IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,344,150
Granted Patent B2
US 12,344,150 · App. 18/098,346 · Granted Jul 1, 2025

Floor mats for vehicles and vehicles including floor mats

Inventors: Lauren M. Abro (West Bloomfield, MI); Yuko N. Gidcumb (West Bloomfield, MI)
Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.; Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
B60N3/048
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,344,150
App. No.
18/098,346
Granted
Jul 1, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A floor mat includes a mat body comprising a channel that is located below an exterior surface of the mat body. The channel is configured to provide a passageway for liquid that is absorbed through the exterior surface. A plurality of granules is located in a chamber below the exterior surface of the mat body. The plurality of granules are free to move relative to each other within the chamber due to pressure applied to the exterior surface.

Claims (27)

1. A floor mat comprising:

a mat body comprising a channel that is located below an exterior surface of the mat body, the channel configured to provide a passageway for liquid that is absorbed through the exterior surface; and

a plurality of granules located in a chamber below the exterior surface of the mat body, the plurality of granules being free to move relative to each other within the chamber due to pressure applied to the exterior surface.

2. The floor mat of claim 1 further comprising an electric heating element located in the mat body.

3. The floor mat of claim 1 further comprising a blower unit comprising a fan located in the mat body.

4. The floor mat of claim 1 , wherein the chamber is located adjacent the channel.

5. The floor mat of claim 1 further comprising an induction coil located in the mat body that is configured to provide a magnetic field to the plurality of granules.

6. The floor mat of claim 5 , wherein the induction coil is part of an induction heating circuit that is located in the mat body.

7. The floor mat of claim 6 , wherein the induction heating circuit comprises an inverter that is configured to convert direct current to an alternating current.

8. The floor mat of claim 7 , wherein the induction heating circuit comprises a power supply comprising a battery.

9. The floor mat of claim 1 , wherein the channel extends from the chamber toward an end of the mat body.

10. The floor mat of claim 9 , wherein the channel comprises one or more curves.

11. The floor mat of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of granules comprises nanoparticles.

12. The floor mat of claim 11 , wherein the nanoparticles comprise a ferromagnetic material.

13. A vehicle comprising:

a cabin;

a passenger seat located in the cabin;

a floor mat located on a floor of the cabin adjacent the passenger seat, the floor mat comprising:

a mat body comprising a channel that is located below an exterior surface of the mat body, the channel configured to provide a passageway for liquid that is absorbed through the exterior surface; and

a plurality of granules located in a chamber below the exterior surface of the mat body, the plurality of granules being free to move relative to each other within the chamber due to pressure applied to the exterior surface.

14. The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the floor mat further comprises an electric heating element located in the mat body.

15. The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the floor mat further comprises a blower unit comprising a fan located in the mat body.

16. The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the chamber is located adjacent the channel.

17. The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the floor mat further comprises an induction coil located in the mat body that is configured to provide a magnetic field to the plurality of granules.

18. The vehicle of claim 17 , wherein the induction coil is part of an induction heating circuit that is located in the mat body.

19. The vehicle of claim 18 , wherein the induction heating circuit comprises an inverter that is configured to convert direct current to an alternating current.

20. The vehicle of claim 19 , wherein the induction heating circuit comprises a power supply comprising a battery.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 13, 2025
From: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
To: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 072551/0181 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 18, 2023
From: ABRO, LAUREN M.; GIDCUMB, YUKO N.
To: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.; TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 062410/0041 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240239256A1 · Jul 18, 2024
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