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US 7,604,431 B2Granted
Interlocking ground cover mats
AssigneeMaxximat Inc.
InventorBob Fournier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention is directed to interlocking ground cover mats that can be used to facilitate the passage of heavy equipment and vehicles on wet or disturbed ground. The ground cover mats are comprised of boards contained within a metal frame. The side surfaces of the mats are connected using an interlock member and an interlock opening. The end surface of the mats is connected using a retaining pin that feeds through openings in perpendicular plates, or alternatively using complimentary pins and recesses.
Claims10
A quadrilateral ground cover mat comprising:
- (a) two opposing major surfaces, the opposing major surfaces being defined by a plurality of elongate boards contained within a frame, each board having a substantially rectangular cross-section and disposed such that the vertical dimension is larger than the horizontal dimension;
- (b) two opposing end surfaces, and first and second opposing lateral surfaces, wherein one end surface comprises a tubular member extending towards, but not beyond, the lateral surfaces of the mat in an orientation that is parallel to the end surface;
- (c) an interlock opening defined by the second lateral surface, wherein said interlock opening has a receiving section, and a locking section;
- (d) an interlock member projecting from the first lateral surface, said interlock member having a neck portion and a locking portion;
- (e) whereby the interlock member mates with the interlock opening of an adjacent cover mat by inserting the interlock member into the receiving section, and sliding the locking portion of the interlock member laterally into the locking section;
- and
- (f) means for releasably engaging the end of an adjacent mat said means disposed on each end surface.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.