Area floor covering

Abstract

A system and method for forming an area rug using at least one replaceable wear surface positioned on a floor or subfloor. The system includes a base and at least one replaceable wear surface, of which both may be cut to fit a floor space of almost any shape. The system may be attached to the floor using an adhesive, a double-sided tape, or a cloth, with or without adhesive, or not attached at all. The cloth can be applied coextensively to the base and replaceable wear surface, or intermittingly, such as only at intersecting corners. The system can be sold to consumers as a self contained kit or as a group of components that can be separately selected.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A system for forming an area rug, comprising: 
 (a) at least one replaceable wear surface having at least one edge, an underside and a top surface; and    (b) at least one side forming an enclosed base having an underside, at least one interior side wall, at least one exterior side wall, and a top surface.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosed base further comprises at least two sides.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least two sides comprise at least two ends and means for attaching the ends to each other.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the means for attaching the ends to each other is selected from the group consisting of adhesives, snap fittings, nails, and screws.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least two sides comprise two ends shaped so that when joined, the two ends form a miter joint.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least two ends are capable of being joined using a joint selected from the group consisting of a cope and stick joint and a butt joint.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cloth attachable to the underside of at least one other system component.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the cloth is attachable to the base.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the cloth is attachable to only a portion of the base.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the cloth is attachable to the at least one replaceable wear surface.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the cloth is attachable to only a portion of the at least one replaceable wear surface.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the cloth is attachable to the entire undersides of the base and the replaceable wear surface.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising adhesive on the cloth.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising adhesive on the underside of the base.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a rubber mat positionable on the underside of the base.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a double-sided tape positionable on the underside of the base.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one interior side wall defines a recess for receiving a portion of the at least one replaceable wear surface.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface of the base is generally flush with the top surface of the at least one replaceable wear surface.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface of the base is joined to the exterior side wall of the base by a curved surface.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface of the base is joined to the interior side wall of the base by a curved surface.  
     
     
         21 . A system for forming an area rug, comprising: 
 (a) at least one replaceable wear surface having at least one edge, an underside and a top surface;    (b) at least one side forming an enclosed base having an underside, at least one interior side wall, at least one exterior side wall, and a top surface;    (c) a recess for receiving a portion of the at least one replaceable wear surface, the recess being defined by the at least one interior side wall;    (d) a first curved surface joining the exterior side wall and the top surface of the base; and    (e) a second curved surface joining the interior side wall and the top surface of the base.