Importance

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Abstract

A floor mat for an automotive vehicle is provided having a relatively thin, flexible sheet-form main body and a rigidifying rib structure formed with or secured thereto in fixed relationship. The rigidifying rib structure is fabricated from or formed by elongated elements that are effectively rigid and thereby render the otherwise flexible main body essentially inflexible. The materials selected to form the rib structure preferably have a resilient characteristic, such as spring steel wire rod, to enhance the mat's ability to maintain itself in a desired smooth, flat configuration on a vehicle's floor. The rib structure is of a configuration to rigidify the main body in two generally perpendicular directions to resist displacement in all directions through the essential rigid rib encountering of any obstructions associated with the vehicle floor and the resilient characteristic of the rib accommodating excessive displacing forces and tending to return the main body of the mat to its original configuration. The rib elements may be rod-like elements or flat strips either integrally embedded in or formed with the sheet-form main body or they may be mechanically secured thereto.

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First Claim