GB2500939A - Duckboard with detachable water absorbent layer - Google Patents

Abstract

A duckboard comprising a rigid board with raised and lowered parts, said board covered with a detachable absorbent layer. The duckboard may include feet formed in plastic, rubber, silicon or elastomer. The layer may include a reinforced structure, e.g. incorporating mesh or fibres. The layer preferably includes a wicking surface. The layer may include an antibacterial or antimicrobial stratum. As shown in the figure, the layer may be attached to itself.

Description

A DUCKBOARD COVER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a duckboard, being a duckboard for bathrooms, shower-rooms or wet-rooms; and wherein more particularly the invention relates to a configuration of a board, which may be independently provided, to form said duckboard.

Background

Increasing numbers of users are taking showers in light of time pressures and water shortages.

Taking a shower instead of a bath typically leads the user to be covered in droplets of water.

Bath mats are common but can become sodden unless aired, prone to harbour germs. Frequently in many shower or wet rooms users often utilise wooden or plastic duckboards, boards or ndged mats.

However these boards are typically uncomfortable for bare feet, and have no capillary drying properties, wherein feet are not dried and water is not absorbed merely evaporated, which is slower and adds to condensation.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem, including the following: Japanese patent application JP 2009 011 406 (TAKAMI) discloses a duckboard for the bathroom which features that the cork board which consists of the carbonized cork in the surface of the duckboard itself is laid.

Granted Japanese patent JP 4 523 922 (MATStJSHIMA et al) provides a non-slip mat being easily handled despite of having a non-slip function by adsorption effect, preventing a user from feeling discomfort and having an extremely high anti-sliding property. This non-sUp mat is so formed that an intermediate layer has air impermeability, a surface layer is provided with air permeability by being substantially formed with a continuous air bubble group F and the intermediate layer having the impermeability and the surface layer having the permeability coact together to function the whole nan-slip map as a sucking disk.

Granted United Kingdom patent GB 2 436 928 (STOCKI-IEIM) discloses a plastic planar structure, comprising:a) a bearing layer which contains plastic foam;b) and an upper layer, also containing plastic foam, which adheres on the bearing layer in a material lock.

International patent application WO 9 922 633 (LAKHDAR) concerns a 100 % sealed, anti-condensation, antiskid and always maintaining its thermal insulation capacity. It is incompressible, unalterable, easy to install and not requiring any particular maintenance. The mat consists of three parts made of different materials.

The bottom part is made of natural rubber or the like provided with vacuum suckers.

The middle part is made of polyethylene foam or the like. The top part is made of PVC foam or the like with magnetic balls located at the level of the shoulders and the buttock. Said mat procures five novel types of satisfaction to people in their bath: comfort, relaxation, safety, massage and thermal insulation.

Granted European patent EP 0 073 222 (EIDEN) discloses an anti-slip mat comprising a backing having a flat bottom surface and an upper surface to which is adherently bonded abrasive grains having an average particle size of less than 0.3 mm by a polyurethane make adhesive resin covered by a polyurethane size adhesive resin said make and size adhesive resins being applied in amount which provides firm adherent bonding without obscuring the grain to provide an so anti-slip surface and an abrasive layer characterized in that said upper surface is regularly undulated having raised portions and depressed portions, said portions being shaped to permit liquids on said upper surface to substantially completely drain from said top surface when said mat is laid upon a flat surface, said backing being formed of an oil and water resistant polymeric composition having an inherent tensile strength greater than about 6.9 106 Pa, a modulus of at least 2.1 Pa at 100% elongation and a Shore Adurometer of greater than 35 and less than 100 and having a thickness in said raised portions on the order of 3 to 13 mm and a difference of thickness between the raised and depressed portions of at least 1 mm, said abrasive grains have an average particle diameter of 0.1 to 0.3 mm said make and size adhesive resins together with said abrasive grains providing an abrasive layer which is adherently bonded to the upper surface of said backing to provide a 180 tensile strength between said abrasive layer and the backing of at 60 least 57 N per 25 mm width.

In contrast the present invention provides a means of providing a slip-proof, aerated and consequently non-harbouring means of providing drying standing in a bathroom or wetroom.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a duckboard in use having a rigid board with raised and lowered parts, said board covered with a detachable absorbent layer.

The covered board therefore provides more hygiene, adds a safety aspect as droplets of water are absorbed, and stops damage to the board and any flooring it stands on. The duckboard can be preferably personalised.

In preferred embodiments the layer is formed at least in part of material that or contains some elasticity, wherein this layer is removable according to a second aspect of the present invention.

Means of enabling and securing covering of the board may include hook and loop portions such as VELCRO (Trade Mark), press studs, buttons, zipper, male and female sections or a combination of such.

Said means may interact with the board or may be used to bind or close the layer into a preferred shape, such that said shape is capable of fitting over the board.

In all preferred embodiments securement of the layer to the board is of great importance, both in wet and dry conditions. In this way damp conditions typically experienced by the duckboard are not able to cause danger to users.

Added to this the detachable nature of the layer allows it to be washed and/or treated to prevent harbour of bacteria or fluid, and increase hygiene.

Ideally when the layer is not in place or covering the board, the layer may be used as a separate mat. Ideally the board is also usable.

Preferably the raised and lowered parts of the board allow moisture or fluid to fall between raised ribs and occupy lowered channels. Said channels may rely on evaporation or drainage to disperse the fluid.

In typical embodiments said channels are formed by parallel lacunas between the ribs, and said ribs are furthermore supported by a frame, typically including lowermost members in use that run parallel to the ribs, such as providing orthogonal support.

According to a second aspect of the present invention some embodiments may include feet. Said feet may be formed in plastic, rubber, silicone or elastomer and dispersed on the frame.

For example in order to further prevent chances of slippage the feet may be disposed to prevent movement against smooth surface, such as having vacuum fixing in use, more particularly suction cups or similar. Ideally said suction feet may be provided with vacuum break tabs.

In embodiments having feet the layer may in some embodiments be provided with lacunae through which to pass the feet, in order that the layer may be extending around the board successfully and provide an appearance of an elevated solid block of comfortable material.

In other embodiments the ribs may provide a form or island in a central section of the board, or more particularly a central section may include lacunas, wherein other sections of the board, for example its outermost edge in use, may be solid and uniformly raised, or lowered as appropriate.

For example in some embodiments the frame may be flush, lowered or raised in relation to the ribs or said section, wherein more particularly the layer may be attached to the frame such as by way of press studs or friction fitting resiliently deformable male and female portions.

In embodiments the ribs and at least part of the frame are formed in wood or more particularly hardwood.

Typically the board is formed on a rectangular footprint, whereas same embodiments may take alternative forms. In addition it is envisaged that in all preferred embodiments the board will have a depth of over 1cm.

In some embodiments a tray or displaceable plate may be provided in, below or by the frame in order that moisture or fluid that passes through the ribs may be captured.

In yet further embodiments absorbent filler may be included in the lacunae.

According to a third aspect of the present invention the layer includes a reinforced structure, for example incorporating mesh or fibres. Preferred embodiments of the layer therefore have a fabric top-layer and supporting rubber, silicone, plastic or elastomer grid, typically lowermost in use.

Embodiments may be envisaged that have layers that contain no or minimal absorptive properties. Such layers may comprise larger gauge mesh or grid that may be placed over to cushion the duckboard.

Yet further embodiments may include a plurality of grid strata within the layer in order that a plurality of functions may be accomplished within one layer.

For example a hygiene stratum may combine with a structural stratum, so that for example moisture is wicked through the layer and dispersed effectively.

Said elastomer grid ideally acts to prevent slippage, before when the layer is in use on the board and as a mat. In addition or the alternative the grid prevents sagging into lowered parts of the board.

S

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it wifi be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view from below of a preferred embodiment of the duckboard in use; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of a second preferred embodiment of the duckboard in use, with the board being removed from the layer; And Figure 3 shows an isometric view of an embodiment from above, wherein the cover is over the board,

Detailed Description of Figures

The pictured and preferred embodiment provides a covered duckboard offering a stylish and comfortable solution to providing a drying platform in a wet room.

Typically available as a custom fit cover and elasticated to fit to a wide range of duckboards and the duckboards are ideally highly customisable, the layer is versatile and can be manufactured in limitless colours and designs as well as additions such as embroidery for branding.

The layers in the preferred embodiments are machine washable and can be manufactured tram a wide range of materials such as cotton.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2 a bespoke layer covers the board entirely and slots allow for the board's suckers to stick to a floor1 with a poppered or press stud flap to secure the layer.

An elasticised trim keeps the layer secure to the board to avoid slipping and fit to a wide range of sizes.

Overtime boards can become damaged and look unpleasant so as well as providing a risk of slipping, the duckboard will keep the board clean and safe.

In preferred embodiments in use: The elastic layer hooks on to the board at one end and is pulled over to distal end of the duckboard.

The layer slips over and the elastic pulls it in so that it is securely fitted to form the duckboard.

Suckers or suction cups on the board are fed through provided holes in the layer.

The flap is closed and secured using the poppers.

Claims (10)

1. Claims 1. A duckboard in use having a rigid board with raised and lowered parts, said board covered with a detachable absorbent layer.
2. 2. A duckboard according to claim 1 including feet formed in plastic, rubber, silicone or elastonier and dispersed on the frame.
3. 3. A duckboard according to claim I or 2 wherein the layer includes a reinforced structure, for example incorporating mesh or fibres.
4. 4. A duckboard according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the layer includes a wicking surface.
5. 5. A duckboard according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the layer includes an antibacterial stratum.
6. 6. A duckboard according to a preceding claim wherein the layer includes an antimicrobial stratum.
7. 7. A duckboard according to a preceding claim wherein the layer may be attached to itself.
8. 8 A layer forming a duckboard cover according to any preceding claim.
9. 9. A duckboard cover according to claim 8.
10. 10. A method of forming a duckboard according to any preceding claim or the figures.