US20190000253A1

US20190000253A1 - Modular mat

Info

Publication number: US20190000253A1
Application number: US15/638,248
Authority: US
Inventors: Chih-Tsung Chen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-06-29
Filing date: 2017-06-29
Publication date: 2019-01-03

Abstract

A modular mat includes a first mat assembly including two first mat modules and a first adjoining element. The first mat module includes first bottom tubes and first top tubes. The first bottom tubes are parallel and spaced apart. The first top tubes are secured to a top of the first bottom tubes and perpendicular thereto. Each first bottom tube includes a first hole. Each first top tube includes a first hole member. The first adjoining element includes an elongated first body and parallel first adjoining rods extending from both sides of the first body respectively. The first adjoining rods are inserted into the first hole members of one first mat module and the first hole members of the other first mat module respectively so that the first mat modules are configured to releasably join together by the first adjoining element. It is easy to transport the disassembled mat.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The technical field relates to mats, and more particularly relates to a modular mat having improved characteristics.

2. Description of Related Art

There are many types of mat commercially available such as floor mat, doormat, mat for bed, etc. Typically, a floor mat is placed on a floor or a chair for allowing a person to sit thereon so that the person may feel a degree of comfort.
However, most conventional mats are one-piece mats and thus are not detachable and bulky. It is very inconvenient to transport it if such need arises. This is particularly true for people such as pilots, flight attendants, etc. who may travel frequently.
There are modular mats having a jigsaw puzzle structure commercially available. Unlike one-piece mats, modular mats consist of numerous elements that are easily and seamlessly assembled. Compared to other types of mats, modular mats come in several sizes, depending on the amount of pieces in one kit. However, each unit is still a one-piece mat. Its drawbacks include poor ventilation. A person sitting thereon for a relatively long period of time may feel a degree of discomfort and mugginess.
Thus, the need for improvement still exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure is directed to a modular mat for eliminating drawbacks including too bulky to be portable, poor ventilation, and mugginess associated with the conventional art.
It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a modular mat comprising a first mat assembly including two first mat modules and a first adjoining element wherein the first mat module includes a plurality of first bottom tubes and a plurality of first top tubes, the first bottom tubes are parallel and spaced apart, the first top tubes are secured to a top of the first bottom tubes and perpendicular thereto, each first bottom tube includes a first hole, each first top tube includes a first hole member, the first adjoining element includes an elongated first body and a plurality of parallel first adjoining rods extending from both sides of the first body respectively, and the first adjoining rods are inserted into the first hole members of one first mat module and the first hole members of the other first mat module respectively so that the first mat modules are configured to releasably join together by the first adjoining element.
One of the exemplary embodiments, the first mat module further comprises a first side cover secured to one side of the first top tubes to close one side of the first top tubes.
One of the exemplary embodiments, the first adjoining element further comprises a first top cover on a top of the first body, and an elongated first bottom cover on a bottom of the first body, and wherein the first top cover covers a top of one side of one first mat module and a top of the other side of the other first mat module adjoining one first mat module, and the first bottom cover covers a bottom of one side of one first mat module and a bottom of the other side of the other first mat module adjoining one first mat module when the first adjoining element and the two first mat module are joined together.
One of the exemplary embodiments, further comprises a second mat assembly including two second mat modules and a second adjoining element wherein the second mat module includes a plurality of second bottom tubes and a plurality of second top tubes, the second mat module includes a plurality of second bottom tubes and a plurality of second top tubes, the second bottom tubes are parallel and spaced apart, the second top tubes are secured to a top of the second bottom tubes and perpendicular thereto, each second bottom tube includes a second hole, each second top tube includes a second hole member, the second adjoining element includes an elongated second body and a plurality of parallel second adjoining rods extending from both sides of the second body respectively, and the second adjoining rods are inserted into the second hole members of one second mat module and the second hole members of the other second mat module respectively so that the second mat modules are configured to releasably join together by the second adjoining element; and an adjoining assembly including at least one adjoining module each including an elongated body member and a plurality of parallel adjoining rods extending from both sides of the body member respectively wherein the adjoining rods of one adjoining module are inserted into the first holes of one first mat module of the first mat assembly and the second holes of one second mat module of the second mat assembly respectively so that the first mat assembly and the second mat assembly are configured to releasably join together by the adjoining assembly.
One of the exemplary embodiments, the second mat module further comprises a second side cover secured to one side of the second top tubes to close one side of the second top tubes.
One of the exemplary embodiments, the second adjoining element further comprises a second top cover on a top of the second body, and an elongated second bottom cover on a bottom of the second body, and wherein the second top cover covers a top of one side of one second mat module and a top of the other side of the other second mat module adjoining one second mat module, and the second bottom cover covers a bottom of one side of one second mat module and a bottom of the other side of the other second mat module adjoining one second mat module when the second adjoining element and the two second mat module are joined together.
One of the exemplary embodiments, each of the at least one adjoining module further comprises an elongated projection extending a predetermine distance out of a top of the body member, and an elongated bottom cover extending from two sides of a bottom of the body member; and wherein when the first mat assembly and the second mat assembly adjoined by the adjoining assembly, the projection is flush with tops of the first mat module and the second mat module, and the bottom cover covers a bottom of one side of the first mat module and a bottom of one side of the first mat module adjoining the first mat module.
One of the exemplary embodiments, in a stacked state the two first mat modules of the first mat assemblies are joined with the first top tubes of the two second mat modules on an outer surface, the first bottom tubes of the two second mat modules on an inner surface, and the first top tubes are perpendicular to the first bottom tubes; wherein the two second mat modules of the second mat assemblies are joined with the second top tubes of the two second mat modules on an outer surface, the second bottom tubes of the two second mat modules on an inner surface, and the second top tubes are perpendicular to the second bottom tubes; and wherein the two first mat assemblies and the two second mat assemblies are joined.
One of the exemplary embodiments, further comprises a box including a hollow body, a cover, and a strap; wherein the hollow body includes a space open to a top thereof, the cover is hingedly secured to a top edge of the hollow body; wherein the cover is configured to pivot to either close the space or open the space; wherein the strap has two ends secured to an outer surface of the hollow body; and wherein the first mat assembly, the second mat assembly, and the adjoining assembly stored in the space in the stacked state.
One of the exemplary embodiments, the box further comprises at least one patch of loop fasteners and at least one patch of hook fasteners; wherein the at least one patch of loop fasteners are provided on the outer surface of the hollow body and the at least one patch of hook fasteners are provided on an inner surface of the cover; and wherein the at least one patch of hook fasteners is attached to the at least one patch of loop fasteners to cause the cover to close the space so that the cover is fastened without being open accidentally.
One of the exemplary embodiments, each of the at least one patch of hook fasteners and the corresponding one of the at least one of patch of loop fasteners consist of a hook and loop fastener.
The invention has the following advantages and benefits in comparison with the conventional art:
The parallel first bottom tubes of the first mat module of the first mat assembly are perpendicular to the parallel first top tubes thereof, and the parallel second bottom tubes of the second mat module of the second mat assembly are perpendicular to the parallel second top tubes thereof. There are gaps between any two adjacent ones of the first bottom tubes, gaps between any two adjacent ones of the first top tubes, gaps between any two adjacent ones of the second bottom tubes, and gaps between any two adjacent ones of the second top tubes. Thus, its ventilation is very good.
An easy assembly or disassembly can be made between the first mat module and the first adjoining element of the first mat assembly, between the second mat module and the second adjoining element of the second mat assembly, and among the first mat assembly, the second mat assembly, and the adjoining assembly. The storage space of the disassembled modular mat is greatly decreased for ease of transport. This is greatly convenient for people who may travel frequently.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of four first mat modules and adjoining components of a modular mat according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first mat modules being not adjoined;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the adjoined first mat modules forming a complete mat;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the top first mat module, the right first mat module, and the first adjoining element therebetween shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the top first mat module;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view of the top first mat module of FIG. 4 being adjoined;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view of the top first mat module, the right first mat module, and the first adjoining element therebetween joined together;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bottom first mat module, the left first mat module, and the first adjoining element therebetween shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the bottom first mat module;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view of the bottom first mat module of FIG. 8 being adjoined;

FIG. 10 a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view of the bottom first mat module, the left first mat module, and the first adjoining element therebetween joined together;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view of the right first mat module, the bottom first mat module, and the adjoining module therebetween joined together;

FIG. 12 is an exploded, perspective view showing the first mat modules and the first adjoining elements are stacked prior to inserting into a box for storage; and

FIG. 13 is a side elevation depicting the box filled with the first adjoining elements and the first mat modules and mounted on a top of a piece of luggage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 11, a modular mat 100 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a first mat assembly 10, a second mat assembly 20 and an adjoining assembly 30 as discussed in detail below.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 specifically, the first mat assembly 10 includes two first mat modules 11 and a first adjoining element 12. Only one first mat module 11 will be described below for the sake of brevity because the two first mat modules 11 are the same in terms of structure.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 specifically, the first mat module 11 includes a plurality of first bottom tubes 111, a plurality of first top tubes 112, and a first side cover 113. The first bottom tubes 111 are parallel in a spaced manner. The first top tubes 112 are also parallel in a spaced manner. The first top tubes 112 are secured to a top of the first bottom tubes 111 and perpendicular thereto. A first hole 114 is formed through the first bottom tube 111. A first hole member 115 is formed through the first top tube 112. The first side cover 113 is secured to one side of the first top tubes 112 (see FIG. 5). Thus, one side of the first top tubes 112 is closed.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the first adjoining element 12 is formed integrally. The first adjoining element 12 includes an elongated first body 121, a plurality of parallel first adjoining rods 122 extending from both sides of the first body 121 respectively, an elongated first top cover 123 formed on a top of the first body 121, and an elongated first bottom cover 124 formed on a bottom of the first body 121. The first adjoining rods 122 are inserted into the first hole members 115 of one first mat module 11 and the first hole members 115 of the other first mat module 11 respectively (see FIG. 6). Thus, the two first mat modules 11 can be joined together by the first adjoining element 12 and the two first mat modules 11 can be easily disassembled by unfastening the first adjoining element 12. The first top cover 123 covers the top of one side of one first mat module 11 and the top of the other side of the other first mat module 11 adjoining one first mat module 11. The first bottom cover 124 covers the bottom of one side of one first mat module 11 and the bottom of the other side of the other first mat module 11 adjoining one first mat module 11.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 7 to 10 specifically, the second mat assembly 20 includes two second mat modules 21 and a second adjoining element 22. Only one second mat module 21 will be described below for the sake of brevity because the two second mat modules 21 are the same in terms of structure.
As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 specifically, the second mat module 21 includes a plurality of second bottom tubes 211, a plurality of second top tubes 212, and a second side cover 213. The second bottom tubes 211 are parallel in a spaced manner. The second top tubes 212 are also parallel in a spaced manner. The second top tubes 212 are secured to a top of the second bottom tubes 211 and perpendicular thereto. A second hole 214 is formed through the second bottom tube 211. A second hole member 215 is formed through the second top tube 212. The second side cover 213 is secured to one side of the second top tubes 212 (see FIG. 9). Thus, one side of the second top tubes 212 is closed.
The second adjoining element 22 is formed integrally. The second adjoining element 22 includes an elongated second body 221, a plurality of parallel second adjoining rods 222 extending from both sides of the second body 221 respectively, an elongated second top cover 223 formed on a top of the second body 221, and an elongated second bottom cover 224 formed on a bottom of the second body 221. The second adjoining rods 222 are inserted into the second hole members 215 of one second mat module 21 and the second hole members 215 of the other second mat module 21 respectively (see FIG. 10). Thus, the two second mat modules 21 can be joined together by the second adjoining element 22 and the two second mat modules 21 can be easily disassembled by unfastening the second adjoining element 22. The second top cover 223 covers the top of one side of one second mat module 21 and the top of the other side of the other second mat module 21 adjoining one second mat module 21. The second bottom cover 224 covers the bottom of one side of one second mat module 21 and the bottom of the other side of the other second mat module 21 adjoining one second mat module 21.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 11 specifically, the adjoining assembly 30 includes two adjoining modules 31. The adjoining module 31 is formed integrally and includes an elongated body member 311, a plurality of parallel adjoining rods 312 extending from both sides of the body member 311 respectively, an elongated projection 313 extending a predetermined distance out of a top of the body member 311, and an elongated bottom cover 314 extending from two sides of a bottom of the body member 311. The adjoining rods 312 of one adjoining module 31 are inserted into the first holes 114 of one first mat module 11 of the first mat assembly 10 and the second holes 214 of one second mat module 21 of the second mat assembly 20 respectively (see FIG. 11). Likewise, the adjoining rods 312 of the other adjoining module 31 are inserted into the first holes 114 of the other first mat module 11 of the first mat assembly 10 and the second holes 214 of the other second mat module 21 of the second mat assembly 20 respectively (see FIG. 11). Thus, the first mat assembly 10 and the second mat assembly 20 can be joined together or disassembled. When the first mat assembly 10 and the second mat assembly 20 adjoined by the adjoining assembly 30, the projection 313 is flush with tops of the first mat module 11 and the second mat module 21, and the bottom cover 314 covers the bottom of one side of the first mat module 11 and the bottom of one side of the first mat module 21 adjoining the first mat module 11.
Above has described components and assembly of the modular mat 100 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention. The characteristics of the disclosed example are summarized below.
In the disclosed example, the parallel first bottom tubes 111 of the first mat module 11 of the first mat assembly 10 are perpendicular to the parallel first top tubes 112 thereof, and the parallel second bottom tubes 211 of the second mat module 21 of the second mat assembly 20 are perpendicular to the parallel second top tubes 212 thereof. There are gaps between any two adjacent ones of the first bottom tubes 111, gaps between any two adjacent ones of the first top tubes 112, gaps between any two adjacent ones of the second bottom tubes 211, and gaps between any two adjacent ones of the second top tubes 212. Thus, its ventilation is very good. A person sitting on the modular mat 100 can feel a degree of comfort.
Further, in the disclosed example, the components of the first mat assembly 10, the second mat assembly 20, and the adjoining assembly 30 are made of resilient material (e.g., rubber, plastic or silicon rubber). Thus, a person sitting of the modular mat 100 can feel a degree of comfort without feeling pain due to long period of time of sitting.
Furthermore, in the disclosed example, an easy assembly or disassembly can be made between the first mat module 11 and the first adjoining element 12 of the first mat assembly 10, between the second mat module 21 and the second adjoining element 22 of the second mat assembly 20, and among the first mat assembly 10, the second mat assembly 20, and the adjoining assembly 30. Moreover, the storage space of the disassembled modular mat 100 is greatly decreased for ease of transport. This is greatly convenient for people such as pilots, flight attendants, etc. who may travel frequently.
Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, in a stacked state the two first mat modules 11 of the first mat assemblies 10 are joined with the first top tubes 112 of the two second mat modules 21 on an outer surface, the first bottom tubes 111 of the two second mat modules 21 on an inner surface, and the first top tubes 112 are perpendicular to the first bottom tubes 111; the two second mat modules 21 of the second mat assemblies 20 are joined with the second top tubes 212 of the two second mat modules 21 on an outer surface, the second bottom tubes 211 of the two second mat modules 21 on an inner surface, and the second top tubes 212 are perpendicular to the second bottom tubes 211; and the two first mat assemblies 10 and the two second mat assemblies 20 are joined. As a result, a storage space of the modular mat is greatly decreased.
In the above embodiment (see FIGS. 12 and 13), the disclosed example further comprises a box 40 including a hollow body 41, a cover 42, two patches of loop fasteners 43 on one outer surface of the hollow body 41, two patches of hook fasteners 44 on an inner surface of the cover 42, and a strap 45 on one outer surface of the hollow body 41 under the patches of loop fasteners 43. A space 411 open to a top is formed in the hollow body 41. The cover 42 is hingedly secured to one of four top edges of the hollow body 41. A person my pivot the cover 42 to either close the space 411 of the hollow body 41 or open the space 411 of the hollow body 41. The patches of loop fasteners 43 are provided on one outer surface of the hollow body 41 and the patches of hook fasteners 44 are provided on the inner surface of the cover 42. The patches of hook fasteners 44 are attached to the patches of loop fasteners 43 to cause the cover 42 to close the space 411 of the hollow body 41. Thus, the cover 42 is fastened without being worried of open accidentally.
In the embodiment, the patches of hook fasteners 44 and the patches of loop fasteners 43 consist of two hook and loop fasteners. The strap 45 has two ends stitched to one outer surface of the hollow body 41. The box 40 can be mounted on a top of a piece of luggage 90 by inserting the pull handles 91 through a gap between the strap 45 and one outer surface of the hollow body 41. Thus, the first mat assembly 10, the second mat assembly 20, and the adjoining assembly 30 are disassembled and stored in the box 40. This has the advantages of decreasing the storage space and being easy to transport.
While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A modular mat comprising:

a first mat assembly including two first mat modules and a first adjoining element wherein the first mat module includes a plurality of first bottom tubes and a plurality of first top tubes, the first bottom tubes are parallel and spaced apart, the first top tubes are secured to a top of the first bottom tubes and perpendicular thereto, each first bottom tube includes a first hole, each first top tube includes a first hole member, the first adjoining element includes an elongated first body and a plurality of parallel first adjoining rods extending from both sides of the first body respectively, and the first adjoining rods are inserted into the first hole members of one first mat module and the first hole members of the other first mat module respectively so that the first mat modules are configured to releasably join together by the first adjoining element.

2. The modular mat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first mat module further comprises a first side cover secured to one side of the first top tubes to close one side of the first top tubes.

3. The modular mat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first adjoining element further comprises a first top cover on a top of the first body, and an elongated first bottom cover on a bottom of the first body, and wherein the first top cover covers a top of one side of one first mat module and a top of the other side of the other first mat module adjoining one first mat module, and the first bottom cover covers a bottom of one side of one first mat module and a bottom of the other side of the other first mat module adjoining one first mat module when the first adjoining element and the two first mat module are joined together.

4. The modular mat as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a second mat assembly including two second mat modules and a second adjoining element wherein the second mat module includes a plurality of second bottom tubes and a plurality of second top tubes, the second mat module includes a plurality of second bottom tubes and a plurality of second top tubes, the second bottom tubes are parallel and spaced apart, the second top tubes are secured to a top of the second bottom tubes and perpendicular thereto, each second bottom tube includes a second hole, each second top tube includes a second hole member, the second adjoining element includes an elongated second body and a plurality of parallel second adjoining rods extending from both sides of the second body respectively, and the second adjoining rods are inserted into the second hole members of one second mat module and the second hole members of the other second mat module respectively so that the second mat modules are configured to releasably join together by the second adjoining element; and

an adjoining assembly including at least one adjoining module each including an elongated body member and a plurality of parallel adjoining rods extending from both sides of the body member respectively wherein the adjoining rods of one adjoining module are inserted into the first holes of one first mat module of the first mat assembly and the second holes of one second mat module of the second mat assembly respectively so that the first mat assembly and the second mat assembly are configured to releasably join together by the adjoining assembly.

5. The modular mat as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second mat module further comprises a second side cover secured to one side of the second top tubes to close one side of the second top tubes.

6. The modular mat as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second adjoining element further comprises a second top cover on a top of the second body, and an elongated second bottom cover on a bottom of the second body, and wherein the second top cover covers a top of one side of one second mat module and a top of the other side of the other second mat module adjoining one second mat module, and the second bottom cover covers a bottom of one side of one second mat module and a bottom of the other side of the other second mat module adjoining one second mat module when the second adjoining element and the two second mat module are joined together.

7. The modular mat as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the at least one adjoining module further comprises an elongated projection extending a predetermine distance out of a top of the body member, and an elongated bottom cover extending from two sides of a bottom of the body member; and wherein when the first mat assembly and the second mat assembly adjoined by the adjoining assembly, the projection is flush with tops of the first mat module and the second mat module, and the bottom cover covers a bottom of one side of the first mat module and a bottom of one side of the first mat module adjoining the first mat module.

8. The modular mat as claimed in claim 4, wherein in a stacked state the two first mat modules of the first mat assemblies are joined with the first top tubes of the two second mat modules on an outer surface, the first bottom tubes of the two second mat modules on an inner surface, and the first top tubes are perpendicular to the first bottom tubes; wherein the two second mat modules of the second mat assemblies are joined with the second top tubes of the two second mat modules on an outer surface, the second bottom tubes of the two second mat modules on an inner surface, and the second top tubes are perpendicular to the second bottom tubes; and wherein the two first mat assemblies and the two second mat assemblies are joined.

9. The modular mat as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a box including a hollow body, a cover, and a strap; wherein the hollow body includes a space open to a top thereof, the cover is hingedly secured to a top edge of the hollow body; wherein the cover is configured to pivot to either close the space or open the space; wherein the strap has two ends secured to an outer surface of the hollow body; and wherein the first mat assembly, the second mat assembly, and the adjoining assembly stored in the space in the stacked state.

10. The modular mat as claimed in claim 9, wherein the box further comprises at least one patch of loop fasteners and at least one patch of hook fasteners; wherein the at least one patch of loop fasteners are provided on the outer surface of the hollow body and the at least one patch of hook fasteners are provided on an inner surface of the cover; and wherein the at least one patch of hook fasteners is attached to the at least one patch of loop fasteners to cause the cover to close the space so that the cover is fastened without being open accidentally.

11. The modular mat as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of the at least one patch of hook fasteners and the corresponding one of the at least one of patch of loop fasteners consist of a hook and loop fastener.