US2777789A

US2777789A - Floor covering

Info

Publication number: US2777789A
Application number: US464965A
Authority: US
Inventors: Dale D Smith
Original assignee: Harley Earl Inc
Current assignee: Harley Earl Inc
Priority date: 1954-10-27
Filing date: 1954-10-27
Publication date: 1957-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 1974-01-15

Description

Jan. 15, 1957 D. D. SMITH 2,777,789

FLOOR COVERING Filed Oct. 27T, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 HHH IHN l 'l mmmllm: g

,vf cruz/s I Jan. 15, 1957 Filed Oct. 27, 1954 D. D. SMITH 2,777,789

FLOOR COVERING 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Ud/'e @Wizz/ Tammy/S Jan. 15, 1957 D. D. SMITH 2,777,789

FLOOR COVERING Filed Oct. 27, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 'u Imm INVENTOR. ,545? 677727Z.

United States Patent v v Patented Jan. 15, 1957 ice nroon covERlNG Dale D. Smith, Royal Oak, Mich., assigner to Harley Earl, Inc., Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application October 27, 1954, Serial No. 464,965 20 Claims. (Cl. 154-49) This invention relates to protective coverings and, more particularly, to an improved floor covering.

An object of the invention is to overcome disadvantages in prior iloor coveringsv and to provide an improved iloor covering incorporating improved means for increasing the service life thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved lloor covering which obviates the necessity of providing pad means intermediate the covering and the floor.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved oor covering which is economical to manufacture, durable, and which may be supplied in a wide variety of patterns and styles that are pleasing in appearance.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved iloor covering which may be supplied in the form of replaceable tiles, in the form of a -carpet or in the form of a rug; which may be easily and quickly installed so as to cover any desired area of a oor with a minimum of time, labor and expense; and in which selected sections that may be subjected to excessive wear may be easily and quickly replaced.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved floor covering which may be supplied to the purchaser in kit form for completion and installation by the purchaser.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved floor covering which obviates the necessity of trimming and binding the edge portions thereof.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved lloor covering which incorporates improved means for gripping the floor to reduce relative movement between the covering and the door.

The above as well as other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a fragmentary top plan view of a oor covering embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the floor covering illustrated in Fig. l, taken on the line 2 2 thereof;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the oor covering illustrated in Fig.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the matrix of the covering illustrated in Fig. l, showing the yarn removed therefrom;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of another pattern that may be woven into the matrix illustrated in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of another pattern that may be woven into the matrix illustrated in Fig. '4;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged top plan view of a portion of the floor covering illustrated in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a portion of the oor covering illustrated in Fig. 8, taken on the line 9--9 thereof;

Fig. l0 is a sectional view of the oor covering illustrated in Fig. 8, taken on the line 10--10 thereof;

l, taken on the line 3 3 thereof;

Fig. ll is an enlarged perspective view the matrix illustrated moved therefrom;

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the floor covering illustrated in Fig. l2, taken on the line 13-13 thereof; and

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the matrix illustrated in Fig. l2, showing the yarn removed therefrom.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 4, a oor covering, generally designated 10, is shown embodying the present invention, although it will be understood that the present invention is applicable to other uses. ln the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. l through 4, the lloor covering 10 is comprised of a plurality of substantially at rectangular members 12 which are disposed in side-by-side and end-to-end relationship so as to form a substantially continuous iloor covering. lt Will be understood, however, that the floor covering 1i) may be formed in one piece, as for example, in the form of a conventional rug or the loor covering may be comprised of a plurality of elongate carpet-like strips disposed in side-by-side relationship.

The members 12 are each comprised of a matrix 14 which may be made of plastic, rubber or other suitable material, preferably a resilient material. The matrix 14 includes a plurality of elongate spaced substantially parallel ribs 16 and a plurality of spaced substantially parallel cross pieces 18 which extend transversely of the ribs 16 and are preferably integrally joined thereto. The ribs 16 and the cross pieces 18 preferably intersect at substantially right angles and the ribs and cross pieces define a plurality of apertures 20 which are preferably aligned in rows and columns. As shown in Figs, 2 and 4, the upper surfaces 22 of the ribs 16 are initially substantially coplanar and lie in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the lower surfaces 24 of the ribs. The upper surfaces 26 and the lower surfaces 28 of the cross pieces 18 are initially substantially co-planar with the upper and lower surfaces, respectively, of the ribs 16.

ln the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. l-4, strands of yarn 30, which may be made of wool, cotton, synthetic fibers or other suitable material are woven through the apertures 2? in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the ribs 16, the yarn being woven through the apertures so that the sections of the strands of yarn which are visible in alternate columns are staggered in relation to the sections of the strands of yarn which are visible in the remaining columns, as shown in Fig. 1. The resilience of the matrixr 14 is such that when the oor covering is installed and pressure is applied to the oor covering, as by stepping on the iioor covering, the yarn bears against the upper portions of alternate cross pieces and the lower portions of the remaining cross pieces so that the upper portions of the alternate cross pieces are compressed, as at 32, while the lower portions of the remaining cross pieces are compressed, as at 34, with the result that the upper surfaces of the ribs 16 and the upper surfaces of alternate cross pieces 18 are substantially co-planar with the uppermost portion of the yarn and such surfaces of the matrix serve as wear surfaces which selve to lengthen the life of the floor covering. At the same time, the lower surfaces of the ribs 16 and the lower surfaces of the remaining cross pieces 13 resiliently bear against the door, and such lower surfaces of the matrix grip the oor to reduce the tendency of the door covering to move relative to the floor. By varying the thickness of the matrix 14 and the resilience of the material forming the matrix, the wearing characteristics and oor-gripping characteristics of the` oor covering may be controlled.

of a portion of in Fig. 7, and showing the yarn re- In order that the tile-like members 12 may be easily and quickly releasably fastened together in side-by-side and end-to-end relationship to form a complete floor covering, the outermost ribs'36 and the outermost cross pieces 3S of eachrriaftrix 14'are4formed so as to be approximately one-half the thickness of the remaining ribs 16 and cross pieces 18. A plurality of generally U-shaped clips 49 are provided having spaced substantially

parallel side portions

42 and 44 joined at one end by a bight portion 46. When the members 12 are installed in side-byside and end-to-end relationship, the side portions 42. and 44 of the clips 40 are fitted over the reduced thickness peripheral ribs and cross pieces at a position near, but spaced from, the corners of the members 12 so as to secure the peripheral ribs and cross pieces of adjacent members 12 in side-by-side relationship, the free ends of the clips 40 terminating below the upper surfaces of the peripheral ribs and cross pieces so as to be inobtrusive. When the members 12 are assembled in such a manner, individual or selected members 12 which may be subjected to excessive wear may be easily and quickly removed and replaced with a minimum of labor and expense. For example, members 12 which are disposed adjacent a door of a room may be transposed with other members 12 that are disposed in areas normally receiving less wear, thereby obviating the necessity of turning the entire oor covering and materially increasing the service life of the door covering.

As shown in Figs. l, and 6, the yarn may be woven through the matrix 14 in a wide variety of styles and patterns. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, the yarn is woven through the apertures in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the ribs 16, the yarn passing over and under the upper and lower surfaces, respectively, of alternate cross pieces so that the upper surfaces of alternate cross pieces are aligned in rows while the portions of the yarn which are visible between the alternate cross pieces are aligned in rows and columns.

As shown in Fig. 6, the yarn may be intertwined through the apertures 20 in the matrix 14 so that the strands of yarn are spirally wound around the ribs 16, Vthe strands passing over the intersections of the ribs andV cross pieces and crossing under the ribs between adjacent cross pieces in one column, as at 4S, and passing under the intersections of the ribs and cross pieces and'crossing over the ribs between adjacent cross pieces in the next column, as at 50. i

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 7 through l1, and is comprised of a floor covering, generally designated 110, which includes a plurality of substantially at, rectangular members 112 that are disposed in side-by-side and end-to-end relationship so as to form a substantially continuous oor covering. The

loor covering 110 may be formed in one piece, as for example, in the form of a conventional rug, or the floor covering may also be comprised of a plurality of elongate carpet-like strips disposed in side-by-side relationship in the manner previously described. The members 112 are each comprised of a matrix 114 which may be made of plastic, rubber or other suitable material, preferably a resilient material, and the matrix 114 includes a plurality of elongate, spaced, substantially parallel ribs 116 and a plurality of spaced, substantially parallel cross pieces 118 which extend transversely of the ribs 116 and are preferably integrally joined thereto. The ribs 116 Vand the cross pieces 118 preferably intersect at substantially right angles and the ribs and cross pieces define a plurality of apertures 120 which are preferably aligned in rows and columns. As shown in Fig. 9, the upper surfaces 122 of the ribs are lsubstantially co-planar and lie in a plane Vsubstantially parallel to the plane of the lower surfaces 124 of the ribs. As shown in Figs. 9 and l0, the upper surfaces 126 of alternate cross pieces 118 are substantially co-planar with the upper surfaces 122 of the ribs 116 while the lower surfaces l128 of such alternate cross pieces lie in a plane intermediate the planes of the upper and

lower surfaces

122 and 124, respectively, of the ribs 116. rEhe upper surfaces 130 of the remaining cross pieces lie in a plane intermediate the planes of the upper and

lower surfaces

122 and 124 of the ribs 116 while the llower surfaces 132 of such remaining cross pieces are substantially co-plauar with the lower surfaces 124 of the ribs 116.

Strands of yarn 134, 'which may be made of wool, cotton, synthetic fibers or other suitable material, are woven through the apertures 126 in a direction substantially parallel to the'longitudinal axes of the ribs 116. Since the lowersurfaces 123 of alternate cross pieces are disposed between the planes of the upper and

lower surfaces

122 and 124 of the ribs 116 while the upper surfaces 15d of the remaining transverse cross pieces are disposed in a plane between the planes of the upper and lower surfaces of the ribs 116, the yarn may be woven so that it is disposed entirely between the planes of the upper and lower surfaces 122 and 124- of the ribs 116, With such a construction, the upper surfaces 122 of the ribs 116 and the upper surfaces 126 of alternate cross pieces 118 project above the yarn 134 when the lfloor covering is installed on a floor and such surfaces serve as wear surfaces which serve to lengthen the life of the door covering. At the same time, the lower surfaces 124 of the ribs 116 and the lower surfaces 132 of the remaining cross pieces 118 resiliently bear against the floor when the floor covering is installed, and such lower surfaces grip the door to reduce the tendency of the floor covs ering to move relative to the lloor. By varying the thickness of the matrix 114 and the distance which the rib and cross pieces project above and below the yarn, the resilience and the wearing characteristics of the door covering may be controlled.

ln order that the tile-like members 112 may be easily and quickly releasably fastened together in side-by-side and end-to-end relationship to form a complete floor covering, the loutermost ribs 136 and the outermost cross pieces 13S of each member 112 are formed so as to be approximately one-half the thickness of the remaining'ribs 116 and cross pieces 118. When the members 112 are installed in side-by-side and end-to-end relationship, the

side portions

42 and 44 of the previously described clips 40 are litted over the reduced thickness peripheral ribs and cross pieces at a position near, but spaced from, the corners of the members 112 so as to secure the peripheral ribs and cross pieces in side-bysideprelationship. The free ends of the clips 40 terminate below the upper surfaces of the peripheral ribs and cross pieces so as to be inobstrusive. When the members 112 are assembled in such a manner, individual or selected members 112 which may be subjected to excessive wear may be easily and quickly removed and replaced with a minimum` of labor and expense. For example, members 112 disposed adjacent a door of a room may be transposed with other members 112 disposed in areas normally receiving less wear, thereby obviating the necessity of turning the entire floor covering and materially increasing the service life of the iloor covering.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. l2, 13 and 14 `and is comprised of a matrix 150 which may be of any desired size and configuration, and which includes a plurality of equally spaced substantially parallel ribs 152 and la plurality of spaced :substantially parallel cross pieces 154, .the cross pieces 154 intersecting the ribs 152 at substantially right angles and being integrally joined thereto. The ribs 152 .and the cross pieces 154 define a plurality of apertures 156 which are preferably disposed in aligned rows and columns.

`In this embodiment of the invention, the upper and

lower surfaces

158 and 160 of the ribs 152 are disposed in spaced substantially parallel planes while the upper and'lower surfaces 162 and 164 of the cross pieces are disposed yin spaced substantially parallel planes which lie 2,777,789 between the planes of the upper and lower surfaces S surface, and means for releasably joining said members and 160 of the ribs 152. Strands of yarn 166, which in edge-to-edge relationship. may be made of wool, cotton, synthetic fibers .or other 6. In a protective covering, the combination comprising suitable material, are woven through the apertures 156, a plurality of relatively at members adapted to be the strands preferably extending in a direction substan- 5 disposed in substantially co-planar edge-to-edge relationtially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the ribs 152. ship, each of said members including a relatively Hat The yarn 166 is preferably entirely disposed intermediate matrix formed of a resilient material and defining a the planes of the upper and lower surfaces 158 and 169 plurality of apertures, a strand of yarn-like material of the ribs 152 so that the ribs project `above and below interlaced through said apertures, portions of said yarn the yarn when the door covering is .installed on a door. l0 normally overlying portions of the outer surfaces of With such a construction, the upper surfaces 153 of the said matrix, said yarn compressing said matrix and ribs 152 serve as wear surfaces which protect the yarn becoming embedded therein when pressure is applied and serve -to increase the service life of the floor coverto said covering whereby at least some of the wear is ing, while the lower surfaces 69 of the ribs 152 bear taken by said matrix, and means for releasably joining against the floor and grip the iioor to reduce the tendency 15 said members in edge-to-edge relationship.

of the covering to slip on the door. Such a construction 7. In a protective covering, a relatively fiat matrix, also obviates the necessity oi providing a pad between the said matrix includin(Y a plurality of spaced ribs and a covering and the iioor, the resiliency of the door coverplurality of spaced cross pieces extending transversely 'of ing and the wearing qualities thereof being controlled said ribs, said ribs and said cross pieces defining `a pluby Varying the thickness of the matrix 15) and the distance 20 rality of apertures, at least one horizontal surface of each the ribs 152 project above and below the yarn 166 of said cross pieces being disposed intermediate the hori- While preferred embodiments of the invention have zontal surfaces of said ribs, and a strand of yarn-like been shown and described, it -will be understood that material woven through said apertures whereby at least various changes and modifications may be made without some of `the wear is taken by said horizontal surfaces of departing from the spirit of the invention. said ribs.

Whatis claimed is: 8. In a protective covering, a relatively fiat matrix l. In a protective covering, the combination including said matrix including a plurality of spaced substantially a plurality of relatively fiat members adapted `to be dishorizontal ribs and a plurality of spaced substantially posed in substantially coplanar edge-to-edge relationship, horizontal cross pieces extending transversely of said ribs, each of said members including a base formed of a resaid ribs and said cross pieces deninga plurality of apersilient material, a strand of yarn-like material Woven tures, at least one horizontal surface of each of said cross through said base, and clip means adapted to simulpieces being disposed intermediate the upper and lower taneously engage the bases of adjacent members and resurfaces of said ribs, and a strand of yarn-like material leasably join said members in edge-to-edge relationship. ywoven through said apertures and disposed substantially 2. In a protective coverin the combination including between said upper and lower surfaces of said nbs. a plurality of relatively at members adapted to be dis- 9. In a protective covering, a plurality of relatively dat posed in substantially coplanar edge-to-edge relationship, members adapted to be disposed in substantially coplanar each of said members including a matr'm formed of a reedge-to-edge relationship, each of said members including silient material and defining a plurality of apertures, and a relatively at matrix, each matrix including a plurality of a strand of yarn-like material interlaced through said aper- 40 spaced ribs having upper and lower surfaces and a plutures, and clip means adapted to simultaneously engage Iality of spaced cross pieces having upper and lower surthe matrices of adjacent members and releasably Join said faces and extending transversely of said ribs, said ribs members in edge-to-edge relationship. and cross pieces defining a plurality of apertures in said 3. In a protective covering, the combination including matrix, at least one of said surfaces of each of said a plurality of relatively at members adapted to lbe discross pieces being disposed between said upper and lower posed in substantially coplanar edge-to-edge relationship, surfaces of said ribs, and a strand of yarn-like material each of said members including a matrix formed of sa interlaced through said apertures said strand beinfy disresilient plastic material and deiining a plurality of aperposed substantially between said upper and lower surtuies, a strand of yarn woven through said apertures and faces of said ribs. clip means adapted to simultaneously engage the matrices l0. In a protective covering, the combination includof adjacent members and releasably join said members ing a plurality of relatively at members adapted to be in edge-to-edge relationship. disposed in substantially co-planar edge-to-edge relation- 4. A protective covering comprising, in combination, ship, each of said members including a relatively fiat a plurality of relatively flat members adapted to be dismatrix, each matrix including a plurality of spaced ribs posed in substantially co-planar edge-to-edge relationship, having upper and lower surfaces, and a plurality of spaced each of said members including a base formed of a recross pieces extending transversely of said ribs and havsilient material and having a substantially at surface on ing upper and lower surfaces, said ribs and cross pieces one side thereof, a strand of yarn-like material interdefining a plurality of apertures in said matrix, at least laced through said base, said yarn-like material compressone of said surfaces of each of said cross pieces being ing said base and becoming embedded therein when presdisposed between said upper and lower surfaces of said sure is applied to said covering whereby the outermost ribs, a strand of yarn-like material interlaced through said portions of said yarn on said one side of said base are apertures, said strand being substantially disposed besubstantially co-planar with said wear surface, and means tween said upper and lower surfaces of said ribs, and for releasably joining said members in edge-to-edge relameans for releasably joining said members in edge-tot-ionship. edge relationship.

5. In a protective covering, the combination including 11. In a protective covering, a relatively at matrix a plurality of relatively dat members adapted to be disformed of a resilient material, said matrix including a posed in substantially CO-plnar edge-O-edge relationship, plurality of spaced substantially parallel ribs, the upper each Of Said members including a felaVSlY fiat base surfaces of said ribs being substantially co-planar, said formed on a resilient material and having a wear surface 7g matrix also including a plurality of spaced cross pieces on one side thereof, a strand of yarn-like material interextending transversely of said ribs, said ribs and cross laced through said base, said strand becommf7 embedded pieces defining a plurality of apertures in said matrix, to said base when pressure is applied to said covering the upper surfaces of alternate cross pieces being disposed whereby the outermost portions of said yarn on said one below the plane of the upper surfaces of said ribs, and

side of said base are substantially co-planar with said wear a strand of yarn-like material woven through said apern tures whereby Asaid yarn is substantially disposed below said upper surfaces of said ribs.

j 312.*l'n a :protective covering, a relatively flat matrix formed of a 'resilientmateriaL saidmatrix including a hplurality of spaced substantially 'parallel ribs, the lower surfaces of said ribs being Ysubstantially cci-planar, said ma'trix also 'including a plurality of spaced cross pieces extending transversely of said ribs, said ribs and cross pieces defining a plurality 'of apertures in vsaid matrix, the lower surfaces of alternate cross pieces being disposed above Vthe plane of the lower surfaces of said ribs, and a strand of yarn-like material woven through said apertures whereby said yarn is substantially disposed above said lower surfaces of said ribs.

13. ln a floor covering, a relatively dat matrix formed of a resilient material, said matrix Vincluding a plurality of spaced substantially parallel ribs and a plurality of spaced substantially parallel cross pieces extending transversely vof said ribs, the upper and lower surfaces of said ribs lying in vspaced substantially parallel planes, the

upper and lower surfaces of said cross pieces being disposed intermediate tlie planes of said upper and lower surfaces of said ribs, said ribs and said cross pieces defining a plurality of apertures extending through said matrix aligned in rows and columns, and a strand of yarn interlaced through said apertures, said strand Vbeing disposed substantially entirely between said upper and lower surfaces of said ribs.

14. In a floor covering, the combination including a plurality of relatively iiat'members adapted to be disposed in substantially co-planar edge-to-edge relationship, each of said members including a relatively llat Vmatrix formed of a resilient material, said matrix including a plurality of spaced substantially parallel ribs and a plurality of spaced substantially parallel cross piecesextending transversely of said ribs, the upper'and lower Vsurfaces of said ribs lying in spaced substantially parallel planes, the upper and lower surfaces of said 'cross pieces being disposed intermediate the planes of said upper and lower surfaces of said ribs, said ribs and said cross pieces delining a plurality of aligned apertures in said matrix, a strand of yarn woven through said apertures, said strand being disposed substantially between said upper and lower surfaces of said ribs, and means for releasably joining said members in edge-to-edge relationship.

l5. ln a door covering, a relatively dat matrix formed of a resilient material, said matrix of spaced substantially parallel ribs and a plurality of spaced substantially parallel cross pieces extending transversely of said ribs upper and lower surfaces of said ribs lying in spaced planes, the upper surfaces of alternate cross pieces being substantially co-planar with the upper surfaces of said ribs, the lower surfaces of said alternate cross pieces being disposed intermediate said upper and lower surfaces of said ribs, the upper surfaces of the remaining cross'pieces being disposed intermediate said upper and lower surfaces of said ribs, the lower surfaces of said remaining cross pieces being substantially iso-planar with the lower surfaces of said ribs, said ribs and said cross pieces defining a plurality of apertures in said matrix, and a filamentous material woven through said apertures substantially between said upper and lower surfaces of said ribs.

i6. ln a lloor covering, a relatively flat matrix formed of a resilient material, said matrix including a plurality of spaced substantially parallel ribs and a plurality of spaced substantially parallel cross pieces extending transversely of said ribs and integrally joined'thereto, the upper and lower surfaces of said ribs lying in spaced substantially parallel planes, the upper surfaces of alternate cross pieces being .substantially co-planar with the upper surfaces-of said ribs, the lower surfaces of said alternate cross pieces being disposedvintermediate said upper and lower surfaces of said ribs, the upper surfaces including a plurality and integrally joined thereto, the

of the remaining cross -pieces being disposed intermediate said upper and lower surfaces of said ribs, the lower surfaces of said remaining cross pieces being substantially cci-planar Vwith the lower surfaces of said ribs, said ribs and said cross pieces defining a plurality of apertures in said matrix, and a strand of filamentous material interlaced through said apertures, said material being disposed substantially entirely between said upper and lower surfaces of said ribs.

i7. In a floor covering, plurality of relatively flat posed in edge-to-edge relationship,

the combination including a members adapted to be diseach of said members including a relatively llat matrix formed of a resilient material, said matrix including a plurality of spaced substantially parallel ribs and a `plurality of spaced substantially parallel cross pieces extending transversely of said ribs and integrally joined thereto, the lateral dimensions of the peripheral ribs and cross pieces being less than the lateral dimensions of the remaining ribs and cross pieces, the upper and lower surfaces of-said ribs lying in spaced substantially parallel planes, the upper surfaces of alternate cross pieces being substantially co-planar with the upper surfaces of said ribs, the lower surfaces of said alternate cross pieces being disposed intermediate said upper and lower surfaces of said ribs, the upper surfaces of the other cross pieces being disposed intermediate said upper and lower surfacesk of said ribs, the lower surfaces of said other cross pieces being substantially co-planar with the lower surfaces of said ribs, said ribs and said cross pieces defining a plurality of apertures in said matrix, a strand of filamentous material interlaced through said apertures, said material being disposed substantially entirely between said upper and lower surfaces of said ribs, and clip means engageable with said peripheral ribs and cross pieces and effective to releasably secure said members in edge-toedge relationship.

18. In a floor covering, a relatively flat matrix formed of a resilient material, said matrix including a plurality of spaced-substantially parallel ribs and a plurality of spaced substantially parallel cross pieces extending transversely of said ribs and integrally joined thereto, the longitudinal axes of said ribs and cross pieces being substantially co-planar, the upper and lower surfaces of said ribs lying in spaced substantially parallel planes, the upper and lower surfaces of said cross pieces lying in spaced substantially parallel planes disposed between the planes of said upper and lower surfaces 'of -said ribs, said ribs and said crosspieces defining a plurality Vof `apertures aligned in rows and columns, and a'filamentous material interlaced through said apertures, said filamentous material being disposed substantially entirely between said upper and lowerfsurfaces of said ribs.

l9. ln a floor'covering, a relatively flat matrix formed of a resilient material, said matrix including a plurality of spaced substantially parallel ribs and a plurality of spacedfsubstantially parallel cross pieces extending transversely of said ribs and integrally vjoinedthereto, the upper and lower surfaces of said ribs lying in spaced substantially parallel planes, the upper and lower surfaces of saidy cross pieces lying in spaced substantially' parallel planes disposed between the planes of the upper and lower surfaces of said ribs, said ribs and sad'cross pieces defining a plurality of aligned apertures, and a filamentous material disposed in each of said apertures substantially between said upperl and lower surfaces lof said ribs.

20. In a floor covering, the combinationV including a plurality of relatively iiat members adapted to be disposed in edge-to-edge relationship, each of said members including a relatively flat matrix formed of a'resilient material, ysaid basey including va plurality of spaced substantially parallel ribs and a plurality of spaced substantially parallel cross pieces extending. transversely of said ribs and integrally joined thereto, the lateral dimensions of the'peripheral ribs and cross pieces lbeing less than the lateral dimensions of the remaining ribs and cross 10 lower surfaces of said ribs lying References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 19,494 Glidden et al. Mar. 12, 1935 planes of 51 5 1,666,938 Kseumann Apr. 24, 192s d in rows 2,659,687 Moore Nov. 17, 1953 us material woven through said FOREIGN PATENTS o disposed BD- 686245 France Apr. 8, 1930 e With said peripheral ribs and 10

Claims

11. IN A PROTECTIVE COVERING, A RELATIVELY FLAT MATRIX FORMED OF A RESILIENT MATERIAL, SAID MATRIX INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF SPACED SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL RIBS, THE UPPER SURFACES OF SAID RIBS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY CO-PLANAR, SAID MATRIX ALSO INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF SPACED CROSS PIECES EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF SAID RIBS, SAID RIBS AND CROSS PIECES DEFINING A PLURALITY OF APERTURES IN SAID MATRIX, THE UPPER SURFACES OF ALTERNATE CROSS PIECES BEING DISPOSED BELOW THE PLANE OF THE UPPER SURFACES OF SAID RIBS, AND A STRAND OF YARN-LIKE MATERIAL WOVEN THROUGH SAID APERTURES WHEREBY SAID YARN IS SUBSTANTIALLY DISPOSED BELOW SAID UPPER SURFACES OF SAID RIBS.