Anti-fatigue chair mat

Abstract

A chair mat especially designed for use in both a sitting and standing position can have a substantially rigid base including a fold line separating a first portion of the base from a second portion. A resilient cushion can positioned on only the second portion lower surface of the base. The second portion can be movable about the fold line relative to the first portion between a first position where the cushion is downwardly facing and a second position where the cushion is upwardly facing. When the second portion is in the first position, the substantially rigid base can present a substantially continuously smooth upper surface providing for easy movement of any casters or rollers supporting a desk chair spider. When the second portion is in the second position, the cushion can provide a compressible yet resilient portion that facilitates a comfortable standing working position for prolonged periods of time.

1 . A chair mat for a floor surface, comprising: a base including an upper surface and a lower surface; a fold line separating a first portion of the base from a second portion of the base, wherein the first portion of the lower surface includes a plurality of roughened surface engaging members, and the second portion of the lower surface includes a cushion, wherein, in response to the second portion being folded along the fold line, the plurality of roughened surface engaging members is facing the floor surface and the cushion is facing away from the floor surface. 
     
     
         2 . The chair mat of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of roughened surface engaging members comprises a plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         3 . The chair mat of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of roughened surface engaging members comprises a plurality of protrusions. 
     
     
         4 . The chair mat of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         5 . The chair mat of  claim 1 , wherein the cushion comprises a foam polymer material. 
     
     
         6 . The chair mat of  claim 1 , wherein the cushion includes a protective and/or decorative skin coating. 
     
     
         7 . The chair mat of  claim 1 , wherein the cushion comprises a molded plastic article mechanically designed to give anti-fatigue properties, and produced from a material selected from PVC, EVA, Olefin, TPU, and natural or synthetic rubber, and alloys thereof. 
     
     
         8 . A chair mat having a seating configuration and a standing configuration, comprising: a base having an upper surface and a lower surface, the base divided by a fold line into a first portion and a second portion, a cushion disposed on the lower surface of the second portion, and a plurality of roughened surface engaging members disposed only on the lower surface of the first portion, wherein, in the seating configuration, the cushion is downwardly facing a floor surface, and, in the standing configuration, the second portion is moved to a folded position along the fold line and the cushion is upwardly facing away from the floor surface. 
     
     
         9 . The chair mat of  claim 8 , wherein the cushion is coupled to the lower surface of the second portion with a removable attachment mechanism. 
     
     
         10 . The chair mat of  claim 8 , wherein the cushion includes a cavity filled with adjustable amount of liquid or gas. 
     
     
         11 . The chair mat of  claim 8 , wherein the cushion is integrally formed with the lower surface of the second portion. 
     
     
         12 . The chair mat of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of roughened surface engaging members comprises ribs integrally formed in the lower surface of the first portion of the base in a plurality of rows extending between a first peripheral edge of the first portion and a second peripheral edge of the first portion. 
     
     
         13 . The chair mat of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of roughened surface engaging members comprises protrusions extending perpendicularly away from the lower surface of the first portion of the base by a predetermined distance. 
     
     
         14 . The chair mat of  claim 8 , wherein the fold line is an integral part of the base and both the base and the fold line are comprised of a thermoplastic. 
     
     
         15 . A chair mat having a seating configuration and a standing configuration, comprising: a base having an upper surface and a lower surface, the base divided by a fold line into a first portion and a second portion, a cushion disposed only on the lower surface of the second portion, and a plurality of roughened surface engaging members disposed only on the lower surface of the first portion, wherein, in the seating configuration, the cushion is facing a floor surface and the upper surface of the first portion and the second portion define a planar smooth surface, and, in the standing configuration, the second portion is moved to a folded position along the fold line such that the second portion is overlapping a portion of the upper surface of the first portion and the cushion is facing away from the floor surface. 
     
     
         16 . The chair mat of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of roughened surface engaging members comprises ribs coupled to the lower surface of the first portion of the base. 
     
     
         17 . The chair mat of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of roughened surface engaging members comprises protrusions extending perpendicularly away from the lower surface of the first portion of the base. 
     
     
         18 . The chair mat of  claim 15 , wherein the base comprises a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         19 . The chair mat of  claim 15 , wherein the cushion comprises a foam polymer material. 
     
     
         20 . The chair mat of  claim 15 , wherein the cushion is coupled to the lower surface of the second portion with a removable attachment mechanism.