A problem with unpaved roads is that they can be prone to damage when driven on. The road surface matting includes a first mat 1a and a second mat 1b, each mat having a series of substantially parallel beams 2, a plurality of spine rods 3 that run substantially perpendicular to and through the beams and connect the beams to one another. Each mat also has a joiner 7 adjacent an edge of the mat, arranged so that one of the spine rods passes through the joiner. The matting is such that the first and second mats are connected to one another by way of a connecting rod 8 that passes through and joiner 8 of one mat and the joiner 8 of the other mat.

A problem with unpaved roads is that they can be prone to damage when driven on. The road surface matting includes a first mat 1a and a second mat 1b, each mat having a series of substantially parallel beams 2, a plurality of spine rods 3 that run substantially perpendicular to and through the beams and connect the beams to one another. Each mat also has a joiner 7 adjacent an edge of the mat, arranged so that one of the spine rods passes through the joiner. The matting is such that the first and second mats are connected to one another by way of a connecting rod 8 that passes through and joiner 8 of one mat and the joiner 8 of the other mat.

A crane mat having first and second side beams or boards; a core structure made of pine or other softwoods, eucalyptus, solid plastic or elastomeric members, or hollow thermoplastic, thermosetting plastic or elastomeric members that optionally include a filler or internal reinforcing structure; external components including an upper and/or lower layers of one or more elongated members to protect the core structure, and a plurality of joining members that attach the outer side members to the core structure. Another crane mat can be made of just the solid plastic or elastomeric members, or hollow thermoplastic, thermosetting plastic or elastomeric members that each include a plurality of spaced lateral apertures passing therethrough; and joining members that include a rod that passes through the aligned lateral apertures to hold the members together in the mat. These crane mats may also include lifting elements of the types described herein.

A crane mat having first and second side beams or boards; a core structure made of pine or other softwoods, eucalyptus, solid plastic or elastomeric members, or hollow thermoplastic, thermosetting plastic or elastomeric members that optionally include a filler or internal reinforcing structure; external components including an upper and/or lower layers of one or more elongated members to protect the core structure, and a plurality of joining members that attach the outer side members to the core structure. Another crane mat can be made of just the solid plastic or elastomeric members, or hollow thermoplastic, thermosetting plastic or elastomeric members that each include a plurality of spaced lateral apertures passing therethrough; and joining members that include a rod that passes through the aligned lateral apertures to hold the members together in the mat. These crane mats may also include lifting elements of the types described herein.

An industrial mat that includes a core construction that provides strength and rigidity to the mat, with the core construction including various layers or plies of components at least some of which are typically made of wood or engineered wood; and a durable skin that surrounds and encapsulates at least the wood components of the mat or the entire core construction. The skin has a thickness sufficient to provide environmental resistance to the wood components or to the core construction to which it is applied. The skin also provides abrasion resistance to the boards and mat.

An industrial mat that includes a core construction that provides strength and rigidity to the mat, with the core construction including various layers or plies of components at least some of which are typically made of wood or engineered wood; and a durable skin that surrounds and encapsulates at least the wood components of the mat or the entire core construction. The skin has a thickness sufficient to provide environmental resistance to the wood components or to the core construction to which it is applied. The skin also provides abrasion resistance to the boards and mat.

A mat that includes first and second side beams, a core structure located between and connected to the side beams, with the support structure including longitudinal members and having a height that is less than that of the side beams, a plurality of joining rods that attach the side beams to the support structure, with the joining rods passing through the sides of the side beams and the sides of the longitudinal members of the support structure; one or more elongated members attached to the upper portion of the support structure to form with the beams the top surface of the mat, and one or more elongated members attached to the lower portion of the support structure to form with the beams the bottom surface of the mat. If desired, steel plates can be provided between the beams and longitudinal members to increase the strength and ruggedness of the mat.

A mat that includes first and second side beams, a core structure located between and connected to the side beams, with the support structure including longitudinal members and having a height that is less than that of the side beams, a plurality of joining rods that attach the side beams to the support structure, with the joining rods passing through the sides of the side beams and the sides of the longitudinal members of the support structure; one or more elongated members attached to the upper portion of the support structure to form with the beams the top surface of the mat, and one or more elongated members attached to the lower portion of the support structure to form with the beams the bottom surface of the mat. If desired, steel plates can be provided between the beams and longitudinal members to increase the strength and ruggedness of the mat.

A crane mat is disclosed having a plurality of panels of lumber positioned in alternating transverse directions with respect to one another, where the top and bottom panels are oriented parallel to the direction of vehicular traffic. The top and bottom panels may include a plurality of spaced apart grooves extending longitudinally from a first longitudinal end of the crane mat to a second longitudinal end of the crane mat for enhancing traction of a vehicle when traversing across the crane mat by transporting rain or moisture off the mat, or for receiving mud or other debris. The crane mat may include a plurality of edge protectors positioned on respective sides of the crane mat to protect the crane mat from handling damage. In various embodiments, the crane mat may be manufactured using either softwood, hardwood, or any combination of softwood and hardwood.

A crane mat is disclosed having a plurality of panels of lumber positioned in alternating transverse directions with respect to one another, where the top and bottom panels are oriented parallel to the direction of vehicular traffic. The top and bottom panels may include a plurality of spaced apart grooves extending longitudinally from a first longitudinal end of the crane mat to a second longitudinal end of the crane mat for enhancing traction of a vehicle when traversing across the crane mat by transporting rain or moisture off the mat, or for receiving mud or other debris. The crane mat may include a plurality of edge protectors positioned on respective sides of the crane mat to protect the crane mat from handling damage. In various embodiments, the crane mat may be manufactured using either softwood, hardwood, or any combination of softwood and hardwood.