Floor pad

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a floor pad, more particularly to a floor pad including a water-drainable base layer.

2. Description of the Related Art

Since conventional floor pads can provide functions of slip-resistance, heat-insulation, cushioning, and moisture-resistance, they are widely applied to various areas. Determination of specifications and raw material of the floor pads depends upon the area of application. For example, if the floor pad is intended for use in a bedroom or a living room, the floor pad is preferably made from fluff or wool. On the other hand, if the floor pad is intended to be placed at an entrance doorway of a particular area or in a vehicle, the floorpad is preferably made from fabrics or plastic foams.

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional floorpad 1 includes a base layer 11 having a first surface 111 and a second surface 112 opposite to the first surface 111, and a surface layer 12 secured to the second surface 112 of the base layer 11. The base layer 11 is made from a water-repellent plastic foam, and the surface layer 12 is made from a non-woven fabric.

When the floor pad 1 is placed at the entrance doorway of a bathroom, the floor pad 1 is likely to become wet after a period of time. The water accumulated on the floor pad 1 will be retained by the surface layer 12 and clearances between the base layer 11 and the surface layer 12, and cannot be drained from the floor pad 1. As a result, the clearances between the base layer 11 and the surface layer 12 provide a moist environment suitable for growth of bacteria and fungi.

Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a floor pad having an improved water-draining effect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a floorpad includes: a water-drainable base layer having an anti-slip bottom surface, a top surface opposite to the anti-slip bottom surface, and a plurality of through-holes that extend from the anti-slip bottom surface to the top surface; and a fibrous layer secured to the top surface of the water-drainable base layer. The fibrous layer includes fibers that are entangled together so as to form a plurality of fluid passages which are in fluid communication with the through-holes in the base layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a conventional floor pad;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the first preferred embodiment of a floor pad according to this invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the first preferred embodiment of a floor pad according to this invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view illustrating the second preferred embodiment of a floor pad according to this invention; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the second preferred embodiment of a floor pad according to this invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first preferred embodiment of a floor pad according to this invention includes a water-drainable base layer 3 and a fibrous layer 4. The water-drainable base layer 3 has an anti-slip bottom surface 31 attached to the ground 2, a top surface 32 opposite to the anti-slip bottom surface 3l, and a plurality of through-holes 33 that extend from the anti-slip bottom surface 31 to the top surface 32. The fibrous layer 4 is secured to the top surface 32 of the water-drainable base layer 3, and includes fibers that are entangled together so as to form a plurality of fluid passages which are in fluid communication with the through-holes 33 in the water-drainable base layer 3.

Preferably, the water-drainable base layer 3 is made from a water-repellent foam material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).

In this embodiment, the through-holes 33 in the water-drainable base layer 3 are separated from each other, and are grouped into rows and columns. The through-holes 33 can be formed by any suitable hole-forming technique known in the art. For example, the through-holes 33 may be formed through punching of the water-drainable base layer 3. Alternatively, the through-holes 33 maybe formed in the water-drainable base layer 3 during foaming of the water-drainable base layer 3 in a mold. The number and size of the through-holes 33 can be determined by one skilled in the art according to the actual requirements, and are not limited to what is described in this preferred embodiment.

In this preferred embodiment, the fibrous layer 4 is made from a non-woven fabric, and is soft. However, the fibrous layer 4 can also be made from fluff, wool, or anti-fungal or anti-bacterial fabric. In addition, securing of the fibrous layer 4 to the top surface 32 of the water-drainable base layer 3 can be conducted through hot pressing or a resin or an adhesive.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the second preferred embodiment of a floor pad according to this invention has a structure similar to that of the first preferred embodiment, except for inclusion of a plurality of grooves 34. These grooves 34 are formed in the water-drainable base layer 3, and are indented from the anti-slip bottom surface 31. Each of the grooves 34 has two ends that are in fluid communication with two adjacent ones of the through-holes 33 in the water-drainable base layer 3, respectively. Preferably, the grooves 34 are indented from the anti-slip bottom surface 31 of the water-drainable base layer 3 in a crisscross pattern.

According to this invention, with the inclusion of the through-holes 33 in the water-drainable base layer 3, which are in fluid communication with the fluid passages in the fibrous layer 4, water or liquid fluid spilled on the fibrous layer 4 of the floor pad can be easily drained through the fluid passages and the through-holes 33. Furthermore, inclusion of the grooves 34 in the anti-slip bottom surface 31 can enhance the water-draining effect of the floor pad of this invention.

The shape, size or color of the floor pad of this invention can be varied by one skilled in the art according to the intended purpose. For example, the floor pad may be formed in the shape of a rectangle, square, circle or oval, so as to be placed at an entrance doorway of a house or a room. The floor pad may be cut into a size so as to conform to an area in a vehicle. Additionally, for decorative or aesthetic purpose, the fibrous layer 4 may be printed with a pattern or dyed colorfully.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations and equivalent arrangements.