Changeable mat

Abstract

A mat is disclosed, and comprises a cover portion and a base portion. The cover portion includes a lower surface having an engagement portion. The base portion is removably coupled with the cover portion and includes a first layer and a second resilient layer. The first layer has a surface treatment configured to interengage the engagement portion so that the cover portion and the base portion resist relative movement due to lateral forcing. The second resilient layer is at least partially enclosed by the first layer and maintained in substantial fluid separation from a surrounding environment by the first layer. The force needed to move the cover portion relative to the base portion laterally is greater than the force needed to separate the cover portion from the base portion due to the surface treatment on the first layer of the base portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mat, comprising:
 a cover portion including a lower surface having an engagement surface; and   a base portion removably coupled with the cover portion and including:
 a first layer having a surface treatment configured to interengage the engagement surface of the cover portion so that the cover portion and the base portion resist relative movement due to lateral forcing; and 
 a second resilient layer at least partially enclosed by the first layer and maintained in substantial fluid separation from a surrounding environment; 
   whereby the force needed to move the cover portion relative to the base portion laterally is greater than the force needed to separate the cover portion from the base portion due to the surface treatment on the first layer of the base portion.   
     
     
         2 . The mat of  claim 1 , further including one or more intermediate layers between the first layer of the base portion and the second resilient layer, the one or more intermediate layers being substantially fluid-resistant. 
     
     
         3 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer is a barrier layer. 
     
     
         4 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises a substantially fluid-resistant material. 
     
     
         5 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer is comprised of rubber. 
     
     
         6 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein the second layer is a padded layer. 
     
     
         7 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein the second layer is comprised of foam. 
     
     
         8 . The mat of  claim 1 , further comprising a third layer adjacent the second layer. 
     
     
         9 . The mat of  claim 8 , wherein the third layer is a slip-resistant layer. 
     
     
         10 . The mat of  claim 8 , wherein the third layer includes a frictionally enhanced lower surface. 
     
     
         11 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer includes an upper surface. 
     
     
         12 . The mat of  claim 11 , wherein the upper surface is formed of fabric. 
     
     
         13 . The mat of  claim 11 , wherein the upper surface and the lower surface of the first layer are joined along a binding. 
     
     
         13 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein the second layer is disposed between the first layer and a third layer. 
     
     
         14 . The mat of  claim 13 , wherein the first layer and the third layer are attached to one another. 
     
     
         15 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein the surface treatment comprises flocking. 
     
     
         16 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein the surface treatment covers substantially the entire upper surface of the first layer. 
     
     
         17 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein the surface treatment covers a portion of the entire upper surface of the first layer. 
     
     
         18 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement portion of the lower surface of the cover portion comprises a non-woven fabric. 
     
     
         19 . The mat of  claim 1 , wherein the lower surface of the cover portion comprises at least one protruding feature. 
     
     
         20 . A kit, comprising:
 one or more cover portions including a lower surface having an engagement surface;   a base portion configured to separately and sequentially receive each cover portion of the one or more cover portions and including:
 a first layer having a surface treatment configured to interengage the engagement surface of each cover portion of the one or more cover portions so that each respective cover portion and the base portion resist relative movement due to lateral forcing; 
 a second layer; and 
 a third layer. 
   
     
     
         21 . A mat, comprising:
 a cover portion including a lower surface comprised of a non-woven fabric and at least one protective surface feature protruding from the lower surface; and   a base portion removably coupled with the cover portion and including:
 a first layer having a flocking configured to interengage the non-woven fabric so that the cover portion and the base portion resist relative movement due to lateral forcing; and 
 a second resilient layer at least partially enclosed by the first layer and maintained in substantial fluid separation from a surrounding environment; and 
 a third layer having a substantially non-slip lower surface; 
   whereby the force needed to move the cover portion relative to the base portion laterally is greater than the force needed to separate the cover portion from the base portion due to the interengagement of the lower surface of the cover portion and the surface treatment on the first layer of the base portion.   
     
     
         22 . The mat of  claim 21 , further wherein a lifting force required to separate the cover portion from the base portion is less than a weight of the base portion.