AU2013201808B2 - A tyne mat - Google Patents

Abstract

A mat 30 for a forklift tyne 16. The mat 30 is elongate and is securable to the tyne 16 to overlie a substantial portion of the upper surface of tyne 16, in a manner that the 5 mat 30 is removable and replaceable relative to the tyne 16. The mat 30 can define a space S to receive the forward end 33 of a tyne 16, while hooks 42 can be provided to secure the rear end 34 of the mat 30 to a connecting portion 19 of the tyne 16. <filename> F' (-2q

Description

1 A TYNE MAT FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a mat or cover (hereinafter a "mat") for application to 5 the upper surface of a forklift tyne. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion 10 is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application. Forklift vehicles are commonly employed in factories, warehouses and manufacturing 15 facilities for conveying objects, usually heavy or bulky objects, between two places, or for loading heavy objects onto or from transport vehicles. Forklift vehicles typically include a pair of "tynes", that are spaced apart horizontally and which can be lifted and lowered simultaneously, so that objects placed on the tynes can be lifted and lowered as required. Forklift vehicles are often used with wooden or plastic pallets, or 20 with metal or plastic bins or drums, on which objects are placed or stacked and the pallet, bin or drum is constructed with a cavity or cavities suitable for insertion of the tynes of the forklift. The tynes of a forklift are generally made from steel, usually mild steel, and therefore 25 they are very robust and wear resistant. However, over time, the tynes can wear, or they can be damaged by scratching or denting. Because tynes are typically made of steel, the tynes themselves can inflict damage on objects which are engaged by the tynes. The tynes can scratch objects or can 30 dent them. Substantial damage can occur for example, if the leading ends of the tynes are driven into an object, such as the side of a pallet, as the leading ends typically are relatively sharp and can readily pierce or push into an object.

2 Forklift vehicles are normally of considerable weight in order to allow significant weights to be lifted. Forklifts are classified in classes and depending on the class of forklift vehicle, the gross vehicle weight can be three tonne or more. The present invention is directed to the following classes and weights of forklift: 5 Class 1 - up to 1.5 T Class 2 - 1.5T - 2.5T Class 3 - 3.0T - 4.5T Class 4 - 5.0T - 8T 10 In addition, objects can be lifted by a forklift to significant heights of two metres and above. While any use of a forklift carries a certain level or risk, as heavy objects are lifted higher and higher, the risk of the forklift toppling and the lifted load crashing to the ground increases. The risk of toppling increases if the load supported by the forklift shifts forward on the tynes. 15 For the above reasons, many countries require forklift drivers to be licensed. As a consequence, forklift drivers are generally considered to be highly skilled and penalties apply to unlicensed personnel who attempt to drive a forklift. 20 Skilled forklift drivers are able to manoeuvre a forklift about factory or warehouse premises quickly and efficiently. Particularly in relation to the loading of transport vehicles, the faster a forklift driver can operate the forklift, the faster the transport vehicle can be loaded and be on its way. Because of the speed at which forklifts can be driven by skilled drivers, forklifts can present significant safety problems within 25 factories and warehouses to personnel who get in the way of a moving forklift. Many businesses these days employ sophisticated ground marking to control movement of personnel and forklifts on a factory or warehouse floor, to minimise the risk of collision between them. However, on occasions collisions are imminent and the forklift driver must stop the forklift abruptly. If this occurs with a load on the forklift tynes, the load 30 is subject to shift on the tynes and depending on the abruptness of the stop, the load can slide off the tynes, presenting an obvious safety hazard, particularly if the load is raised to a significant height. The shifting of a load on the forklift tynes in these circumstances can occur because most objects which are carried on a forklift are simply lifted on the tynes and are not otherwise secured to the tynes.

3 With the above in mind, applicant has developed a mat which is considered to overcome or at least alleviate drawbacks which are associated with current forklifts, including one or more of the drawbacks discussed above. 5 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a mat for a forklift tyne whereby, the tyne includes an elongate lifting portion that has leading and trailing ends, and a connecting portion that extends from the trailing end of the lifting portion 10 substantially perpendicular to the lifting portion, the mat being elongate and having an upper surface and a lower surface, opposite side edges and a forward end and a rear end, the mat being removably securable to the tyne at each of the forward and rear ends to overlie a substantial portion of an upper surface of the lifting portion of the 15 tyne, the lower surface of the mat in use being in facing engagement with an upper surface of the lifting portion of the tyne, the mat further including a member positioned at the forward end of the mat and which is spaced from the lower surface of the mat to form a pocket between the lower surface and the member into which the leading end of the tyne can extend for 20 securing the forward end of the mat to the leading end of the tyne, the member extending from one of the opposite side edges of the mat to the other side edge and the pocket being open on a first side of the member in the direction of insertion of the leading end of the tyne into the pocket to allow entry of the leading end of the tyne into the pocket and being closed on a second side of the member opposite the first 25 side so that the tyne cannot extend through the pocket, the rear end of the mat including a hook that comprises two hook sections each of which extends from a respective side edge of the mat in a direction towards each other and each of which extends about the connecting portion of the tyne to a position facing a rear side of the connecting portion. 30 A mat according to the invention advantageously can protect the surface of a forklift tyne. In addition, a mat according to the invention advantageously can provide protection to objects being conveyed by a forklift. Still further, the surface of the mat in contact with the object being conveyed can have non-slip characteristics to resist 4 slipping of objects relative to the tynes in the event for example, of emergency stopping. A mat according to the invention can be used when required and stored when not 5 required. Thus, if a forklift is being used to convey objects which are susceptible to damage, use of the mat can assist to minimise damage, such as by minimising vibrations transferred through the forklift to the object, or by providing a surface which does not damage the object. Moreover, a business might employ more than a single forklift and may only require a pair of mats to shift between the different forklifts 10 depending on which is being used. The removability of a mat according to the invention allows the mats to be shifted between forklifts and thus to minimise the expense attached to purchasing mats. Still further, the removability of mats allows mats to be replaced when the mats themselves have become sufficiently worn to be discarded. Thus, a mat might be used for a period until it is worn to a thickness which 15 is no longer acceptable and it can then be easily and quickly removed and replaced with a brand new mat. Mats according to the invention can be made of any suitable material or compound and can include natural or synthetic rubber, plastic, Teflon@, polyvinylchloride (PVC), 20 polyurethane, nitrile rubber (NBR) or neoprene compound. These materials are merely suggestive of the types of different materials that could be used to make a mat according to the invention and the list is not exhaustive. Accordingly, other suitable materials could be used to make a mat according to the invention as appropriate for its use. 25 An alternative arrangement to secure the forward end of the mat to then tyne can include forming a space, pocket, recess, void or opening into which a leading end of a tyne can extend. In some forms of the invention, to form such a space, pocket, recess or opening the mat can include a member which is positioned at the forward 30 end of the mat and which is spaced from an underneath or lower surface of the mat (which is the surface that faces the upper surface of the tyne when the mat is applied to the tyne) to form a space, pocket, recess, void or opening (hereinafter "space") into which the leading end of the tyne can be inserted. The spacing between the lower surface and the member can be of any suitable dimension sufficient to secure the 5 forward end of the mat properly to the tyne and for example, the depth of the space could be in the order of 20mm to 200mm. The arrangement to secure the forward end of the mat to the tyne does not need to 5 be an arrangement which prohibits any movement of the forward end of the mat relative to the tyne, either being lifting movement, sideways movement, or back and forth movement. In most cases, the mat will be securely positioned on the tyne simply by virtue of the downward load which is applied to the mat by objects being lifted by the forklift vehicle. Where the securing function is useful is to prevent the mat 10 from being lifted from the tyne when objects are unloaded from the tyne, or when objects are being loaded onto the tyne, or when the mat is unloaded and the forklift vehicle is being driven around. The securing function thus assists to maintain the mat in the correct position while it is applied to the tyne so that continual repositioning is not required. 15 The member discussed above can be formed integrally with the mat and in such an arrangement, that member can be of the same material as the portion of the mat that overlies the upper surface of the tyne. Thus, if the mat is of a synthetic rubber material, the member could be of that same material. 20 Alternatively, the member can be of a different material to the material of the portion of the mat that overlies the upper surface of the tyne. For example, the member could be a metal or plastic material whereas the portion of the mat that overlies the upper surface of the tyne might be a synthetic rubber material. In many forms of the 25 invention, the portion of the mat that overlies the upper surface of the tyne will be of a flexible material, while the member will be of a rigid material. Thus, the member can be a metal member, such as a mild steel member. Where the member is of a different material to the portion of the mat that overlies the 30 upper surface of the tyne, the member and the mat portion can still be formed integrally. For example, the mat portion could be formed as a moulded portion, and the member could be integrally formed as part of that moulding. Thus, the member could be placed in a mould and molten material poured into the mould to set about 6 the member. This arrangement is particularly suitable to mouldable material such as natural or synthetic rubbers, plastics and polymers. Other alternatives to secure the forward end of the mat to the tyne can include the 5 use of releasable adhesives on the lower surface of the mat so that releasable attachment of the mat to the tyne is achieved, or the mat can include one or more magnets to magnetically connect the forward end of the mat to the tyne. Each of these examples, i.e. adhesive and magnets, can be applied to sections of the mat other than the forward end, and for example, a releasable adhesive or magnets could 10 be applied to middle and/or rear sections of the mat or along the full length of the mat. Releasable adhesives and magnets can be employed in addition to the securing arrangements at the forward end discussed above. Still further, fingers or hooks could be used to extend from portions of the mat to 15 underlie a tyne to which the mat is applied. The mat and/or the fingers or hooks could be made of a flexible material so that the fingers or hooks could be positioned to underlie the tyne. Alternatively, the tyne could be inserted into the arrangement of fingers or hooks from one end of the mat to the other. 20 It will be appreciated that many arrangements can be employed to secure the mat to a tyne, including those discussed above as well as others not discussed. In addition to the prevention of lifting movement of the mat away from the tyne, a mat according to the invention can prevent one or both of back and forth movement of the 25 mat relative to the tyne in the direction lengthwise of the tyne. Movement of the mat in this manner can occur for example if the forklift vehicle is stopped abruptly and a load carried by the tynes tends to shift under momentum forward on the tynes. By preventing movement of the mat relative to the tynes, an object supported by the tynes might also be prevented from shifting or sliding along the tynes. Such an 30 arrangement can thus have significant safety implications for forklift vehicles under emergency stop conditions. In arrangements according to the invention in which forward sliding movement of the mat along the tyne is to be prevented, the mat can include a hook which is positioned 7 to extend about an upright or substantially vertical portion of the tyne. To explain, forklift tynes generally include an elongate lifting portion which is a generally horizontal portion and which is the portion of the tyne that the mat substantially overlies in use, and that lifting portion has leading and trailing ends. The tyne also 5 includes a connecting portion that is connected to a lifting system for lifting the tynes and the connecting portion of each tyne extends from the trailing end of the lifting portion substantially perpendicular to the lifting portion. The tynes thus form a right angle arrangement. For tynes of this construction, the hook is arranged to extend about the connecting portion adjacent to (or proximal to) the trailing end of the lifting 10 portion. In this arrangement, a load which is applied to the mat which tends to shift the mat in a direction toward to the leading end of the tyne, is reacted by the hook against the connecting portion, so that the mat is at least substantially prevented from shifting or sliding along the tyne. Given that there will usually be a greater frictional engagement between the upper surface of the mat and the object being conveyed, 15 compared to the frictional engagement that would exist between the upper surface of the tyne and the object being conveyed, the object is thus more likely to be restrained against movement along the tyne. The hook as described above can comprise two hook sections, each of which extends 20 from a respective side edge of the mat to a position facing the rear side of the connecting portion. A benefit of the hook arrangement, is that the rear of the mat can be easily connected to the connecting portion of the tyne with a very secure connection between the mat and the tyne being made. Moreover, mat includes an arrangement to secure the forward end to the tyne, so that both the forward and rear 25 ends of the mat are firmly positioned on the tyne. A mat according to the invention can further include arrangements to secure the mat against sideways movement on a tyne and while various arrangements can be used to achieve this including hooks and straps and other arrangements as already 30 discussed above, in some forms of the invention, downwardly extending lips can be formed on opposite side edges of the mat so that when the mat is installed on a tyne, the lips are in close facing alignment with opposite side edges of the tyne. The lips can extend for just a short depth sufficient to face opposite side edges of the tyne, or they can extend further than this and up to a position to face the full depth of the side 8 edges of the tyne. In these forms of the invention, the mat effectively forms a channel having a base section that overlies the upper surface of the tyne and two upstanding sides that face opposite side edges of the tyne. 5 To increase the amount of grip between the upper surface of the mat and objects supported on the mat, the mat can be formed to have a non-slip upper surface. This can be a surface that is applied to the upper surface of the mat or the mat can be made of a material that inherently is non-slip. In addition, the mat can include a contoured upper surface. While various contours can have the non-slip effect 10 described above, in some forms, the upper surface of the mat can be formed as a grid in square or diagonal form. Other forms include raised ridges or a plurality of raised buttons or projections. A mat according to the invention can be a significant length, particularly if it is to 15 extend from the front end of a tyne back to the rear end. Mats could be in the order of 1.5m to 3m long. In order to facilitate easier handling of mats which are relatively long, the mat can include a hinge, which allows the mat to be folded into two parts, or three or more 20 parts as required. For example, a mat which is 2.5m long can include a centre hinge, which means that when folded, its total length is about 1.25m long. This is easier for manual handling of the mat, and for storage. The hinge can take any suitable form, and can be a hinge of the prior art which simply 25 connects one portion of the mat to another portion. As indicated above, where the mat of the invention is of significant length, two hinges can be provided so that the mat can be folded into three parts, or four or more parts. However, in most applications, it is expected that a single hinge, usually located 30 centrally of the mat between the front and rear ends, would be appropriate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention may be more fully understood, some embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures in which: 9 Figure 1 is an image of a known forklift to which the present invention could apply. Figure 2 is an underneath view of a mat according to the invention. 5 Figure 3 is a perspective view from above of the mat illustrated in Figure 2. Figure 4 is an underneath cross sectional view through part of the length of the mat illustrated in Figure 2, and showing a space formed at the leading end of the mat. 10 Figure 5 is a rear view of the mat showing the heel connection between the mat and a forklift tyne. Figure 6 illustrates a mat applied to a forklift tyne. 15 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an image of a forklift to which the present invention could apply. The forklift 10 shown in Figure 1 includes front and rear wheels 11 and 12, a body 13 which houses the motive system for the forklift 10, a cage 14 and a driver's seat 15. 20 A pair of forklift tynes 16 and 17 are attached to the forklift 10 at a position forward of the front wheels 11 and include a lifting portion 18 and a connecting portion 19. The respective lifting and connecting portions 18 and 19 are disposed substantially perpendicular to each other and can be formed integrally or can be connected 25 together. It will be apparent that the lifting portions 18 of each of the tynes 16 and 17 are used to lift objects to be conveyed by the forklift 10. In addition, it will be apparent that the connecting portions 19 provide for connection between the tynes 16 and 17 and a 30 mast 20 to which is attached a hydraulic lifting arrangement that drives the tynes up and down. Operation of the forklift would be understood by persons skilled in the art and further discussion of the operation is therefore not required.

10 As previously discussed, objects to be conveyed by a forklift 10 are lifted on the lifting portions 18 of each of the tynes 16 and 17. The objects are lifted along the height of the mast 20 and in the arrangement shown, the lifting portions 18 can be lifted up to a height of over two metres. The weight of the objects lifted on the tynes 16 and 17 is 5 reacted by the weight of the forklift 10, the majority of which is positioned towards the rear wheels 12 of the forklift 10. As also previously described, objects which are lifted on the tynes 16 and 17 can shift along and sometimes off the lifting portions 18 under sudden and emergency 10 breaking movement of the forklift 10. This presents a problem when the tynes 16 and 17 are in the position shown in Figure 1, but greater danger can arise if the tynes are elevated towards the upper end of the hydraulic lifting arrangement 20 so that any objects that fall from the tynes fall from a significant height. 15 Moreover, as discussed earlier, goods to be conveyed by the forklift 10 can be damaged by the engagement with tynes 16 and 17, while the tynes themselves can wear over time. Figures 2 and 3 illustrate an embodiment of the invention applicable for use with a 20 forklift 10 according to Figure 1, and with many other different forms of forklift. With reference to each of Figures 2 and 3, an elongate mat 30 is illustrated having elongate side edges 31 and 32, a forward end 33 and rear end 34, and upper and lower surfaces 35 and 36. The mat 30 thus forms an elongate rectangular body, which is intended to overlie the upper surface 22 of a respective lifting portion 18 of 25 one of the tynes 16 and 17 (see Figure 1). Clearly a pair of mats 30 is intended to be used with the forklift 10 so that both of the upper surfaces 22 of the lifting portions 18 are covered by a mat. The mat 30 is made substantially from a single material, such as natural or synthetic 30 rubber, while each of the forward and rear ends 33 and 34 include metal components attached or inserted thereinto. The mat 30 can thus be substantially flexible through its length, while the components at each of the forward and rear ends 33 and 34 (discussed later herein) can be rigid. It will be appreciated that this form of the invention is just one form and different forms are within the scope of the invention.

11 The side edges 31 and 32 define downwardly extending lips 37, so that the lower surface 36 and the lips 37 define a shallow channel extending lengthwise of the mat 30. The spacing of the lips 37 apart and the height or depth of the lips away from the lower surface 36 is such as to position the lips 37 on either side of the lifting portions 5 18 of the tynes 16 and 17 so as to prevent or substantially minimise sideways movement of the mat 30 on the lifting portions 18. The mat 30 includes an arrangement to secure the forward end 33 to a tyne 16 or 17. In the form illustrated, the mat 30 includes a member 40 which is positioned at the 10 forward end 33 and which is spaced from the lower surface 36 to form a space between the lower surface 36 and a facing surface of the member 40. That space S can be seen in Figure 4. Figure 4 illustrates a portion of the length of the mat 30 in lengthwise cross section, as shown through IV-IV of Figure 3. Thus, the forward end 33 of the mat 30 is shown in cross sectional view, so that each of the side edge 32 15 and the rear end 34 are not visible. The space S has a height or depth suitable to receive the leading end 21 of a lifting portion 18, and the length of the member 40 in the lengthwise direction of the mat 30 can be any suitable length which is sufficient to ensure secure connection of the 20 forward end 33 of the mat 30 to the respective tynes 16 and 17. This arrangement is quite simple and advantageously allows the mat 30 to be slipped over the leading ends 21 quickly and easily. Moreover, once the leading ends 21 have been inserted in the space S, the forward end 33 of the mat 30 is securely held to the leading ends of the tynes. 25 In the arrangement of the mat 30, the portion of the mat 30 which overlies the lifting portions 18 of the tynes 16 and 17 is of a different material to the member 40. The portion of the mat 30 which overlies the lifting portions 18 of the tynes 16 and 17 can be rubber for example, while the member 40 can be steel. Nevertheless, the member 30 40 can be integrally formed with the mat portion by any suitable molding process. Thus, the member 40 can be inserted in a mould and the remaining portions of the mat moulded about it.

12 While the space S can be open on each side of the member 40 in the direction of insertion of the leading end 21 of a tyne into the space S, in Figures 2 and 3, the forward end 33 of the mat 30 is closed by end portion 41. Advantageously, by the end portion 41, direct contact between the leading ends 21 of the tynes 16 and 17 5 against objects to be conveyed by the forklift 10, can be prevented. In effect, if the mat 30 is formed substantially from a resilient material, such as a natural or synthetic rubber, then the end portion 41 forms a resilient bumper or the like which provides some protection against damage. 10 The mat 34 further includes an arrangement to secure the rear end 34 of the mat 30 to a tyne. In the arrangement illustrated, the mat 30 includes a pair of hooks 42 that are formed contiguous with a bridging section 43 that bridges across the width of the mat 30 and which are moulded integrally into the mat. The hooks 42 are intended to extend about the rear of the connecting portion 19 of the tynes 16 and 17 close to or 15 adjacent to the junction between the lifting and connecting portions 18 and 19. For this purpose, it can be seen in Figure 3 that hook connectors 44 extend from the bridging section 43 at the rear end 34 of the mat 30 at approximately the height of the upper surface 35 and then extend slightly upwardly at section 45 and the hooks 42 extend inwardly towards each other from the hook connectors 44. 20 The hook arrangement illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 advantageously also allows easy connection to the tynes 16 and 17. Figure 5 illustrates the rear end 34 of the mat 30 attached to a tyne 17. This figure shows a hook connector 44 extending from the rear end 34 of the mat 30, and the hook 42 extending to a position adjacent the rear side 25 46 of the connecting portion 19 of the tyne 17, but adjacent to the junction between the lifting and connecting portions 18 and 19. The hook 42 is received between the rear side 46 and a lug 47 to secure the hook in the position shown. It will be evident from Figure 6, that movement of the mat 30 in the direction A is 30 resisted by engagement between the hook 42 and the rear side 46 of the connecting portion 19. Advantageously, if a forklift is required to stop quickly, and if a load is supported on the tynes 16 and 17, shifting movement of the load on the tynes 16 and 17 can be resisted by the greater frictional resistance between the mat and the load.

13 Figure 6 illustrates a forklift of the kind illustrated in Figure 1 but from the front and showing both of the tynes 16 and 17. A mat 30 is applied only to the tyne 17. Returning to Figure 3, the upper surface 35 of the mat 30 can be a non-slip surface, 5 so that when a forklift 10 is subject to an emergency or an abrupt stop, objects loaded onto the mat 30 are less likely to slip off the tynes 16 and17 than if the mat 30 is not applied to the tynes 16 and 17 and the object is supported on a metal surface. Thus, the selection of the material of the portion of the mat 30 that overlies the lifting portions 18 of the tynes 16 and 17 can be selected for that purpose, and/or the mats 10 can have a non-slip surface applied to the upper surface 35. As shown in Figure 3, the upper surface 35 is formed to have a grid contour and this is intended to enhance non-slip characteristics. Other non-slip surfaces have been described earlier herein. As indicated earlier, a mat according to the invention can include a hinge so that the 15 mat can be folded into half or into thirds or more. With reference to Figures 2 and 3, a hinge could be applied midway between the forward end 33 of the mat 30 and the rear end 34. Any simple form of hinge could be applied. In addition, where the length of the mat is sufficiently great, two or more hinges can be applied, so that in a folded condition of the mat 30, the length of the mat is much less than the mat length when 20 unfolded. It will be apparent that a mat of the kind illustrated in the figures can be easily applied to the tynes of a forklift and can provide improved grip between the tynes and objects being conveyed on the tynes, as well as providing reduced potential for damage to 25 the objects by the tynes. Moreover, the mat of the invention can reduce or substantially eliminate wear to the upper tyne surfaces. The invention described herein is susceptible to variations, modifications and/or additions other than those specifically described and it is to be understood that the 30 invention includes all such variations, modifications and/or additions which fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Future patent applications may be filed in Australia or overseas on the basis of or claiming priority from the present application. It is to be understood that the following 14 provisional claims are provided by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of what may be claimed in any such future applications. Features may be added to or omitted from the provisional claims at a later date so as to further define or re-define the invention or inventions. 5

Claims (20)

1. A mat for a forklift tyne whereby, the tyne includes an elongate lifting portion that has leading and trailing ends, 5 and a connecting portion that extends from the trailing end of the lifting portion substantially perpendicular to the lifting portion, the mat being elongate and having an upper surface and a lower surface, opposite side edges and a forward end and a rear end, the mat being removably securable to the tyne at each of the forward and rear 10 ends to overlie a substantial portion of an upper surface of the lifting portion of the tyne, the lower surface of the mat in use being in facing engagement with an upper surface of the lifting portion of the tyne, the mat further including a member positioned at the forward end of the mat and which is spaced from the lower surface of the mat to form a pocket between the 15 lower surface and the member into which the leading end of the tyne can extend for securing the forward end of the mat to the leading end of the tyne, the member extending from one of the opposite side edges of the mat to the other side edge and the pocket being open on a first side of the member in the direction of insertion of the leading end of the tyne into the pocket to allow entry of the leading end of the tyne 20 into the pocket and being closed on a second side of the member opposite the first side so that the tyne cannot extend through the pocket, the rear end of the mat including a hook that comprises two hook sections each of which extends from a respective side edge of the mat in a direction towards each other and each of which extends about the connecting portion of the tyne to a 25 position facing a rear side of the connecting portion.

2. A mat according to claim 1, the mat being made substantially from a rubber compound. 30

3. A mat according to claim 1, the mat being made substantially from plastic.

4. A mat according to claim 1, the mat being made substantially from PVC or polyurethane. 16

5. A mat according to claim 1, the mat being made substantially from NBR or neoprene compound.

6. A mat according to claim 1, the mat having a non-slip upper surface. 5

7. A mat according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the member being integrally formed with the mat.

8. A mat according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the member being of the same 10 material as the portion of the mat that overlies the upper surface of the tyne.

9. A mat according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the member being of a different material to the portion of the mat that overlies the upper surface of the tyne. 15

10. A mat according to claim 9, the portion of the mat that overlies the upper surface of the tyne being of a flexible material and the member being of a rigid material.

11. A mat according to claim 9 or 10, the member being metal. 20

12. A mat according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the portion of the mat that overlies the upper surface of the tyne being a moulded material and the member being integrally formed as part of the moulding. 25

13. A mat according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the mat including a releasable adhesive on the lower surface to releasably adhere to the facing surface of a tyne.

14. A mat according to any one of claims 1 to 13, the mat including one or more magnets to magnetically connect to the tyne. 30

15. A mat according to any one of claims 1 to 14, the mat including lips extending from opposite side edges of the mat to face, in use, opposite side edges of a tyne. 17

16. A mat according to any one of claims 1 to 15, the mat including a contoured upper surface.

17. A mat according to claim 16, the contoured upper surface being formed as a 5 grid.

18. A mat according to claim 17, the grid being of square or diagonal form.

19. A mat according to claim 16, the contoured upper surface being formed to 10 include raised ridges.

20. A mat according to claim 16, the contoured upper surface being formed as a plurality of raised buttons or projections.