Abstract: A method and apparatus for the construction of a two-layer flooring system for use at a construction site such as an oil well drilling site. The flooring system is particularly well suited for use in areas with dry, sandy soil. The flooring system is formed by interlocking both the ends and sides of a plurality of mat units. Each of the mat units includes two layers of boards. The first layer has end locking tabs extending beyond the edge of the first layer and corresponding end locking slots, formed by offsetting selected boards. The second layer similarly includes side locking tabs and corresponding side locking slots, also formed by offsetting selected boards. The arrangements of these tabs and slots is such that half-size units and inverted units may be utilized, allowing a wide variety of patterns of interlocking units to be utilized for the flooring system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the construction of a flooring system for use at a construction site such as an oil well drilling site. The flooring system is formed by interlocking a plurality of flooring units. Each of the flooring units includes a rectangular base section and a surface section attached to and overlaying the base section. One end of the rectangular base section is aligned with one end of the surface section which has at least one open-ended locking slot along its length. Located on the opposing end of the surface section is at least one locking tab formed from the surface section and projecting beyond and above the edge of the base section. The locking tab is aligned with the locking slot of the flooring unit. The method of constructing a flooring system utilizing such units includes positioning one unit, with the use of a lifting device such as a crane, adjacent to a second flooring unit and inserting the locking tab of the first unit into the adjacent second unit.