AU2007100838A4 - Padded Mat - Google Patents

Description

2007 08/31 12:37 FAX +61 3 9543 2711 RCMPRT j7/1 MORCOM PERNAT Q007/019

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT "Padded Mat" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: COMS ID No: ARCS-i 59171 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:46 Date 2007-08-31 2007 08/31 12:37 FAX +61 3 9543 2711 MORCOM PERNAT R008/019 2

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SPADDED

MAT

Background and Summary of the Invention 00 This invention concerns padded mats of the type used for cushioning a user from cold and/or hard surfaces. Such protection is required in many workplace activities and many recreational activities.

C Many workers require knee protection due their kneeling on hard surfaces, particularly cold hard surfaces, during their work activities. Although there are knee pads available for people who need to kneel on hard surfaces, they are not popular in the workplace as they are uncomfortable to wear. In many instances, people would rather use substitutes such as old pieces of cardboard or carpet rather than knee pads.

Some kneeling pads are available for commercial sale that are simply shaped sections of rubbery foam material. However they are not easily handled, are easily damaged, are difficult to dry if they become wet, and slip around if used on wet floors.

Other types of pads which are larger are available for laying on. These are commonly thin foam pads which are rolled up for storage after use. The process of rolling them up is fiddly and time consuming and they need to be fastened in their rolled up position to stop them unrolling again. When unrolled they do not easily lie flat again.

The exposed foam surface means they are easily damaged also. Thicker foam mats have been used, but these are large and awkward to handle, are not easily carried, cannot easily be hung up for storage, and are awkward to transport in a normal sedan motor car.

An aim of the present invention is to provide mats which overcome one or more of these difficulties.

COMS ID No: ARCS-159171 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:46 Date 2007-08-31 2007 08/31 12:38 FAX +61 3 9543 2711 MORCOM PERNAT @009/019 3

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Accordingly, in one aspect the invention provides a mat comprising: at least one panel formed of resilient foam; and a cover surrounding said panel to hold the panel captive within the cover; wherein said cover includes an extended portion extending away from said panel, and said extended portion carries a ring or loop for manually lifting and carrying the mat.

00 0 c The cover is preferably made from waterproof fabric sewn or fastened at the edges of 00 Ssaid at least one panel. A non-slip surface may be applied to the outside of the cover on one side of the cover.

l- 00 CI Two panels may be held in separate compartments within the cover, such that the cover also forms a web linking the two separate compartments so that the mat may be folded along said web. The ring or loop may comprise a flexible carry handle attached to the web such that the handle does not extend above the upper surface of the mat when the mat is in use.

Brief Description of the Drawings In order that the invention may be more fully understood there will now be described, by way of example only, preferred embodiments and other elements of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings where: Figure 1 is a plan view looking down upon the upper surface a mat according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a partially cut-away view looking at the underside of the mat shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partially cut-away side view of the mat shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a plan view looking down upon the upper surface a mat according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is an isometric view of the mat shown in Figure 4 when partly folded; Figure 6 is a detail view of a handle on the mat shown in Figure Figure 7 is a cross section view of portion of the mat shown along line X-X in Figure 5; and COMS ID No: ARCS-159171 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:46 Date 2007-08-31 2007 08/31 12:38 FAX +61 3 9543 2711 MORCOM PERNAT 0010/019 4 0 0 C Figure 8 is a view of the mat in Figure 4 when fully folded.

Description of Examples of the Invention and the Preferred Embodiment Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a mat 10 according to the first embodiment has a core 12 00 formed by a flat panel of 42-500 specification high density foam rubber M approximately 520mm long, 300mm wide and 30mm thick. The core 12 is enclosed O in a cover 14 formed by two sheets 16 and 18 of marine grade water-impermeable vinyl upholstery covering material which are sewn together to form the cover. The cover 14 forms a snug fit around the core 12. A corer portion of sheet 16 is shown C1 as cut away in Figures 2 and 3 to expose the foam core 12.

Each sheet 16 and 18 is of a generally pentagonal shape comprising a rectangular portion 20 which encompasses the core 12, plus an isosceles triangular flap 22 extending therefrom. The sheets 16 and 18 are sewn together along three sides 24, 26 of a pouch 29 to hold the mat and a fourth side 27 has a nylon zip fastener 28 running for substantially the full length of the mat. A seam 30 of stitching runs along the base of the triangular flap 22.

A large metal eyelet 32 of about 28mm internal diameter and 46mm outside diameter is positioned in the centre of the triangular flap 22. The large eyelet 32 performs a dual function of acting as a carry handle and also providing a means by which the mat can be hung on a hook for simple and safe storage. The mat thus has a rectangular cushioned portion 38 and a generally triangular uncushioned portion The underside 34 of the mat 10 has a pad 36 of high-density closed-cell neoprene rubber sewn to the back sheet 18 around the perimeter of the pad. The pad 36 is about 390mm x 200mm, so it covers about half the area of the cushioned portion 38 of the mat. The neoprene pad 36 has a non-slip characteristic so that it provides extra grip on polished surfaces and particularly on wet surfaces. The upper surface 35 of the mat 10 is printed with contrasting stripes 37 to increase visibility of the mat for safety, and may also carry other printed instructions.

COMS ID No: ARCS-159171 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:46 Date 2007-08-31 2007 08/31 12:39 FAX +61 3 9543 2711 MORCOM PERNAT Q 011/019 C The mat 10 is particularly suited for workers in occupations such as supermarket shelf stacking, panel beaters, assemblers, gardeners, tilers, maintenance workers, carpet layers, plumbers and house painters. Dimensions of cores and mats may be varied to suit different applications.

00 The second embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 4 to 8 is a mat M0 comprising two foam cores 51 and 52 enclosed by a cover 53 formed by two sheets 54 Sand 55 of marine grade water-impermeable vinyl upholstery covering material which are sewn together to form the cover 53. The cover encloses both foam cores 51 and 52, each in its own pouch 56 and 57 with the pouches 56 and 57 joined to each other CI by a web 58. The mat 50 accordingly has two cushioned portions 66 and 68 (each having a foam core and pouch cover) joined to each other by the web 58. Each of the high density foam inserts is 620mm long, 550mm wide and 30mm thick. The web is wide and 550mm long. The web 58 is formed by the two layers of sheets 54 and 55 where they extend between the cushioned portions 66 and 68.

Two stitched seams 72 and 74 retain the cores 51 and 52 in their respective pouches and act to create the web so the cushioned portions 66 and 68 can fold flat against each other as shown in Figure 8.

When opened out and placed on the ground as shown in Figure 4, the mat 50 covers an area of about 145cm x 55cm and when folded the size is about 65cm x 55cm. It is therefore a suitable size for a person to lay on for the purpose of resting or exercising or for work purposes. It is particularly suitable for use in the automotive trade for quickly examining under vehicles or for performing maintenance where a hoist is unavailable. The mat protects the mechanic from cold and dampness as well as providing a soft surface. When used as a mat for fitness training, it protects the user from dampness and from any irritation that would otherwise be caused by a grass surface. The mat may also be used in a 900 folded position such that one cushioned portion 66 forms a seat portion and the other cushioned portion 68 is leant against a solid structure to form a backrest for someone sitting on the seat portion.

COMS ID No: ARCS-159171 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:46 Date 2007-08-31 2007 08/31 12:39 FAX +61 3 9543 2711 MORCOM PERNAT Q012/019 6 CAttached to the web 58 is a handle 60 made of flexible fabric strapping sewn at each P of its ends 62, 64 on to the web. When the mat 50 is flat on the ground, the two pad portions 66 and 68 are separated by the web 58 and the flexible handle 60 is attached to the web 58 such that the handle sits below the upper face 70 of the mat. This recessing of the handle means that it does not cause discomfort when laying on the 00 mat and does not get caught in clothing or by parts of the user's body.

00 The handle 60, which is made of flat nylon webbing, is 200mm long and is sewn at each end of the handle onto the web 58 leaving a central 150mm long portion of the handle which can be gripped, which is suitable for an adult hand to slide underneath CI with comfort. A short length of nylon webbing 76 is provided between the sheets 54 and 55 to provide a reinforcement where the handle is sewn through.

When a user picks up an opened mat by the handle, the configuration of the web 58, and the handle 60 in the centre of the web, means the mat readily folds in half as it is raised. This is shown in progress in Figure 5. The folding characteristic, and the position of the handle, then allows the mat to be easily carried by hand, easily carried in a car, and hung by the handle on a hook if desired.

Two nylon zips 78 and 79 are used for the mat, both are situated at respective outer ends of each of the cushioned portions 66 and 68. The high density foam cores are accessible through their respective zip if it is desired to replace them.

Whilst the above description includes the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that many variations, alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the essential features or the spirit or ambit of the invention.

It will be also understood that where the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", are used in this specification, unless the context COMS ID No: ARCS-159171 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:46 Date 2007-08-31 2007 08/31 12:40 FAX +61 3 9543 2711 MORCOM PERNAT [013/019 7

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0 requires otherwise such use is intended to imply the inclusion of a stated feature or Ol) features but is not to be taken as excluding the presence of other feature or features.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the 0 common general knowledge in Australia.

00 0 0 0 t"- COMS ID No: ARCS-159171 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:46 Date 2007-08-31

Claims (5)

1. A mat comprising: at least one panel formed of resilient foam, and a cover surrounding said panel to hold the panel captive within the 00 cover, CM, wherein said cover includes an extended portion extending away from said panel, and 00 0 said extended portion carries a ring or loop for manually lifting and carrying the mat.

2. A mat according to claim 1 wherein the cover is made from waterproof fabric C sewn or fastened at the edges of said at least one panel.

3. A mat according to claim 1 or 2 wherein a non slip surface is applied to the cover on one side of the cover

4. A mat according to claim 1 or 2 wherein two said panels are held in separate compartments within said cover, and the cover forms a web linking the two separate compartments so that the mat may be folded along said web.

5. A mat according to claim 4 wherein said ring or loop comprises a flexible carry handle attached to the web such that the handle does not extend above the upper surface of the mat when the mat is in use. Dated this 31st day of August 2007 Christopher Peter George Owen and Gregory John Carmichael by their patent attorneys Morcom Pemat COMS ID No: ARCS-159171 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:46 Date 2007-08-31