US3922409A - Footmat - Google Patents

Footmat Download PDF

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Publication number
US3922409A
US3922409A US435314A US43531474A US3922409A US 3922409 A US3922409 A US 3922409A US 435314 A US435314 A US 435314A US 43531474 A US43531474 A US 43531474A US 3922409 A US3922409 A US 3922409A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
mat
portions
head
set forth
passages
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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US435314A
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English (en)
Inventor
Erwin Stark
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication of US3922409A publication Critical patent/US3922409A/en
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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01C—CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
    • E01C13/00—Pavings or foundations specially adapted for playgrounds or sports grounds; Drainage, irrigation or heating of sports grounds
    • E01C13/04—Pavings made of prefabricated single units
    • E01C13/045—Pavings made of prefabricated single units the prefabricated single units consisting of or including bitumen, rubber or plastics
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01C—CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
    • E01C9/00—Special pavings; Pavings for special parts of roads or airfields
    • E01C9/004—Pavings specially adapted for allowing vegetation
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/16—Two dimensionally sectional layer
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24479—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including variation in thickness
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24628—Nonplanar uniform thickness material
    • Y10T428/24669—Aligned or parallel nonplanarities

Definitions

  • the f ootmat comprises a multiplicity of closely spaced [58] g gz gd g 34 ig heads which are distributed throughout the area of the 6 l l5 mat and define interstices between them and are pro- 231]. vided each with at least two spaced apart supporting l feet.
  • Each of said feet is joined below the heads to f References Cited zuggortmg eet of ad acent heads to form an 1ntegr UNITED STATES PATENTS 348,782 9/1886 Sawyer 52/177 8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 FOOTMAT
  • This invention relates to a footmat of rubber, plastics materialor the like, particularly for sports purposes, which mat comprises closely spaced heads, which are distributedover the area of the mat, and is formed with interstices between the head.
  • the footmat ensuresa more uniform distribution of loads on the subsoil so that the subsoil is maintained in a looser-state and nevertheless substantial deviations from a planar surface are avoided even under heavy loads.
  • the drainage of water is improved and, where a lawn is provided, the growing of roots through the soil is accelerated and the aeration of the soil is maintained.
  • the soil which is covered by the footmat is protected against drying out so that a good growth of grass is ensured. This growth is further promoted by the uniform moisture content which can be ensured in the upper layers of the soil.
  • the loose soil promotes the drainage of excesswater.
  • a uniform drainage of the water depends on the permeability of the footmat in'a vertical direction and on the distribution of the water in a horizontal direction.
  • the drainage of water will be improved if the water which is received is uniformly distributed throughout the subsoil.
  • the horizontal distribution of the water will naturally depend on the size of the horizontal passages which remain open below the tread plane. Those passages have been definedso far only by the interstices between the heads above the undersurface of the footmat.
  • Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a footmat which in various applications fully meets the requirements to be fulfilled by it and which has an inherent elasticity which is sufficient for a soft cushioning of shock loads and for a distribution of such loads over a large area on the subsoil whereas when placed on a hard subsoil the mat can resiliently take up loads.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a footmat which can easily be placed and which in case of need can be repaired without substantial difficulty.
  • a footmat of the kind defined first hereinbefore is characterized according to the invention in that each head has at least two spaced apart supporting feet, which are connected below the heads to the supporting feet of adjacent heads to form an integral grate.
  • the interstices between the heads and the interstices between the feet of each head are available for a horizontal flow of water when the mat is used in the open.
  • the footmat may be placed on a natural subsoil, whereafter the interstices between the stubbles are filled with sand, slag or ashes, or grass is grown.
  • grass propagates not only by seeds but also by runners extending closely above the ground, the use of the footmat in a lawn affords the special advantage that more free space is available for the growth of these runners so that a denser ramification of the runners results and a denser and more coherent turf can be obtained.
  • the underside of the leaves of the grass is protected beacuse it lies under the tread.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic top plan view showing part of a footmat which can be composed of a plurality of mat sections,
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view showing a portion of a mat section of a first embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 3 is a top plan view showing the mat section of FIG. 2,
  • FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing the mat section of FIG. 2,
  • FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 and shows a mat section of a second embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 6 is a top plan view showing the mat section of FIG. 5,
  • FIG. 7 is a bottom view showing the mat section of FIG. 5,
  • FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing as a detail the joint-forming portions of two adjacent mat sections before they are snapped together
  • FIG. 9 is a side elevation showing the joint of FIG. 8 when the mat sections have been snapped together.
  • the footmat shown in FIG. 1 consists of a plurality of mat sections 1, which are interconnected by connector eyelets 2, which cooperate with mating connector elements. These eyelets are provided on two adjacent sides of the generally rectangular mat section so that the entire footmat can be composed of identical mat sections 1. Because the connector elements can be separated, each mat section 1 can be individually replaced.
  • the rectangular configuration of the mat sections is shown only by way of example. Mat sections having other configurations may be used and mat sections having different mating configurations may be assembled to form a footmat. In special cases, wide footmats may .be made in one piece.
  • the mat sections may be made from rubber and plastics materials, such as injectionmoldable thermoplastics. The hardness and elasticity of the material for each embodiment of the invention will depend on the shape which has been selected and on the intended purpose. The material may be processed by injection molding or by any other method for which the material is suitable and which enables the manufacture of the desired final shape.
  • closely spaced heads 3 are uniformly distributed throughout the top surface of the mat section 1 and define therebetween straight first passages through the mat perpendicular to the top surface of the mat.
  • These heads have generally the shape of circular discs and are provided each with two supporting feet, which diverge from the associated head 3 and are. inclined relative to the surface which is defined by the exposed top faces 4 of the heads.
  • the supporting feet 5 are connected to the supporting feet of adjacent heads to form a grate in another surface parallel to that of the faces 4.
  • the nodes between these supporting feet 5 themselves form rounded knobs 6, which face down- 3 wardly.
  • each knob 6 Four supporting feet are joined at each knob 6 and diverge also with respect to the knobs 6 and are inclined relative to the surface or plane which isdefined by the knobs 6 so as to define a set of second passages between the two major surfaces of 'the mat and parallel to such surfaces.
  • the mat section I is provided on the outside with a reinforcing edge portion 7, into which the outer supporting feet 5 of the edge heads 3 merge and which also includes part of the eyelets 2.
  • the footmat composed of the mat sections of FIGS. 2-4 for different purposes.
  • the footmat may preferably be used for tennis courts, football and handball fields with and without a lawn.
  • the knobs form a low-friction surface which may be used, e.g., for curling or skiing.
  • the heads 3 or knobs 6 facing downwardly may be placed on or even embedded in concrete.
  • the diverging supporting feet provide for a certain inherent elasticity so that the mat can yield under load and when released spring back to its initial position.
  • Sand or track cinder may be placed between the supporting feet 5 so that the mat when used in the open ensures a good lateral flow of water to drain slots provided in the concrete.
  • the exposed faces of the heads 3 and knobs 6 will be roughened where desired.
  • each head 3 has three supporting feet 5a.
  • Three supporting feet 50 from respective adjacent heads 3 extend to and are joined in a downwardly facing node, which forms a rounded knob 6.
  • the connector elements of the mat sections 1 shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 consist also of eyelets 2, which extend from reinforcing edge portions 7. As is particularly apparent from FIGS. 8 and 9, these eyelets 2 are adapted to be fitted from above over respective heads 3 at the edge of an adjacent mat section.
  • the eyelet is provided with upwardly facing, converging detent fingers 8, which in the connecting position snap into the interstices 9 between the feet under the head.
  • a spreading tool may be introduced between the feet 5a and into the eyelet 2 from above and may be used to force these detent fingers out of their snapped-in position to separate the connector.
  • a mat comprising:
  • each node portion being connected to two of said head portions by respective ones of said foot portions, 2. said head portions defining therebetween a plurality of first passages extending through said mat from said first surface to said second surface, 3. said foot portions defining a plurality of second passages extending between said surfaces and connecting first passages.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Road Paving Structures (AREA)
  • Floor Finish (AREA)
US435314A 1973-01-26 1974-01-21 Footmat Expired - Lifetime US3922409A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT72273A AT325093B (de) 1973-01-26 1973-01-26 Trittbahn

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3922409A true US3922409A (en) 1975-11-25

Family

ID=3498082

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US435314A Expired - Lifetime US3922409A (en) 1973-01-26 1974-01-21 Footmat

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3922409A (nl)
JP (1) JPS49110120A (nl)
AT (1) AT325093B (nl)
CH (1) CH561555A5 (nl)
DE (1) DE2402333B2 (nl)
FR (1) FR2215512B1 (nl)

Cited By (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4023506A (en) * 1976-03-08 1977-05-17 Purdue Research Foundation System and process for providing durability enhanced area
US4072778A (en) * 1975-10-22 1978-02-07 Lamb Robert Colin Spacing system
US4307879A (en) * 1977-08-22 1981-12-29 Mcmahon Thomas A Athletic playing surface
US4324825A (en) * 1978-10-20 1982-04-13 Charles Denkinger Separating wall
US4513046A (en) * 1980-12-22 1985-04-23 Semperit Aktiengesellschaft Antistatic support
US4860510A (en) * 1988-03-14 1989-08-29 Duragrid, Inc. Modular protective surfacing member
GB2286835A (en) * 1994-02-10 1995-08-30 Wu Ming Hsin A paving element
US5456966A (en) * 1994-08-11 1995-10-10 Austin; John R. Antiskid floor mat
US5467554A (en) * 1993-01-07 1995-11-21 Prestele; Eugen Grid plate for seeding down surfaces
ES2120828A1 (es) * 1993-12-08 1998-11-01 Honda Motor Co Ltd Elemento de prevencion del resbalamiento.
US6061979A (en) * 1997-09-30 2000-05-16 Johannes; Nicholas J. Inline skating sports floor
US6751912B2 (en) 2001-01-29 2004-06-22 Spider Court, Inc. Modular tile and tile flooring system
US20050084649A1 (en) * 2003-04-21 2005-04-21 Angela Patlakh System for foot care
US20080201853A1 (en) * 2007-02-16 2008-08-28 Graebe Robert H Shape matching cushion
US20100107522A1 (en) * 2005-04-22 2010-05-06 Andrew Gettig Synthetic support base for modular flooring
US20110179728A1 (en) * 2010-01-22 2011-07-28 Connor Sport Court International, Inc. Modular sub-flooring system
CH703378A1 (de) * 2010-06-24 2011-12-30 Sytec Bausysteme Ag Bodenbelag.
USD656250S1 (en) 2005-03-11 2012-03-20 Connor Sport Court International, Llc Tile with wide mouth coupling
US20120090235A1 (en) * 2010-10-14 2012-04-19 Briar Horn Apparatus for a Plant Growth Medium
US8397466B2 (en) 2004-10-06 2013-03-19 Connor Sport Court International, Llc Tile with multiple-level surface
US8407951B2 (en) 2004-10-06 2013-04-02 Connor Sport Court International, Llc Modular synthetic floor tile configured for enhanced performance
US8424257B2 (en) 2004-02-25 2013-04-23 Mark L. Jenkins Modular tile with controlled deflection
US8505256B2 (en) 2010-01-29 2013-08-13 Connor Sport Court International, Llc Synthetic floor tile having partially-compliant support structure
US20140173978A1 (en) * 2011-04-27 2014-06-26 Sin Kim Grass protection mat
US8881482B2 (en) 2010-01-22 2014-11-11 Connor Sport Court International, Llc Modular flooring system
AU2018204723B2 (en) * 2013-04-14 2020-07-02 Combitile Pty Ltd Interlocking and shock attenuating tiling systems

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS51126027U (nl) * 1975-04-07 1976-10-12
JPS51126028U (nl) * 1975-04-07 1976-10-12
JPS5318831U (nl) * 1976-07-28 1978-02-17
FR2379016A1 (fr) * 1977-01-31 1978-08-25 Substratum Sa Dalle pour caillebotis et caillebotis en resultant
JPS5835687Y2 (ja) * 1979-03-16 1983-08-11 クロコ株式会社 テニスコ−ト用床材
AT388950B (de) * 1985-11-22 1989-09-25 Spiess Kunststoff Recycling Gitterplatte aus kunststoff, insbesondere aus recycling-kunststoff
DE9105729U1 (de) * 1991-05-08 1991-07-18 NKT Neuwieder Kautschuktechnik GmbH, 5450 Neuwied Dämmplatte aus Gummi
DE9405829U1 (de) 1993-09-02 1994-06-23 Otto, Werner, 90518 Altdorf Bodenbefestigungsmatte
AU6432098A (en) * 1998-02-17 1999-08-30 Sian Ghee Alan Lee A grid structure

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US348782A (en) * 1886-09-07 Francis a
US2786683A (en) * 1954-06-28 1957-03-26 Shapiro Eugene Golf practice device
US3231454A (en) * 1961-04-14 1966-01-25 Cadillac Products Cushioning material
US3699926A (en) * 1970-10-19 1972-10-24 Rubber Ind Vasto Nv Floor mat for animals

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US348782A (en) * 1886-09-07 Francis a
US2786683A (en) * 1954-06-28 1957-03-26 Shapiro Eugene Golf practice device
US3231454A (en) * 1961-04-14 1966-01-25 Cadillac Products Cushioning material
US3699926A (en) * 1970-10-19 1972-10-24 Rubber Ind Vasto Nv Floor mat for animals

Cited By (36)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4072778A (en) * 1975-10-22 1978-02-07 Lamb Robert Colin Spacing system
US4023506A (en) * 1976-03-08 1977-05-17 Purdue Research Foundation System and process for providing durability enhanced area
US4307879A (en) * 1977-08-22 1981-12-29 Mcmahon Thomas A Athletic playing surface
US4325546A (en) * 1977-08-22 1982-04-20 Mcmahon Thomas A Modular athletic playing surface with tuned compliance
US4324825A (en) * 1978-10-20 1982-04-13 Charles Denkinger Separating wall
US4513046A (en) * 1980-12-22 1985-04-23 Semperit Aktiengesellschaft Antistatic support
US4860510A (en) * 1988-03-14 1989-08-29 Duragrid, Inc. Modular protective surfacing member
US5467554A (en) * 1993-01-07 1995-11-21 Prestele; Eugen Grid plate for seeding down surfaces
ES2120828A1 (es) * 1993-12-08 1998-11-01 Honda Motor Co Ltd Elemento de prevencion del resbalamiento.
GB2286835A (en) * 1994-02-10 1995-08-30 Wu Ming Hsin A paving element
GB2286835B (en) * 1994-02-10 1997-11-12 Wu Ming Hsin A paver
US5456966A (en) * 1994-08-11 1995-10-10 Austin; John R. Antiskid floor mat
US6061979A (en) * 1997-09-30 2000-05-16 Johannes; Nicholas J. Inline skating sports floor
US6751912B2 (en) 2001-01-29 2004-06-22 Spider Court, Inc. Modular tile and tile flooring system
US20050084649A1 (en) * 2003-04-21 2005-04-21 Angela Patlakh System for foot care
US8955268B2 (en) 2004-02-25 2015-02-17 Connor Sport Court International, Llc Modular tile with controlled deflection
US8596023B2 (en) 2004-02-25 2013-12-03 Connor Sport Court International, Llc Modular tile with controlled deflection
US8424257B2 (en) 2004-02-25 2013-04-23 Mark L. Jenkins Modular tile with controlled deflection
US8407951B2 (en) 2004-10-06 2013-04-02 Connor Sport Court International, Llc Modular synthetic floor tile configured for enhanced performance
US8397466B2 (en) 2004-10-06 2013-03-19 Connor Sport Court International, Llc Tile with multiple-level surface
USD656250S1 (en) 2005-03-11 2012-03-20 Connor Sport Court International, Llc Tile with wide mouth coupling
US20100107522A1 (en) * 2005-04-22 2010-05-06 Andrew Gettig Synthetic support base for modular flooring
WO2008100728A3 (en) * 2007-02-16 2008-11-27 Robert H Graebe Shape matching cushion
US7424761B1 (en) * 2007-02-16 2008-09-16 Roho, Inc. Shape matching cushion
US20080201853A1 (en) * 2007-02-16 2008-08-28 Graebe Robert H Shape matching cushion
US7681264B2 (en) * 2007-02-16 2010-03-23 Roho, Inc. Shape matching cushion
US20080289111A1 (en) * 2007-02-16 2008-11-27 Graebe Robert H Shape matching cushion
US8881482B2 (en) 2010-01-22 2014-11-11 Connor Sport Court International, Llc Modular flooring system
US20110179728A1 (en) * 2010-01-22 2011-07-28 Connor Sport Court International, Inc. Modular sub-flooring system
US8683769B2 (en) 2010-01-22 2014-04-01 Connor Sport Court International, Llc Modular sub-flooring system
US8505256B2 (en) 2010-01-29 2013-08-13 Connor Sport Court International, Llc Synthetic floor tile having partially-compliant support structure
CH703378A1 (de) * 2010-06-24 2011-12-30 Sytec Bausysteme Ag Bodenbelag.
WO2011161157A3 (de) * 2010-06-24 2012-06-14 Sytec Bausysteme Ag Bodenbelag
US20120090235A1 (en) * 2010-10-14 2012-04-19 Briar Horn Apparatus for a Plant Growth Medium
US20140173978A1 (en) * 2011-04-27 2014-06-26 Sin Kim Grass protection mat
AU2018204723B2 (en) * 2013-04-14 2020-07-02 Combitile Pty Ltd Interlocking and shock attenuating tiling systems

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS49110120A (nl) 1974-10-19
DE2402333A1 (de) 1974-08-01
DE2402333C3 (nl) 1979-04-12
FR2215512A1 (nl) 1974-08-23
AT325093B (de) 1975-10-10
DE2402333B2 (de) 1978-08-17
FR2215512B1 (nl) 1980-06-06
CH561555A5 (nl) 1975-05-15

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