Industrial support mat interlock device

Abstract

An interlocking joint device and method of using same, configured to adapt to and integrate with most existing industrial access matting products to create within those matting products an overlapping lip configuration that: (1) interlocks the 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.

Claims

1. A system comprising: a pre-existing industrial matting temporary roadway, support surface, comprising at least one edge wherein said edge has been configured with a recess to accept insertion of a first insertable tongue section; and a unitary device comprising: a first edge comprising a first insertable tongue section of a pre-determined width, length and thickness further comprising an at least one raised securing ridges along a top and bottom surface configured to be inserted into the said corresponding and pre-configured recess within said pre-existing industrial matting temporary roadway, support surface desired to be joined together; and an integral second protruding mating section on a second and opposite edge of said unitary device, configured as a top or bottom mating section, of a pre-determined width, length, thickness and cross-sectional geometric shape, wherein said cross-sectional geometric shape is configured to be a corresponding mating piece, top to bottom and bottom to top, connected to said first insertable tongue section and further comprising an at least one cut-out along its length placed to correspond with an at least one cut-out along the length of said corresponding mating pieces; and wherein said unitary device is attached to said pre-existing industrial matting temporary roadway, support surface.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the overall length of the pre-existing industrial matting temporary roadway, support surface and the device is approximately seven to eight feet.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the overall length of the pre-existing industrial matting temporary roadway, support surface and the device is approximately thirteen to fourteen feet.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said unitary device is made from a material chosen from the following group: plastic, fiberglass, metals, metal alloys, composite materials, PVC, polyethylene, and fiberglass reinforced plastics.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein one end of the unitary device is squared off at a ninety-degree angle and the other end is mitered at a forty-five degree angle.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein both ends of the unitary device are squared off at a ninety-degree angle.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the first insertable tongue section further comprises an at least one cut-out along its length.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the height of the first insertable tongue section is approximately of the thickness of the pre-existing industrial matting temporary roadway, support surface.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the height of a pair of corresponding second protruding mating sections, when mated, are together substantially the thickness of the pre-existing industrial matting temporary roadway, support surface.

10. A method of using the system as claimed in claim 1 comprising the steps of, configuring said pre-existing industrial matting, temporary roadway, support surface with a recess on all sides capable of accepting an insertion of a properly configured first insertable tongue section; inserting a first insertable tongue section of a properly configured unitary device of claim 1 into the configured recess of one side of a configured pre-existing industrial matting, temporary roadway, support surface; repeating the foregoing until all sides of the industrial matting, temporary roadway, support surface contain an inserted device of claim 1; repeating the foregoing until a sufficient number of pre-existing industrial matting, temporary roadway, support surface products are so configured; laying a corresponding male/top second protruding mating section over its corresponding female/bottom second protruding mating section of adjacent industrial matting, temporary roadway, support surface products' sides; inserting securing pins in cut-out holes aligned in the corresponding male/top second protruding mating sectionfemale/bottom second protruding mating section of adjacent industrial matting, temporary roadway, support surface products to secure them; repeating the foregoing as many times as desired to create a surface of a desired size.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 depicts a cross sectional end view of one embodiment of the device of the present disclosure showing a cross sectional view of a first insertable tongue section (1) and corresponding cross sectional view of a second protruding mating section, configured as a top or male mating section (2). Please note that by simply inverting this figure, the top/male mating section would become a bottom/female mating section as they are mirror configurations of each other. Also depicted are the plurality of raised securing ridges (3) along a top and bottom surfaces of the first insertable tongue section and an example of a placement of one of the cut-outs (4) in the second protruding mating section. Please note that as will be described, an alternate embodiment includes cut-outs (10) in the first insertable tongue section as shown in this figure. This depiction also shows a potential pre-existing industrial matting, temporary roadway, support surface product in exploded view to illustrate how this embodiment of the device as disclosed would fit into a recess therein.

(2) FIG. 2 depicts a top view of an industrial matting, temporary roadway, support surface product (5) configured with an embodiment of the device of the present disclosure as described herein and demonstrating which sections are top/male (6) and which are bottom/female (7) and with the corresponding ends of same as mitered in a forty-five degree angle (8).

(3) FIG. 3 depicts a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the device of the present disclosure of a top/male configured component (showing that this is View A as noted on FIG. 2) illustrating how the pre-existing industrial matting, temporary roadway, support surface (5in exploded view) mat must be configured to allow the first insertable tongue section (1) of the device to slide into the configured recess securing the device in place with an attached top or male mating section (2).

(4) FIG. 4 depicts a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the device of the present disclosure of a bottom/female configured component (showing that this is View B as noted on FIG. 2) illustrating how the pre-existing industrial matting, temporary roadway, support surface (5in exploded view) mat must be configured to allow the first insertable tongue section (1) of the device to slide into the configured recess securing the device in place with an attached bottom or female mating section (2). Note that whether the mating section component is a top or male mating section or a bottom or female mating section is solely a function of the orientation in which it is slid into the industrial matting, temporary roadway, support surface and not with any structural difference in the component itself and hence is indicated as the same component (2) on all of the drawings.

(5) FIG. 5 depicts a cross sectional exploded view of one embodiment of the device of the present disclosure of how the top/male section overlays and fits snugly against the bottom/female section when properly configured allowing the cut-out holes to align such that pins (not shown) can be inserted securing the mats in place snugly against each other.

(6) FIG. 6 depicts a top view of one embodiment of two configured mats using the device of the present disclosure as attached on all four sides of pre-existing industrial matting, temporary roadway, support surface product (5) with which it is to be used. The top/male (11) and bottom/female (12) configuration is illustrated. Note that the configuration may be reversed, but that if one piece is reversed, they should all be reversed. Also shown are one embodiment of cut-out (4) placements along the lengths of the device. Note that in this embodiment, the arrangement displayed is to demonstrate when the top/male second protruding mating section is placed over the bottom/female protruding mating section, the cutouts will align, and the ends are configured to create a continuous uninterrupted surface area as the mats are configured out in any direction. In this embodiment shown, the ends of each component are squared off as placed next to each other on each matting product. In this embodiment and configuration, on the long sides, the first insertable tongue section will end short of the end of the device to allow the short side to fit fully and snugly against the long side when both are inserted. Compare this configuration with the embodiment as shown in FIG. 2 where the ends are mitered at a forty-five degree angle. In actuality, the configuration of the first insertable tongue sections is the same in either configuration, with merely the configuration of the second protruding mating section either being mitered or squared off. The difference affects where cut-out holes can be placed as described elsewhere herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) For clarity of disclosure, and not by way of limitation, the detailed description of the invention is divided into the following subsections that describe or illustrate certain features, embodiments or applications of the present invention.

Definitions

(8) pre-existing industrial matting, temporary roadway, support surface as used herein means any existing sectional tiles of any suitable size and material used in the construction of temporary roadways, paths, machinery support surface or other support surfaces that can be applied over natural ground, sand, swamp, grass or other pre-existing surface which would not ordinarily be thought of as suitable to support a heavy load. Non-exhaustive examples of such mats are access mats, crane mats, swamp mats, equipment support mats, temporary road mats, and construction site and event site flooring.

(9) first insertable tongue section as used herein means a component that can be inserted into a configured recess comprising notches, ridges or other protuberance that corresponds to a configured recess and slid to secure any component that is attached and inserted into it.

(10) second protruding mating section as used herein means a component that is attached to a first insertable tongue section and configured into corresponding top or bottom pieces where a top piece is configured to mate securely with and correspond in a mirrored configuration with a bottom piece.

(11) raised securing ridges as used herein means any ridge, notch or protuberance configured to work as a part of any tongue and groove construction that can slide down a properly configured recess, and includes but is not limited to, ridges, notches or protuberances that are rounded, squared off and/or comprise an L-shape or hook or other geometric interlocking puzzle configuration and are attached to a first insertable tongue section.

The System and Method of the Present Invention

(12) The present disclosure teaches embodiments of an interlocking device capable of securing pre-existing industrial matting, temporary roadway, support surfaces to each other when configured as taught herein.

(13) In one embodiment, there are basically two components to the device and two mirror configurations required. The first component is a first insertable tongue section that is the securing component securing the device to the pre-existing industrial matting, temporary roadway, support surface, and this component is identical in the two mirror configurations. The second component is the interlocking second protruding mating section. Here, this second component is required to be configured as either a top/male component or a mirror image bottom/female component. When properly configured, the end of a properly configured pre-existing industrial matting, temporary roadway, support surface with a top/male interlock device, will fit snugly against a corresponding end of a second properly configured pre-existing industrial matting, temporary roadway, support surface with a bottom/female interlock device. Once snugly fit together, pins can be inserted in aligned cut-out through holes to prevent any pulling apart. By continuing out in any direction, an entire surface area of any size or configuration can be achieved.

(14) In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 2, if we say that the sides are North, East, South and West with the North and West sides as the top or male configured sides; and the South and East sides as the bottom or female configured sides; a first mat is laid down in any orientation. Then, a second mat is laid down with either its North side overlaying the first mat's South side; or, its West side overlaying the first mat's East side. The construction can continue in this manner in any direction an infinite amount of times. Each time a mat is laid down, wherever there is a top/male section overlaying a bottom/female section, pins are inserted in the aligned cut-out through holes to secure the mat in place relative to the prior mat to which it is attached.

(15) In one embodiment, the device is configured according to FIG. 2 wherein the ends of the individual top/male and bottom/female sections are squared off. In this configuration, the first insertable tongue section ends at the end of the pre-existing industrial matting, temporary roadway, support surface and merely overhangs to mate with its corresponding section of another properly configured industrial matting, temporary roadway, support surface.

(16) In an alternative embodiment, the ends of the individual top/male and bottom/female sections are mitered such that the adjacent top/male sections from a short and long edge of the pre-existing industrial matting, temporary roadway, support surface meet at a forty-five degree angle. In this embodiment, the through cut-out holes are configured in a different shape to attach the two adjacent mitered ends together as well as top section to bottom section.

(17) In one embodiment, the device as taught herein may be constructed from and known suitable material. Examples include plastic, fiberglass, metals, metal alloys, composite materials, PVC, polyethylene, fiberglass reinforced plastics, and the like. One of skill in the art will be able to easily determine a desirable material based on the combination of strength, flexibility, durability, and price for a given application.

(18) In one embodiment, the device as taught herein may be constructed as a solid one-piece unit. In an alternative embodiment, the first insertable tongue section may be constructed separately from second protruding mating section and then attached afterward.

(19) In one embodiment, the device as taught herein is constructed in two lengths, namely, approximately seven to eight foot and thirteen to fourteen foot, but, any length may be chosen based on the sizing of the industrial matting, temporary roadway, support surface product with which the device is to be used. By inserting into a properly configured pre-existing industrial matting, temporary roadway, support surface in one direction, it can act as a top/male section. By flipping around and inserting in the opposite way, it can act as a bottom/female section. Only one configuration need be manufactured and only one recess preparation into the pre-existing industrial matting, temporary roadway, support surface need be performedit is merely a matter of orientation in insertion and insuring that the correct length is inserted into the correct edge.

EXAMPLES

(20) The present invention is further illustrated, but not limited by, the following examples.

(21) In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 6, existing industrial matting, temporary roadway, support surface products are configured to allow the device as described in this disclosure to be fitted on each side. Each side is then so fitted, two adjacent sides being fitted with a male/top configuration (adjacent sides will always include one short side and one long side) and the alternate sides being fitted with a female/bottom configuration. All matting tiles are to be fitted in the same configuration. Once so fitted, a male/top side is laid over a corresponding female/bottom side to fit the second protruding mating sections snugly together. In this embodiment, once so snugly fit, securing pins may be inserted into cutout holes that are aligned in this manner securing the sides together. Matting tiles are then continued to be laid together extending out in any desired direction creating a surface area of any size a multiple of the size the matting tiles in any direction. In this embodiment, simply removing the securing pins will allow the matting products to be disassembled by merely lifting them apart.

(22) In one embodiment, the ends of the device of the present disclosure are squared off (as shown in FIG. 6). In this embodiment, this allows for a securing pin cutout to be placed on the end to align with a corresponding end of a corresponding male/female component and maintain structural integrity of having a side wall of the cutout without any break. In an alternative embodiment, the ends could be mitered (as shown in FIG. 2). In this embodiment, there will either be no cutouts at this location of the device, or the cutout configuration would be altered as a ninety-degree angled square corner thin cutout to maximize the strength of same wherein there will be a break in the sidewalls of the cutout.

(23) In one embodiment, there could also be placed in the first insertable tongue section(s) a cutout (10) for use with securing pins in the same manner as shown with the second protruding mating sections. In this embodiment, similarly aligned cutouts would need to be made in the corresponding place in the industrial matting, temporary roadway, support surface product with which the device would be used to allow the through placement of securing pins as shown in FIG. 1.

(24) Publications cited throughout this document are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Although the various aspects of the invention have been illustrated above by reference to examples and preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention is defined not by the foregoing description but by the following claims properly construed under principles of patent law.

(25) Each and every feature described herein, and each and every combination of two or more of such features, is included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in such a combination are not mutually exclusive.