Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02735752 2011-03-30
-1-
TITLE: VEHICLE FLOOR MATS
FIELD
[0001] This specification relates to vehicle floor mats configured for use
with a plurality of different vehicle models.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The following background discussion is not an admission that
anything discussed below is citable as prior art or common general
knowledge.
[0003] United States Patent No. 4,420,180 describes a floor mat
comprising a main portion for lying flat on an automobile floor and an
upwardly inclined portion for lying on an inclined surface within the
automobile, such as behind the pedals. The main portion includes a centrally
disposed downwardly recessed area forming a pan having a floor and
surrounding sides for catching fluid. A plurality of ridges, having a
triangular
cross-section, rise vertically from the floor of the pan for holding pants and
the
like above fluids caught in the pan. The forwardly extending portion includes
ribs which extend in the longitudinal direction of the mat for channeling
fluids
backward into the pan. Additional ribs are formed on the forward portion
which are inclined downwardly and inwardly for channeling fluid away from
the edges of the mat toward the center of the mat.
[0004] United States Patent No. 5,482,759 describes an automobile
floor mat having a removable and reversible pan portion that snugly fits
inside
a central recessed area to collect contaminants. One side of the pan is
provided with a plurality of diagonal ridges, the space between the ridges
forming grooves to collect liquids. The other side of the pan may be
constituted of an abrasive surface of the sand paper type.
INTRODUCTION
[0005] The following discussion is intended to introduce the reader to
the more detailed discussion to follow, and not to limit or define any claim.
CA 02735752 2011-03-30
-2-
[0006] Vehicle floor mats are often used to protect the carpeting in a
vehicle from damage due to wear, liquid and debris. In the accessory floor
mat market, it may be attractive to offer consumers a vehicle floor mat that
is
compatible for use with a multitude of different vehicle models. However, the
foot wells of cars, trucks and SUVs can vary significantly in size and shape
from one model of vehicle to the next. Floor mats which at least
approximately conform to the shape of the foot well may tend to stay in
position better and may provide greater protection and security.
[0007] Described herein, a vehicle floor mat includes a plurality of
cutting grooves for severing and removing at least one section of a peripheral
portion. The cutting grooves are arranged to define a plurality of distinct
outer
contours so that the vehicle floor mat is compatible with a plurality of
different
vehicle models. Each of the different vehicle models can be selected from
different models of a particular vehicle manufacturer, thereby reducing the
burden on the consumer to select the floor mat that will be compatible with
his/her vehicle. In various examples, there can be at least five, at least
ten, or
at least fifteen of the distinct outer contours so that the vehicle floor mat
is
compatible with a plurality of different vehicle models.
[0008] Further, some vehicle models utilize at least one hook or pin
fixed to the foot well, referred to herein as an "anchor", and used to secure
the
floor mat into its position, with the number of anchors and exact location
varying depending on the vehicle model. Described herein, the vehicle floor
mat can further include a plurality of apertures arranged to receive the
anchors of the plurality of different vehicle models.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a top view of a vehicle floor mat for use on the driver's
side of a plurality of different vehicle models.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of an anchor-receiving
aperture of the vehicle floor mat of FIG. 1.
CA 02735752 2011-03-30
-3-
[0012] FIG. 4 is a top view of a vehicle floor mat for use on the
passenger's side of the different vehicle models.
[0013] FIGS. 5A and 5B show the floor mats of FIGS. 1 and 4,
respectively, illustrating a cutting pattern to customize the mats for use
with a
first vehicle model.
[0014] FIGS. 6A and 6B show the floor mats of FIGS. 1 and 4,
respectively, illustrating a cutting pattern to customize the mats for use
with a
second vehicle model.
[0015] FIGS. 7A and 7B show the floor mats of FIGS. 1 and 4,
respectively, illustrating a cutting pattern to customize the mats for use
with a
third vehicle model.
[0016] FIGS. 8A and 8B show the floor mats of FIGS. 1 and 4,
respectively, illustrating a cutting pattern to customize the mats for use
with a
fourth vehicle model.
[0017] FIGS. 9A and 9B show the floor mats of FIGS. 1 and 4,
respectively, illustrating a cutting pattern to customize the mats for use
with a
fifth vehicle model.
[0018] FIGS. 10A and 10B show the floor mats of FIGS. 1 and 4,
respectively, illustrating a cutting pattern to customize the mats for use
with a
sixth vehicle model.
[0019] FIGS. 11A and 11B show the floor mats of FIGS. 1 and 4,
respectively, illustrating a cutting pattern to customize the mats for use
with a
seventh vehicle model.
[0020] FIGS. 12A and 12B show the floor mats of FIGS. 1 and 4,
respectively, illustrating a cutting pattern to customize the mats for use
with
an eighth vehicle model.
[0021] FIGS. 13A and 13B show the floor mats of FIGS. 1 and 4,
respectively, illustrating a cutting pattern to customize the mats for use
with a
ninth vehicle model.
CA 02735752 2011-03-30
-4-
[0022] FIGS. 14A and 14B show the floor mats of FIGS. 1 and 4,
respectively, illustrating a cutting pattern to customize the mats for use
with a
tenth vehicle model.
[0023] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered
appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the drawings to
indicate corresponding or analogous elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, an example of a vehicle floor mat is shown
generally at 10. The vehicle floor mat 10 can be generally planar and unitary
in design, and have a durable construction of molded rubber, plastic or other
suitable material which is moldable, flexible, and durable. In some examples,
the vehicle floor mat 10 can be manufactured by injection molding of recycled
PVC material.
[0025] The vehicle floor mat 10 comprises a containment portion 14,
and a peripheral portion 16 generally surrounding and adjoining the
containment portion 14. The containment and peripheral portions 14, 16 can
be separated by a border rim 18, which projects upwardly and can confine
liquid to the containment portion 14.
[0026] As illustrated, the containment portion 14 can comprise a central
pan 20, a heel section 22 and a toe section 24. The toe section 24 is
typically
positioned against an inclined surface of the foot well of the vehicle, near
the
vehicle pedals. The central pan 20 is usually disposed in a generally
horizontal position in front of the seat. The heel section 22 can be
positioned
in a transition area between the inclined toe section 24 and the generally
level
central pan 20, so that liquid and debris collected in the heel and toe
sections
22, 24 can be collected into the central pan 20 by force of gravity. The
sections 22, 24 can be formed of a relatively thick section of material and
include various ridges or other traction features to provide a non-slip
surface
and allow for migration of liquid to the central pan 20.
CA 02735752 2011-03-30
-5-
[0027] As illustrated, the peripheral portion 18 can include a secondary
heel section 26, which lies adjacent to the heel section 22 on the other side
of
the border rim 18. The section 26 can be formed of a relatively thick section
of material and include various ridges or other traction features to provide a
non-slip surface.
[0028] The central pan 20 comprises a plurality of upwardly projecting
and generally parallel ridges 28. As illustrated, the ridges 28 can run
transversely, diagonally across the central pan 20, and define channels 30
between the ridges 28 that are configured to collect liquid therein. In some
examples, the ridges 28 can be configured as described in U.S. Patent Nos.
4,420,180 and 5,482,759, and sold under the brand name PANTS SAVER
(Koolatron Inc. of Brantford, Ontario, Canada). In such examples, it can be
possible for the central pan 20 to hold up to 500 ml of liquid or more.
[0029] The peripheral portion 16 comprises a plurality of cutting
grooves 32. For clarity of illustration, only some of the cutting grooves 32
are
labeled with its reference numeral in FIG. 1. The cutting grooves 32 can be
used as a guide for severing and removing at least one section of the
peripheral portion 16 so that the vehicle floor mat 10 can be trimmed to fit
the
dimensions of the foot well of a particular vehicle. Specifically, the cutting
grooves 32 are arranged to define a plurality of distinct outer contours, as
described in further detail below, so that the vehicle floor mat 10 is
compatible
with a plurality of different vehicle models.
[0030] The central pan 20 comprises a plurality of apertures 34
disposed among the ridges 28. As described in further detail below, the
apertures 34 are arranged to receive the anchors of different vehicle models
so that the vehicle floor mat 10 is compatible and can be secured into
position
using the anchors of the different vehicle models.
[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the ridges 28 can be generally triangular
in cross section, with each projecting upwardly from a pan floor 36 of the
central pan 14 to an apex 38 spaced apart from the pan floor 36. The border
rim 18 can have a height that is slightly higher than that of the apices 38 of
CA 02735752 2011-03-30
-6-
the ridges 28. The pan floor 36 can include nibs 37 on the bottom surface
thereof which can be used to help secure the vehicle floor mat into position.
The cutting grooves 32, and the entirety of the peripheral portion 16 itself,
can
have a relatively thin wall thickness (less than a thickness dimension of the
pan floor 36), so that it can be relatively easy to trim the peripheral
section 16
along the cutting grooves 32 with, for example, scissors or a utility knife.
[0032] Each of the apertures 34 can be enclosed by a bottom wall 40
that is generally coextensive with the pan floor 36 of the central pan 14. The
bottom wall 40 ensures that, for the apertures 34 that are not used to receive
an anchor, the apertures 34 are impermeable and liquid retained in the central
pan 20 does not leak through the vehicle floor mat 10. As illustrated, a
thickness dimension of the bottom wall 40 can be relatively thin (less than a
thickness dimension of the pan floor 36), so that it is relatively easy to cut
and
remove the bottom wall 40 with, for example, scissors or a utility knife, to
utilize one or more of the apertures 34.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the apertures 34 can
comprise a circumferential rim 42 that projects upwardly from the bottom wall
40 to segregate liquid collected between the ridges 28 from the aperture 34.
A top 44 of the circumferential rim 42 is generally coextensive with the
apices
38 of the ridges 28 of the central pan 20. As illustrated, an upper portion of
the circumferential rim 42 can be generally oblong in shape, and a step
feature 46 disposed intermediate the bottom wall 40 and the top 44 can be
provided to securely accommodate anchors that are shaped with a "hook"
end.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 4, another example of a vehicle floor mat is
shown generally at 10a. The vehicle floor mat 10a is generally similar to the
vehicle floor mat 10, the difference being that the vehicle floor mat 10a is
designed for use on the passenger's side of different vehicle models. Only a
single anchor-receiving aperture 34 is illustrated.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 5A and 56, at least one section 148 can be
severed and removed from the vehicle floor mat 110 to define a distinct outer
CA 02735752 2011-03-30
-7-
contour 150 for the vehicle floor mat 110, so that the vehicle floor mat 110
is
shaped for use with a first particular model vehicle. Also, as illustrated, an
aperture designated 152 can be cut open to be used for receiving an anchor,
the position of which depends on the particular model vehicle. Similarly, at
least one section 148a can be removed from the vehicle floor mat 11Oa to
define a distinct outer contour 150a for the vehicle floor mat 11 Oa.
[0036] Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 4, the vehicle floor mats 10, 10a
can be designed so that they are compatible with a plurality of different
vehicle models of a particular vehicle manufacturer. In the example
illustrated, the vehicle floor mats 10, 10a as illustrated have been designed
for
compatibility with a broad range of FORD TM vehicle models.
[0037] Specifically, in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the vehicle floor mats 110,
11Oa show a cutting pattern to trim them for use with CROWN VICTORIATM
and GRAND MERCURYTM vehicles (1992-2010). In FIGS. 6A and 6B, the
vehicle floor mats 210, 210a show a cutting pattern to trim them for use with
EDGETM vehicles (2007-). In FIGS. 7A and 7B, the vehicle floor mats 310,
310a show a cutting pattern to trim them for use with ESCAPETM vehicles
(2001-). In FIGS. 8A and 8B, the vehicle floor mats 410, 410a show a cutting
pattern to trim them for use with EXPLORERTM and EXPLORER
SPORTSTRACTM vehicles (2006-). In FIGS. 9A and 9B, the vehicle floor
mats 510, 510a show a cutting pattern to trim them for use with F-150TM, F-
250Tm and F-350TM vehicles (2004-2008). In FIGS. 10A and 10B, the vehicle
floor mats 610, 610a show a cutting pattern to trim them for use with F-150
TM,
F-250Tm and F-350TM vehicles (2009-). In FIGS. 11A and 1113, the vehicle
floor mats 710, 710a show a cutting pattern to trim them for use with FIVE
HUNDREDTH and FREESTYLE vehicles (2005-2007), and TAURUSTM and
TAURUS XTM vehicles (2008-2009). In FIGS. 12A and 12B, the vehicle floor
mats 810, 810a show a cutting pattern to trim them for use with FLEXTM
vehicles (2009-). In FIGS. 13A and 13B, the vehicle floor mats 910, 910a
show a cutting pattern to trim them for use with FOCUST"' vehicles (2000-
CA 02735752 2011-03-30
-8-
2007). In FIGS. 14A and 14B, the vehicle floor mats 1010, 1010a show a
cutting pattern to trim them for use with FOCUSTM vehicles (2008-).
[0038] The distinct outer contours illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 14B are not
exhaustive. There are at least 15 distinct outer contours so that the vehicle
floor mat 10, 10a of FIGS. 1 and 4 are compatible with at least 15 of the
different FORDTM vehicle models.
[0039] The vehicle floor mats 10, 1Oa can be sold with a cutting pattern
guide, which conveys to the consumer (in a similar manner to that of FIGS.
5A to 14B) the cutting grooves (and apertures) to be cut to customize the
vehicle floor mat for use with a particular vehicle model. Thus, a method of
customizing the vehicle floor mat as described above comprises providing the
cutting pattern guide, selecting a particular vehicle model and consulting the
cutting pattern guide to identify at least one section of the vehicle floor
mat to
be removed so that the vehicle floor mat is compatible with the particular
vehicle model, and cutting (using, for example, scissors or a utility knife)
along
the cutting grooves of the vehicle floor mat to remove the at least one
section
according to the cutting pattern guide. With the cutting pattern guide, a
consumer is able to customize the mat for his/her vehicle in the comfort of
their home, and without a "trial and error" approach to obtaining a proper
fit.
[0040] Vehicle floor mats can be designed to be compatible with a
plurality of different vehicle models of other manufacturers. For example,
vehicle floor mats designed for use with GENERAL MOTORSTM,
CHRYSLERTM, DODGE TM, MAZDATM, HYUNDAITM, HONDATM, NISSAN TM
and TOYOTA TM vehicles are possible.
[0041] To design a vehicle floor mat for use with a plurality of vehicle
models of a particular vehicle manufacturer, the first step is to take
relatively
precise measurements of floor well dimensions for each of the desired
models. Next, the dimensions of the models can be superimposed onto one
another, for example, using computer-aided design. The positions of the floor
dimensions can then be adjusted so that each is generally centered relative to
one another (so the position of the central pan can be established in a
CA 02735752 2011-03-30
-9-
common position). Finally, a plurality of cutting grooves can be drawn and
arranged to approximate the dimensions (for example, to within an accuracy
95% to 100% of the dimensions, and/or to within '/s" increments) for each of
the plurality of models, the cutting grooves defining the plurality of
distinct
outer contours. By approximating the dimensions, the cutting grooves can be
arranged to overlap to the greatest extent possible, thereby minimizing the
total number of cutting grooves, which can minimize confusion during cutting
and helps maintain the aesthetic appearance of the mat.
[0042] While the above description provides examples of one or more
processes or apparatuses, it will be appreciated that other processes or
apparatuses may be within the scope of the accompanying claims.
