Abstract: System for preventing the leakage of liquid from an outdoor work-site around the perimeter of the work-site includes a load-supporting surface having at least two adjacent mats and a plurality of berm members configured to be disposed around the perimeter of the load-supporting surface.

Abstract: System for electrically grounding a reusable load-supporting surface includes at least two mats and a plurality of substantially planar, removable, electrically-conductive covers. Each cover extends at least partially across the top face of one of the mats without extending over any of the edges thereof and is flexibly coupled to the mat sufficient to allow the mat to flex, expand and contract relative to the cover due to environmental factors and the movement of personnel, vehicles and/or equipment across the load-supporting surface during normal, typical or expected use conditions.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing mats for use with a plurality of top side seal members in a load-supporting surface includes at least one milling machine, router or thermoplastic mold forming at least one channel in the upper surface of each mat proximate to the outer edge of at least a first side thereof and configured to engage at least one dart of at least one of the seal members and a recess in each mat's upper surface around each respective channel and configured to seat at least part of one leg of at least one of the seal members.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a plurality of mats useful with a plurality of frame style seal members in a load-supporting surface include at least one milling machine, router or pre-formed mold forming at least first and second elongated grooves in first and second offset outer edges of at least a first side of each among at least first and second stepped-configuration, reversible mats. Each groove causes the seal member(s) seated therein to extend into a gap formed between the mats, abut at least one seal member extending from another mat into the same gap and form a liquid-tight seal therewith.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a liquid-tight seal across gaps formed between adjacent components of a load-supporting surface useful at an outdoor worksite includes a liquid-impermeable, elongated, seal member configured to be sealing coupled to first and second mats in the load-supporting surface and extend across the gap formed therebetween.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a liquid-tight seal across gaps formed between at least first and second adjacent mats in a load-supporting surface includes at least one seal member configured to be coupled to each among first and second outer edges of at least a first side of each among at least first and second adjacent mats and extend laterally outwardly therefrom into one among at least two gaps formed between the adjacent mats and abut at least one other such seal member extending into the same gap from the other adjacent mat that forms the gap.

Abstract: Method of sealing the gap between adjacent mats in a reusable load-supporting surface includes placing an elongated closed-cell compressible sponge rubber seal member along the edge of the first side of a first mat. The third side of a second mat is positioned adjacent to the first side of the first mat, wherein the main body of the seal member is sandwiched between the respective aligned edges of the adjacent mats. At least one locking pin hole of the second mat is aligned over a locking pin hole of the first mat and a locking pin is secured therein.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing illumination from a support surface includes a shell releasably engageable with the support surface. An electronics system is seated within the shell and projects light up and out of the shell. A power pack releasably engages the shell and electrically engages the electronics system to provide power thereto. The electrical interface between the electronics system and power pack is fluidly sealed.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a liquid-tight seal across a gap formed between adjacent, interconnected first and second mats in a load-supporting surface includes first and second liquid impermeable, elongated seal members extending into the gap from the first and second mats, respectively. The seal members abut one another in the gap to form a liquid tight seal therebetween.

Abstract: An electrically groundable, reusable, load-supporting surface includes a plurality of planar mats and a plurality of removable, electrically-conductive covers. At least one cover is configured to be coupled to each respective mat. Each cover includes at least one mesh portion constructed at least partially of electrically conductive material. The respective covers of adjacent mats in the load-supporting surface are configured to be electrically interconnected. At least one grounding rod is electrically connectable between at least one cover and the earth to electrically ground the load supporting surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for sealing the gap between adjacent interconnecting mats in a reusable load-supporting surface deployed on the ground includes a seal member. The seal member includes an elongated main body and an elongated planar tail extending outwardly therefrom. The main body is positionable in the gap and the tail is configured to extend into at least a portion of the interface formed between upper and lower lips of the adjacent mats.

Abstract: System for assembling a temporary surface includes a grab head and a plurality of mats configured to be placed on the ground and interconnected to form the temporary surface. The grab head includes first and second opposing jaws, each jaw having first and second spaced-apart teeth. Each tooth includes at least one flange and is engageable with one among a series of holes formed in one of the mats.

Abstract: An adjustable locking pin for connecting at least first and second overlapping mats includes an elongated main body, an elastomeric seal extending around the periphery of an enlarged head of the main body and an elongated rotor threadably engaged in a bore of the main body. The rotor is rotatable through at least two 360 degree revolutions of rotation relative to the main body and includes a foot at its bottom end. The rotational adjustability of the rotor allows the first and second mats to be tightly held together.

Abstract: System for containing liquid introduced onto a reusable load-supporting surface includes a plurality of interconnectable berm members configured to releasably sealingly engage the load-supporting surface to prevent leakage of liquid from the load-supporting surface around its perimeter without the use of any liners beneath the load-supporting surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for sealing the gap between adjacent interconnecting mats in a reusable load-supporting surface deployed on the ground includes a seal member. The seal member includes an elongated main body and an elongated planar tail extending outwardly therefrom. The main body is positionable in the gap and the tail is configured to extend into at least a portion of the interface formed between upper and lower lips of the adjacent mats.