# US 4,399,176 A · Automotive floor mat having rigid rib > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,399,176 A - Document ID: US4399176A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/318,841 - Filed: 1981-11-06 - Granted: 1983-08-16 - Earliest claimed: 1980-03-31 - Assignees: Pretty Products, Inc. - Inventors: Ted A. Bell; Timothy S. Cooksey; Daniel F. Lehner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4399176A ## CPC - B60N 3/044: {of removable mats (B60N3/046, B60N3/048 take precedence)} - Y10T 428/24198: Channel-shaped edge component [e.g., binding, etc.] - Y10T 428/24339: Keyed - Y10T 428/24479: including variation in thickness - Y10T 428/2457: Parallel ribs and/or grooves - Y10T 428/24777: Edge feature - B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A floor mat for an automotive vehicle is provided having a relatively thin, flexible sheet-form main body and a rigidifying rib structure formed with or secured thereto in fixed relationship. The rigidifying rib structure is fabricated from or formed by elongated elements that are effectively rigid and thereby render the otherwise flexible main body essentially inflexible. The materials selected to form the rib structure preferably have a resilient characteristic, such as spring steel wire rod, to enhance the mat's ability to maintain itself in a desired smooth, flat configuration on a vehicle's floor. The rib structure is of a configuration to rigidify the main body in two generally perpendicular directions to resist displacement in all directions through the essential rigid rib encountering of any obstructions associated with the vehicle floor and the resilient characteristic of the rib accommodating excessive displacing forces and tending to return the main body of the mat to its original configuration. The rib elements may be rod-like elements or flat strips either integrally embedded in or formed with the sheet-form main body or they may be mechanically secured thereto. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A floor mat for an automotive vehicle comprising a flexible, sheet-form main body adapted to be positioned in supported relationship on a vehicle floor and being of an area dimension to cover at least a specified portion thereof, and a rigidifying rib structure including an elongated, substantially rigid, rib-forming element secured in fixedly assembled association with said main body to effect structural rigidification thereof, said rigidifying rib structure being formed of a material which is different from the material of said main body and being configured to define a plane that is disposed in substantially parallel relationship to said main body and of an area that is coextensive with at least a selected area portion of said main body to provide structural rigidity in substantially mutually perpendicular directions with respect to said main body whereby at least the selected area portion of said main body is effectively rendered substantially inflexible. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A floor mat according to claim 1 wherein said rib-forming element is formed from an elongated, rod-like bar. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A floor mat according to claim 1 wherein said rib-forming element is formed from a thin, elongated flat strip. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A floor mat according to claim 1 wherein said rigidifying rib structure is bonded to said main body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A floor mat according to claim 1 wherein said rigidifying rib structure is adhesively bonded to said main body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A floor mat according to claim 1 wherein said rigidifying rib structure is mechanically secured in fixed association with said main body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A floor mat according to claim 1 wherein said rigidifying rib structure is mechanically secured by auxiliary means in fixed association with said main body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A floor mat according to claim 1 wherein said rigidifying rib structure is formed from at least two elongated rib-forming elements disposed in angularly oriented relationship to each other, said elements being rigidly interconnected to form a unitary structure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A floor mat according to claim 8 wherein the first of said elements is disposed in substantially longitudinally extending relationship with respect to said main body and the second of said elements is disposed in substantially transversely oriented relationship to the first element. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A floor mat according to claim 9 wherein said first element is disposed in closely adjacent relationship to a longitudinally extending peripheral edge of said main body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A floor mat according to claim 10 wherein said second element is disposed in closely adjacent relationship to a forward marginal edge portion of said main body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) A floor mat according to claim 8 wherein said rigidifying rib structure includes at least three elongated rib-forming elements with all of said elements being rigidly interconnected to form a unitary structure and any two of said elements disposed in angularly oriented relationship to each other. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A floor mat according to claim 12 wherein said rib-forming elements are formed into a closed loop. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A floor mat according to claim 1 wherein said rib structure is formed from an elongated rib-forming element formed into a closed loop. ### Claim 15 A floor mat for an automotive vehicle comprising a flexible, sheet-form main body adapted to be positioned in supported relationship on a vehicle floor and of an area dimension to cover at least a specified portion thereof, and a rigidifying rib structure formed from an elongated rib-forming element of thin sheet-form fabricated from a multiplicity of filamentary strands having some of said multiplicity of strands disposed in angularly oriented relationship to others of said strands and secured in fixed association with said main body, said rigidifying rib structure being configured to provide rigidity in both longitudinal and transverse directions with respect to said main body and to thereby effectively render at least a selected area portion of said main body substantially inflexible. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A floor mat according to claim 15 wherein said filamentary strands are interwoven into a sheet. ### Claim 17 A floor mat for an automotive vehicle comprising a flexible, sheet-form main body having opposed surfaces formed from a moldable material and adapted to be positioned in supported relationship on a vehicle floor and of an area dimension to cover at least a specified portion thereof, a rigidifying rib structure embedded in firmly fixed relationship in said main body and disposed in spaced relationship to at least one surface of said main body, said rigidifying rib structure being configured to provide rigidity in both longitudinal and transverse directions with respect to said main body and to thereby effectively render at least a selected area portion of said main body substantially inflexible, and a reinforcing sheet interposed between said rib structure and said one surface of said main body. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A floor mat according to claim 17 wherein said rigidifying rib structure is formed from an elongated rib-forming element and said reinforcing sheet is of elongated strip form and of a width to project a distance transversely to said rib-forming element at either side thereof. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) A floor mat according to claim 17 wherein said reinforcing sheet is formed of interwoven filamentary strands. ### Claim 20 A floor mat for an automotive vehicle comprising a flexible, sheet-form main body having opposed surfaces and adapted to be positioned in supported relationship on a vehicle floor and of an area dimension to cover at least a specified portion thereof, said main body having formed therein a channel of predetermined configuration and opening at one surface of said main body, and a rigidifying rib structure of cooperative configuration to interfit in said channel in fixed, mechanically retained association with said main body, said rigidifying rib structure being configured to provide rigidity in both longitudinal and transverse directions with respect to said main body and to thereby effectively render at least a selected area portion of said main body substantially inflexible. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) A floor mat according to claim 20 wherein said rigidifying rib structure is formed from an elongated rib-forming element of predetermined cross-sectional configuration and said channel is formed with a substantially same cross-sectional configuration. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) A floor mat according to claim 20 wherein said channel and main body cooperatively define a retaining lip projecting in overlying relationship to said channel with said lip adapted to cooperatively interengage with said rib structure. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) A floor mat according to claim 20 wherein said channel and main body cooperatively define retaining lips projecting mutually inward in overlying relationship to said channel to cooperatively interengage with said rib structure. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) A floor mat according to claim 20 wherein said main body includes closing means extending across said channel opening. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) A floor mat according to claim 24 wherein said closing means is an elongated thin sheet secured to the surface of said main body at which said channel opens and is of a width to project a distance transversely at each side of said channel opening. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) A floor mat according to claim 25 wherein said sheet is bonded to said main body. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) A floor mat according to claim 25 wherein said sheet is adhesively bonded to said main body. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) A floor mat according to claim 25 wherein said sheet is formed from interwoven filamentary strands. ### Claim 29 A floor mat for an automotive vehicle comprising a flexible sheet-form main body adapted to be positioned in supported relationship on a vehicle floor and of an area dimension to cover at least a specified portion thereof, said main body being formed with an elongated projection which extends along a surface thereof in substantially parallel relationship thereto and projects a distance outwardly from said surface, and a rigidifying rib structure including an elongated rib-forming element having a channel-shaped cross section configured to cooperatively receive said projection in interfitting relationship and mechanically secured in fixed association with said main body through said projection, said rigidifying rib structure being configured to provide rigidity in both longitudinal and transverse directions with respect to said main body and to thereby effectively render at least a selected area portion of said main body substantially inflexible. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) A floor mat according to claim 29 wherein said rib-forming element is formed with an open channel cross-section having a central web portion provided at each longitudinally extending side thereof with a flange. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) A floor mat according to claim 30 wherein said rib-forming element is bonded to said projection. ### Claim 32 (depends on 29) A floor mat according to claim 29 wherein said rib-forming element is formed with a partially closed channel cross-section, said projection formed on said main body being of a T-shaped cross-section and configured to cooperatively interfit in said channel in mechanically interlocked relationship. ### Claim 33 A floor mat for an automotive vehicle comprising a flexible, sheet-form main body adapted to be positioned in supported relationship on a vehicle floor and of an area dimension to cover at least a specified portion thereof, and a rigidifying rib structure including an elongated rib-forming element mechanically secured in fixed association with said main body by auxiliary means including an elongated thin sheet extending around said rib-forming element in encircling relationship with marginal longitudinal edge portions thereof disposed in superposed relationship to each other and to said main body with said edge portions being secured to said main body, said rigidifying rib structure being configured to provide rigidity in both longitudinal and transverse directions with respect to said main body and to thereby effectively render at least a selected area portion of said main body substantially inflexible. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) A floor mat according to claim 33 wherein said sheet is secured to a surface of said main body. ### Claim 35 (depends on 33) A floor mat according to claim 33 wherein said sheet is stitched to said main body by stitching means stitched through the superposed marginal edge portions and into said main body. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) A floor mat according to claim 35 wherein said stitching means is a filamentary strand sewn through said main body and the marginal edge portions of said sheet. ### Claim 37 (depends on 33) A floor mat according to claim 33 wherein said longitudinal marginal edge portions of the sheet receive a marginal edge portion of said main body therebetween, said sheet being secured to said main body by stitching means stitched through the superposed marginal edge portions. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) A floor mat according to claim 37 wherein a filamentary strand is sewn through the overlapped marginal edge portion. ### Claim 39 A floor mat for an automotive vehicle comprising a flexible, sheet-form main body adapted to be positioned in supported relationship on a vehicle floor and of an area dimension to cover at least a specified portion thereof, and a rigidifying rib structure including an elongated rib-forming element mechanically secured in fixed association with said main body by auxiliary means which includes an elongated strip having said rib-forming element embedded therein and formed with an attaching surface portion adapted to be disposed in overlying relationship to a surface of said main body and to thereby effectively render at least a selected area portion of said main body substantially inflexible. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) A floor mat according to claim 39 wherein said elongated strip is bonded to said main body. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) A floor mat according to claim 40 wherein said elongated strip is bonded by an adhesive. ### Claim 42 (depends on 39, 40) A floor mat according to claim 39 or 40 wherein said strip is stitched to said main body. ### Claim 43 (depends on 39, 40) A floor mat according to claim 39 or 40 wherein said strip is secured to said main body by staples extending through superposed portions in longitudinally spaced relationship. ### Claim 44 A floor mat for an automotive vehicle comprising a flexible, sheet-form main body adapted to be positioned in supported relationship on a vehicle floor and of an area dimension to cover at least a specified portion thereof, said main body including first and second sheets disposed in superposed relationship and fixedly secured together to form a unitary sheet-form structure, and a rigidifying rib structure formed from elongated, substantially rigid elements interposed between the first and second sheets of said main body and mechanically secured therewith in fixed association, said rigidifying rib structure being configured to provide rigidity in both longitudinal and transverse directions with respect to said main body and to thereby effectively render at least a selected area portion of said main body substantially inflexible. ### Claim 45 (depends on 44) A floor mat according to claim 44 wherein said sheets are secured together by an adhesive thereby fixing said rib structure therewith. ### Claim 46 (depends on 44) A floor mat according to claim 44 wherein said first sheet is formed from a moldable material and said second sheet is formed from a textile carpeting. ### Claim 47 A floor mat for an automotive vehicle comprising a flexible sheet-form main body adapted to be positioned is supported relationship on a vehicle floor and of an area dimension to cover at least a specified portion thereof, and a rigidifying rib structure formed from an elongated, substantially rigid rib-forming strip of thin plate-like form provided with a multiplicity of apertures, said strip being disposed within and secured in fixed association with said main body, said rigidifying rib structure being configured to provide rigidity in both longitudinal and transverse directions with respect to said main body and to thereby effectively render at least a selected area portion of said main body substantially inflexible. ### Claim 48 A floor mat for an automotive vehicle comprising a flexible sheet-form main body formed from a moldable material and adapted to be positioned in supported relationship on a vehicle floor and of an area dimension to cover at least a specified portion thereof, and a rigidifying rib structure formed from an elongated, substantially rigid, rod-shaped, rib-forming element embedded within and in fixedly secured relationship in said main body, said rigidifying rib structure being formed from a material different from the material used to form said main body and having a structural rigidity substantially greater than that of said main body and being configured to provide rigidity in both longitudinal and transverse directions with respect to said main body and to thereby effectively render at least a selected area portion of said main body substantially inflexible. ### Claim 49 A floor mat for an automotive vehicle comprising a flexible sheet-form main body formed from a moldable material and adapted to be positioned in supported relationship on a vehicle floor and of an area dimension to cover at least a specified portion thereof, and a rigidifying rib structure formed from an elongated rib-forming element fabricated from a moldable material of the same type as said main body, but of a substantially greater durometer as to be resiliently rigid and relatively inflexible, said rib structure integrally molded with said main body thereby forming a unitary structure with said rib-forming element configured to provide rigidity in both longitudinal and transverse directions with respect to said main body and to thereby effectively render at least a selected area portion of said main body substantially inflexible. ### Claim 50 A floor mat for an automotive vehicle comprising a flexible, sheet-form main body adapted to be positioned in supported relationship on a vehicle floor and of an area dimension to cover at least a specified portion thereof, and a rigidifying rib structure including an elongated rib-forming element mechanically secured in fixed association with said main body by auxiliary means which includes a filamentary strand encircling said rib-forming element and which is stitched into said main body, said rigidifying rib structure being configured to provide rigidity in both longitudinal and transverse directions with respect to said main body and to thereby effectively render at least a selected area portion of said main body substantially inflexible.