Mat systems and methods

• US 9,687,100 B2
• Filed: 06/04/2014
• Issued: 06/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Let's Gel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Let's Gel Incorporated
• Inventors: McMahan, Robert L
• Primary Examiner(s): Besler, Christopher
• Assistant Examiner(s): Salone, Bayan
• Application Number:
  US14/296,343
• Publication Number:
  US 20150320247A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,119 Days
• Field of Search: 5417, 5420, 29429
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 27/02 Carpets; Stair runners; Bedside rugs; Foot mats mat-like foot scrapers A47L23/22 ; doormats A47L23/26
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 27/0212 to support or cushion
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 27/0218 Link mats
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 27/0231 for fighting fatigue A47G27/0218 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 27/0293 Mat modules for interlocking engagement
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 27/04 Carpet fasteners; Carpet-expanding devices ; Laying carpeting; Tools therefor laying carpeting on stairs A47G27/06; floor mats for vehicles B60N3/04; flooring laid as flexible webs E04F15/16; installation of cables under carpets H02G3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 9/06 Travelling rugs; Sleeping rugs
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 9/062 for covering the ground, e.g. picnic or beach blankets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4037 Exercise mats for personal use, with or without hand-grips or foot-grips, e.g. for Yoga or supine floor exercises mats for absorbing shocks A63B6/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 6/00 Mats or the like for absorbing shocks for jumping, gymnastics or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49828 Progressively advancing of work assembly station or assembled portion of work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24025 Superposed movable attached layers or components
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24942 including components having same physical characteristic in differing degree
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249923 Including interlaminar mechanical fastener

Abstract

Embodiments disclosed herein describe anti-fatigue mat systems and methods configured to provide a seamless transition between a first position allowing a user to sit on a chair positioned in front of a workstation and a second position allowing the user to stand on an upper mat positioned in front of the work station.

Claims

1. A mat system comprising:

a lower mat configured to extend from a first position underneath a workstation to a second position in front of the workstation;

a plate configured to move between the first position and the second position; and

an upper mat being coupled to an upper surface on the plate, the upper mat being comprised of a softer material than the lower mat;

a sliding track configured to guide the movement of the plate in a linear direction between the first position and the second position.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the sliding track includes:

a horizontal rail associated with the first position, wherein when the plate is positioned adjacent to the horizontal rail the upper mat will be in the first position;

vertical rails configured to guide the movement of the plate in the linear direction; and

a stop associated with the second position, wherein when the plate is positioned adjacent to the stop the upper mat will be in the second position.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein a length of the lower mat is greater than the length of the plate or the upper mat.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the plate is a bottom surface of the upper mat.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the lower mat is configured to be positioned on a floor or carpet, and is configured to allow a chair with wheels to roll across an exposed portion of the lower mat not covered by the upper mat responsive to the upper mat being in the first position, wherein when the upper mat is in the first position the upper mat is configured to be a foot rest.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein responsive to the upper mat being in the second position, the upper mat covers a portion of the lower mat in front of the workstation, and the upper mat being configured to allow a user to stand on the upper mat.

2. A mat system comprising:

a lower mat configured to extend from a first position underneath a workstation to a second position in front of the workstation;

a plate configured to move between the first position and the second position; and

an upper mat being coupled to an upper surface on the plate, the upper mat being comprised of a softer material than the lower mat;

a first set of first coupling members positioned on the lower mat, wherein the first set of first coupling members are associated with the first position;

a second set of first coupling members positioned on the lower mat, wherein the second set of first coupling members are associated with the second position; and

second coupling members positioned on a lower surface of the plate, wherein the second coupling members are configured to couple with the first set of first coupling members and the second set of first coupling members to secure the plate.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

a spring positioned on the lower surface of the plate configured to raise the lower surface of the plate away from the lower mat.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein responsive to the second coupling members aligning with at least one of the first set of first coupling members and the second set of first coupling members and the upper mat receiving force from a user greater than the force of the spring, the second coupling members will couple with the at least one of the first set of first coupling members and the second set of first coupling members.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the plate is a bottom surface of the upper mat.

11. A method of utilizing a mat system, the method comprising:

moving a plate between a first position of a lower mat and a second position of the lower mat, wherein the first position is underneath a workstation and the second position is in front of the workstation; and

coupling an upper mat to an upper surface of the plate, the upper mat being comprised of a softer material than the lower mat, wherein movement of the upper mat corresponds to movement of the plate;

guiding the movement of the plate via a sliding track in a linear direction between the first position and the second position.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

coupling second coupling members positioned on a lower surface of the plate with at least one of a first set of first coupling members positioned on the lower mat and a second set of first coupling members positioned on the lower mat, wherein the first set of first coupling members are associated with the first position and the second set of first coupling members are associated with the second position.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

raising the lower surface of the plate away from the lower mat via a spring positioned on the lower surface of the plate.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

aligning the second coupling members with at least one of the first set of first coupling members and the second set of first coupling members;

receiving force, by the upper mat, from a user greater than the force of the spring; and

coupling the second coupling members with the alighted at least one of the first set of first coupling members and the second set of first coupling members.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the plate is a bottom surface of the upper mat.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the sliding track includes:

a horizontal rail associated with the first position, wherein when the plate is positioned adjacent to the horizontal rail the upper mat will be in the first position;

vertical rails configured to guide the movement of the plate in the linear direction; and

a stop associated with the second position, wherein when the plate is positioned adjacent to the stop the upper mat will be in the second position.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein a length of the lower mat is greater than the length of the plate or the upper mat.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

exposing a portion of the lower mat not covered by the upper mat responsive to the upper mat being in the first position, wherein a chair with wheels may roll across the exposed portion of the lower mat wherein when the upper mat is in the first position the upper mat is configured to be a foot rest.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

covering a portion of the lower mat in front of the workstation with the upper mat responsive to the upper mat being in the second position; and

allowing a user to stand on the upper mat.