US 5,210,528 A · Audible floor mat

Abstract

A floor mat includes a housing for containing a power supply, speech module and speaker. A grid-like switching mechanism is closed upon a person stepping on the mat so as to provide an energizing current flow to the speech module. The speech module includes circuitry for recording and playing back a selected message. A slidable or releasable panel in the housing allows for selectable user access to the speech module. The housing precludes weather deterioration of the elements therein and cooperates with the switching mechanism so as to provide a user-selectable message to a person stepping on the mat. The mat/housing configuration allows alternative switching mechanisms to be used in connection with replaceable speech modules.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A floor mat comprising:

a mat for placement on a support surface;
a speech module assembly including electrical circuitry for recording and playback of a selected message;
a power source for said circuitry;
a housing on said mat for said speech module;
a speaker in said housing and in communication with said speech module;
a slidable panel in said housing, said panel slidable in a first direction for allowing a user access to said speech module and a second direction for closing said housing;
switch means in said mat for causing a current flow through said speech module upon an exertion of pressure on said mat, whereupon to play back the selected message.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Audible floor mat

Life of this patent

Audible floor mat

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12