface may be produced by providing a convex reflective surface.

30 Furthermore, the mirrored surface may be protected. Protection may be required from the user, from the weather, and/or from general handling.

For example, the reflective surface may be provided with a substantially transparent coating, for example Perspex or the like.

The reflective surface may be attached to the cleaning surface by any 5 conventional means. For example, a conventional adhesive may be used or the reflective surface may be retained by screws, clamping means and the like. As mentioned above, the reflective surface may be retained merely by recessing it in the cleaning surface. Where the reflective surface is removable, this provides the advantages of the reflective 10 surface being easily cleaned or maintained.

The term "user supporting surface" does not imply that the surface is, per se, supporting of a user. As a device will generally be placed on a domestic surface, for example, a doorstep, it is this surface that provides 15 the actual support for the user. Indeed, the cleaning surface of the present invention is preferably, at least in part, flexible. This enables the cleaning surface to be fitted to areas having variable dimensions or incompletely flat surfaces. Alternatively, the device may be substantially rigid. In a further particularly preferred embodiment, the cleaning surface of the present invention may be used in association with an automobile. The device may either be positioned freely within the footwells of the automobiles, on a sill of the car door, or may be provided with 25 engagement means, for example, a bracket, which may be used to engage a convenient part of the car. Typically, the cleaning surface of this embodiment to the invention is provided with a bracket which may be permanently or removably attached to the door of the automobile.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the device may have a "sock like" shape, as described in figures 6 to 8. This allows the device to be removed from a point of fixation, and be more easily cleaned.

5 Where the device is adapted to engage the sill of the car door, the device is preferably removably or permanently fixed to the sill or its surrounds.

In this embodiment, the footwear or foot may be easily checked by an occupant prior to getting into the car.

10 The invention shall now be described with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a doormat embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of a doormat embodying the invention of Figure 15 1; Figure 3 is a front elevation of the doormat embodying the invention; Figure 4 is a side elevation of the doormat embodying the invention; Figure 5 is a perspective view looking from the inside of an automobile toward the inside of an opening door and illustrating the configuration of the front portion of the inner surface of the door before instillation of the doormat of this invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the front portion shown in Figure 5 after instillation of the doormat; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the door and doormat shown in Figure 6 30 but looking from the outside of the automobile and illustrating use of the installed doormat;

Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the doormat and bracket of Figure 7 removed from the automobile and illustrating the assembly of the doormat and the removal of the cleaning surface from the bracket.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Figures 1-4 show a doormat according to the present invention as described above. The device, in this case a doormat, comprises a 10 cleaning surface 1 and a reflective surface 2. The reflective surface is adhered to the device by an industrial adhesive. An acrylate based adhesive is preferred. The cleaning surface l is constructed from rubber and has a ridged surface to aid in cleaning. The reflective surface is positioned to one side of the cleaning surface. This enables a user to 15 stand on the cleaning surface, raise the footwear or foot so as to be viewed by the reflective surface, and subsequently clean the footwear or foot if necessary on the cleaning surface.

With regard to Figure 5, the numeral 10 broadly represents an automobile 20 doormat comprising a bracket 11 and a shoe cleaning element 12.

The bracket 11 is of L-shaped configuration and includes a flange 13 and a plate 14 extending from each other in generally perpendicular relation. When operably installed, the flange 13 is fastened in a horizontal position to the bottom wall 15 25 of the interior of an automobile door 16 as by screws 17 with the plate 14 extending vertically along the front portion 20 of the inner surface of the door 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the front portion 20 of the door 16, between its 30 front edge 21 and an arm rest 22, is flat and the plate 14 is shown to be flat to conform with the flat front portion 20. It is recognised, however, that in some

models of automobiles the surface corresponding to the front portion 20 in the illustrated embodiment is of a different configuration, such as curved or rounded.

It is intended that the shape of the plate 14 be made to conform with the configuration of that portion of an automobile door corresponding to the front 5 portion 20 in the illustrated embodiment.

The footwear cleaning surface 12 is a tubular sleeve of textured material, such as carpet, with a closed end 30 and an open end 31. Carpet material is shown as the cleaning surface 12 in the illustrated embodiment and the carpet material is 10 preferably cut pile with filaments 32 extending about one half an inch from a conventional carpet backing 33. Textured material of this nature provides the mass and texture desired for cleaning of mud and debris from the bottoms of footwear, and has the additional advantage of being selectable to complement the appearance of the floormat and carpet in the automobile.

The reflective surface 35 is mounted towards the upper end of the tubular sleeve as shown in the drawings.

The open end 31 of the cleaning surface 12 fits over the upper edge 34 of the 20 plate 14 on the bracket 11. The tubular cleaning element is the same length as the plate 14 and of only slightly larger diameter than the plate. The sleeve fits loosely on the plate and the upper edge 34 of the plate supports the closed end 30 of the sleeve or cleaning element 12 in the operative position of FIGS. 6 and 7.

25 The doormat 10 is installed in overlying relation to the front portion 20 of a door to be readily accessible after a person has backed into an automobile without touching the feet to the floor.

When the shoe cleaning element 12 becomes soiled after use, it may be easily 30 removed from the bracket 11 and cleaned in a washing machine or otherwise as

desired. The cleaned element 12 may be as easily reinstalled on the bracket for further use.

There is thus provided an automobile doormat which includes a stationary 5 bracket, that is easily installed by the owner of an automobile, and a removable cleaning element which fits over the bracket and is easily removed for cleaning and replaced without tools when needed.

Claims

1. A footwear or foot cleaning device comprising a user supporting surface, characterised in that the user supporting surface comprises at 5 least one reflective surface by which the user may examine the footwear or foot.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device is a doormat or an automobile floor mat.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the reflective surface is permanently or removably attached to the device.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, where in the reflective surface is 15 recessed on the surface of the device.

5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device comprises an aperture, through which the reflective surface is visible.

20

6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device is constructed from a laminate.

7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the reflective surface is adhered to the device.

8. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the reflective surface is a magnifying surface.