Portable Mat Type Patents (Class 404/35)
  • Patent number: 7021012
    Abstract: The waterproof decking is a series of embodiments of extruded panels for forming a watertight deck assembly. First side, second side, and intermediate panels are provided, each having complementary edges for mating with other corresponding panels. One edge of the first side and intermediate panels is provided with a drainage gutter and the tongue or groove of a tongue and groove connection, with mating edges of the second side and intermediate panels being provided with the mating tongue or groove configuration, depending upon the embodiment. Each of the embodiments includes a depending drip rail which serves to wedge tightly against the opposite wall of the gutter of the adjoining panel to prevent relative motion between the two, and also to prevent capillary flow of liquid across the underside of the panel where it could leak into the area below. Additional sealing may be provided along the tongue and groove joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventors: Karl Zeng, Bobby Reed
  • Patent number: 6988848
    Abstract: A drip berm for mounting onto a drip mat includes one or more inner berm members and one or more cooperating outer berm members. Each inner berm member is mountable contiguously around the circumferential edges of the drip mat. Each outer berm member is mountable along an inner edge of the outer berm member contiguously along or around an outer edge of, or perimeter of a frame formed by the inner berm member or members. Each inner berm member includes at least one clamp member for mounting onto the circumferential edges of the drip mat. Each clamp member includes a pair of jaws for mounting inwardly of the circumferential edges of the drip mat. The jaws are pivotable about a clam-shell hinge so as to, in a closed position, engage and clamp the circumferential edges of the drip mat between the pair of jaws, and so as to, in an open position, release the circumferential edges of the drip mat from between the pair of jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Roadstead Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk J. Arsenault, Michael Howard Boudreau
  • Patent number: 6954975
    Abstract: A ramp member is provided for attachment with an edge of a floor mat to facilitate transportation of an object from a floor to an upper surface of the mat. A tab is provided which extends from the ramp member and defines a plane. Two projections extend from the plane of the tab out of alignment with the plane. Additionally, two cavities are formed in the ramp member adapted for receiving at least one of the two projections therein. A method of connecting ramp members is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Superior Manufacturing Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Dolinski
  • Patent number: 6945732
    Abstract: An overlapping flanged mat system for assembling the mat system for fabricating an artificial road including parallel upper surface boards extending longitudinally in one array, an intermediate plurality of surface boards transverse to the upper layer, and a lower set of boards extending parallel to the upper boards, said lower set having an inner-connecting section, extending outwardly from the longitudinal position of the first and second set of boards, creating a landing surface. The mats are inner-connected by laying down a succession of such three-ply mats to form an artificial road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Streamline Production Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Renick
  • Patent number: 6942421
    Abstract: In the manufacture of an articulated, predominantly concrete mat, which comprises concrete blocks and a flexible geogrid embedded in such blocks and in which the flexible geogrid defines flexible members connecting such blocks to one another, an intermediate article being a concrete slab is cast, in which a flexible geogrid is embedded. The slab has relatively thinner portions, along which the slab is breakable to form such blocks, and relatively thicker portions, which become such blocks when the slab is broken along the relatively thinner portions. The relatively thicker portions are arranged in parallel rows and are staggered in adjacent rows, before the slab is broken therealong, and the relatively thicker portions in alternate rows are aligned in parallel columns, before the slab is broken therealong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventor: Jan Erik Jansson
  • Patent number: 6899489
    Abstract: A pre-fabricated warped pavement slab and a forming system for making the slabs. The forming system includes a plurality of forming sections which can be adjusted so as to form a warped-plane pavement slab. Also disclosed are methods for making the pavement slab and forming system. Also disclosed is a method for installing the warped pavement slab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Fort Miller Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Smith
  • Patent number: 6878430
    Abstract: A floor covering (1) made of an elastically moldable material, in particular from a synthetic rubber, which is provided with a regular arrangement consisting of first projections (3) on the upper side (1a) and with a regular arrangement of second projections (5) on the underside (1b), the projections of the first projections and of the second projections not exhibiting any overlapping area on the plane of the covering and that, on the underside within the projections of the first projections, third projections (7) are provided in each case which have a smaller height vis-à-vis the second projections such that the floor covering only touches a floor with the second projections when it is in an unloaded state, however, when a preset load is exceeded locally, the third projections come in contact with the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventors: Wolfgang Milewski, Simon Hafenecker
  • Patent number: 6874972
    Abstract: An apparatus for constructing a temporary road bed include a mat formed from a plurality of planks having a longitudinal dimension and spaced-apart a uniform distance by a spacer. A flexible cable extends through apertures in the planks and spacers for coupling the planks and spacers together. The flexible cable allows the mat to bend and conform to the ground surface and can be rolled and folded upon itself. In one embodiment, the planks include at least one recess in a top face for interlocking with a plank of a second mat. The mats can be coupled together in an end-to-end relation to obtain a desired length or width or in a stacked relation to obtain a desired thickness of the road bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventors: Darell Davis, Ronald U. Davis
  • Publication number: 20040208698
    Abstract: A drip berm for mounting onto a drip mat includes one or more inner berm members and one or more cooperating outer berm members. Each inner berm member is mountable contiguously around the circumferential edges of the drip mat. Each outer berm member is mountable along an inner edge of the outer berm member contiguously along or around an outer edge of, or perimeter of a frame formed by the inner berm member or members. Each inner berm member includes at least one clamp member for mounting onto the circumferential edges of the drip mat. Each clamp member includes a pair of jaws for mounting inwardly of the circumferential edges of the drip mat. The jaws are pivotable about a clam-shell hinge so as to, in a closed position, engage and clamp the circumferential edges of the drip mat between the pair of jaws, and so as to, in an open position, release the circumferential edges of the drip mat from between the pair of jaws.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Kirk J. Arsenault, Michael Howard Boudreau
  • Patent number: 6802159
    Abstract: A plurality of interlocking tile pieces form a generally flat traffic-carrying surface. The tile are locked together in a manner to form a plurality of non-bendable tile joints. The tile includes a hinge or fold line along a first axis and a hinge or fold line along a second axis. The hinges allow the multi-tile traffic carrying surface to be rolled up into a hollow tube from any direction along one of the axes, beginning at any edge of the traffic carrying surface. The rolled-up floor covering is made up of a plurality of tile panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Snap Lock Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Kotler
  • Publication number: 20040197147
    Abstract: A walkway apparatus enabling lengthwise pedestrian utilization of the area above an open ditch and method for implementing the same. The walkway apparatus includes one or more walkpath surface sheets disposed lengthwise along the open corridor above the ditch. A primary support frame vertically supports the walkpath surface sheets above the ditch from one or both of the opposing ditch banks. In accordance with one embodiment, the primary support frame includes dual rail support members longitudinally disposed as substantially parallel tracks along each of the opposing banks such that the walkpath surface sheets are bilaterally supported along the opposing ditch banks. In an alternate embodiment, the walking surface sheets are unilaterally support from one ditch bank by a cantilevered vertical support frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Gregory Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20040197146
    Abstract: A method and apparatus facilitates desert landscaping by pliable, elastic sheets with surfaces shaped and dimensioned to simulate a ground cover of stones. Each sheets is produced to simulate a mixture of stones of a selected size or sizes. The sheets permit the ready removal of leaves, dirt, and other debris from the sheets. The colors of the sheets are varied as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Mark D. Zingg
  • Publication number: 20040141809
    Abstract: A construction mat is disclosed that includes plurality of beam members secured together to form a durable platform. Metal tubing can be used for the beam members with the cavity of the tubing being filled by a filler material such as polystyrene, polyurethane foam, or other materials having comparable characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventor: Jimmy J. Wagstaff
  • Publication number: 20040120765
    Abstract: A mat for use in a paved surface comprises a nonwoven or woven fibrous mat made from fibers including polymer fibers, the polymer fibers having a melting point greater than about 320° F. (160° C.). The mat has a load-elongation behavior such that when the mat is subject to tensile stress, the mat achieves at least 90% of its ultimate load at an elongation not greater than 5% of the specimen length in the direction of applied stress. Another mat comprises a nonwoven or woven fibrous mat made from fibers selected from the group consisting of mineral fibers, polymer fibers, natural fibers, and mixtures thereof, and a rubbery binder. Another mat comprises a nonwoven or woven fibrous mat made from a blend of high melt polymer fibers having a melting point of at least 350° F. (177° C.) and low melt polymer fibers having a melting point of less than 350° F. (177° C.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: David R. Jones, Gregory S. Helwig, David C. Trumbore
  • Patent number: 6746176
    Abstract: The rig mat is laid on a substrate to provide a surface to bear and distribute weight over the substrate. The rig mat call be used individually or juxtaposed in an assembly of mats to provide the bearing surface. The rig mat has a top plate and a bottom plate disposed in parallel alignment. A spacer grate is sandwiched between and fixed to the plates. An edge binder is disposed around the perimeter edges of the plates to bind them together and to enclose the spacer grate within the space between the plates. The spacer grate is made up of a number of grating bars disposed in a parallel to each other. Cross-rods disposed in parallel to each other and perpendicular to the grating bars pass through and attach to the grating bars to fix the spacing between the grating bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Ronald Edwin Smith
  • Patent number: 6739797
    Abstract: A block (11) formed with a mold (10) integral thereto. The mold (10) is constructed as a mold top half (12) and a mold bottom half (14) and filled in situ with cement (16). The mold halves (12,14) are constructed with respective socket and channel structures (24, 20) to capture an enlarged end (38) of a connector (34) for interlocking one block to a neighboring block. The resulting block (11) constitutes a one-piece block that can be formed at the installation site using the two-part mold (10). The interlocked blocks are prevented from removal when moved in either lateral direction, or in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas W. Schneider
  • Patent number: 6733206
    Abstract: A ground cover mat includes a first end interlock at a first end of the body which is adapted to interlock with a second end interlock at a second end of a like body. A second end interlock is provided at the second end of the body which is adapted to interlock with the first end interlock at a first end of a like body. A first side interlock is provided at a first side of the body which is adapted to interlock with a second side interlock at a second side of an adjacent like body. A second side interlock is provided at the second side of the body which is adapted to interlock with the first side interlock at a second end of an adjacent like body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventors: David Stasiewich, James Stasiewich
  • Patent number: 6722814
    Abstract: A temporary trench cover includes a number of cover elements which are of prefabricated or cast metal construction. An interlink for interengaging like cover elements on assembly includes a male head part at one end and a female slot at an opposite end. The male part engages with the female slot in such a way as to allow limited controlled relative movement between adjacent cover elements on assembly in both the horizontal and vertical planes. In this way the cover elements readily follow the contour of the ground in which the trench is dug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: David Vincent Byrne
  • Patent number: 6718588
    Abstract: For facilitating the passage of wheelchair users over door thresholds it is known to lay out ramp elements across the threshold, this however being an expensive solution even implying that the door cannot be closed. The invention provides for a ramp set suited to be laid out at both sides of the threshold so as to leave the top side thereof uncovered, whereby the door can still be opened and closed. The ramp construction is modular based on the use of light, joinable plastic tile elements of ordinary shape and wedge shape, respectively, and this makes it possible to build up non-costly, tailored ramp constructions in more general, with an associated possibility of reusing the tile elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Excellent Systems A/S
    Inventor: Ole Frederiksen
  • Publication number: 20040042851
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing a temporary road bed include a mat formed from a plurality of planks having a longitudinal dimension and spaced-apart a uniform distance by a spacer. A flexible cable extends through apertures in the planks and spacers for coupling the planks and spacers together. The flexible cable allows the mat to bend and conform to the ground surface and can be rolled and folded upon itself. In one embodiment, the planks include at least one recess in a top face for interlocking with a plank of a second mat. The mats can be coupled together in an end-to-end relation to obtain a desired length or width or in a stacked relation to obtain a desired thickness of the road bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Darrell Davis, Ronald U. Davis
  • Publication number: 20040037644
    Abstract: An overlapping flanged mat system for assembling the mat system for fabricating an artificial road including parallel upper surface boards extending longitudinally in one array, an intermediate plurality of surface boards transverse to the upper layer, and a lower set of boards extending parallel to the upper boards, said lower set having an inner-connecting section, extending outwardly from the longitudinal position of the first and second set of boards, creating a landing surface. The mats are inner-connected by laying down a succession of such three-ply mats to form an artificial road.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Renick
  • Patent number: 6696122
    Abstract: A temporary surface covering with a woven structure formed of warp threads and weft threads and whose weave is such that each warp thread intersects or intertwines with the following weft threads, and a second auxiliary woven structure being superposed having a layer of warp threads and a layer of weft threads, the connection between the two woven structures being carried out in the course of a same weaving operation simultaneously with the overlapping of the structures, so as to constitute between the two structures, from place to place, tubular pockets oriented in the direction of the warp threads or in the direction of the weft threads, the pockets serving for the reception of elements devoted to various uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Etablissements A. Deschamps & Fils.
    Inventor: Georges-Paul Deschamps
  • Patent number: 6695527
    Abstract: A reusable mat system for the construction of load bearing surfaces, such as temporary roadways and equipment support surfaces, over unstable or unsubstantial terrain, comprising durable, interlocking individual mats which can be quickly and easily installed in a single application, and which can thereafter be easily removed and stored until needed again. The individual mats of the present invention interlock on all sides to form stable and continuous load bearing surfaces, and exhibit favorable traction characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: OLS Consulting Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ores Paul Seaux, Kenneth P. Seaux, Donald S. Rogers
  • Patent number: 6685388
    Abstract: Multipurpose panels having L-shaped tabs are interconnected using durable connectors to form a multipurpose mat that facilitates mobility over otherwise unstable terrain. In one embodiment, four-sided panels are fabricated from laminations of fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) with radiused rectangular holes machined in each of two adjacent edges and a recessed L-shaped tab formed along opposing adjacent edges. The connectors are fabricated from corrosion resistant metal and assembled to precise specifications prior to insertion in the rectangular holes machined in pre-specified types of panel. Top and bottom plates of durable connectors are fabricated from 6061-T6 aluminum stock. A threaded bolt used to tie the plates together, to which a liquid threadlocker is applied, is fabricated from a steel alloy suitable for use with aluminum. Two specially fabricated tools, a spacer guide and an alignment tool, may be used to optimize installation. These also may be fabricated from 6061-T6 aluminum stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army, Humphreys Engineer Center
    Inventors: Steve L Webster, Carroll J. Smith
  • Patent number: 6652184
    Abstract: An apparatus to provide a temporary road way with minimal damage to the ground surface beneath the apparatus comprises a plurality of adjacent sections held together by a retainer. Each section comprises a front and back face. The front face of a section mates with the back face of an adjacent section to form an interface at a non-perpendicular angle to the direction of travel. An interlock is also provided whereby each section provides vertical support to each adjacent section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventors: Keith Knafelc, Lloyd Knafelc
  • Patent number: 6652183
    Abstract: A road mat includes a body having a first end, a second end, a first face and a second face. A first coupling is positioned at the first end has an outwardly extending portion extending outwardly from the first end adjacent to the second face, an angled portion extending from a remote end of the outwardly extending portion toward but not past the first face, and an inwardly extending retaining lip extending from a remote end of the angled portion back toward the first end. A second coupling is positioned at the second end is similarly configured with an outwardly extending portion extending outwardly from the second end adjacent to the first face, an angled portion and an inwardly extending retaining lip. The retaining lip of the second coupling engages the retaining lip of the first coupling preventing separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventors: David Stasiewich, James Stasiewich
  • Patent number: 6612776
    Abstract: In the manufacture of an articulated, predominantly concrete mat, which comprises concrete blocks and a flexible geogrid embedded in such blocks and in which the flexible geogrid defines flexible members connecting such blocks to one another, an intermediate article being a concrete slab is cast, in which a flexible geogrid is embedded. The slab has relatively thinner portions, along which the slab is breakable to form such blocks, and relatively thicker portions, which become such blocks when the slab is broken along the relatively thinner portions. Preferably, the relatively thinner portions extend longitudinally and transversely, in a rectangular array, before the slab is broken along the relatively thinner portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Jan Erik Jansson
  • Publication number: 20030133751
    Abstract: The rig mat is laid on a substrate to provide a surface to bear and distribute weight over the substrate. The rig mat call be used individually or juxtaposed in an assembly of mats to provide the bearing surface. The rig mat has a top plate and a bottom plate disposed in parallel alignment. A spacer grate is sandwiched between and fixed to the plates. An edge binder is disposed around the perimeter edges of the plates to bind them together and to enclose the spacer grate within the space between the plates. The spacer grate is made up of a number of grating bars disposed in a parallel to each other. Cross-rods disposed in parallel to each other and perpendicular to the grating bars pass through and attach to the grating bars to fix the spacing between the grating bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventor: Ronald Edwin Smith
  • Patent number: 6581231
    Abstract: A ramp apparatus and method for insertion of a four-wheel vehicle into a plastic flood protection car bag which comprises a ramp device having a pair of up-ramp surfaces, a pair of top surfaces and a pair of down-ramp surfaces, and car bag securements on the top surfaces for holding an open edge of the car bag while the four-wheel vehicle is rolled on the up- and down-ramp surfaces and into the car bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph Allain, Jr., Mark Allain
  • Publication number: 20030113162
    Abstract: A reusable mat system for the construction of load bearing surfaces, such as temporary roadways and equipment support surfaces, over unstable or unsubstantial terrain, comprising durable, interlocking individual mats which can be quickly and easily installed in a single application, and which can thereafter be easily removed and stored until needed again. The individual mats of the present invention interlock on all sides to form stable and continuous load bearing surfaces, and exhibit favorable traction characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Ores Paul Seaux, Kenneth P. Seaux, Donald S. Rogers
  • Patent number: 6575660
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing a temporary road bed include a mat formed from a plurality of planks having a longitudinal dimension and spaced-apart a uniform distance by a spacer. A flexible cable extends through apertures in the planks and spacers for coupling the planks and spacers together. The flexible cable allows the mat to bend and conform to the ground surface and can be rolled and folded upon itself. In one embodiment, the planks include at least one recess in a top face for interlocking with a plank of a second mat. The mats can be coupled together in an end-to-end relation to obtain a desired length or width or in a stacked relation to obtain a desired thickness of the road bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventors: Darrell Davis, Ronald U. Davis
  • Patent number: 6558070
    Abstract: A protective arrangement comprising one or several plane structures such as protective plates or elements, each one of which is meant to be used with one or several similar ones and are removably attached to one another. The structural part is stiffened in proportion to bending and has stiffening ribs. The arrangement is meant for temporarily protecting a field of grass and/or ice. One or several plastic based thermal insulation assemblies are attached to the downward side of the supporting structural part. A supporting structure is formed from the thermal insulation assembly that projects from the downward surface of the stiffening ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Variform Oy
    Inventor: Jarkko Valtanen
  • Patent number: 6543190
    Abstract: A weight strip constructed from a plurality of stacked sheets of elastomeric material slackly assembled for resting upon an uneven surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Robert W. Hitch
  • Patent number: 6520714
    Abstract: A transition device for roadways having hardened steel metal edges and a fill material with a honeycomb structure and rebars adjacent the fill material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Jerrold L. Marsik, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030031509
    Abstract: A transition device for roadways having hardened steel metal edges and a fill material with a honeycomb structure and rebars adjacent the fill material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: Jerrold L. Marsik
  • Patent number: 6511257
    Abstract: A reusable mat system for the construction of load bearing surfaces, such as temporary roadways and equipment support surfaces, over unstable or unsubstantial terrain, comprising durable, interlocking individual mats which can be quickly and easily installed in a single application, and which can thereafter be easily removed and stored until needed again. The individual mats of the present invention interlock on all sides to form stable and continuous load bearing surfaces, and exhibit favorable traction characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: OLS Consulting Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ores Paul Seaux, Kenneth P. Seaux, Donald S. Rogers
  • Patent number: 6474905
    Abstract: A temporary support structure for use in soft and environmentally sensitive areas to construct roads and pads to support heavy equipment and the like on rough and normally impassable terrain. Roads and pads are constructed by interlocking a plurality of mats together to build a road or pad of the desired size. Each mat is comprised of two layers of boards made of a material with a shear stress equal to or greater than that of hardwood lumber. The top layer of boards are superimposed over the bottom layer and fastened by bolts, nails, glue, etc. Forklifts, cranes, etc., are used to handle individual mats and to position the mats and lock them together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventors: Clarence R. Smith, Jr., Thomas O. Kelley, Jr., Jerry R. Kelley
  • Patent number: 6467224
    Abstract: A decking tile is disclosed which is arranged to receive a plurality of slats in a side-by-side manner. The decking tile has a plurality of apertures for receiving fasteners to retain the slats to the decking tile and connector provided around the periphery of the decking tile for connecting the decking tile to another decking tile. The decking tile is divided into a plurality of portions arranged in an array, the portions being connected to adjacent portions by a plurality of membranes. Each portion is removable from the tile upon severing of the membranes surrounding it. Two apertures are provided in each portion through which the fasteners can engage a slat positioned on said portion parallel to any side of said tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Ezydeck PTY LTD
    Inventor: Geoffrey Michael Bertolini
  • Publication number: 20020141821
    Abstract: A system for installing segmental masonry paving units commonly referred to as pavers. The pavers are arranged into patterns then adhered to a flexible grid with handles that can be cut away after installation. This paving system provides a prearranged pattern using multiple paving units which are flexible, easy to handle, and easy to install. They can be constructed with any type and color of masonry paver unit, and in some cases patterns are specifically designed for the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventor: John Kevin Guidon
  • Patent number: 6455127
    Abstract: A surface-covering protective structure. A thermal insulation layer has a basic wall thickness, fastening elements and a support arrangement integral with and projecting from the basic wall thickness of the thermal insulation layer. The support arrangement includes a plurality of supporting feet each comprising a supporting surface being operable to engage a protected surface that the protective structure is arranged on. The support arrangement is operable to physically separate the basic wall thickness of the thermal insulation layer from the protected surface. The fastening elements are operable to couple adjacent protective structures together. The protective structure, including the basic insulation layer, the fastening elements, and the support arrangement, includes thermally insulating plastic material operable to thermally insulate the protected surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Variform Oy
    Inventor: Jarkko Valtanen
  • Patent number: 6443667
    Abstract: A landscaping tile for stabilizing hillsides that includes a top surface which is textured to simulate a bed of gravel, river rocks, or the like. The landscaping tile is flexible and conforms to the topography of the land. The landscaping tile is secured to the ground using a plurality of stakes. The stakes may be driven through preformed holes defined directly in the tile, or through a border frame which overlaps the tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: Audrey E. Brown
  • Publication number: 20020110418
    Abstract: An overlapping flanged mat system for assembling the mat system for fabricating an artificial road including parallel upper surface boards extending longitudinally in one array, an intermediate plurality of surface boards transverse to the upper layer, and a lower set of boards extending parallel to the upper boards, said lower set having an inner-connecting section, extending outwardly from the longitudinal position of the first and second set of boards, creating a landing surface. The mats are inner-connected by laying down a succession of such three-ply mats to form an artificial road.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventor: Michal Renick
  • Patent number: 6380309
    Abstract: A method of producing a synthetic structural material for use in constructing mats for temporary roads and access areas. The matting is formed from extruded synthetic structural members formed from a blend comprising HDPE; SBR in an amount less than 4.0 percent by weight of the blend; and PET. Extruded structural members so produced have low electrostatic properties with a desired structural flexibility and resistance to retained memory after loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventors: R. S. Parker, E. E. Holden, Jr., Mark L. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20020034418
    Abstract: A temporary ramp having a plurality of segments coupled together by way of interlocking mating shapes located along the edges of adjacent ramp segments. Hinges couple adjacent ramp segments together. Fastener openings defined in the ramp segments allow a fastener to be fixed with the underlying roadway to help secure the ramp segment in position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: Earl D. Koch
  • Publication number: 20010053310
    Abstract: A landscaping tile for stabilizing hillsides is disclosed. The landscaping tile includes a top surface which is textured to simulate a bed of gravel, river rocks, or the like. The landscaping tile is flexible and conforms to the topography of the land. The landscaping tile is secured to the ground using a plurality of stakes. The stakes may be driven through preformed holes defined directly in the tile, or through a border frame which overlaps the tile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: Audrey E. Brown
  • Patent number: 6328500
    Abstract: A kit is provided for assembling a closed-loop toy simulation of a roadway comprising at least four curved road segments and at least two straight road segments, each road segment having an upper non-skid surface and at least one marking on such surface that simulates roadway lane markings. A method is provided for constructing a closed-loop toy roadway of a desired shape and length. The method comprises positioning two road segments so they are in substantial longitudinal alignment, connecting the adjacent road segments together by engaging a plurality of loops on one segment with a plurality of hooks on an adjacent segment, and repeating such steps until the desired closed-loop play roadway has been configured. Also provided is a segment for constructing a closed-loop play roadway having a desired shape and length and having on its non-skid upper surface at least one marking that simulates a roadway marking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Tamara L. Rubio
  • Publication number: 20010048848
    Abstract: A weight strip constructed from a plurality of stacked sheets of elastomeric material slackly assembled for resting upon an uneven surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Robert W. Hitch
  • Patent number: 6250845
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in erosion control comprising a primary member and a secondary member pivotally connectable to the primary member to form a unit. The unit can be connected to another like unit to form a protective network of such units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Inventors: Gary Deaton, Brian T. Baumgartner, Frank Baker
  • Patent number: 6227759
    Abstract: A plastic skating surface comprising at least two sheets of plastic welded together. The plurality of welded sheets of plastic form a continuous skating surface, wherein the effects of expansion and contraction due to temperature change is limited to the outer perimeter of the skating surface. An expansion plate overlaps the outer perimeter of the skating surface, thereby defining a fixed enclosure of the skating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: TecLink International Ltd.
    Inventors: Leonard S. Fricke, Carl W. Sims
  • Patent number: 6102614
    Abstract: A concrete block has a first and a second hole passing through the concrete block in a vertically direction. An internal thread is formed in the first and the second hole. A plurality of tiles have a slipping resistivity. The tiles are arranged in order on an upper surface of the concrete block. The first and the second hole each have at a level of the upper surface an open region smaller than a respective tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: The Nippon Road Company Limited
    Inventor: Wataru Yukawa