WO2000032442A1

WO2000032442A1 - Vehicular floor mat jacket with console cover

Info

Publication number: WO2000032442A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/028222
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mary E. Hanslovan
Original assignee: Hanslovan Mary E
Priority date: 1998-12-01
Filing date: 1999-11-29
Publication date: 2000-06-08
Also published as: AU1926200A

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting a mat having a perimeter, said apparatus including a mat jacket member (10) formed from at least one layer of material and defined by a top surface, a bottom surface and a raised edge portion (16) in which a standard vehicular floor mat may rest. The floor mat jacket (10) is designed to protect the carpeted surface of a vehicle's floor well from general wear and tear and to hold contaminants such as dirt and water within the boundaries of the floor mat thereby protecting the floor well. The floor mat jacket (10) is preferably constructed of a fabric material. There may also be included a first extension skirt that provides additional protection to the floor well. Hold flaps may also be included to further secure a vehicular floor mat within the jacket and also to provide additional containment. A console cover which may be attached to the mat jacket (10) is optionally included to receive accessories such as a coffee mug or a tissue box. The floor mat is easily removable from the jacket, and the floor mat jacket is easily removable from the vehicle for cleaning or replacement.

Description

TITLE

VEHICULAR FLOOR MAT JACKET WITH CONSOLE COVER

INVENTOR

Ms. Mary E. Hanslovan, a U.S. Citizen, residing at R.D. #2 Box 230, Morrisdale, Pennsylvania 16858.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention relates to vehicular floor mats and, more particularly, to jackets constructed of fabric materials that encircle the perimeter of a typical vehicle floor mat .

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION BACKGROUND

Vehicular floor mats are features found in virtually all automobiles. The floor mat seeks to protect the carpeted floor well of an automobile from water, dirt, and other contaminants in addition to general wear and tear from the shoes of the automobile's occupants. Floor mats are typically constructed of an impervious material such as rubber or plastic, however some floor mats will also incorporate fibrous materials. The standard floor mat has essentially a flat upper surface that lies directly on top of the vehicle's floor well .

While vehicular floor mats are used to protect the carpeted surface of the vehicle floor well, they may have only limited effectiveness. Dirt and water from the shoes of the occupant may easily migrate beyond the surface of the mat and onto the floor well. Further, in harsh environments, as is commonly encountered by trucks and sport utility vehicles, the typical floor mat may be particularly ineffective.

To solve these problems, several modifications have been made to floor mat designs. For example, mats have been constructed with apertures on the top surface that are designed to allow contaminants to pass through to a liquid absorbing mat body, e.g., Bruneel, U.S. Pat. No. 3,856,610. Also, mats have been designed with a raised edge to restrict the movement of contaminants from the top surface of the mat to the floor well, e.g., Tarui, U.S. Pat. No. 4,353,944. Further, mats have been designed to cover both the horizontal portion and the vertical periphery of a vehicle floor well, e.g., Bailey, U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,898. Floor mats have also been constructed of a meshing material that surrounds a mat body that is constructed of an absorbent sheet, e.g., Mclntosh, U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,135. Additionally, mats have been designed with recessed areas into which an absorbent material is placed, e.g., Timperley, U.S. Pat. No. 5, 316,817. Floor mats have also been designed with cavities and/or trenches into which contaminants are sought to be contained, e.g., Taylor, U.S. Pat. No. 2,810,672, Wiley, III, U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,768 and Wang, U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,926. While these designs may provide enhanced protection to a vehicle's floor well by improving a floor mat's ability to hold contaminants, in each case the solution requires replacement of an existing floor mat. Another problem encountered with the typical vehicle floor mat is unwanted movement of the mat along the floor well. The occupant invariably applies a significant force to the mat surface from foot movement, especially in the driver's position. This often causes displacement and deformation of the mat from the intended position. The result is an unsightly appearance and floor well exposure. To alleviate this problem, the typical floor mat is designed with a bottom surface having projections that are designed to engage the carpeted surface of the floor well and thus restrict movement of the floor mat during use. The reader will appreciate the limited effectiveness of this design. Floor mats often require repositioning and/or replacement due to the effects of repeated use.

The interior of a vehicle can also become contaminated from sources not covered by a floor mat. For example, occupants often have food or drinks with them in the vehicle, and most vehicles have storage compartments for such items. Food or drink is commonly spilled onto areas of the vehicle where the floor mat does not provide protection. These areas may be particularly difficult to clean due to space restrictions and fabric material properties.

Thus, there is a need for a vehicular floor mat jacket that protects a vehicle's floor well area from general wear and tear and contact with contaminants such as dirt and water, wherein the floor mat jacket incorporates the use of an existing, commercially available, floor mat.

There is a further need for a floor mat jacket that protects a vehicle's floor well from contamination, especially in harsh environments commonly encountered by trucks and sport utility vehicles.

A need exists for a floor mat jacket that resists movement along the surface of the floor well due to the forces applied to the floor mat surface. There is still another need for a floor mat jacket that is easy and economical to manufacture.

Yet another need exists for a floor mat jacket that can be specially manufactured to conform to the specific design of a particular type of floor well. Still another need exists for a floor mat jacket that is easy to remove and clean.

Another need exists for a console cover that protects areas of a vehicle's interior that are not part of the floor well .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with particularly preferred forms of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle floor mat jacket that includes a mat jacket member preferably formed from at least one layer of material that defines a top surface, a bottom surface, and a raised edge portion. The mat jacket raised edge portion may optionally include an inwardly projected lip portion. The floor mat jacket is preferably manufactured of a fabric material, and is sized to receive a standard, automobile manufacturer or aftermarket supplied, floor mat therein.

The present invention may also comprise a floor mat jacket with a first fabric extension skirt. The first fabric extension skirt has at least one layer of fabric, with additional layers being optionally provided to increase protection of the floor well. The skirt can extend to any distance beyond the floor mat jacket to cover as much or as little of a vehicle floor well as desired. In one embodiment of the present invention, the skirt is integral with the floor mat jacket.

The present invention may also comprise at least one retention flap that projects over the floor mat when the mat is placed in the floor mat jacket. The flap lies on the top surface of the mat jacket member, and an unsecured side of the flap defines a cavity in which a portion of the floor mat is secured.

Alternatively, the present invention may also comprise corner flaps that project over the floor mat when the mat is placed in the floor mat jacket. The corner flaps lie on the top surface of the mat jacket member, and an unsecured side of the corner flap defines a cavity in which a corner portion of the floor mat is secured. In one embodiment of the present invention, the hold flap or the corner flaps, whichever the case may be, are stitched to the jacket member.

The present invention may also comprise a vehicle console cover. The console cover has at least one article receiving member defined by a cover top surface, a cover bottom surface, and a cover raised edge portion. The article receiving member is sized to receive accessories such as a coffee mug, a tissue box, or a cellular phone. The console cover may also comprise a second fabric extension skirt secured to the cover. In one embodiment of the present invention the second fabric extension skirt is integral with the article receiving member. The skirt may extend to any portion of the vehicle desired to be protected, and may be permanently or removably attached to the floor mat jacket extension skirt.

Accordingly, it is a feature of the present invention to provide a vehicular floor mat jacket that protects a vehicle's floor well from general wear and tear and contaminants such as dirt and water, especially in harsh environments commonly encountered by trucks and sport utility vehicles.

It is another feature of the present invention to provide a vehicular floor mat jacket that is designed to incorporate the use of a standard floor mat typically supplied by an automobile manufacturer or an after market source.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a floor mat jacket that protects and resists movement and deformation of the floor mat during use. Yet another feature of the present invention is to provide a floor mat jacket that is attractive, functional, and inexpensive to manufacture.

Still another feature of the present invention is to provide a floor mat jacket that can be removed and cleaned easily.

It is also a feature of the present invention to provide a console cover for protection of a vehicle's interior portions subject to contamination from spilled food or drinks, such areas not being a part of the vehicle's floor well. Accordingly, the present invention provides solutions to the shortcomings of prior vehicular floor mats. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate, however, that these and other details, features and advantages will become further apparent as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying Figures, there are shown present preferred embodiments of the invention whereas like reference numerals are employed to designate like parts and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmented plan view of a jacketed vehicular floor mat in accordance with the present inven ion;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section view along line 1-1 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of another embodiment wherein an inwardly projected lip portion is added in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmented plan view of a jacketed vehicular floor mat with a fabric extension skirt in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 5 is a cross-section view along line 2-2 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of another embodiment wherein an inwardly projected lip portion is added in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a fragmented plan view of a jacketed vehicular floor mat with a fabric extension skirt and retention flaps in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a fragmented plan view of a jacketed vehicular floor mat with a fabric extension skirt and corner flaps in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 9 is a fragmented plan view of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a fragmented plan view of another embodiment of the present invention that includes a console cover in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmented plan view of another embodiment of the present invention that includes a console cover in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings for the purposes of illustrating the present preferred embodiments of the invention only and not for the purposes of limiting the same, Figures 1 and 2 depict a vehicular floor mat jacket 10 constructed according to one embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicular floor mat jacket 10 comprises a mat jacket member 11 formed from at least one layer of material that defines a bottom surface 12, a top surface 14, and a raised edge portion 16. A conventional vehicular floor mat 20 is placed atop the mat jacket top surface 14. The mat jacket member 11 is sized to provide a snug fit for the floor mat 20. The edges of the floor mat 20 are tucked into the mat jacket raised edge portion 16 and retained thereunder.

The mat jacket 10 may be constructed of fabric, for example terrycloth or other cloth or woven fabrics . The mat jacket raised edge portion 16 may be formed of two layers, for example, by stitching with a ^" - 1" seam allowance around the entire mat jacket member 11. The fabric can then be anchored by periodically quilting the fabric together. Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of the floor mat jacket 10' that provides additional protection to the floor well of a vehicle. In this embodiment, the mat jacket raised edge portion 16' further includes an inwardly projected lip portion 18. As can be seen in Figure 3, the vehicle floor mat 20 is tucked under the mat jacket raised edge portion 16' and the inwardly projected lip portion 18. The inwardly projected lip portion may continue along the entire perimeter of the mat jacket member 11'. This design enhances the floor mat jacket's ability to retain dirt and water. It also can prevent the vehicular floor mat 20 from being displaced from the jacket.

Figure 4-6 illustrate yet other aspects of the mat jacket 110 of the present invention. Here, a first extension skirt 130 is added. The first extension skirt 130 may be formed of at least one layer of a fabric material, however, the reader will readily appreciate that additional layers may be added to provide additional protection. Further, the reader will appreciate that this first extension skirt 130 can extend any distance beyond that of the floor mat jacket 110 in order to cover the desired portions of the vehicle floor well . In one embodiment, the first extension skirt 130 extends 1" beyond the floor mat jacket 110 in the longitudinal direction and 2- 1/2" beyond the floor mat jacket 110 in the lateral direction. Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the manner in which the first extension skirt 130 may be secured to the raised edge portion 116 of the mat jacket member 111. A first attachment mechanism 140 may consist preferably of stitching, staples, tape, glue, Velcro^®, snaps, hooks or the like. The reader will readily appreciate that the first attachment mechanism 140 may be selected to provide an attractive appearance to the floor mat jacket structure. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the first extension skirt 230 may be integrally formed with the mat jacket member 211 and the raised edge portion 216 formed as welting that is integrally or separately attached thereto .

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate yet other embodiments of the mat jacket 310 of the present invention. In these designs, retention flaps 332 or 332' are added. As can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the retention flaps 332 may be, for example, rectangular or, as shown as item 332', triangular in shape. The retention flaps 332 are secured to the mat jacket member 311 by a second attachment mechanism 334. The second attachment mechanism 334 may secure all but one side of the retention flaps 332 or 332' to the mat jacket member 311, thereby creating a cavity between the retention flaps 332 or 332' and the mat jacket top surface 314. The edges of the floor mat 20 are then inserted into the cavity. As with the first attachment mechanism 40, the second attachment mechanism 334 may consist of stitching, staples, tape, glue, snaps, or hook and loop type fasteners such as Velcro^®.

FIG. 9 depicts another design of the present invention. In this embodiment, there are two mat jacket members 11a and lib and a first extension skirt 30' configured to fit in a vehicle's back seat floor well which may have two (2) mats 20a and 20b.

FIG. 10 depicts generally a vehicle console cover 50. The console cover 50 may, again, be formed from one or more layers of terrycloth or another fabric and includes a cover top surface 51, a cover bottom surface 53, and at least one cover raised edge portion 54 thus defining at least one article receiving member 55. The raised edge portion 54 may also be formed as large welting to retain articles therein. The article receiving member (s) 55 is secured to a second extension skirt 52 by a third attachment mechanism 56. The console cover 50 may be custom designed to contain any number of items such as a cellular phone, a tissue box, a coffee mug, and the like. Furthermore, in this embodiment the second extension skirt 52 is secured to first extension skirt 130 by a fourth attachment mechanism 58. .As with the first attachment mechanism 50 and the second attachment mechanism 34, the third attachment mechanism 56 and the fourth attachment mechanism 58 consist preferably of stitching, staples, tape, glue, snaps, or hook and loop type fasteners such as Velcro^®.

FIG. 11 depicts yet another design of the present invention. In this embodiment, the first extension skirt 130 and the second extension skirt 52 are cut as a single unit with the mat jacket member 111, thereby eliminating the need for a fourth attachment mechanism.

The present invention presents a vast improvement over past efforts to protect a vehicle's interior from contaminants and general wear and tear. The floor mat jacket and console cover of the present invention are aesthetically pleasing, relatively easy to manufacture, and capable of being custom designed to fit a wide variety of vehicles. Thus, from the foregoing discussion, it is apparent that the present invention solves many of the problems encountered by vehicular floor mats. Those of ordinary skill in the art will, of course, appreciate that various changes in the details, materials and arrangement of parts which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention may be made by the skilled artisan within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for supporting a vehicular floor mat having a perimeter, said apparatus comprising: a mat jacket member formed from at least one layer of fabric and comprising a bottom surface, a top surface sized to receive said mat thereon, and a raised edge portion encircling at least a portion of said mat perimeter.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mat jacket raised edge portion includes an inwardly projected lip portion whereby a recess is formed between said lip portion and said mat jacket top surface to receive a vehicular floor mat.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first extension skirt extending beyond said raised edge portion.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a first extension skirt extending beyond said raised edge portion.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said first extension skirt is attached to said mat jacket member by a first attachment mechanism selected from the group consisting of stitching, staples, tape, glue, snaps, and hook and loop type fasteners .

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said first extension skirt is attached to said mat jacket member by a first attachment mechanism selected from the group consisting of stitching, staples, tape, glue, snaps, and hook and loop type fasteners.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one retention flap secured by a second attachment mechanism to said mat jacket member wherein said retention flap has an unsecured side resting on said mat jacket top surface thereby defining a cavity between said retention flap and said mat jacket top surface to receive a side of a floor mat .

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one retention flap secured by a second attachment mechanism to said mat jacket member wherein said retention flap has an unsecured side resting on said mat jacket top surface thereby defining a cavity between said retention flap and said mat jacket top surface to receive a corner of a floor mat .

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first extension skirt integral with said mat jacket member and extending beyond said raised edge portion.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising at least one retention flap secured by a second attachment mechanism to said mat jacket member wherein said retention flap has an unsecured side resting on said mat jacket top surface thereby defining a cavity between said retention flap and said mat jacket top surface to receive a side of a floor mat .

11. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising at least one retention flap secured by a second attachment mechanism to said mat jacket member wherein said retention flap has an unsecured side resting on said mat jacket top surface thereby defining a cavity between said retention flap and said mat jacket top surface to receive a corner of a floor mat .

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said mat jacket member, said at least one retention flap and said first extension skirt are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of an absorbent fabric, a non-absorbent fabric, an insulated fabric and a quilted fabric.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said mat jacket member, said at least one retention flap and said first extension skirt are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of an absorbent fabric, a non-absorbent fabric, an insulated fabric and a quilted fabric.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said bottom surface and said top surface comprise separate layers of fabric.

15. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said bottom surface and said top surface comprise separate layers of fabric .

16. A cover for supporting an article on the floor of a vehicle, said article having a perimeter, said cover comprising: at least one article receiving member formed from at least one layer of fabric material and comprising a bottom surface, a top surface sized to receive said article with a perimeter thereon, and a raised edge portion encircling at least a portion of said article perimeter.

17. The cover of claim 16, further comprising an extension skirt extending beyond said raised edge portion.

18. The cover of claim 17, wherein said extension skirt is attached to said mat jacket member by an attachment mechanism selected from the group consisting of stitching, staples, tape, glue, snaps, and hook and loop type fasteners.

19. The cover of claim 17 wherein said extension skirt is integrally formed with said cover.

20. The cover of claim 17, wherein said extension skirt and said article receiving member are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of an absorbent fabric, a non-absorbent fabric, an insulated fabric, and a quilted fabric.

21. An apparatus for protecting the interior of a vehicle from contaminants and general wear and tear, said apparatus comprising: at least one floor mat jacket comprising a mat jacket member, said mat jacket member formed from at least one layer of fabric material and comprising a bottom surface, a top surface sized to receive a floor mat with a perimeter thereon, and a raised edge portion encircling at least a portion of said mat perimeter; a first extension skirt comprising at least one layer of fabric material wherein said first extension skirt extends beyond said raised edge portion of said mat j acket ; at least one retention flap secured, by a second attachment mechanism, to said mat jacket member wherein said retention flap has an unsecured side resting on said top surface of said mat jacket thereby defining a cavity between said retention flap and said top surface of said mat jacket to receive a floor mat therein; and a vehicle console cover comprising: at least one article jacket member formed from at least one layer of fabric material and comprising a top surface, a bottom surface and at least one raised edge portion; a second extension skirt comprising at least one layer of fabric material wherein said second extension skirt extends beyond said raised edge portion of said article jacket member; and a fourth attachment mechanism securing said second extension skirt adjacently to said first fabric extension skirt.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said first extension skirt is secured to said floor mat jacket with a first attachment mechanism.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said second extension skirt is secured to said article jacket member with a second attachment mechanism.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said at least one floor mat jacket, said first extension skirt, said retention flap, and said console cover are formed of a fabric material.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said fabric material is selected from the group consisting of an absorbent fabric, a non-absorbent fabric, an insulated fabric and a quilted fabric.

26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said first attachment mechanism, said second attachment mechanism, said third attachment mechanism and said fourth attachment mechanism are selected from the group consisting of stitching, staples, tape, glue, snaps, and hook and loop type fasteners.