US20090260556A1 - Magnetically Attached Floor Covering for a Boat - Google Patents
Magnetically Attached Floor Covering for a Boat Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090260556A1 US20090260556A1 US12/425,134 US42513409A US2009260556A1 US 20090260556 A1 US20090260556 A1 US 20090260556A1 US 42513409 A US42513409 A US 42513409A US 2009260556 A1 US2009260556 A1 US 2009260556A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- floor
- magnetic
- elements
- floor covering
- boat
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B3/00—Hulls characterised by their structure or component parts
- B63B3/14—Hull parts
- B63B3/48—Decks
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B3/00—Hulls characterised by their structure or component parts
- B63B3/14—Hull parts
- B63B3/68—Panellings; Linings, e.g. for insulating purposes
Definitions
- Boats have been developed with a variety of floor and deck coverings to serve a variety of purposes. Boat floors may be fully or partially covered with such coverings.
- carpeting has been used to provide a soft tread surface comfortable for bare feet. Carpeting also provides thermal protection, reducing or eliminating discomfort to bare feet caused by sun heated floors. In addition, carpeting can provide a slip resistant tread surface on the floor of the boat.
- a removable floor covering allows cleaning the floor covering away from the boat. If soil has reached underneath the floor covering, this soil can be more easily and thoroughly cleaned after the floor covering has been removed.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a boat floor 104 s covered by a removable covering 200 .
- the removable covering 200 is bounded by a perimeter 202 generally matching the perimeter of the boat floor 104 s and includes other features such as a seat post hole 220 .
- the removable covering 200 is attached to the boat floor 104 s by snap fasteners. Snap fasteners typically have a metal cap protruding above a tread surface 204 of the floor covering 200 . This metal snap cap can cause discomfort if stepped on with bare feet, especially if heated by the sun.
- the snap cap is typically joined through the floor covering 200 to a female snap socket 214 on the underside of the floor covering 200 .
- a plurality of male snap studs 212 are typically fastened to the floor 104 s in a predetermined pattern matching a pattern of snap caps and sockets 214 joined through the floor covering 200 .
- the snap studs 212 are connected to threaded posts that are threaded into the boat floor 104 s .
- the floor covering 200 may be removably connected to the floor 104 s by locating the conjoined snap cap and socket 214 over the fastened snap stud 212 and pressing together until engaged.
- the components of the snap fastener (the snap cap, snap socket 214 , and snap stud 212 ) each add a layer of thickness resulting in a significant lump above the boat floor 104 s.
- Threaded fasteners either used to directly fasten a floor covering to the floor or to fasten the snap stud 212 to the floor 104 s can result in stress concentrations in the floor that cause cracking in a gel-coat or other surface layer of the boat floor. In cored floors, such surface cracking can allow water into the core and damage the floor. Furthermore, when the floor covering 200 is removed from the floor 104 s of the boat, the snap studs 212 can cause discomfort if stepped on with bare feet.
- the magnetically attached floor covering system includes a set of magnetic floor elements connected to and laid out on the floor.
- the magnetically attached floor covering system also includes a removable floor covering, including a tread surface and a set of magnetic floor covering elements, which is installed over the floor.
- the set of magnetic floor covering elements are connected to and positioned below the tread surface of the removable floor covering such that they generally match the layout of the set of magnetic floor elements.
- the set of magnetic floor elements and the set of magnetic floor covering elements magnetically attract each other thereby attaching the removable floor covering to the floor of the boat.
- the floor is a molded floor (e.g., a fiberglass floor, a rotomolded floor, an injection molded floor, or other type of molded floor), and the set of magnetic floor elements is embedded and molded into the floor.
- the set of magnetic floor elements is attached on top of a floor surface (e.g., by adhesive).
- the magnetic floor elements may be attached (e.g., bonded) to a gel-coat layer of the floor.
- the set of magnetic floor covering elements is attached to the removable floor covering by a technique such as bonding, sewing, or other technique.
- FIG. 1 is a plan view of a boat illustrating a floor of a passenger area covered by a carpet, the carpet shown as a broken-out portion;
- FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a broken-out portion of a prior art boat floor carpet connected to a boat floor by a set of snap fasteners;
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevation schematic view of a boat carpet, including at least one magnetic element flush with a backing of the boat carpet, magnetically attached to a boat floor, including at least one magnetic element flush with the boat floor;
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional elevation schematic view of another boat carpet, including at least one magnetic element mounted on a backing of the boat carpet, magnetically attached to another boat floor, including at least one magnetic element within a pocket of the boat floor;
- FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional elevation schematic view of the boat carpet and boat floor of FIG. 4 , the boat carpet separated from the boat floor;
- FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional elevation schematic view of the boat carpet and boat floor of FIG. 5 , the boat carpet separated from the boat floor;
- FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a magnet employing magnetic segments arranged in a Halbach array
- FIG. 9 is an elevation view of the magnet of FIG. 8 further illustrating an augmented magnetic field on the magnet's bottom and a diminished magnetic field on the magnet's top;
- FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional elevation schematic view of still another boat carpet, including at least one magnetic element mounted on a backing of the boat carpet, magnetically attached to still another boat floor, including at least one magnetic element mounted on a surface of the boat floor.
- an example boat 50 includes a passenger area 101 with a floor 104 .
- the floor 104 is bounded by a perimeter 102 .
- a magnetically attached floor covering system 300 covers the floor 104 of the boat 50 and is bounded by a perimeter 302 (see FIG. 3 ) generally matching the perimeter 102 of the floor 104 .
- the floor covering system 300 can further include other features such as a seat post hole 320 .
- the magnetically attached floor covering system 300 includes a set of magnetic floor elements 312 connected to and laid out on the floor 104 of the boat 50 .
- the floor covering system 300 also includes a removable floor covering 304 , including a tread surface 305 and a set of magnetic floor covering elements 314 , which is installed over the floor 104 .
- the set of magnetic floor covering elements 314 are connected to and positioned below the tread surface 305 of the removable floor covering 304 such that they generally match the layout of the set of magnetic floor elements 312 .
- the set of magnetic floor elements 312 and the set of magnetic floor covering elements 314 magnetically attract each other thereby attaching the removable floor covering 304 to the floor 104 of the boat 50 .
- the set of magnetic floor elements 312 and the set of magnetic floor covering elements 314 both include permanent magnets, each of the magnets having opposite north and south magnetic poles.
- individual magnets of the set of magnetic floor covering elements 314 are positioned adjacent to individual magnets of the set of magnetic floor elements 312 .
- each of the individual magnets connected to the tread surface 305 is paired with and adjacent to one of the individual magnets connected to the floor 104 .
- the adjacent pairs of magnets are oriented such that the adjacent magnetic poles are opposite each other and thus attract each other.
- the set of magnetic floor elements 312 includes permanent magnets and the set of magnetic floor covering elements 314 includes non-permanent magnetic elements.
- the non-permanent magnetic elements of the set of magnetic floor covering elements 314 are positioned adjacent to individual permanent magnets of the set of magnetic floor elements 312 .
- each of the non-permanent magnetic elements connected to the tread surface 305 is paired with, adjacent to, and attracted to one of the individual permanent magnets connected to the floor 104 .
- the set of magnetic floor elements 312 includes non-permanent magnetic elements and the set of magnetic floor covering elements 314 includes permanent magnets.
- the individual permanent magnets of the set of magnetic floor covering elements 314 are positioned adjacent to non-permanent magnetic elements of the set of magnetic floor elements 312 .
- each of the individual permanent magnets connected to the tread surface 305 is paired with, adjacent to, and attracted to one of the non-permanent magnetic elements connected to the floor 104 .
- the set of magnetic floor elements 312 can be attached to the floor 104 by means such as adhesive bonding.
- the floor 104 is a fiberglass floor and the set of magnetic floor elements 312 are embedded and molded into the floor 104 during the manufacture of the floor 104 .
- uncured fiberglass resin wets the set of magnetic floor elements 312 and securely bonds them to the fiberglass material of the floor 104 when cured.
- the set of magnetic floor elements 312 is embedded into the floor 104 such that the elements 312 are flush with a top surface 108 of the floor 104 .
- FIGS. 4 and 6 at a single location
- the set of magnetic floor elements 312 is embedded into an alternate floor 104 ′ such that the elements 312 are below a top surface 108 ′ of the floor 104 ′ and within a pocket 110 formed into fiberglass material of the floor 104 ′.
- the set of magnetic floor elements 312 are mounted (e.g., with adhesive) above a top surface 108 ′′ of still another floor 104 ′′.
- the set of magnetic floor covering elements 314 can be attached to the tread surface 305 by means such as adhesive bonding thereby forming the removable floor covering 304 .
- the removable floor covering 304 may further include a backing 306 .
- the set of magnetic floor covering elements 314 is sewn into the tread surface 305 and/or the backing 306 .
- the set of magnetic floor covering elements 314 are fastened to the tread surface 305 and/or the backing 306 .
- the set of magnetic floor covering elements 314 is attached to the tread surface 305 and/or the backing 306 such that the set of elements 314 are flush with a bottom surface 307 of the removable floor covering 304 .
- the set of magnetic floor covering elements 314 is attached to the tread surface 305 such that the set of elements 314 extend past a bottom surface 307 ′ of an alternate removable floor covering 304 ′.
- FIGS. 4 through 7 and 10 are not necessarily to scale but illustrate various schematic layouts of the removable floor covering 304 , 304 ′, including the set of magnetic floor covering elements 314 ; the floor 104 , 104 ′, 104 ′′; and the set of magnetic floor elements 312 .
- the thickness of the magnetic elements 312 and 314 can be accommodated within the depth of the pocket 110 of the floor 104 ′ and thereby result in the tread surface 305 having a smooth contour.
- FIGS. 5 and 7 illustrates various schematic layouts of the removable floor covering 304 , 304 ′, including the set of magnetic floor covering elements 314 ; the floor 104 , 104 ′, 104 ′′; and the set of magnetic floor elements 312 .
- the thickness of the magnetic elements 312 and 314 can be accommodated within the depth of the pocket 110 of the floor 104 ′ and thereby result in the tread surface 305 having a smooth contour.
- the thickness of the magnetic floor element 312 can be accommodated by inlaying it within the floor 104 and the thickness of the magnetic floor covering element 314 can be accommodated by inlaying it within the removable floor covering 304 .
- the schematic layouts of FIGS. 4 and 6 also result in the tread surface 305 having a smooth contour.
- the magnetic floor element 312 is surface mounted to the floor 104 ′′ and the magnetic floor covering element 314 is surface mounted to the removable floor covering 304 ′.
- Other combinations of surface mounting and recess mounting the magnetic elements 312 , 314 are possible.
- the removable floor covering 304 ′, including the surface mounted magnetic floor covering element 314 can be used with the floor 104 , including the recess mounted magnetic floor element 312 .
- the magnetic floor element 312 and/or the magnetic floor covering element 314 are surface mounted without an accommodating pocket (such as the pocket 110 of FIG. 7 ).
- minimizing thickness of the magnetic elements 312 and/or 314 is preferred.
- a local protuberance of the tread surface 305 (see FIG. 10 ) caused by the magnetic elements 312 and/or 314 is also minimized.
- the magnetic elements 312 and/or 314 can be made from commercially available permanent magnets less than about 1/16 inch thick. In other embodiments, the magnetic elements 312 and/or 314 can be made from commercially available permanent magnets less than about 1 ⁇ 8 inch thick.
- Non-permanent magnetic elements are also commercially available in thicknesses less than about 1/16′′ thick and in thicknesses less than about 1 ⁇ 8′′ thick.
- the magnetic elements 312 and 314 can include non-permanent magnetic elements.
- the protuberance of the tread surface 305 can be reduced to an acceptable or even negligible size.
- the floor covering system 300 facilitates installing the removable floor covering 304 on the floor 104 of the boat 50 .
- the removable floor covering 304 is aligned and positioned above the floor 104 ( FIG. 6 ), the aligned sets of magnetic elements 312 , 314 attached to the floor 104 and tread surface 305 attract each other and thereby secure the removable floor covering 304 to the floor 104 ( FIG. 4 ).
- the floor covering system 300 also facilitates removing the removable floor covering 304 from the floor 104 of the boat 50 . The removal can be accomplished by lifting the removable floor covering 304 , preferably along the perimeter 302 (see FIG. 3 ), with sufficient force to overcome the attraction between the sets of magnetic elements 312 , 314 . By peeling the removable floor covering 304 from the floor 104 starting at the perimeter 302 , the attraction between the sets of magnetic elements 312 , 314 can be overcome one magnetic element pair at a time, thereby reducing the force required.
- certain embodiments of the floor covering system 300 further hold and secure the installed floor covering 304 to the floor 104 by supplementary means.
- These supplementary means include a close fit between the perimeter 302 of the installed floor covering 304 and the perimeter 102 of the floor 104 (see FIGS. 1 and 3 ).
- a high friction surface such as rubber, may be employed at the bottom surface 307 of the removable floor covering 304 and/or the top surface 108 of the floor 104 . The close fit and the high friction surface(s), used separately or together, aid in keeping the installed floor covering 304 from sliding on the floor 104 of the boat 50 .
- 5 and 7 further includes a close fit between the pockets 110 , formed into the fiberglass material of the floor 104 ′, and the set of magnetic floor covering elements 314 , attached to the tread surface 305 .
- the close fit between the pockets 110 and the set of magnetic elements 314 further holds and secures the installed floor covering 304 ′ to the floor 104 ′ of the boat 50 .
- the sets of magnetic elements 312 , 314 include rubberized, rust resistant magnets. Additionally, the rubberized magnets can be colored to match the floor 104 , 104 ′ of the boat 50 . To increase the holding force of the rubberized magnets and to reduce their thickness, a plurality of rubberized magnets 400 employing a Halbach array can be included in the sets of magnetic elements 312 , 314 . As illustrated and idealized at FIGS. 8 and 9 , the example magnet 400 , employing the Halbach array, includes various magnetic segments with various magnetic field vectors 418 oriented in various directions.
- an up-facing segment 406 , a down-facing segment 408 , a right-facing segment 410 , and a left-facing segment 412 are arranged as shown.
- This arrangement results in a magnetically augmented side 402 of the magnet 400 and a magnetically diminished side 404 of the magnet 400 .
- the magnetically augmented side 402 has magnetic fields that combine to form a reinforced magnetic field 420 while the magnetically diminished side 404 has magnetic fields that cancel each other.
- the magnetically augmented side 402 of the magnet 400 is positioned to face toward the floor 104 when mounted on the tread surface 305 .
- the magnetically augmented side 402 of the magnet 400 is positioned to face toward the tread surface 305 when mounted on the floor 104 .
Abstract
Description
- The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/045,843, filed Apr. 17, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- The present disclosure relates to floor and deck covering, such as carpet, for watercraft and boats.
- Boats have been developed with a variety of floor and deck coverings to serve a variety of purposes. Boat floors may be fully or partially covered with such coverings. For example, carpeting has been used to provide a soft tread surface comfortable for bare feet. Carpeting also provides thermal protection, reducing or eliminating discomfort to bare feet caused by sun heated floors. In addition, carpeting can provide a slip resistant tread surface on the floor of the boat.
- It is often desired to employ easily removable floor and deck covering in boats. When soiled, a removable floor covering allows cleaning the floor covering away from the boat. If soil has reached underneath the floor covering, this soil can be more easily and thoroughly cleaned after the floor covering has been removed.
- Snap fasteners are commonly used for attaching removable floor coverings to boat floors. Snap fasteners are typically made of metal that is prone to corrode and/or rust. The rust and/or corrosion can stain and discolor the boat and detract from its appearance.
-
FIG. 2 illustrates aboat floor 104 s covered by aremovable covering 200. Theremovable covering 200 is bounded by aperimeter 202 generally matching the perimeter of theboat floor 104 s and includes other features such as aseat post hole 220. Theremovable covering 200 is attached to theboat floor 104 s by snap fasteners. Snap fasteners typically have a metal cap protruding above atread surface 204 of the floor covering 200. This metal snap cap can cause discomfort if stepped on with bare feet, especially if heated by the sun. The snap cap is typically joined through the floor covering 200 to afemale snap socket 214 on the underside of the floor covering 200. A plurality ofmale snap studs 212 are typically fastened to thefloor 104 s in a predetermined pattern matching a pattern of snap caps andsockets 214 joined through the floor covering 200. Typically, thesnap studs 212 are connected to threaded posts that are threaded into theboat floor 104 s. The floor covering 200 may be removably connected to thefloor 104 s by locating the conjoined snap cap andsocket 214 over the fastenedsnap stud 212 and pressing together until engaged. The components of the snap fastener (the snap cap,snap socket 214, and snap stud 212) each add a layer of thickness resulting in a significant lump above theboat floor 104 s. - Threaded fasteners, either used to directly fasten a floor covering to the floor or to fasten the
snap stud 212 to thefloor 104 s can result in stress concentrations in the floor that cause cracking in a gel-coat or other surface layer of the boat floor. In cored floors, such surface cracking can allow water into the core and damage the floor. Furthermore, when the floor covering 200 is removed from thefloor 104 s of the boat, thesnap studs 212 can cause discomfort if stepped on with bare feet. - There is a need for an easily removable boat flooring system that does not use threaded fasteners or snap fasteners. The present disclosure fulfills this and other needs.
- One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a magnetically attached floor covering system for covering a floor of a boat. The magnetically attached floor covering system includes a set of magnetic floor elements connected to and laid out on the floor. The magnetically attached floor covering system also includes a removable floor covering, including a tread surface and a set of magnetic floor covering elements, which is installed over the floor. The set of magnetic floor covering elements are connected to and positioned below the tread surface of the removable floor covering such that they generally match the layout of the set of magnetic floor elements. The set of magnetic floor elements and the set of magnetic floor covering elements magnetically attract each other thereby attaching the removable floor covering to the floor of the boat.
- In one embodiment, the floor is a molded floor (e.g., a fiberglass floor, a rotomolded floor, an injection molded floor, or other type of molded floor), and the set of magnetic floor elements is embedded and molded into the floor. In another embodiment, the set of magnetic floor elements is attached on top of a floor surface (e.g., by adhesive). In the case of a fiberglass boat, in certain embodiments, the magnetic floor elements may be attached (e.g., bonded) to a gel-coat layer of the floor. Also in certain embodiments, the set of magnetic floor covering elements is attached to the removable floor covering by a technique such as bonding, sewing, or other technique.
- In a preferred embodiment, the sets of magnetic elements include rubberized, rust resistant magnets. To increase the holding force of the rubberized magnets and to reduce their thickness, the rubberized magnets can employ a Halbach array.
-
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a boat illustrating a floor of a passenger area covered by a carpet, the carpet shown as a broken-out portion; -
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a broken-out portion of a prior art boat floor carpet connected to a boat floor by a set of snap fasteners; -
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the broken-out portion of the boat floor carpet ofFIG. 1 connected to the boat floor ofFIG. 1 by a set of magnetic elements; -
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevation schematic view of a boat carpet, including at least one magnetic element flush with a backing of the boat carpet, magnetically attached to a boat floor, including at least one magnetic element flush with the boat floor; -
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional elevation schematic view of another boat carpet, including at least one magnetic element mounted on a backing of the boat carpet, magnetically attached to another boat floor, including at least one magnetic element within a pocket of the boat floor; -
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional elevation schematic view of the boat carpet and boat floor ofFIG. 4 , the boat carpet separated from the boat floor; -
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional elevation schematic view of the boat carpet and boat floor ofFIG. 5 , the boat carpet separated from the boat floor; -
FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a magnet employing magnetic segments arranged in a Halbach array; -
FIG. 9 is an elevation view of the magnet ofFIG. 8 further illustrating an augmented magnetic field on the magnet's bottom and a diminished magnetic field on the magnet's top; and -
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional elevation schematic view of still another boat carpet, including at least one magnetic element mounted on a backing of the boat carpet, magnetically attached to still another boat floor, including at least one magnetic element mounted on a surface of the boat floor. - The present disclosure relates to a magnetically attached floor covering system for covering a floor of a boat. As illustrated at
FIG. 1 , anexample boat 50 includes apassenger area 101 with afloor 104. Thefloor 104 is bounded by aperimeter 102. A magnetically attached floor coveringsystem 300 covers thefloor 104 of theboat 50 and is bounded by a perimeter 302 (seeFIG. 3 ) generally matching theperimeter 102 of thefloor 104. The floor coveringsystem 300 can further include other features such as aseat post hole 320. - As shown at
FIG. 3 , the magnetically attached floor coveringsystem 300 includes a set ofmagnetic floor elements 312 connected to and laid out on thefloor 104 of theboat 50. Thefloor covering system 300 also includes a removable floor covering 304, including atread surface 305 and a set of magneticfloor covering elements 314, which is installed over thefloor 104. The set of magneticfloor covering elements 314 are connected to and positioned below thetread surface 305 of the removable floor covering 304 such that they generally match the layout of the set ofmagnetic floor elements 312. The set ofmagnetic floor elements 312 and the set of magneticfloor covering elements 314 magnetically attract each other thereby attaching the removable floor covering 304 to thefloor 104 of theboat 50. - In a preferred embodiment, the set of
magnetic floor elements 312 and the set of magneticfloor covering elements 314 both include permanent magnets, each of the magnets having opposite north and south magnetic poles. Upon installing the removable floor covering 304 over thefloor 104, individual magnets of the set of magneticfloor covering elements 314 are positioned adjacent to individual magnets of the set ofmagnetic floor elements 312. Thus each of the individual magnets connected to thetread surface 305 is paired with and adjacent to one of the individual magnets connected to thefloor 104. The adjacent pairs of magnets are oriented such that the adjacent magnetic poles are opposite each other and thus attract each other. - In another embodiment, the set of
magnetic floor elements 312 includes permanent magnets and the set of magneticfloor covering elements 314 includes non-permanent magnetic elements. Upon installing the removable floor covering 304 over thefloor 104, the non-permanent magnetic elements of the set of magneticfloor covering elements 314 are positioned adjacent to individual permanent magnets of the set ofmagnetic floor elements 312. Thus each of the non-permanent magnetic elements connected to thetread surface 305 is paired with, adjacent to, and attracted to one of the individual permanent magnets connected to thefloor 104. - In still another embodiment, the set of
magnetic floor elements 312 includes non-permanent magnetic elements and the set of magneticfloor covering elements 314 includes permanent magnets. Upon installing the removable floor covering 304 over thefloor 104, the individual permanent magnets of the set of magneticfloor covering elements 314 are positioned adjacent to non-permanent magnetic elements of the set ofmagnetic floor elements 312. Thus each of the individual permanent magnets connected to thetread surface 305 is paired with, adjacent to, and attracted to one of the non-permanent magnetic elements connected to thefloor 104. - The set of
magnetic floor elements 312 can be attached to thefloor 104 by means such as adhesive bonding. In one embodiment, thefloor 104 is a fiberglass floor and the set ofmagnetic floor elements 312 are embedded and molded into thefloor 104 during the manufacture of thefloor 104. By this method of manufacturing the floor, uncured fiberglass resin wets the set ofmagnetic floor elements 312 and securely bonds them to the fiberglass material of thefloor 104 when cured. As illustrated atFIGS. 4 and 6 at a single location, the set ofmagnetic floor elements 312 is embedded into thefloor 104 such that theelements 312 are flush with atop surface 108 of thefloor 104. Alternatively, as illustrated atFIGS. 5 and 7 at a single location, the set ofmagnetic floor elements 312 is embedded into analternate floor 104′ such that theelements 312 are below atop surface 108′ of thefloor 104′ and within apocket 110 formed into fiberglass material of thefloor 104′. In still another embodiment, as illustrated atFIG. 10 , the set ofmagnetic floor elements 312 are mounted (e.g., with adhesive) above atop surface 108″ of still anotherfloor 104″. - In the magnetically attached floor covering systems 300 (
FIGS. 1 , 3, 4, and 6), 300′ (FIGS. 5 and 7 ), and 300″ (FIG. 10 ) no holes need be made in thefloor - The set of magnetic
floor covering elements 314 can be attached to thetread surface 305 by means such as adhesive bonding thereby forming the removable floor covering 304. The removable floor covering 304 may further include abacking 306. In one embodiment, the set of magneticfloor covering elements 314 is sewn into thetread surface 305 and/or thebacking 306. In certain embodiments, the set of magneticfloor covering elements 314 are fastened to thetread surface 305 and/or thebacking 306. As illustrated atFIGS. 4 and 6 at a single location, the set of magneticfloor covering elements 314 is attached to thetread surface 305 and/or thebacking 306 such that the set ofelements 314 are flush with abottom surface 307 of the removable floor covering 304. Alternatively, as illustrated atFIGS. 5 , 7, and 10 at a single location, the set of magneticfloor covering elements 314 is attached to thetread surface 305 such that the set ofelements 314 extend past abottom surface 307′ of an alternate removable floor covering 304′. -
FIGS. 4 through 7 and 10 are not necessarily to scale but illustrate various schematic layouts of the removable floor covering 304, 304′, including the set of magneticfloor covering elements 314; thefloor magnetic floor elements 312. In the schematic layout ofFIGS. 5 and 7 , the thickness of themagnetic elements pocket 110 of thefloor 104′ and thereby result in thetread surface 305 having a smooth contour. In the schematic layout ofFIGS. 4 and 6 , the thickness of themagnetic floor element 312 can be accommodated by inlaying it within thefloor 104 and the thickness of the magneticfloor covering element 314 can be accommodated by inlaying it within the removable floor covering 304. Thus the schematic layouts ofFIGS. 4 and 6 also result in thetread surface 305 having a smooth contour. In the schematic layout ofFIG. 10 , themagnetic floor element 312 is surface mounted to thefloor 104″ and the magneticfloor covering element 314 is surface mounted to the removable floor covering 304′. Other combinations of surface mounting and recess mounting themagnetic elements floor covering element 314, can be used with thefloor 104, including the recess mountedmagnetic floor element 312. - In embodiments, such as shown at
FIG. 10 , where themagnetic floor element 312 and/or the magneticfloor covering element 314 are surface mounted without an accommodating pocket (such as thepocket 110 ofFIG. 7 ), minimizing thickness of themagnetic elements 312 and/or 314 is preferred. By minimizing the thickness of themagnetic elements 312 and/or 314, a local protuberance of the tread surface 305 (seeFIG. 10 ) caused by themagnetic elements 312 and/or 314 is also minimized. In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, themagnetic elements 312 and/or 314 can be made from commercially available permanent magnets less than about 1/16 inch thick. In other embodiments, themagnetic elements 312 and/or 314 can be made from commercially available permanent magnets less than about ⅛ inch thick. Non-permanent magnetic elements are also commercially available in thicknesses less than about 1/16″ thick and in thicknesses less than about ⅛″ thick. As mentioned above, themagnetic elements magnetic elements 312 and/or 314, the protuberance of thetread surface 305 can be reduced to an acceptable or even negligible size. - The
floor covering system 300 facilitates installing the removable floor covering 304 on thefloor 104 of theboat 50. As described above and illustrated atFIGS. 4 and 6 , the removable floor covering 304 is aligned and positioned above the floor 104 (FIG. 6 ), the aligned sets ofmagnetic elements floor 104 andtread surface 305 attract each other and thereby secure the removable floor covering 304 to the floor 104 (FIG. 4 ). Thefloor covering system 300 also facilitates removing the removable floor covering 304 from thefloor 104 of theboat 50. The removal can be accomplished by lifting the removable floor covering 304, preferably along the perimeter 302 (seeFIG. 3 ), with sufficient force to overcome the attraction between the sets ofmagnetic elements floor 104 starting at theperimeter 302, the attraction between the sets ofmagnetic elements - In addition to the attractive forces between the sets of
magnetic elements floor covering system 300 further hold and secure the installed floor covering 304 to thefloor 104 by supplementary means. These supplementary means include a close fit between theperimeter 302 of the installed floor covering 304 and theperimeter 102 of the floor 104 (seeFIGS. 1 and 3 ). Additionally, a high friction surface, such as rubber, may be employed at thebottom surface 307 of the removable floor covering 304 and/or thetop surface 108 of thefloor 104. The close fit and the high friction surface(s), used separately or together, aid in keeping the installed floor covering 304 from sliding on thefloor 104 of theboat 50. An alternate magnetically attachedfloor covering system 300′, illustrated atFIGS. 5 and 7 , further includes a close fit between thepockets 110, formed into the fiberglass material of thefloor 104′, and the set of magneticfloor covering elements 314, attached to thetread surface 305. The close fit between thepockets 110 and the set ofmagnetic elements 314 further holds and secures the installed floor covering 304′ to thefloor 104′ of theboat 50. - In a preferred embodiment, the sets of
magnetic elements floor boat 50. To increase the holding force of the rubberized magnets and to reduce their thickness, a plurality ofrubberized magnets 400 employing a Halbach array can be included in the sets ofmagnetic elements FIGS. 8 and 9 , theexample magnet 400, employing the Halbach array, includes various magnetic segments with variousmagnetic field vectors 418 oriented in various directions. In particular, an up-facingsegment 406, a down-facingsegment 408, a right-facingsegment 410, and a left-facingsegment 412 are arranged as shown. This arrangement results in a magnetically augmentedside 402 of themagnet 400 and a magnetically diminishedside 404 of themagnet 400. The magnetically augmentedside 402 has magnetic fields that combine to form a reinforcedmagnetic field 420 while the magnetically diminishedside 404 has magnetic fields that cancel each other. The magnetically augmentedside 402 of themagnet 400 is positioned to face toward thefloor 104 when mounted on thetread surface 305. Likewise, the magnetically augmentedside 402 of themagnet 400 is positioned to face toward thetread surface 305 when mounted on thefloor 104. Whenmagnets 400 employing the Halbach array are used at both positions of an adjacent pair of magnetic elements, themagnets 400 are relatively positioned to each other such that themagnetic fields 420 interact with each other to create a strong magnetic force between the pair ofmagnets 400. - The above specification provides examples of how certain inventive aspects may be put into practice. It will be appreciated that the inventive aspects can be practiced in other ways than those specifically shown and described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive aspects of the present disclosure.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/425,134 US20090260556A1 (en) | 2008-04-17 | 2009-04-16 | Magnetically Attached Floor Covering for a Boat |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US4584308P | 2008-04-17 | 2008-04-17 | |
US12/425,134 US20090260556A1 (en) | 2008-04-17 | 2009-04-16 | Magnetically Attached Floor Covering for a Boat |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20090260556A1 true US20090260556A1 (en) | 2009-10-22 |
Family
ID=41200038
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/425,134 Abandoned US20090260556A1 (en) | 2008-04-17 | 2009-04-16 | Magnetically Attached Floor Covering for a Boat |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20090260556A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2021011506A1 (en) * | 2019-07-13 | 2021-01-21 | Flowers Shelden | A magnetic floor mat mounting apparatus and method |
US20220099634A1 (en) * | 2020-09-30 | 2022-03-31 | Benjamin J. Black | Sample introduction devices and systems and methods of using and producing them |
US11634199B2 (en) * | 2017-11-20 | 2023-04-25 | Naval Group | Hull device |
Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3341996A (en) * | 1966-02-23 | 1967-09-19 | Gen Tire & Rubber Co | Floor structures comprising floor covering layer containing magnetic material |
US4397900A (en) * | 1981-12-21 | 1983-08-09 | Milliken Research Corporation | Magnetic carpet tile |
US4671981A (en) * | 1984-06-03 | 1987-06-09 | Mclaughlin John J | Removable automobile floor carpet in the same plane as the fixed automobile floor carpet |
US4968548A (en) * | 1989-06-19 | 1990-11-06 | Gibson William E | Removable floor cover for recreational vehicles |
US5069951A (en) * | 1989-08-24 | 1991-12-03 | Egan Eugene P | Magnetized bath mat |
US5806909A (en) * | 1995-01-09 | 1998-09-15 | Wise; Ronald D. | Removable bed liner |
US5809928A (en) * | 1997-06-26 | 1998-09-22 | Cox; Donald E. | Adjustable boat floor insert |
US20030138620A1 (en) * | 2002-01-22 | 2003-07-24 | Fonseca Jose E. | Flexible magnetic layer based rubber mat |
US7125595B2 (en) * | 2002-03-22 | 2006-10-24 | Milliken & Company | Multiple-component magnetic mat |
-
2009
- 2009-04-16 US US12/425,134 patent/US20090260556A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3341996A (en) * | 1966-02-23 | 1967-09-19 | Gen Tire & Rubber Co | Floor structures comprising floor covering layer containing magnetic material |
US4397900A (en) * | 1981-12-21 | 1983-08-09 | Milliken Research Corporation | Magnetic carpet tile |
US4671981A (en) * | 1984-06-03 | 1987-06-09 | Mclaughlin John J | Removable automobile floor carpet in the same plane as the fixed automobile floor carpet |
US4968548A (en) * | 1989-06-19 | 1990-11-06 | Gibson William E | Removable floor cover for recreational vehicles |
US5069951A (en) * | 1989-08-24 | 1991-12-03 | Egan Eugene P | Magnetized bath mat |
US5806909A (en) * | 1995-01-09 | 1998-09-15 | Wise; Ronald D. | Removable bed liner |
US5809928A (en) * | 1997-06-26 | 1998-09-22 | Cox; Donald E. | Adjustable boat floor insert |
US20030138620A1 (en) * | 2002-01-22 | 2003-07-24 | Fonseca Jose E. | Flexible magnetic layer based rubber mat |
US7125595B2 (en) * | 2002-03-22 | 2006-10-24 | Milliken & Company | Multiple-component magnetic mat |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11634199B2 (en) * | 2017-11-20 | 2023-04-25 | Naval Group | Hull device |
WO2021011506A1 (en) * | 2019-07-13 | 2021-01-21 | Flowers Shelden | A magnetic floor mat mounting apparatus and method |
US20220240703A1 (en) * | 2019-07-13 | 2022-08-04 | Shelden Flowers | A magnetic floor mat mounting apparatus and method |
US20220099634A1 (en) * | 2020-09-30 | 2022-03-31 | Benjamin J. Black | Sample introduction devices and systems and methods of using and producing them |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8757698B1 (en) | Floor mat system for vehicle | |
US9777756B2 (en) | Glass edge snap attachment | |
US20090260556A1 (en) | Magnetically Attached Floor Covering for a Boat | |
US8454873B2 (en) | Floor mat with integrally molded carpeting, and associated injection mold | |
US7954208B2 (en) | Fastening member for a molded article | |
US4716065A (en) | Underlying pad for attaching removable automobile carpet | |
CN111712607A (en) | Interconnectable collage system | |
US7121911B1 (en) | Surfcraft removable fin system improved plug installation | |
US20080254253A1 (en) | Interchangeable and removably connected geometric carpet sections | |
US8844116B2 (en) | Method of manufacturing a buoyancy control device | |
US6234857B1 (en) | Pet recreation flotation device | |
CA2423939A1 (en) | Shieldless hook and loop fastener | |
ATE196837T1 (en) | MAT IN THE FORM OF AN INSERT OR TEMPLATE FOR SANITARY FACILITIES | |
US9975500B2 (en) | Engine cover applique backing | |
JP2017519673A (en) | Injection molded surfboard inserts with pre-impregnated composite fiber matrix structure | |
US7640882B2 (en) | Boat cover attachment guide and boat cover | |
US20200384729A1 (en) | Repositionable watercraft traction pad | |
US20040123538A1 (en) | Coupling cushiony flooring | |
JP4303824B2 (en) | Manufacturing method of mat | |
KR101597788B1 (en) | Functional Desk Tops and the Production Methode | |
US20110256337A1 (en) | Method and Mould for Making a Part of a Vessel | |
CN209990090U (en) | Stone-plastic floor | |
KR200433618Y1 (en) | Support equipment for protection film of floor carpet | |
CN202782806U (en) | Car foot mat | |
JPS6019858A (en) | Anti-slip tatami |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: GENMAR MINNESOTA, INC., MINNESOTA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SAHR, RONALD CLIFFORD;REEL/FRAME:022916/0082 Effective date: 20090601 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: PROJECT BOAT MANAGEMENT, LLC,CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:GENMAR MINNESOTA, INC.;REEL/FRAME:024272/0442 Effective date: 20100201 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BURDALE CAPITAL FINANCE, INC., CONNECTICUT Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PROJECT BOAT MANAGEMENT, LLC;REEL/FRAME:024812/0083 Effective date: 20100806 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO PAY ISSUE FEE |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: GLASTRON, LLC, MICHIGAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PROJECT BOAT MANAGEMENT, LLC;REEL/FRAME:026190/0835 Effective date: 20110222 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, PENNSYLVAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTERESTS;ASSIGNOR:BURDALE CAPTIAL FINANCE, INC.;REEL/FRAME:029920/0001 Effective date: 20130213 |