Laundry room and appliance mat

• US 7,124,772 B1
• Filed: 02/24/2006
• Issued: 10/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David L. Browning
• Original Assignee: David L. Browning
• Inventors: Browning, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KEVIN L
• Application Number:
  US11/361,242
• Time in Patent Office: 242 Days
• Field of Search: 137/312, 137/313, 222/108, 220/571, 425/11
• US Class Current: 137/312
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/20 responsive to moisture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5762 With leakage or drip collecting

Abstract

A laundry room protective mat includes a rubber base mat with a perimeter rim and an inner fabric cushion to protect the floor in the laundry room from incidental and accidental water leaking from the washer, water and drain hoses and water connections. The mat also provides a cushion to dampen vibrations and prevent movement of the washer and dryer during operation and to protect the floor from movement of the washer and dryer located upon the mat within the perimeter rim. The perimeter rim is also provided with a drain outlet and a connecting hose to evacuate water within the perimeter rim of the mat and may also include a water sensor integrated within the perimeter rim to detect the presence of water within the perimeter rim to alert the user.

Claims

1. A protective mat device for use under an appliance, providing a vibration dampening cushion for:

the appliance, a floor protection barrier under the appliance and a water retention capability to contain causal water leakage from the appliance and connected water supply and drain lines, preventing damage to the floor and the area surrounding the appliance, said protective mat device comprising;

a water-proof base mat defining a flat base member with a lower surface and an upper surface from which extends a flexible outer perimeter ridge having a front portion, a rear portion and side portions, said outer perimeter ridge further defining an inner surface area;

a padded water-absorbing cushion liner fitted within said inner surface area;

at least one water evacuation means within said outer perimeter to provide drainage of water present within said inner surface area;

at least one flexible water-resistant hose sleeve having a first side and a second side attaching together by a side attaching means around said water supply and drain lines of said appliance at an upper end of said hose sleeve, said hose sleeve further having a lower end having a base attaching means removably connected to an inner surface of said rear portion of said outer perimeter ridge diverting any water leakage from said water supply and drain lines of said appliance to said inner surface area of said water-proof base mat and said cushion liner; and

a water presence sensor located in said outer perimeter ridge having an audible alert mechanism activated when water is present within said outer perimeter ridge.

2. The protective mat, as disclosed in claim 1, wherein further comprising:

said outer perimeter ridge is resilient to deform and compress when an appliance is installed within said inner surface area on said upper surface of said base member, said outer perimeter ridge returning to an upright position after being deformed and compressed.

3. The protective mat as disclosed in claim 1, wherein the cushion liner is an absorbable material possessing the physical characteristics of absorbing and retaining water, dampening vibration of said appliance, changing color or color intensity when water is present upon said cushion liner, resisting mildew, and retaining absorbed water during the removal of said cushion liner from said base mat to dry said cushion liner.

4. The protective mat, as disclosed in claim 1, said water evacuation means further comprising:

a grommet penetrating said outer perimeter ridge with a hose attaching nipple attached to an outer surface of said grommet; and

a drain hose having an attaching end attached to said attaching nipple and a releasing end located outside said base mat.