WO2018078422A1

WO2018078422A1 - Mat with a removable cover

Info

Publication number: WO2018078422A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/056520
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lucia Bozino
Original assignee: Lucia Bozino
Priority date: 2016-10-28
Filing date: 2016-10-28
Publication date: 2018-05-03

Abstract

A multilayer mat (1a, 1b, 1c, Id, 1e), particularly of the non-slip type, comprising a plate-like supporting element (2) and an outer covering element (3) which is coupled detachably to the supporting element (2), characterized in that the covering element (3) wraps at least partially the edge of the perimeter of the supporting element (2).

Description

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MAT WITH A REMOVABLE COVER

The present invention relates to a multilayer mat, particularly of the non-slip type.

Multilayer mats are currently known which are formed by a lower supporting layer and by a removable upper covering layer which has a shape and extension substantially identical or a few centimeters wider along the perimeter of the supporting layer. These two layers are mutually coupled at the intermediate surface, so as to reduce mutual slippage.

Among these, so-called "non-slip" mats are known the particularity of which resides in that they have a layer the lower surface of which, intended to make contact with the floor, is covered with non-slip material, such as for example a film made of rubber, polyester, resin or the like.

This lower layer is an actual plate-like element of the semirigid type, which also acts as a structurally load-bearing supporting element of the mat.

In this manner, the mat maintains a planar plate-like shape, preventing the forming of creases and folds which are dangerous for the user due to tripping of said user on them.

Differently, the upper layer of the mat, intended to be walked on, is made of fabric and/or woven material, so that it is particularly suitable to be removed and washed, for example, in a washing machine.

The upper layer, as mentioned, is simply spread on the supporting layer and the coupling between the two layers in normal use is ensured by the friction generated between the lower surface of the covering layer and the upper surface of the supporting layer as a consequence of the walking pressure applied by the user.

While on the one hand these mats having a multilayer configuration obviate the problems noted above, allowing to separate easily the "soft" upper part from the "semirigid" lower part for replacement or washing of the former by means of the most common washing machines, on the other hand these mats of the known type are not free from drawbacks, which include the fact that if the user is not careful in walking he might strike the mat laterally with the toe-end, causing an accidental separation of an edge of the upper part with respect to the lower one.

Furthermore, when the covering layer is spread on the supporting layer, it is necessary not only to take care to align the edges of the two layers but also to press substantially on the entire surface of the mat, so that good coupling by friction is consequently provided between the two layers for substantially complete contact, without folds or raised portions.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a mat, particularly of the non-slip type, that obviates the drawbacks noted above with reference to the prior art.

Within the scope of this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a mat, particularly of the non-slip type, that gives the greatest assurances of safety to protect the user from injury.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a mat, particularly of the non-slip type, in which the mutual anchoring of the upper layer and of the lower layer is more stable than that of the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to facilitate the step of laying the covering layer on the supporting layer of the mat, at the same time ensuring its precision and uniformity.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mat, particularly of the non-slip type, the outer part of which can be washed simply and quickly for example by means of washing machines for home use without therefore requiring professional cleaning means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mat, particularly of the non-slip type, that is alternative to the prior art.

This aim, as well as these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a multilayer mat, particularly of the non-slip type, comprising a plate-like supporting element and an outer covering element which is coupled detachably to said supporting element, characterized in that said covering element wraps at least partially the edge of the perimeter of said supporting element.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the multilayer mat according to the invention, illustrated by way of nonlimiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the mat according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view, taken from below, of the mat shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the mat according to the invention;

Figures 4 and 5 are two perspective views, taken from below, of the mat shown in Figure 3 during and after its assembly;

Figure 6 is a perspective view, taken from above, of the mat shown in

Figures 3 to 5;

Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of the mat according to the invention;

Figure 8 is a perspective view, taken from below, of the mat shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a perspective view, taken from above, of the mat shown in Figure 7;

Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the mat according to the invention;

Figure 11 is a perspective view, taken from below, of the mat shown in Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a perspective view, taken from above, of the mat shown in Figure 10;

Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the mat according to the invention; Figure 14 is a perspective view, taken from below, of the mat shown in Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a perspective view, taken from above, of the mat shown in Figure 13.

With particular reference to the cited figures, the multilayer mat, particularly of the non-slip type, designated by the reference numerals la, lb, lc, Id and le respectively in the five submitted embodiments, comprises a supporting element 2, which has a plate-like shape and forms a load- bearing or stiffening structure of the mat la, lb, lc, Id and le, and an outer covering element 3 that is coupled detachably to the supporting element 2 and wraps at least partially the lateral perimeter of the supporting element 2, so as to reduce or prevent the accidental separation of one edge of the covering element from the supporting element during normal use.

Conveniently, the mats la, lb, lc, Id and le formed by the coupling between the supporting element 2 and the outer covering element 3 have a non-slip surface 4 formed on the portion intended to make contact with the floor or ground during normal use of the mats la, lb, lc, Id and le.

This non-slip surface, which may also be water-resistant, may be obtained as in the prior art, for example with a covering made of thermoplastic elastomer, latex, thermoplastic rubber, acrylic resin.

With particular reference to the first submitted embodiment, shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the mat 1 a the outer covering element 3 has a bag-like shape with a lateral opening 5 and the supporting element 2 has a plate-like shape that is adapted to be inserted into the outer covering element 3.

Conveniently, at said lateral opening 5 there are closure means 6, which consist for example of Velcro, frogs, laces, magnetic elements, snap eyelets, buttons and eyelets, or a zip fastener, as shown in the cited figures.

With particular reference to the other four submitted embodiments, in the mats lb, lc, Id and le the supporting element 2 comprises a supporting layer 7, intended to make contact with the ground during normal use of the mats lb, lc, Id and le and having the lower face covered with, or made of, non-slip material so as to form said non-slip surface 4, and the outer covering element 3 comprises a covering layer 8b, 8c, 8d and 8e associated detachably with the supporting layer 7 so as to form a multilayer structure.

The covering layer 8b, 8c, 8d and 8e is intended to be walked on during normal use of the mats lb, lc, Id and le and may include ornamental patterns. It may be provided as in the prior art, for example made of fabric such as chenille, so that it can be washed easily, for example in a washing machine. Furthermore, the lower surface of the covering layer that is intended to make contact with the upper surface of the supporting layer, as well as the upper surface itself of the supporting layer, may be adapted to generate a friction therebetween that prevents mutual slippage, as in the prior art.

Advantageously, there are also engagement means for engaging the covering layer 8b, 8c, 8d or 8e with the supporting layer 7 so as to prevent the accidental separation of the two layers 7, 8b, 8c, 8d and 8e, for example, if the user accidentally strikes laterally the mat lb, lc, Id or le with the toe- end.

In greater detail, these engagement means are of the type that can be deactivated selectively, so as to allow the voluntary separation of said layers 7, 8b, 8c, 8d and 8e, for example if one of the two layers needs to be replaced or washed.

In the second, third and fourth submitted embodiments, these engagement means comprise at least one peripheral tab 9, which is made as monolithic with the covering layer 8b and 8d or is fixed to the covering layer 8c, and which protrudes laterally from said outer covering layer 8b, 8c or 8d at at least one portion of its perimeter and preferably along the entire perimeter. This peripheral tab 9 is folded toward the lower face of the covering layer 8b-8d so as to wrap at least part of a peripheral edge of the supporting layer 7, thus becoming folded onto the face of the supporting layer 7 that lies opposite with respect to the face covered completely by the covering layer, or folded onto the face of the supporting layer 7 intended to make contact with the ground during normal use of the mat lb, lc or Id.

With particular reference to the second submitted embodiment, shown in Figures 3 to 6, the peripheral tab 9 protrudes laterally and inwardly from the covering layer 8b along its entire perimeter, so as to give the covering layer a substantially beret-like shape that wraps the supporting layer 7 substantially along its entire perimeter.

As an alternative, the peripheral tab 9 may comprise a plurality of peripheral tabs 9 which protrude laterally and inwardly from the covering layer 8b at respective portions of its perimeter and are wrapped around the supporting layer 7 so that they are folded onto the face of the supporting layer 7 that lies opposite the one that is covered completely by the covering layer, or folded onto the face of the supporting layer 7 that is intended to make contact with the ground during normal use of the mat lb.

In this case, these individual peripheral tabs 9 may be fixed to one another so as to give the outer covering layer 8b the substantially beret-like shape that wraps the supporting layer 7 substantially over its entire perimeter.

Likewise, in the third and fourth submitted embodiments as well, shown in Figures 7 to 12, the peripheral tab 9 may comprise a plurality of peripheral tabs 9 which protrude laterally from the outer covering layer 8c or 8d at respective portions of its perimeter and are wrapped around the supporting layer 7 so as to be folded onto the face of the supporting layer 7 that lies opposite with respect to the face completely covered by the covering layer, or folded onto the face of the supporting layer 7 that is intended to make contact with the ground during normal use of the mat lc or Id.

In this case, however, the engagement means cited above comprise quick coupling elements 10, which are interposed between the peripheral tabs 9 and the face of the supporting layer 7 that lies opposite with respect to the face completely covered by the covering layer, so as to fix the former onto the latter.

Advantageously, these quick coupling elements 10 may be selected in the group of devices constituted by: Velcro, zip fasteners, frogs, laces, magnetic elements, snap eyelets, hooks, pins, press-studs and buttons and eyelets.

In the illustrated case, the quick coupling elements 10 are fixed to the peripheral region of the face of the supporting layer 7 that is intended to make contact with the ground during normal use.

With particular reference to the fifth submitted embodiment, shown in Figures 13 to 15, the engagement means comprise a plurality of elastic bands 1 1 , which are fixed in a bridge-like manner between two peripheral portions of said covering layer 8e, for example at its corners, so as to wrap two edges of the supporting layer 7 and fix the outer covering layer 8e to the supporting layer 7.

The operation of the mats la, lb, lc, Id and le can be deduced from what has been described so far.

In particular, it should be noted that once the supporting element 2 and the outer covering element 3 have been associated, these elements 2 and 3 cannot be separated accidentally.

This characteristic is even more evident in the first four embodiments, in which the peripheral edges of the supporting element 2 are wrapped by at least part of the outer covering element 3.

It is particularly easy to insert the supporting element 2 in the covering element 3, by inserting one in the other or by folding the peripheral tabs of the covering element 3, fixing them below the supporting element 2.

Furthermore, if it is necessary to separate the two elements 2 and 3, for example to replace one of the two or to clean the outer covering element 3, deactivating the closure means, in the first submitted embodiment, or the engagement means, in the other four submitted embodiments, it is possible to separate the two elements 2 and 3 easily and immediately.

In practice it has been found that the multilayer mat, particularly of the non-slip type, according to the invention, fully achieves the intended aim and objects.

The multilayer mat, particularly of the non-slip type, thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations that are equally useful and are all within the scope of the accompanying claims.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A multilayer mat (la, lb, lc, Id, le), particularly of the non-slip type, comprising a plate-like supporting element (2) and an outer covering element (3) which is coupled detachably to said supporting element (2), characterized in that said covering element (3) wraps at least partially an edge of the perimeter of said supporting element (2).

2. The mat (la, lb, lc, Id, le) according to claim 1, wherein said supporting element and/or said covering element comprises a surface made of non-slip material (4) that is formed on the face intended to make contact with the ground during normal use of said mat (la, lb, lc, Id, le).

3. The mat (la) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said outer covering element (3) has a bag-like shape, with a lateral opening (5), and in that said supporting element (2) has a plate-like shape adapted to be inserted in said outer covering element (3).

4. The mat (lb, lc, Id, le) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said supporting element (2) comprises at least one supporting layer (7) and said outer covering element (3) comprises at least one covering layer (8b, 8c, 8d, 8e), associated detachably with said supporting layer (7), engagement means being furthermore provided for engaging said covering layer (8b, 8c, 8d, 8e) with the face of said supporting layer (7) that is intended to make contact with the ground during normal use of said mat, said engagement means being selectively deactivatable so as to allow the voluntary separation of said layers (7, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e).

5. The mat (lb, lc, Id) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said engagement means comprise at least one peripheral tab (9) that protrudes laterally from said covering layer (8b, 8c, 8d), at at least one portion of its perimeter, and is adapted to remain wrapped around at least part of a corresponding peripheral edge of said supporting layer (7) when the supporting layer (7) is completely covered by the covering layer (8b, 8c, 8d), so that said peripheral tab is, during normal use of the mat (lb, lc, Id), folded onto the opposite face with respect to the one on which the covering layer is spread, i.e. folded onto the surface intended to make contact with the ground.

6. The mat (lb) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said at least one peripheral tab (9) protrudes laterally from said covering layer (8b) along its entire perimeter, so as to give said outer covering layer (8b) a substantially beret-like shape, which wraps said supporting layer (7) along its entire perimeter.

7. The mat (lb, lc, Id) according to claim 5, characterized in that said at least one peripheral tab (9) comprises a plurality of peripheral tabs (9) which protrude laterally from said covering layer (8b, 8c, 8d) at respective portions of its perimeter and are wrapped around said supporting layer (7) so as to be folded on the opposite side at the surface intended to make contact with the ground during normal use of said mat (lb, lc, Id).

8. The mat (lb) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said peripheral tabs (9) are fixed to one another so as to give said covering layer (8b) a substantially beret-like shape that wraps said supporting layer (7) along its entire perimeter.

9. The mat (lc, Id) according to one or more of claims 5-8, characterized in that said engagement means further comprise quick coupling elements (10), which are associated and interposed between said at least one peripheral tab (9) and said supporting layer (7).

10. The mat (lc, Id) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said quick coupling elements (10) are selected in the group of devices constituted by: Velcro, zip fasteners, frogs, laces, magnetic elements, snap eyelets, hooks, pins, press-studs and buttons and eyelets.

11. The mat (le) according to claim 4, characterized in that said engagement means comprise a plurality of bands (1 1), which are fixed in a bridge-like manner between two peripheral portions of said covering layer (8e) so as to wrap said supporting layer (7) and fix said covering layer (8e) to said supporting layer (7).