GB2354695A

GB2354695A - Place mat with interchangeable upper insert

Info

Publication number: GB2354695A
Application number: GB9923194A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Estelle Waters
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-09-30
Filing date: 1999-09-30
Publication date: 2001-04-04
Also published as: GB9923194D0

Abstract

A place mat comprises a substantially planar rectangular upper insert member 2 which is removably received, on at least three of its peripheral edges, within the outer frame 3 of a substantially planar rectangular lower member 1. Insert members may thus be exchanged so that a worn insert member may replaced with a fresh one, without the need to replace the entire mat and/or, exchanged for one which may carry an alternative design or motif greeting/ advert/ menu on its upper surface so as to permit variability in the display capabilities of the mat. The lower member 1 may comprise a lowered peripheral portion 5, lowered with respect to the outer frame 3 which, in conjunction with tapered frame slots 6 and cooperating tapered opposite inner member edges 7, allow the slidable mounting of the insert member 2 in the lower member 1. Upon assembly of the mat, the upper surface of the insert member 2 may present itself as substantially flush with the upper surface of outer frame 3 and a further strip member may be slidably inserted over lowered portion 5 to form a complete, four-sided, frame. Lower and insert members 1,2 may be fixed to one another by adhesive and may be opaque or transparent, possibly constructed from clear polystyrene sheets. When transparent, the insert member 2, may carry a photo sandwiched between transparent layers. A keyhole slot (9, fig.3) may be provided in outer frame member 1.

Description

2354695 Title: Interchangeable Place Mat This invention relates to

improvements in mats for place settings at dining tables and the like.

The disadvantage with existing place mats is that they have a fixed design or motif which, with time, can fade or become tarnished. Further, in the event of damage, for example when a very hot article is placed on them, the whole place mat must be replaced.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved place mat which overcomes these disadvantages.

According to the invention, there is provided a place mat which comprises a first, substantially rectangular, planar member having a peripheral fi=e on at least three sides and a second planar member which is adapted to be received within the said frame.

Preferably, the second planar member is made of a transparent material whereby a sheet of card or textile material can be sandwiched between the two planar members and viewed through the second planar member. The sheet may be printed with a decorative design or motif, a greeting, an advertisement, a menu or the like. The sheet could also consist of a photograph.

As an alternative, the second planar member may be opaque in which case printing may be applied directly to the member or a printed sheet such as a menu or greeting or a photograph may be adhered to one surface of the member which surface is intended to face away from the first planar member when the second planar member is fitted into the fi-ame.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame extends along all four sides of the first planar member and slots are provided in the two 2 facing surfaces of two of the opposite lengths of the frame located on the substantially rectangular planar member, one of the remaining lengths being recessed with respect to the other lengths of the frame. Opposite edges of the second planar member are receivable in the slots and, when fitted in the frame, the said second plana member overlies the said one of the remaining lengths of the frame.

Preferably, the slots have inclined surfaces and the said opposite edges of the second planar member are chamfered so as to engage with the walls of the slots. The thickness of the second planar member may be such that it is substantially Rush with the upper surface of the frame when it is fitted in the frame.

A further frame member may be provided in the form of a strip the ends of which are engageable in the slots. The further frame member will normally be fitted after the second planar member has been inserted in the frame. In this case, the thickness of the second planar member may be such that the frame stands proud of the second planar member.

The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a place mat according to the invention; Fig. 2 is an end view of part of the place mat shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a view of the part of the place mat shown in Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, a place mat according to the invention comprises a first planar member in the form of a substantially rectangular sheet 1.

A frame is secured to the sheet 1 along the edges thereof and comprises a first end length 3, two side lengths 4 and a second end length 5. The first end length 3 3 comprises a substantially rectangular strip while the facing edges of the side lengths 4 are provided with slots 6 having included side walls. The upper surface of the second end length 5 is recessed with respect to the upper surfaces of the other lengths 3 and 4.

A second planar member in the form of a sheet 2 is provided with charnfered edges 7 which are engageable in the slots 6. The second sheet 2 can therefore be slid into the frame overlying the sheet 1 and the recessed length 5 of the frame.

A printed sheet of card, a photograph, a sheet of textile material or the like may first be laid on the sheet 1, within the frame, before the sheet 2 is slid in place. If the sheet 2 is made of transparent material, the printed sheet or other matter can then be read through the sheet 2. The sheet 1 can also be made of transparent material in which case the card may be printed on both sides or two photographs may be placed on the sheet I in back-to-back relationship so that both may be viewed through the two transparent sheets. As a further alternative, the sheet I may be made of transparent material and the sheet 2 may be made of a material which is opaque.

The frame may be made of either transparent or opaque material.

A key-hole slot 9 may be provided adjacent one end of the sheet 1 whereby the place mat can be hung on a wall to serve as a picture when it is not required for use as a place mat.

The sheets I and 2 are desirably made from clear polystyrene sheeting although other materials may be used if desired. While the frame is preferably secured to the sheet I by adhesive, other methods of securing the frame may be used if desired and the frame could be formed integrally with the sheet 1.

The invention is not restricted to the above-described embodiment but variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the 4 invention. For example, the place mat may have rounded comers instead of the substantially square comers shown in the drawings. Further, the slots 6 may be provided in the shorter lengths 3 and 5 of the frame instead of the longer lengths 4. In this case, one of the lengths 4 will be recessed and the edges 8 of the sheet 2 will be chamfered instead of the edges 7.

Claims

1. A place mat which comprises a first, substantially rectangular, planar member having a peripheral frame on at least three sides and a second planar member which is adapted to be received within the said frame.

2. A place mat according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the planar members is made of a transparent material whereby a sheet of card or textile material can be sandwiched between the two planar members and viewed through the transparent member(s).

3. A place mat according to claim 2, wherein the second planar member is 10 made of a transparent material.

4. A place mat according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the first planar member is made of a transparent material.

5. A place mat according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second planar members consist of clear polystyrene sheets.

6. A place mat according to claim 1, wherein the second planar member is made of an opaque material. 7. A place mat according to claim 6, wherein the surface of the second planar member which is intended to face away from the first planar member is printed or a photograph or the like is adhered to said surface.

6 8. A place mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame extends along all four sides of the first planar member and slots are provided in the two facing surfaces of two of the opposite lengths of the frame located on the substantially rectangular planar member, one of the remaining lengths being recessed with respect to the other lengths of the frame and opposite edges of the second planar member being receivable in the slots.

9. A place mat according to claim 8, wherein the slots have inclined surfaces and the said opposite edges of the second planar member are charnfered so as to engage with the walls of the slot.

10. A place mat according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the thickness of the second planar member is such that it is substantially flush with the upper surface of the frame when it is fitted in the frame.

11. A place mat according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein a further frame member is provided in the form of a strip, the ends of which are engageable in the slots.

12. A place mat according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the frame is secured to the first planar member by an adhesive.

13. A place mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a keyhole slot is provided in the first planar member adjacent to one end thereof.

14. A place mat substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.

7. A place mat according to claim 6, wherein the surface of the second planar member which is intended to face away from the first planar member is printed or a photograph or the like is adhered to said surface.

8

8. A place mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the slots have inclined surfaces and the said opposite edges of the second planar member are chanifered so as to engage with the walls of the slot.

9. A place mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the 5 thickness of the second planar member is such that it is substantially flush with the upper surface of the frame when it is fitted in the frame.,

10. A place mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a further frame member is provided in the form of a strip, the ends of which are engageable in the slots. 10

11. A place mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame is secured to the first planar member by an adhesive.

12. A place mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a keyhole slot is provided in the first planar member adjacent to one end thereof.

13. A place mat substantially as described herein with reference to the 15 drawings.

7 Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows:

1. A place mat which comprises a first, substantially rectangular, planar member having a peripheral frame which extends along all four sides and in which slots are provided in the two facing surfaces of two of the opposite lengths 5 of the frame, one of the remaining lengths being recessed with respect to the other lengths of the frame and a second planar member which is adapted to be received within the said frame, opposite edges of the second planar member being receivable in the slots. 2. A place mat according to claim 1, wherein at least one -of the planar 10 members is made of a transparent material whereby a sheet of card or textile material can be sandwiched between the two planar members and viewed through the transparent member(s). 3. A place mat according to claim 2, wherein the second planar member is made of a transparent material. 15 4. A place mat according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the first planar member is made of a transparent material. 5. A place mat according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second planar members consist of clear polystyrene sheets'. 6. A place mat according to claim 1, wherein the second planar member is 20 made of an opaque material.