IES980450A2

IES980450A2 - Heated floor mat

Info

Publication number: IES980450A2
Authority: IE
Inventors: James Joseph Walsh
Original assignee: James Joseph Walsh
Priority date: 1998-06-11
Filing date: 1998-06-11
Publication date: 1999-12-29
Also published as: IES81101B2; GB9911925D0; GB2338294A; 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. [GB2338294A]

Description

OPEN TO FHJBUC INSPECTION under APWJC/CnOH No.--- SECTION 26 AND RULE 23 l.

M-NOJMd~X*.£ikl&4 mat' The present invention relates to a mat, and in particular, to a floor mat.

* According to the invention there is provided a mat 5 comprising a heating means located in the mat.

In one embodiment of the invention, the heating means is an electrically powered heating element, and preferably, an electrical resistive element. Ideally, the heating element is adapted to be powered from an AC 10 power supply, and typically, from an AC mains supply, for example, a 220 volt AC mains supply or a 110 volt AC mains supply.

In another embodiment of the invention, a heat barrier means is provided adjacent the underside of the mat for 15 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 20 plastics material and the heating means is embedded in the plastics material. _ 1NT ci :m2+- 2 It 38U40U 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 5 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 studs located on the 10 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 of the mat for facilitating air circulation through the mat for heat 15 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 on 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 IE 980450 3 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 5 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 pf an embodiment thereof which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which.· Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mat according to 15 the invention, 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, 20 Fig. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional side elevational view of the mat of Fig. 1 on the line IE 980450 4 IV- IV of Fig 2, and Fig. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional end elevational view of the mat of Fig. 1 on the line V- V 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 10 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 15 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 20 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, studs 9 are IE 980450 5 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 5 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 10 plug top 12 for connecting into a 220 volt AC mains 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 15 plug top 12 plugged into the AC mains, 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 20 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 IE 980450 6 heating element may be woven into the mat.

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 5 part. Such a sheet type heating element is supplied by Hawco Refrigeration Limited of Surrey, England, and is supplied under the Trade Mark HAWCO FLEXIBLE HEAT.

It will of course be appreciated that any other suitable heating means besides an electrical powered 10 heating element may be used.

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

F.F. GORMAN & CO