Convertible floor mat apparatus and method

Abstract

A floor mat having a first surface, and a second surface; and a friction-increasing element removably affixed to the second surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A floor mat comprising:
 a body having a first surface, and a second surface; and   a friction-increasing element having a third surface and a fourth surface, the third surface removably affixed to the second surface,   wherein,
 the first surface and the second surface are substantially parallel or parallel to each other and spaced from each other by an outermost perimeter edge that extends about the body, and 
 the third surface and the fourth surface facing to each other and are spaced from each other by an outermost perimeter edge that extends about a body of the friction-increasing element. 
   
     
     
         2 . The floor mat according to  claim 1 , wherein the second surface includes at least one receiver region, each receiver region configured to receive one friction-increasing element thereon. 
     
     
         3 . The floor mat according to  claim 1 , wherein the second surface includes at least one graphic design printed or applied thereon. 
     
     
         4 . The floor mat according to  claim 3 , wherein the third surface of the friction-increasing element is affixed to the second surface of the body via an adhesive coating. 
     
     
         5 . The floor mat according to  claim 1 , wherein an adhesive pad is between the friction-increasing element and the second surface to permanently adhere the friction-increasing element to the body. 
     
     
         6 . The floor mat according to  claim 1 , wherein the fourth surface is textured. 
     
     
         7 . The floor mat according to  claim 4 , wherein the textured surface comprises at least one stud. 
     
     
         8 . The floor mat according to  claim 4  wherein the textured surface comprises a plurality of studs, each of the plurality of studs are of the same length, of varying lengths, or both. 
     
     
         9 . The floor mat according to  claim 8  wherein the studs are at varying angles to each other. 
     
     
         10 . A method for manufacturing a floor mat comprising the steps of :
 providing a body having a first surface, and a second surface; and   removably affixing a friction-increasing element having a third surface and a fourth surface to the second surface,   wherein,
 the first surface and the second surface are substantially parallel or parallel to each other and spaced from each other by an outermost perimeter edge that extends about the body, and 
 the third surface and the fourth surface are facing each other and are spaced from each other by an outermost perimeter edge that extends about a body of the friction-increasing element. 
   
     
     
         11 . A floor mat comprising:
 a body having a first surface, and a second surface; and   at least one receiver region on the second surface, the receiver region configured to receive a friction-increasing element thereon.
 wherein, 
 the first surface and the second surface are substantially parallel or parallel to each other and spaced from each other by an outermost perimeter edge that extends about the body. 
   
     
     
         11 . The floor mat according to  claim 10  wherein:
 the friction-increasing element comprises a third surface and a fourth surface, the third surface removably affixed to the second surface, and 
 the third surface and the fourth surface are facing each other and are spaced from each other by an outermost perimeter edge that extends about a body of the friction-increasing element.