A timber access mat having an electrical grounding feature includes an electrically conductive cover layer that is removably carried over the top of the body of the timber access mat. The electrically conductive cover layer can be formed from one or more sheets of expanded metal such as expanded steel. The layer is joined to a perimeter frame that includes offset connector tabs that allow mats to be positioned side-by-side. The connector tabs are paired with cable guides to protect the cable leads that connect the mats. The perimeter frame and conductive cover layer can be added to traditional timber access mats when electrical grounding is required and then removed and stored when not required.

The present disclosure is directed to an interlocking joint device and method of using same, configured to adapt to most existing industrial access matting products to create an overlapping lip configuration that: (1) interlocks pre-existing individual mats together; (2) protects the perimeter of the mat from excessive wear and damage to improve performance and versatility; and (3) provides a serviceable and/or replaceable part that creates an inexpensive alternative to replacing entire matting products.

System for supporting an upright member from a support surface includes an elongated carrier releasably engageable with the support surface, a base adapted to extend around at least part of the lower end of the carrier and abut the support surface and at least one anchor associated with the carrier and configured to grip the upright member when the upright member is inserted into a bore of the carrier.

A timber access mat having an electrical grounding feature includes an electrically conductive cover layer that is removably carried over the top of the body of the timber access mat. The electrically conductive cover layer can be formed from one or more sheets of expanded metal such as expanded steel. The layer is joined to a perimeter frame that includes offset connector tabs that allow mats to be positioned side-by-side. The connector tabs are paired with cable guides to protect the cable leads that connect the mats. The perimeter frame and conductive cover layer can be added to traditional timber access mats when electrical grounding is required and then removed and stored when not required.

A mat assembly having a plurality of mats, interconnected with connectors including a cable for passing through a channel of each mat, wherein each end of the cable is secured, and a ratchet or winch mechanism for shortening the effective length of the cable; such that, when shortened, the cable retains abutting mats in contact with each other; and/or 5 including a bridge connector having two or more expandable plugs, spaced apart on the connector, and each expandable plug fits within and expands to securely engage an opening in each of the abutting mats.

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 deicing cassette comprises a panel with a top and a plurality of sides, and the top and sides define an interior of the cassette. The top has an interior surface and an exterior surface serving as a walking surface. Additionally, a heating element is secured in thermal contact with the interior surface of the panel, and an integrated control system is disposed in the interior of the panel. The integrated control system comprises a temperature sensor exposed to the exterior of the panel, a power switching, device electrically connected to the heating element and electrically connecting to a power supply for providing power to the cassette, and a controller in electrical communication with the temperature sensor and the power switching device, the controller configured to operate the power switching devices to activate and deactivate power to the heating element based on a temperature read by the temperature sensor.

A timber access mat having an electrical grounding feature includes an electrically conductive cover layer that is removably carried over the top of the body of the timber access mat. The electrically conductive cover layer can be formed from one or more sheets of expanded metal such as expanded steel. The layer is joined to a perimeter frame that includes offset connector tabs that allow mats to be positioned side-by-side. The connector tabs are paired with cable guides to protect the cable leads that connect the mats. The perimeter frame and conductive cover layer can be added to traditional timber access mats when electrical grounding is required and then removed and stored when not required.

A selectively frictionally engaged hole cover for a bore hole cored from a paved surface that includes a cover plate configured to cover the bore hole and support vehicular traffic. An engagement mechanism is attached to the cover plate and extends down into the bore hole. The engagement mechanism is configured to be actuated by a user torque input that causes an engagement plate selectively shiftable relative to the cover plate to thereby shift an engagement member along a engagement member stop and thus radially outwardly or inwardly, causing the engagement mechanism to selectively engage or disengage the wall of the bore hole. When the engagement member is in frictional contact with the hole, unintentional extraction of the engagement mechanism is prevented. The selectively frictionally engaged hole cover effectively provides a temporary cover for a bore hole in a road, parking lot, or other paved surface.

A rig mat frame has at least two longitudinal frame members and at least two lateral frame members defining a deck insert opening therebetween. Each longitudinal frame member has a C-shaped channel facing the deck insert opening and extending along the length of the longitudinal frame member. At least one C-shaped channel has a longitudinally extending flange with a channel opening providing access into the C-shaped channel. A flange panel is removably fastened to the frame and closes the channel opening when the flange panel is fastened to the frame. A plurality of deck inserts are disposed within the frame and extend across the deck insert opening with the ends of each deck insert disposed in the C-shaped channels. And each of the plurality of deck inserts is removable from the C-shaped channels when the deck insert is positioned in alignment with the channel opening and the flange panel is disconnected from the frame.