Abstract: Mat locking pins include a pin body and a wheel housed within the pin body, the wheel configured to be movable from a first position to a second position, wherein in the first position the wheel is housed within the pin body and in the second position at least a portion of the wheel extends from the pin body. Mat systems include such mat locking pins to enable movement of the may system and/or secure two mats together.

Abstract: Mats and methods associated therewith are described. The mats include a main body defined by a plurality of sidewalls and two exterior surface walls opposing each other. The main body includes a pattern of internal walls that define internal voids within the main body. At least one primary structural support rib is arranged within the main body and extends between the two surface walls and from one of the plurality of side walls to another of the plurality of side walls. The at least one primary structural support rib traverses the internal voids defined by the pattern of internal walls.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to mats and connects are described. The apparatus include a mat having a top side, a bottom side, and an interior defined between the top side and the bottom side, and at least one connector post extending within the interior of the mat, wherein the at least one connector post comprises a connector pin cavity extending within the interior of the mat and configured to receive a connector pin and at least one locking structure configured to engage with a portion of the connector pin and secure the connector pin to the at least one connector post.

Abstract: Mats and panels of mats and methods of making the same are described. The panels include a first portion defined by a first material and a second portion defined by a second material. The first material and the second material have at least one of different compositions and different material properties. The methods include depositing a first material into a mold of a panel, depositing a second material into the mold of the panel after deposition of the first material, and applying at least one of pressure and heat to the mold of the panel to form a panel having the first material and the second material having at least one different compositions and different material properties.

Abstract: One aspect is a system for securing an external structure to overlapping surfaces. The system includes a housing having a bore extending from a first surface of the housing to an opposite surface of the housing. The system further includes a rotor that has an inner bore and is arranged radially inward from the housing bore. An extending member is attached to the rotor and arranged radially inward from the inner bore. Additionally, a fastener member is engaged with the extending member.

Abstract: A holding container includes a plurality of pre-formed, releasably interlocking, load-bearing panels configured to form an at least partially curved, load-bearing wall extending around the perimeter of at least one storage area capable of containing at least 100,000 gallons of liquids, solids or a combination thereof. At least one among the width and length of each panel is less than 102 inches in a non-load-bearing state.

Abstract: A method of reinforcing a support mat includes at least one extruder applying at least a first stream of weld-forming material over at least one seam formed between upper and lower, interconnected, at least partially overlapping, panels on the top of the mat and at least one automated extruder applying at least a second stream of weld-forming material over at least one seam formed between the panels on the bottom of the mat.

Abstract: A power tool for unlocking a releasable attachment pin from at least two ground covers includes at least one gripper carried by a carrier and selectively moveable relative to the carrier to grip a first portion of the attachment pin. At least one rotator also carried by the carrier is selectively rotatable relative to the first portion of the attachment pin to rotate a second portion of the attachment pin to unlock the attachment pin from the ground covers. A power-driven actuator associated with the carrier is operatively coupled to the rotator(s) and configured to selectively rotate the rotator(s).

Abstract: Methods of containing liquid introduced onto a support surface include forming the support surface with at least two mats, the mats forming a perimeter of the support surface. A plurality of berm members is positioned at least partially around or proximate to the perimeter of the support surface and extends upwardly relative to the mats sufficient to prevent liquid introduced onto the top of the support surface from leaking off of the support surface around the perimeter thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for electrically coupling first and second ground covers involves at least first and second electrically-conductive covers configured to be associated with the first and second ground covers, respectively. The electrically-conductive covers are electrically interconnectable with at least one electrical connector.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for electrically grounding a support surface includes an at least partially perforated, electrically-conductive cover configured to extend at least partially across the top of the support surface and be electrically grounded to the earth.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for electrically grounding a support surface includes an at least partially perforated, electrically-conductive cover configured to extend at least partially across the top of the support surface and be electrically grounded to the earth.

Abstract: A locking pin for connecting at least first and second adjacent mats of a support surface includes a body and at least one foot operatively connected to the body and configured to secure the locking pin to the mats. The foot is selectively movable from an unlocked position to at least one locked position and then, while in a locked position, selectively moveable upwardly relative to the body and the first and second mats.

Abstract: Systems useful for reinforcing a support mat over at least one seam formed between upper and lower panels of the mat include at least one extruder configured to apply weld-forming material over the seam(s) to form at least one weld atop the seam(s) and at least one electronic controller associated with the extruder.

Abstract: System for supporting an upright member from a support surface includes an elongated carrier releasably engageable with the support surface, a base adapted to extend around at least part of the lower end of the carrier and abut the support surface and at least one anchor associated with the carrier and configured to grip the upright member when the upright member is inserted into a bore of the carrier.

Abstract: An electrically groundable support surface includes a lower portion configured to be deployed on or near the surface of the earth. An electrically-conductive cover portion constructed at least partially of electrically-conductive material is configured to extend at least partially across the top surface of the lower portion and is electrically groundable to the earth. At least one electrically-conductive interface is configured to facilitate electrical connection of the support surface to another electrically-conductive component.

Abstract: An insulated, electrically groundable, support surface includes at least one heat shield configured to be disposed between a ground cover and an electrically-conductive cover(s) of the support surface to insulate the ground cover from heat generated by electric current flowing through the electrically-conductive cover(s).