US2263516A - Floor mat - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 18, 1941. G. A. PETTIT FLOOR MAT Filed Oct. 6, 1959 Patented Nov. 18, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLOOR MAT George A. Pettit, New Orleans, La.

Application October 6, 1939, Serial No. 298,326

2 Claims.

This invention relates to floor mats and more particularly to an improved floor mat construction.

One object of this invention is to provide a floor mat which can be compactly folded when not in use.

Another object is to provide a floor mat so constructed and arranged that expansion of the parts will not cause the mat to bind.

Yet another object is to provide a new and improved floor mat construction.

Gther objects and advantages of this invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing, wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures;

Figure 1 is a plan view, showing a floor mat incorporating features of this inventive concept.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the mat as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevation showing the mat in folded position.

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 with parts broken away.

Considering the drawing in greater detail, in

Figure 1 is shown, in planview, a floor mat in corporating features of this invention. The mat comprises a plurality of sections, I0, ll, I2 and I3, each formed of a plurality of spaced main links 15 interposed between the adjacent ends of which are spacing connecting links l6 and I! which are shorter in length than the first mentioned links. The opposite end sections of the mat are similarly formed with alternate long and short links [5 and I6 respectively, being fastened together by a hinge member I8, substantially in the shape of an elongated U with the ends 19 and 20 of the sides thereof inturned as clearly seen in Figure 4, with a sleeve 2| encircling the ends and holding the parts together.

These same hinge connections are provided between folding sections. However, although the metal hinge member I8 extends through both of the holes 22 and 23 in the short links, they extend through only one hole 24 and 25 respectively of the long links. All of the links are provided with apertures through which the hinge may extend, but the outer links 26 and 21 are also provided with metal bushings 28 and 29 to prevent wear and binding of the joints at these points. The metal bushings also serve to prevent binding between the hinge member and the link itself.

floor mats out of metal, which will not absorb moisture, it is desirable, as in the present case, to make the various link elements out of oak wood. Where the mat is resting on a floor surface which is wet, a certain amount of moisture will be absorbed, resulting in expansion of the wood, both transversely of the links and transversely of the holes through the links. If the mat is not properly constructed this expansion will result in a binding of the parts, rendering the mat difficult to handle and very inefficient in use. To preclude such difiiculties, the present mat incorporates certain novel constructions.

In the arrangement of parts shown in Figure 1, the central spacing link is omitted, and a link 30 is secured to the links 3| and 32 on opposite sides of a center line through the floor mat. The three links are secured together by shorter metal members 33 of substantially the same general shape and contour as the hinge elements but of reduced length. In this manner, a space 35 remains in the hinge points so that any lateral expansion in the Various link elements is compensated for in the center portion.

It will be readily understood that with a floor mat of the construction described, the same may be readily folded and placed out of the Way when it is unnecessary to use the same. With the device as illustrated, even though the place of use may be damp or wet, any resulting expansion of the parts is so provided for that binding cannot occur.

It will be understood that with certain mat constructions the springs or other yielding members may be positioned at points away from the hinge itself and need not necessarily be at the hinging point. Although oak wood has been mentioned, other kinds of suitable Wood may be used. Furthermore, in wide mats more than one row of expansive members may be used and, of course, in such cases, the expansion members need not and probably will not be placed on a center line of the mat.

Although a preferred embodiment of this invention is illustrated and described, variations within the true spirit and scope of the same are to be determined by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A floor mat, comprising sets of main links arranged in rows disposed laterally of the mat and spaced apart, sets of connecting links between adjacent sets of main links, pivot pins extending the width of the mat and each connecting the ends of the links of adjacent sets of main Although it y be p ble to make these and connecting links, each pivot pin providing a 10 predetermined extent.

tween adjacent sets of main links, pivot pins extending the width of the mat and each connecting the ends of the links of adjacent sets of main and connecting links, each pivot pin providing a predetermined gap devoid of a connecting link between adjacent links to the set of main links to allow for link expansion, a spacer member between the adjacent main links on each side of the gap to maintain the gap between them to its GEORGE A. 'PE'I'IIT.

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