Three piece floor mat retention system

Abstract

A three piece fastener is provided for attaching two layers, e.g. a floor mat for a vehicle to a floor carpet which may then stabilize the mat relative to the carpeting. The three components may connect together through a combination of mechanical connections to provide a relatively simple and cost effective solution to floor mat retention.

1 . A fastening system for attaching two layers together, comprising:
 a first component including a base portion, a foldable arm, and a receiving portion to mechanically engage said foldable arm, and a projection to engage a second component;   a second component including a platform portion having a protrusion configured to mechanically engaged with a third component; and   a third component including a platform having a central opening, said opening configured to mechanically engage with said protrusion of said second component.   
     
     
         2 . The fastening system of  claim 1  wherein said first component portion configured to mechanically engage said foldable arm comprises a hook portion. 
     
     
         3 . The fastening system of  claim 1  wherein said second component protrusion includes a plurality of detents for engaging the projection of said first component. 
     
     
         4 . The fastening system of  claim 1  wherein said second component protrusion includes external threads for mechanically engaging said third component. 
     
     
         5 . The fastening system of  claim 4  wherein said third component includes internal threads which may engage said external threads of said protrusion. 
     
     
         6 . The fastening system of  claim 1  wherein said two layers comprise a vehicle floor mat and vehicle carpeting. 
     
     
         7 . The fastening system of  claim 1  wherein said first, second and third components comprise a thermoplastic or thermoset material. 
     
     
         8 . The fastening system of  claim 1  wherein said foldable arm includes a living hinge portion. 
     
     
         9 . The fastening system of  claim 1  wherein said third component includes logos, indicia and/or decorative patterns. 
     
     
         10 . A fastening system for attaching two layers together, comprising:
 a first component including a base portion, a foldable arm, and a hook portion to mechanically engage said foldable arm, and a projection to engage a second component;   a second component including a platform portion having a protrusion configured to mechanically engaged with a third component, wherein said protrusion includes an opening configured to mechanically engage the projection of the first component; and   a third component including a platform having a central opening, said opening configured to mechanically engage with said protrusion of said second component.   
     
     
         11 . A method of attaching two layers together comprising providing a fastener having three components,
 a. a first component including a base portion, a foldable arm, and a receiving portion to mechanically engage said foldable arm, and a projection to engage a second component;   b. a second component including a platform portion having a protrusion having an opening to engage said first component and said protrusion is configured to mechanically engage with a third component;   c. a third component including a platform having a central opening, said opening configured to mechanically engage with said protrusion of said second component;   d. providing a first and a second layer, wherein said first layer includes openings to accommodate said foldable arm and said receiving portion to mechanically engage said foldable arm and wherein said second layer includes an opening for said protrusion;   e. inserting said foldable arm and said receiving portion through said openings in said first layer and folding said arm such that it mechanically engages said receiving portion;   f. engaging said second component to said first component by inserting said projection into said opening in said second component;   g. inserting said protrusion through said opening in said second layer; and   h. mechanically engaging said opening of said third component to said protrusion of said second component and securing said second layer to said first layer.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said first component portion configured to mechanically engage said foldable arm comprises a hook portion. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said second component protrusion includes a plurality of detents for engaging the projection of said first component. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said second component protrusion includes external threads for mechanically engaging said third component. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said third component includes internal threads which may engage said external threads of said protrusion. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said two layers comprise a vehicle floor mat and vehicle carpeting. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said first, second and third components comprise a thermoplastic or thermoset material. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said foldable arm includes a living hinge portion. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said first layer comprises vehicle carpeting and said second layer comprises a vehicle floor mat. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said third component includes logos, indicia or decorative patterns.