Multi-patterned floor covering sample element

Abstract

A multi-patterned rug display sample embodying at least two different geometric designs and/or coloration schemes across a common surface for simultaneous comparative evaluation by a potential purchaser. The rug display sample may be patterned to include two or more geometric or solid patterns corresponding to patterns available on floor covering products independent of the display sample.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A floor covering sample display element for use in selection of a floor covering product pattern, the sample display element comprising: a rug element including a patterned surface wherein said patterned surface includes an arrangement of at least two selectable patterns corresponding to patterns of floor covering products independent from the sample display element.  
     
     
         2 . A floor covering sample display element as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said rug element is of a size and shape substantially corresponding to said floor covering product.  
     
     
         3 . A floor covering sample display element as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said arrangement of at least two selectable patterns comprises at least one inlayed pattern portion across said patterned surface.  
     
     
         4 . A floor covering sample display element as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said arrangement of at least two selectable patterns comprises at least one color tufted pattern portion across said patterned surface.  
     
     
         5 . A floor covering sample display element as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said arrangement of at least two selectable patterns comprises at least one dyed pattern portion across said patterned surface.  
     
     
         6 . A floor covering sample display element as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said at least one dyed pattern portion comprises a screen printed dye pattern.  
     
     
         7 . A floor covering sample display element as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said at least one dyed pattern portion comprises a transfer printed dye pattern.  
     
     
         8 . A floor covering sample display element as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said at least one dyed pattern portion comprises a jet printed dye pattern.  
     
     
         9 . A floor covering sample display element as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said patterned surface includes an arrangement of three or more selectable patterns corresponding to patterns for floor covering products independent of the sample display element.  
     
     
         10 . A floor covering sample display element as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said patterned surface includes an arrangement of four or more selectable patterns corresponding to patterns for floor covering products independent of the sample display element.  
     
     
         11 . A floor covering sample display element as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said patterned surface includes an arrangement of six or more selectable patterns corresponding to patterns for floor covering products independent of the sample display element.  
     
     
         12 . A floor covering sample display element as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said patterned surface includes an arrangement of eight or more selectable patterns corresponding to patterns for floor covering products independent of the sample display element.  
     
     
         13 . A floor covering sample display element as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said at least two selectable patterns comprise substantially similar geometric designs but are different in color.  
     
     
         14 . A floor covering sample display element as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said at least two selectable patterns comprise substantially different geometric designs.  
     
     
         15 . A floor covering sample display element as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said at least two selectable patterns comprise substantially different geometric designs of different colors.  
     
     
         16 . A floor covering sample display element as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said rug element further includes one or more integral readable pattern identification legends identifying at least a portion of said at least two selectable patterns.  
     
     
         17 . A floor covering sample display element for use in selection of an area rug floor covering product pattern, the sample display element comprising: a rug element including a patterned surface wherein said patterned surface includes an arrangement of at least two selectable patterns corresponding to patterns of area rug floor covering products independent from the sample display element and wherein at least one of said at least two selectable patterns comprises an interior portion and a boundary portion and wherein said boundary portion includes a pattern different from the interior portion.  
     
     
         18 . A floor covering sample display element as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said rug element further includes one or more integral readable pattern identification legends identifying at least a portion of said at least two selectable patterns.  
     
     
         19 . A floor covering sample display element for use in selection of an area rug floor covering product pattern, the sample display element comprising: a rug element including a patterned surface wherein said patterned surface includes an arrangement of at least two selectable patterns corresponding to patterns of area rug floor covering products independent from the sample display element and wherein at least one of said at least two selectable patterns comprises a pattern corresponding to a corner portion of an area rug floor covering product independent from the sample display element.  
     
     
         20 . A floor covering sample display element as recited in  claim 19 , wherein said rug element further includes one or more integral readable pattern identification legends identifying at least a portion of said at least two selectable patterns.  
     
     
         21 . A display system for simultaneously presenting a plurality of floor covering product patterns comprising: a display rack and a plurality of sample rug elements supported on said display rack, wherein at least a portion of said plurality of sample rug elements comprise a patterned surface including an arrangement of at least two selectable patterns corresponding to patterns of floor covering products independent from the sample rug element.  
     
     
         22 . A display system according to  claim 21 , wherein said floor covering products independent from the sample rug element comprise area rugs.  
     
     
         23 . A display system as recited in  claim 22 , wherein at least a portion of said plurality of sample rug elements are of a size and shape substantially corresponding to said area rugs.  
     
     
         24 . A display system as recited in  claim 22 , wherein said arrangement of at least two selectable patterns comprises at least one inlayed pattern portion across said patterned surface.  
     
     
         25 . A display system as recited in  claim 22 , wherein said arrangement of at least two selectable patterns comprises at least one color tufted pattern portion across said patterned surface.  
     
     
         26 . A display system as recited in  claim 22 , wherein said arrangement of at least two selectable patterns comprises at least one dyed pattern portion across said patterned surface.  
     
     
         27 . A display system as recited in  claim 26 , wherein said at least one dyed pattern portion comprises a screen printed dye pattern.  
     
     
         28 . A display system as recited in  claim 26 , wherein said at least one dyed pattern portion comprises a transfer printed dye pattern.  
     
     
         29 . A display system as recited in  claim 26 , wherein said at least one dyed pattern portion comprises a jet printed dye pattern.  
     
     
         30 . A display system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said patterned surface includes an arrangement of three or more selectable patterns corresponding to patterns for floor covering products independent of the sample display element.  
     
     
         31 . A display system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said patterned surface includes an arrangement of four or more selectable patterns corresponding to patterns for floor covering products independent of the sample display element.  
     
     
         32 . A display system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said patterned surface includes an arrangement of six or more selectable patterns corresponding to patterns for floor covering products independent of the sample display element.  
     
     
         33 . A display system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said patterned surface includes an arrangement of eight or more selectable patterns corresponding to patterns for floor covering products independent of the sample display element.  
     
     
         34 . A display system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said at least two selectable patterns comprise substantially similar geometric designs but are different in color.  
     
     
         35 . A display system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said at least two selectable patterns comprise substantially different geometric designs.  
     
     
         36 . A display system for simultaneously presenting a plurality of floor covering product patterns comprising: a display rack and a plurality of sample rug elements supported on said display rack, wherein at least a portion of said plurality of sample rug elements comprise a patterned surface including an arrangement of a plurality of selectable patterns corresponding to patterns of area rug floor covering products independent from the sample rug element and wherein at least a portion of said sample rug elements further include one or more integral readable pattern identification legends identifying at least a portion of said selectable patterns.