Interlocking device for ground cover mats
OwnerShawn BEAMISHinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention is directed to an interlocking device for releasably connecting ground a first and a second ground cover mats each having tubular members. The device includes two clamping arms and a securing means. The clamping arms each have a collar member to engage one of the tubular members. The collar members are adjustably connected to each other to move the device from an open installation position into a closed restraining position in which the concave surfaces restrain the tubular members and are opposed to each other. The securing means releasably locks the clamping arms in the closed restraining position.
Claims17
An interlocking device for releasably connecting two abutting ground cover mats, each of the mats having a tubular member, the device comprising:
- (a) a first clamping arm comprising a first curved collar member and a first plate;
- (b) a second clamping arm comprising a second curved collar member and a second plate;
- (c) wherein the first and second clamping arms moveably engage each other to move between an open installation position and a closed restraining position where the first and second plates are substantially co-planar with the mats, and the first and second curved collar members are opposed to each other to restrain the tubular members of the adjacent mats;
- and
- (d) means for securing the first and second clamping arms in the closed restraining position.
The device of clamp 5 wherein the securing means comprises a pawl connected to the plate and at least one angled tooth formed on the second clamping arm, wherein the angled tooth is positioned to engage the pawl when the second clamping arm is moved into the closed restraining position.
An interlocking device for releasably connecting two abutting ground cover mats, each of the mats having a tubular member, the device comprising:
- (a) a first clamping arm comprising a first curved collar member and a first plate;
- (b) a second clamping arm comprising a second curved collar member and a second plate;
- and
- (c) a hinge pin, wherein the first and second clamping arms are pivotally attached to the hinge pin to pivot between an open installation position and a closed restraining position where the first and second plates are substantially co-planar, and the first and second curved collar members are opposed to each other to restrain the tubular members of the abutting mats;
- and
- (d) wherein the first and second clamping arms are configured to clamp the first and second collar members against and frictionally engage the tubular members to remain in the closed restraining position.
A ground cover mat system comprising:
- (a) at least four ground cover mats, each having a tubular member disposed at an end of the mat, and wherein the mats may be arranged in a two-by-two array such that each tubular member is co-axial with another tubular member of an adjacent mat, and is parallel to another tubular member of an abutting mat, and the mats collectively define a mat opening exposing the tubular members;
- (b) an interlocking device having opposing collar members for restraining the at least four tubular members, wherein the interlocking device comprises a plate shaped and sized to substantially fill the mat opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.