Miscellaneous hardware (e.g. – bushing – carpet fastener – caster – Carpet stiffener or anti-slip device – per se
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-30
2001-04-17
Sandy, Robert J. (Department: 3626)
Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,
Carpet stiffener or anti-slip device, per se
C016S016000, C016S008000, C024S306000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216315
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an anchor for anchoring a rug to a runner or other desired surface.
2. Background of the Prior Art
The need to anchor a rug or carpet to a runner or other desired surface is well known. Having the rug or runner secure and relatively movement free is the goal of anchoring devices. Many anchoring devices have been proposed in the art but most such devices suffer from one or more drawbacks. Many prior art devices are unduly complex making them expensive to manufacture and difficult to use. Some prior art devices have only limited effectiveness in a variety of settings while some devices have a relatively short life cycle.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a floor covering anchor that overcomes the above-stated drawbacks. Such a floor covering anchor must be of relatively simple and straightforward design and must be easy to use. The device must be effective in various situations and must not have an unduly short life cycle. The device must not create a raised area in the floor covering that can cause localized wear or that can cause a person to trip and fall.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The floor covering anchor of the present invention addresses the aforementioned needs in the art. The floor covering anchor is a relatively simple and straightforward device that secures a rug to a runner or other desired surface, such as a pad, a floor, a wall, etc., with relative ease. The device is simple in design and does not have an unduly short life cycle. The floor covering anchor allows either a relatively releasable grip of the device to its target object or a relatively secure grip.
The floor covering anchor of the present invention is comprised of a generally flat first plate having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a plurality of first fingers extending upwardly from the top surface. A first adhesive portion, which may be double tack tape, is disposed on the top surface while a second adhesive portion, which may also be double tack tape, is disposed on the bottom surface. The plurality of first fingers along with the first adhesive portion grip the rug while the second adhesive portion attaches the device to a target object. If desired, an optional plurality of second fingers extend downwardly from the bottom surface for added grip strength. Each of the plurality of first fingers and second fingers have a base that has a pair of sides and an arrowhead. The base of the arrowhead meets each of the sides at an angle that is at least about 90 degrees to provide the device with a relatively releasable grip or at an angle that is less than about 90 degrees for a relatively secure grip. A second plate can be provided with at least one opening, each adapted to receive a respective one of the plurality of first fingers. This second plate can be fitted over the first plate to act as a spacer for relatively thin rug applications. A spacer may also be used for the second set of fingers
Alternately, the floor covering anchor of the present invention can be comprised of a generally flat plate having a top surface and a bottom surface, a plurality of first fingers extending upwardly from the first top surface, and a plurality of second fingers extending downwardly from the bottom surface. Each set of fingers can be configured for either type of grip. As a further alternative, the second adhesive portion can be replaced by at least one portion of cooperating hook and loop material with a corresponding portion of hook and loop material located on the target surface for rug attachment.
REFERENCES:
patent: 833571 (1906-10-01), Bailey
patent: 3579707 (1971-05-01), Whistler
patent: 4769895 (1988-09-01), Parkins
patent: 4998319 (1991-03-01), Ford
patent: 5518795 (1996-05-01), Kennedy et al.
patent: 5761765 (1998-06-01), Fuzzell
patent: 5800644 (1998-09-01), Covert
patent: 5958540 (1999-09-01), Berard et al.
Loffler Peter
Sandy Robert J.
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