ES2962582A1 - MODULAR ROLLER DOORMAT (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Modular roll-up doormat comprising a plurality of sheets (1) attachable to each other, in which each sheet (1) consists of a body (1.1), which comprises an upper covering surface (2) provided with a cleaning surface (3), in which the coupling is such that it allows its decoupling by rotating a sheet with respect to the continuous one for a predetermined minimum decoupling angle (8). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

MODULAR ROLLER DOORMAT

Technical sector

The present invention is related to the elements called doormats that are placed on the floor, generally at the entrances to spaces, for cleaning the soles of footwear, proposing a modular roll-up assembly that has very suitable characteristics for installation. in high traffic places.

State of the art

In places of entry or passage from outdoor spaces to indoor spaces, it is common to place elements called doormats, to clean the soles of passers-by's shoes, in order to avoid soiling the shoes as much as possible. interior floors with footwear. They therefore offer a first barrier to the entry of dirt on the soles of the footwear to the interior.

For this purpose, the use of mat-like elements that are placed on the surface of the floor is known, which due to their economy and simplicity are practical in certain applications, such as private homes and places with little traffic. When it comes to large spaces and places with a lot of traffic, this type of element is inappropriate, since by their nature they are not appropriate for efficiently covering large surfaces and, furthermore, the multitude of users causes these mats to move over them. the surface of the place of placement. Being small in size to cover large areas, it is necessary to use several mats, giving rise to spaces between them and movements or overlaps.

To solve the problem of movement due to the use of these mats, fixing solutions have been developed, which results in increased cost and difficulty of installation. In addition, it also makes it difficult to disassemble for cleaning, or to replace it if it deteriorates, which requires a complete change of the mat. On the other hand, these doormats offer very little adaptability to the space in which they are placed.

To solve the problem of extension and adaptability, modularity solutions and coupling assemblies have also been developed, but the known embodiments in this sense are complex and expensive. One of the biggest drawbacks is the need to assemble on site, since the joint between the mat modules generally cannot be folded or rolled. Therefore, the practical usefulness of its application is very restricted for specific situations.

In Patent document US4877672, a modular roll-up doormat using hinge-like elements is disclosed. Each module has a cylindrical protruding end on one side, the other side comprising a housing slot to receive said protrusion from the adjacent module. To accommodate the protruding end of a module in the housing slot of the adjacent module, it is necessary to slide the protruding end into the beginning of the slot. In this way, the mat can be assembled by sliding the modules over each other, which requires a very large space for assembly or disassembly, at least a space twice as large as the width of the mat. In addition, it requires the incorporation of stops so that they do not slide over each other and misalign the modules of the mat. This system also makes it difficult to replace damaged modules and modify the size in reduced mounting spaces.

The modular mat systems of the State of the Art therefore present the incompatibility that makes their maintenance, assembly and disassembly difficult.

Object of the invention

The object of the invention consists of a modular roll-up doormat that comprises a plurality of sheets that can be coupled together, in which each sheet consists of a body, which comprises an upper covering surface provided with a cleaning surface, in which the coupling between sheets is such that it allows their decoupling by rotating one sheet with respect to the adjacent one for a predetermined minimum decoupling angle.

The modular doormat has two dimensions; being of a fixed width and limited to the length dimension of the sheets that form it, and another indefinite dimension that depends on the number of sheets that are coupled to form the mat. In this way, the extension of the mat is equal to the number of sheets that form it multiplied by the space that each one of them occupies once coupled together.

The sheets that form the laminar mat are joined by coupling means, normally of continuous longitudinal extension along the side of the body.

To decouple two sheets from each other, once coupled in their position of use in which both sheets have a coplanar upper surface parallel to the ground, a relative rotation is produced between both sheets. The disengagement angle corresponds to said relative rotation between both sheets from their coplanar position with respect to the coupling means, which allows the decoupling of the coupling means from the respective sheets, releasing both sheets for disassembly. This allows the sheets to be released from their coupling without having to slide one over the other as in the state of the art.

According to one design option, these coupling means will also facilitate assembly by placing the blades parallel and at a certain angle for coupling after rotation in the opposite direction to the uncoupling rotation. Although said coupling means could allow coupling according to another type of system such as clipping, but for their decoupling, rotation between sheets with respect to their coupling means is necessary.

Preferably, said decoupling angle will be equal to or greater than 90°, which allows the decoupling of the coupling means from respective sheets, releasing both sheets for disassembly.

These coupling means make possible a certain degree of freedom between adjacent sheets of the mat, which allows, among other things, to roll the mat on the lower or internal faces thereof, preferably, the coupling means are configured to allow rolling towards the interior of the mat with the cleaning surface facing the outside, which prevents interaction between cleaning surfaces.

Since for the sheets to be released it is necessary to exceed the predetermined decoupling angle between them, it can be rolled up without decoupling occurring. The sheets that form the interior of the winding, that is, the interior of the spiral, have an arrangement that defines an initial circumference that ensures that the predetermined decoupling angle between sheets is not exceeded.

Preferably, the coupling means are hook-shaped. This configuration allows coupling and disengagement that facilitates assembly and maintenance tasks. Said configuration could be composed of a plurality of hooks uniformly distributed along the side of the sheets, or consist of a single continuous element with a hook-shaped section.

According to an embodiment option, the sheets arranged at the ends of the modular mat, once assembled in its position of use, can have particular geometries on their sides in the form of terminations replacing the coupling means. These terminations have a shape that improves adaptation to the ground on which it is placed through, for example, a flat or inclined extension.

Additionally, these sheets with ends at the ends of the mat can have a shape that helps maintain the position of the sheet inside the spiral that is formed when rolling the modular mat.

With all of the above, we have a modular roll-up mat system that can be mounted even in narrow places given the parallel connection of the coupling means. On the other hand, the conformations allow proper handling of the mat without the problem of the joints becoming loose in the position of use, while providing freedom of movement that even allows the mat to be rolled up for transport.

Description of the figures

Figure 1 shows a profile modular doormat with four sheets coupled together and in use position on a flat surface.

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

Figures 3 and 4 show two blade profiles according to the form of decoupling through rotation, at an angle lower than the decoupling angle that allows a certain degree of freedom without decoupling.

Figure 5 shows two profiles of sheets released after exceeding the decoupling angles of the previous figure.

Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the rolled modular doormat with all the sheets coupled together, according to a practical embodiment.

Detailed description of the invention

The figures correspond to non-limiting examples of practical embodiments, and there may be variations in the configuration of the system as long as the essence of the system is not altered, which is to have a modular roll-up mat with coupling means (4, 5) that allow the decoupling between sheets (1) upon reaching or exceeding a pre-established minimum decoupling angle (8). Each sheet (1) of the mat consists of a body (1.1) with an upper surface (2) and a cleaning surface (3), coupling means (4, 5) on the lateral sides of the body (1.1), considering the sides are the lateral parts of the body (1.1) of greater length, which allow the decoupling between sheets (1) for a predetermined minimum decoupling angle (8).

The sheets (1) have an upper surface (2) on which a cleaning surface (3) is placed in the form of fabric or similar that performs the cleaning functions of the sole of the footwear that steps on it. This fabric can be glued to the body (1.1) or introduced laterally by sliding to form part of the sheet (1). On the opposite part, that is, on the lower surface (2.1) of the body (1.1) or interior, at least one flat section will be available for the lower support (2.1) of the sheet (1). Optionally, this lower support (2.1) can be glued to the surface on which it is placed and thus prevent its displacement.

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 with prominences of any type. An example of an embodiment would be a surface with rectangular strips of semi-rigid plastic, which would be arranged perpendicular to the upper surface (2) of the body (1.1).

The modular roll-up mat is made up of a plurality of sheets (1), which are joined together by means of coupling (4, 5). In Figure 1, an embodiment of a modular doormat can be seen using four sheets (1) in their position of use, arranged in parallel one after the other. In said figure, the mat is seen so that the upper surface (2) of all the sheets (1) form a coplanar surface parallel to the floor in which the cleaning surfaces (3), arranged on or on the upper surface ( 2), they have a texture and shape that allows the footwear to be cleaned when walking on it or dragging your feet.

In Figure 2 we can see an embodiment of a single sheet (1) where the coupling means (4, 5) are complementary to each other, particularly in the shape of a hook. The coupling means (5) on one side of a first sheet (1) is in the form of a coupling hook (5.1) that projects towards the outside of the body (1.1) from its side, while the coupling means (4 ) is in the shape of a cavity in the body itself (1) with an end in the form of a coupling hook (4.1).

Both coupling means (4 and 5) and their corresponding coupling hooks (4.1, 5.1) are complementary in the position of use, so that the hooks (4.1, 5.1) are complementary to each other to allow their correct coupling. in position of use.

Additionally, said configuration of the hooks (4.1, 5.1) allows decoupling for disassembly through a relative rotation between one sheet (1) and the adjacent one, as seen in Figures 3, 4 and 5. To do this, we start from a position of use, in which the upper surface (2) of both sheets form a coplanar surface parallel to the ground. To decouple them, it is necessary to rotate both relative to each other, with respect to the coupling means (4, 5) that couple them as a point of rotation. When a disengagement angle (8) is exceeded, both sheets (1) are released, by allowing a linear movement away between both coupling hooks (4.1, 4.5) and consequently both sheets (1) are released, as shown. see in Figure 5.

The inner or lower surface (2.1) can be completely flat and closed, which would facilitate manufacturing, or it can have only a flat part and be open, which would save material and lighten the weight. The figures show this second embodiment in the first figures. In both cases, it must have at least one part that offers a flat support surface for the lower surface (2.1) of the modular mat. In Figures 1-5 we can see the open embodiment of the inner surface (2.1), while in Figure 6 we see the closed embodiment.

In Figure 3 you can see the degree of freedom enjoyed by the coupling means (4, 5), where both sheets (1) form an angle, but they do not decouple as this angle is lower than the predetermined decoupling angle (8). , represented in figure 5. We can also see these angles, which are those that are arranged in the rolling of the mat in figure 6, starting from a maximum angle between sheets (1) in the center of the spiral that is formed when rolling the doormat

Preferably, the unlocking angle (8) is 90° between the upper surfaces (2) of both coupled sheets (1), and more preferably it is more than 108°.

Figure 6 shows an example of rolling up the mat, once the couplings have been made between the sheets (1) that form it. The mat is rolled up, leaving the upper surface (2) of the mat towards the outside of the spiral that is formed when rolled up due to the position of the coupling means (4, 5). In other words, the winding is carried out on the internal or lower faces (2.1) of the body (1.1).

In this embodiment, the sheets (1) arranged at the ends of the mat have terminations (6) on their side, replacing the coupling means (4, 5) that would not be used. These terminations (6) are intended to adapt to the surface on which the mat is arranged, particularly in the case of Figure 6, it would be for a mat arranged in a recess, so that the flat extension that forms the termination (6) , rest on the floor surrounding the mat.

Alternatively, it could be a termination (6) with a hinge that allows it to be tilted and create a ramp at the ends of the mat to facilitate the raising of objects with wheels.

In a winding embodiment, not shown in the figures, the termination (6) of the sheet (1) could fit into the inner or lower surface (2.1) of another body (1.1) of sheet (1) that forms the winding. An example of this embodiment, according to the winding shown in Figure 6, the sheet (1) that has the termination (6) could be anchored to the lower surface (2.1) of the body (1.1) of the sheet (1) that is distant in five positions, if said body (1.1) had an open configuration, for example, similar to those shown in Figures 1 and 2.

According to another embodiment, a coupling means (4,5) is 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 part straight anterior, forming the coupling hook (4.1, 5.1). Optionally, the final shape can be in two sections slightly angled to each other in a "V" shape, which would form the coupling hook (4.1, 5.1) in a more retentive way.

The coupling means (4.5), according to the previous embodiment, has an extension perpendicular to the body (1.1) long enough to allow the blade (1) to rotate up to the decoupling angle (8) without becoming obstructed. Additionally, there may be a recess in the lower surface (2.1) of the body (1.1) that facilitates the rotation of both bodies (1.1) up to the preset decoupling angle (8).

In an alternative embodiment, one of the coupling means (4,5) can be an interior cavity in the body (1.1) formed by a coupling hook (4.1, 5.1) that starts from the inside of the body (1.1) and whose end It is coplanar with the lateral wall of the body (1.1). Alternatively, the inner wall of the cavity or end of the coupling hook (4.1, 5.1) may be slightly inclined towards the interior of the cavity in order to improve the fixation of the complementary coupling means.

Claims (5)

1 Modular roll-up doormat comprising a plurality of sheets (1) that can be coupled together by means of coupling means (4.5) located on the sides of the sheets (1), in which each sheet (1) consists of a body ( 1.1), which comprises an upper covering surface (2) provided with a cleaning surface (3), characterized in that the coupling means (4,5) allow the decoupling between sheets (1) when rotating a sheet (1 ) with respect to the adjacent one according to a predetermined minimum decoupling angle (8). 2.- Modular roll-up doormat according to claim 1, characterized in that the minimum decoupling angle (8) between sheets (1) is greater than or equal to 90°. 3. - Modular roll-up doormat according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the coupling means (4,5) are configured to allow the rolled doormat to be rolled inwards, leaving the cleaning surface (3) facing the outside. 4. - Modular roll-up doormat according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the coupling means (4,5) are in the form of two hooks (4.1, 5.1) complementary to each other between one side of a sheet (1) and the side of the adjacent sheet (1). 5. - Modular doormat according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the sheets (1) that are located at the ends of the doormat in the position of use have terminations (6) configured to adapt to the surface on which they are placed.