Load-supporting surface with interfacing gap seal members and related apparatus & methods

Apparatus for forming a liquid-tight seal across gaps formed between adjacent components of a load-supporting surface to be disposed on the ground or other surface(s) at an outdoor worksite, the load-supporting surface being capable of supporting the weight of people, vehicles and equipment thereupon, the apparatus comprising:

• at least first and second stepped-configuration, reversible mats arranged and adapted to be positioned adjacent to one another in the load-supporting surface so that at least one said mat at least partially overlaps at least one adjacent said mat, each said mat having upper and lower surfaces and being configured to support the weight of people, vehicles and equipment thereupon, each said mat having at least a first side and first and second outer edges extending at least partially along said first side at different heights on said first side, said first and second outer edges being offset relative to one another depth-wise, wherein said first outer edge of said first side of each said mat is disposed above and outwards of said second outer edge thereof, wherein when said first mat is right-side-up and said adjacent second mat is upside-down in the load-supporting surface, said first side of said first mat partially overlaps said first side of said second mat, said first outer edge of said first side of said first mat faces said second outer edge of said first side of said second mat and a first gap is formed therebetween, said second outer edge of said first side of said first mat faces said first outer edge of said first side of said second mat and a second gap is formed therebetween, and an interface is formed between said overlapping portions of said respective first and second mats in fluid communication with said first and second gaps;
• at least a first liquid impermeable, elongated seal member being configured to be coupled to said first outer edge of said first side of said first mat and extend laterally outwardly therefrom into said first gap when said first side of said first mat partially overlaps said first side of said second mat in the load-supporting surface;
• at least a second liquid impermeable, elongated seal member being configured to be coupled to said second outer edge of said first side of said second mat and extend laterally outwardly therefrom into said first gap when said first side of said first mat partially overlaps said first side of said second mat in the load-supporting surface, said respective first and second seal members being configured to abut one another in said first gap to form a liquid tight seal therebetween and prevent the entry of liquid into said first gap from said upper surfaces of said first and second mats when said first side of said first mat partially overlaps said first side of said second mat in the load-supporting surface;
• at least a third liquid impermeable, elongated seal member being configured to be coupled to said second outer edge of said first side of said first mat and extend laterally outwardly therefrom into said second gap when said first side of said first mat partially overlaps said first side of said second mat in the load-supporting surface;
• and
• at least a fourth liquid impermeable, elongated seal member being configured to be coupled to said first outer edge of said first side of said second mat and extend laterally outwardly therefrom into said second gap when said first side of said first mat partially overlaps said first side of said second mat in the load-supporting surface, said respective third and fourth seal members being configured to abut one another in said second gap to form a liquid tight seal therebetween and prevent the entry of liquid from said first gap or said interface onto the ground or other surface upon which the load-supporting surface is disposed when said first side of said first mat partially overlaps said first side of said second mat in the load-supporting surface.