The invention relates to a cover for use on public roads, comprising an outer body (2) that houses at least one reinforcement (1). Preferably, said outer body (1) is made of a plastic material, e.g. injected plastic material, and said at least one reinforcement (1) is connected by means of said outer body (2) to form a single piece.

The cover according to the invention is lighter than that conventional covers, given that it is made with less metal and with lighter materials. Moreover, the cover cannot be easily recycled and hence is not at risk of theft.

A cover is described that comprises a load bearing panel (12) of generally square or rectangular form and having an upper surface 14a and an underside surface (14b), at least some of the edges of load bearing panel (12) being provided with ramp members (22) which are moulded onto the load bearing panel (12), the ramp members (22) each defining an upper ramped surface (22a) and a lower, ground engaging surface (22b), wherein the ground engaging surface (22b) is spaced beneath the underside surface (14b) of the load bearing panel (12). A method of manufacture thereof is also described.

A cover is described that comprises a load bearing panel (12) of generally square or rectangular form and having an upper surface 14a and an underside surface (14b), at least some of the edges of load bearing panel (12) being provided with ramp members (22) which are moulded onto the load bearing panel (12), the ramp members (22) each defining an upper ramped surface (22a) and a lower, ground engaging surface (22b), wherein the ground engaging surface (22b) is spaced beneath the underside surface (14b) of the load bearing panel (12). A method of manufacture thereof is also described.

A protective mat for covering buried conduit in the form of a rectangular structure comprising upper and lower sections wherein the upper section includes elongated members, a sheet structure that includes a plurality of downward facing open cells, or an open grid or grating and wherein the lower section includes elongated members, a sheet structure that includes a plurality of upward facing cells, or an open grid or grating; a forward end that includes one or more protruding elements; and a rearward end that includes one or more recesses that are configured and dimension for receiving the protruding element(s) of a similarly configured adjacent mat. Thus, the protruding element(s) and recess(es) are associated with and located on the lower section of the mat such that the protruding element(s) of one mat can be inserted in the recess(es) of and adjacent mat to interlock the mats together.

A protective mat for covering buried conduit in the form of a rectangular structure comprising upper and lower sections wherein the upper section includes elongated members, a sheet structure that includes a plurality of downward facing open cells, or an open grid or grating and wherein the lower section includes elongated members, a sheet structure that includes a plurality of upward facing cells, or an open grid or grating; a forward end that includes one or more protruding elements; and a rearward end that includes one or more recesses that are configured and dimension for receiving the protruding element(s) of a similarly configured adjacent mat. Thus, the protruding element(s) and recess(es) are associated with and located on the lower section of the mat such that the protruding element(s) of one mat can be inserted in the recess(es) of and adjacent mat to interlock the mats together.