ROLL-UP MODULAR DOORMAT

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a roll-up modular doormat that comprises a plurality of slats (1) that can be attached to one another, wherein each slat (1) is formed by a body (1.1) comprising an upper covering surface (2) that has a cleaning surface (3), and wherein the slats are coupled such that they can be detached from one another by rotating one slat relative to the adjoining slat at a predetermined minimum detachment angle (8).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to elements known as doormats that are placed on the floor, generally at the entrances to spaces, for cleaning the soles of shoes, proposing an embodiment of a modular roll-up assembly having very suitable characteristics for installation in places with high footfall.

State of the art

[0002] In places of entry or passage from outdoor to indoor spaces, it is common to place elements known as doormats for cleaning the soles of shoes of passers-by in order to prevent, as far as possible, dirtying indoor floors with shoes. Doormats therefore provide a first barrier to the entry of dirt on the soles of shoes indoor.

[0003] To that end, the use of floor mat-like elements that are placed on the floor surface is known, which elements, due to their economy and simplicity, are practical in certain applications, such as private homes and places with low footfall. When it comes to large spaces with high footfall, elements of this type is inadequate, since by nature they are not suitable for efficiently covering large areas and, furthermore, the multitude of users causes said doormats to move on the surface of the space where they are placed. Given their small size, it is necessary to use several doormats to cover large areas, resulting in gaps between them and in movements or overlaps.

[0004] To solve the problem of these doormats moving due to use, fixing solutions have been developed, which results in higher cost and installation difficulty. Furthermore, it is also difficult to disassemble the doormat for cleaning or to replace it if damaged and needs to be replaced completely. Moreover, these doormats offer very little adaptability to the space in which they are arranged.

[0005] To solve the problem of extension and adaptability, solutions involving modularity and coupling assemblies have also been developed, but the embodiments that are known in this regard are complex and costly. One of the major drawbacks is the need for on-site assembly, since the attachment between the modules of the doormat generally cannot be folded or rolled up. Therefore, the practical utility of its application is very restricted to specific situations.

[0006] Patent document US4877672 discloses a roll-up modular doormat that can be rolled up by means of hinge-like elements. Each module has on one side a cylindrical shaped protruding end, with the other side comprising a housing groove to receive said protruding end of the adjoining module. To house the protruding end of a module in the housing groove of the adjoining module, it is necessary to slidingly introduce the protruding end through the beginning of the groove. In this way, the doormat can be assembled by sliding the modules over each other, which requires a very large space for assembly or disassembly, at least a space that is twice as large as the width of the doormat. Furthermore, it requires the incorporation of stops so that the modules of the doormat do not slide over each other and become misaligned. This system also makes it difficult to replace damaged modules and to change the size in tight assembly spaces.

[0007] The modular doormat systems of the state of the art are therefore incompatible in that they are difficult to maintain, assemble and disassemble.

Object of the invention

[0008] The object of the invention consists of a roll-up modular doormat comprising a plurality of slats that can be coupled to one another, wherein each slat is formed by a body, comprising an upper covering surface that has a cleaning surface, wherein the coupling between the slats is such that it allows the slats to be detached from one another by rotating one slat relative to the adjoining slat at a predetermined minimum detachment angle.

[0009] The modular doormat has two dimensions; having a fixed width limited to the length dimension of the slats forming same, and another indefinite dimension that depends on the number of slats that are coupled to form the doormat. In this way, the extension of the doormat is equal to the number of slats forming same multiplied by the space that each of said slats occupies once they are coupled to one another.

[0010] The slats forming the slat doormat are attached by coupling means, usually having a continuous longitudinal extension along the side of the body.

[0011] To detach two slats from one another once they are coupled in their usage position in which both slats have an upper surface coplanar and parallel to the floor, a relative rotation is made between both slats. The detachment angle corresponds to said relative rotation between both slats from their coplanar position relative to the coupling means, allowing the detachment of the coupling means of respective slats, with both slats being released for disassembly. This allows releasing the slats from their coupling without having to slide one over another like in the state of the art.

[0012] According to a design option, these coupling means will also facilitate assembly by placing the slats in parallel and at a certain angle for coupling thereof following rotation in a direction opposite the detachment rotation. Although said coupling means may allow coupling according to another type of system such as by clipping, rotation between the slats relative to their coupling means is, however, necessary for their detachment.

[0013] Preferably, said detachment angle will be equal to or greater than 90°, allowing the coupling means of the respective slats to be detached, with both slats being released for disassembly.

[0014] These coupling means enable a certain degree of freedom between the adjoining slats of the doormat, allowing, among other things, the doormat to be rolled up on the lower or inner faces thereof, preferably, the coupling means are configured to allow an inward roll-up of the doormat with the cleaning surface facing the outside, preventing interaction between cleaning surfaces.

[0015] Since the predetermined detachment angle between the slats must be exceeded in order to release same, the doormat can be rolled up without detachment occurring. The slats forming the inside of the roll, i.e., the inside of the spiral, have an arrangement defining an initial circumference that ensures the predetermined detachment angle between the slats is not exceeded.

[0016] Preferably, the coupling means are in the form of a hook. This configuration allows coupling and detachment which facilitates assembly and maintenance work. Said configuration may be made up of a plurality of hooks uniformly distributed along the side of the slats, or may have a single continuous element with a section in the form of a hook.

[0017] According to an embodiment option, the slats arranged at the ends of the modular doormat once assembled in the usage position can have particular geometries on the sides thereof in the form of terminations instead of coupling means. These terminations have a shape that improves adaptation to the floor on which the doormat is placed by means of, for example, a flat or inclined extension.

[0018] Additionally, these slats with terminations at the ends of the doormat can have a shape that helps to keep the slat in place inside the spiral formed upon rolling up the modular doormat.

[0019] With all the above, a roll-up modular doormat system which can be assembled even in narrow spaces given the parallel attachment of the coupling means is provided. Moreover, the structures allow properly handling the doormat without the problem of the attachments coming loose in the usage position, while at the same time providing freedom of movement that even allows rolling up the doormat for transport.

Description of the figures

[0020] 

Figure 1 shows a modular doormat having a profile with four slats coupled to one another and in the usage position on a flat surface.

Figure 2 shows the profile of a slat of the modular doormat with the coupling means on both sides of the body.

Figures 3 and 4 show two profiles of slats according to the way of detaching by means of rotation, at an angle smaller than the detachment angle that allows a certain degree of freedom without the slats being detached.

Figure 5 shows two profiles of slats that have been released after exceeding the detachment angles of the preceding figure.

Figure 6 shows a section view of the modular rolled-up doormat with all the slats coupled to one another, according to a practical embodiment.

Detailed description of the invention

[0021] The figures correspond to non-limiting examples of practical embodiments, and variants in the structure of the system are possible provided that the essence thereof, i.e., the provision of a roll-up modular doormat with coupling means (4, 5) that allow the slats (1) to be detached from one another upon reaching or exceeding a pre-established minimum detachment angle (8), is not altered. Each slat (1) of the doormat is formed by a body (1.1) with an upper surface (2) and a cleaning surface (3), coupling means (4, 5) on the sides of the body (1.1), with side being considered as the longer lateral parts of the body (1.1) which allow the slats (1) to be detached from one another at a predetermined minimum detachment angle (8).

[0022] The slats (1) have an upper surface (2) on which there is located a cleaning surface (3) in the form of fabric or the like which performs the functions of cleaning the soles of shoes stepping on same. This fabric can be adhered to the body (1.1) or introduced laterally by means of sliding to form part of the slat (1). In the opposite part, i.e., on the inner or lower surface (2.1) of the body (1.1), at least one flat section will be arranged as the lower support (2.1) of the slat (1). Optionally, this lower support (2.1) can be adhered to the surface on which it is located and thereby prevent the movement thereof.

[0023] The cleaning surface (3) arranged in the upper part (2) of the body (1.1) is preferably made of an elastic material with a finish such as a rough surface or protuberances of any type. One embodiment would be a surface with rectangular strips of a semirigid plastic, which would be arranged perpendicular to the upper surface (2) of the body (1.1).

[0024] The roll-up modular doormat is made up of a plurality of slats (1), which are attached to one another by coupling means (4, 5). An embodiment of the modular doormat with four slats (1) in its usage position, arranged in a parallel manner one after another, can be seen in Figure 1. Said figure shows the doormat such that the upper surface (2) of all the slats (1) form a coplanar surface parallel to the floor on which the cleaning surfaces (3), arranged in or on the upper surface (2), have a texture and shape allowing the cleaning of shoes when one walks or shuffles their feet on same.

[0025] An embodiment of a single slat (1) where the coupling means (4, 5) are complementary to one another, particularly, in the form of a hook, can be seen in Figure 2. The coupling means (5) on one side of a first slat (1) is in the form of a coupling hook (5.1) projecting towards the outside of the body (1.1) from the side thereof, whereas the coupling means (4) are in the form of a cavity in the body (1) itself with a termination in the form of a coupling hook (4.1).

[0026] Both coupling means (4 and 5) and their corresponding coupling hooks (4.1, 5.1) are complementary in the usage position, such that the hooks (4.1, 5.1) are coupled to one another in a complementary manner to allow their correct coupling in the usage position.

[0027] Additionally, said configuration of the hooks (4.1, 5.1) allows detachment for disassembly by means of a relative rotation between one slat (1) and the adjoining slat, as can be seen in Figures 3, 4 and 5. To that end, the starting point is a usage position in which the upper surface (2) of both slats form a coplanar surface parallel to the floor. For detachment, both slats must be rotated relative to one another, with respect to the coupling means (4, 5) coupling them as a point of rotation. When a detachment angle (8) is exceeded, both slats (1) are released by allowing a linear separation movement between both coupling hooks (4.1, 4.5) and both slats (1) are released accordingly, as can be seen in Figure 5.

[0028] The inner or lower surface (2.1) can be completely flat and closed, which would facilitate manufacture, or it can have only a flat part and be open, which would lead to material savings and weight reduction. The figures show this second embodiment in the first figures. In both cases, it must have at least of one part that offers a flat support surface as the lower surface (2.1) of the modular doormat. The embodiment in which the inner surface (2.1) is open can be seen in Figures 1-5, whereas Figure 6 shows the embodiment in which it is closed.

[0029] The degree of freedom of the coupling means (4, 5) can be seen in Figure 3, where both slats (1) form an angle, but are not detached from one another since this angle is smaller than the predetermined detachment angle (8), depicted in Figure 5. It can also be seen that these angles, which are those achieved when rolling up the doormat in Figure 6, start from a maximum angle between the slats (1) in the centre of the spiral formed when rolling up the doormat.

[0030] Preferably, the detachment angle (8) between the upper surfaces (2) of both coupled slats (1) is 90°, and more preferably more than 108°.

[0031] Figure 6 shows an embodiment of a rolled-up doormat, once coupling between the slats (1) forming the doormat has been performed. The doormat is rolled up, leaving the upper surface (2) of the doormat facing the outside of the spiral which is formed when rolling up the doormat due to the position of the coupling means (4, 5). In other words, rolling up is performed on the inner or lower faces (2.1) of the body (1.1).

[0032] In this embodiment, the slats (1) arranged at the ends of the doormat have terminations (6) on their side, instead of the coupling means (4, 5) which would not be used. The purpose of these terminations (6) is to adapt to the surface on which the doormat is arranged, particularly in the case of Figure 6, it would be for a doormat arranged in a recess, such that the flat extension formed by the termination (6) rests on the floor surrounding the doormat.

[0033] Alternatively, it could be a termination (6) with a hinge that will allow tilting and creating a ramp at the ends of the doormat to make it easier for wheeled objects to go up same.

[0034] In a rolled-up embodiment not shown in the figures, the termination (6) of the slat (1) may be fitted in the inner or lower surface (2.1) of another body (1.1) of a slat (1) forming the roll. An example of this embodiment, according to the roll shown in Figure 6, the slat (1) having the termination (6) could be anchored to the lower surface (2.1) of the body (1.1) of the slat (1) which is five positions apart, if said body (1.1) had an open configuration, for example, similar to those shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0035] According to another embodiment, coupling means (4, 5) are formed by an extension projecting from the body (1.1) substantially parallel to the upper surface (2) of the body (1.1), and with a final shape substantially perpendicular to the straight front part, forming the coupling hook (4.1, 5.1). Optionally, the final shape can be in two sections slightly angled with respect to one another in a V shape, which would form the coupling hook (4.1, 5.1) in a more retentive manner.

[0036] The coupling means (4, 5) according to the preceding embodiment has a prolongation perpendicular to the body (1.1) that is long enough to allow the rotation of the slat (1) to the detachment angle (8) without obstruction. Additionally, a recess may be present on the lower surface (2.1) of the body (1.1) which facilitates the rotation of both bodies (1.1) to the prefixed detachment angle (8).

[0037] In an alternative embodiment, one of the coupling means (4, 5) can be an inner cavity in the body (1.1) formed by a coupling hook (4.1, 5.1) that emerges from the inside of the body (1.1) and the end of which is coplanar with the side wall of the body (1.1). Alternatively, the inner wall of the cavity or the end of the coupling hook (4.1, 5.1) can be slightly tilted towards the inside of the cavity in order to improve the complementary fixing of the coupling means.

Claims

1. A roll-up modular doormat comprising a plurality of slats (1) that can be coupled to one another by coupling means (4, 5) located on the sides of the slats (1), wherein each slat (1) is formed by a body (1.1) comprising an upper covering surface (2) that has a cleaning surface (3), characterised in that the coupling means (4, 5) allow the slats (1) to be detached from one another by rotating one slat (1) relative to the adjoining slat according to a predetermined minimum detachment angle (8).

2. The roll-up modular doormat according to claim 1, characterised in that the minimum detachment angle (8) between the slats (1) is greater than or equal to 90°.

3. The roll-up modular doormat according to claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the coupling means (4, 5) are configured to allow an inward roll-up of the doormat with the cleaning surface (3) facing the outside.

4. The roll-up modular doormat according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the coupling means (4, 5) are in the form of two hooks (4.1, 5.1) complementary to one another between one side of a slat (1) and the side of the adjoining slat (1).

5. The modular doormat according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the slats (1) located at the ends of the doormat in the usage position have terminations (6) configured to be adapted to the surface on which they are placed.

Drawing