CA1285166C - Method and apparatus for construction of artificial roads - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for construction of artificial roadsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1285166C CA1285166C CA000572315A CA572315A CA1285166C CA 1285166 C CA1285166 C CA 1285166C CA 000572315 A CA000572315 A CA 000572315A CA 572315 A CA572315 A CA 572315A CA 1285166 C CA1285166 C CA 1285166C
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- transverse
- bearing
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Abstract
Abstract A temporary road is provided which includes a plurality of sets each defined by a first and second matrices which include an upper surface for supporting heavy vehicles and the like over rough or impassable terrain and a second matrices which comprises support members for the upper or first matrices. Thus, one set is laid down such that the first matrices is in a top or upper position and cross members of the second matrices support the top member or upper matrices and thereafter a second set is positioned such that the first matrices is on the ground or in mud or the impassable surface is such that the second matrices or bottom of the second set wish its spaced cross-support members interlocks with the spaced cross-support members of the first set and thereafter each set is interlocked such that the first, third, fifth et sequence provide the upper surface of the road and the second, fourth and sixth et sequence sets provide the support for the upper sets. In this way the road can be constructed longitudinally and/or laterally and can further be constructed so that such road may expand laterally for working areas and the like. In the preferred embodiment the road is constructed of wood but it also may be constructed of other suitable, lighter and stronger fibers or combinations of fibers, if desired.
Description
~ s~
MET~IOD ~ND ,~PP~TUS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF ARTIFICIAL RO~
' :, i~ .
Baokground of the Invention This lnvention relates to a new and improved method and apparatus for the construction o~ artificiQl roads. In the ; drilling of oil wells or in the search for hydrocarbons or in ~;construction or repairing of di~ferent type devices in remote ~,';areas it is very difficult to enable truaks and other heavy e~uipment to transport the necessary appsrstus and equipment to ithe desired site because o~ poor ground conditions, for example, if the ground is too wet such trucks and the 11~e csnnot traverse a wet ground because they will become stuck. To overcome this ~;problem a complete service industry has grown up w}-ich is either ~.:
~a complete temporary road construction craw whi~h will 1~ down : . , .
~;gravel, shale, or the like or board construotion crews which will lay down as roads, a whole series of boards. Normally, to :construot such a road the bosrds sre anywhere from ~0 ft. to 20 ft. long and anywhere from 1~ to Z~ inches thiok snd from 6 to 8 ,. . . .
~'; inches wide and thus not only are very hsavy but al80 req~ire manual manipulation in the ~orm o~ labor to aonstruct such board,s ilate,rally to a width of 8 ~t. to 14 ft. ~nd longltudinally sometimes for miles.
Further, while suah boards, when laid down, will support ~;heavy trucks, trac~ors, trailers and other equipment, becau~e of ~... . .
the expense involved yet another labor ln-tensive crew must move back ln and, 1~ possible, separate such boards or pu11 such boards apart. Pulling suoh boards apart i~ o~ten diffioult beGause suoh boards are normally nailed with big heavy penny ,. . . .
nails hammered into the board~ with axes or sledge hammers.
' `Thus, such board road construotion Is not only very labor intensive but is also very dangerous because o~ the weight and build of the boards and it i8 also very oapital intensive beoause ~of the number of board feet involved. Further, it ls often ;diffioult to remove suoh board,, if at all, more than one tlme ',' 1 5~
~nd beoause such boards mus~ be singularly torn apar~ and grouped together the usable llfe of ~uah boards i8 not great when oompared to the use/008t lnvolv~d t ' ' . . . ' . ', Summar~ of the Invention ~ ho purpos~ of th~ ~r~sent lnven~lon ls to att~mpt to provida Q romQdy for tlle construation o~ ~uoh bo~rd rond~ by providing a prefabricated matt ~y~tem wherein the board road~ not only do not have to be nailed together in the field but are also interlocked such they will not be nailed toge~her and further such board matts can be laid down in interloak~ng relationship in a much guicker and more economioal period o~ time thus saving labor costs in the laying and dlsmantllng o~ ~uoh board roads.
In addition such board roads may al~o be oxpa~ded or contracted such that the road may be expanded laterall~ with respect to the width o~ the arti~ioial road and it ~s to be understood that such interlocking relation~hip relativs to the matrix system 18 such that the matrices'and mattlng sy~tem may be expanded radially relativa to a center area ~or turnarounds or other working'operations that i~ dasirad.
According to a broad aspect the invention relates to an interlocking mat system for the construction of temporary roadways, working areas and the like, comprising: I
(a) an upper mat having a substantially planar upper face and, having a plurality of spaced ridges including end ridges and interior ridges forming a lower face and defining spaced channels therebetween, two of said ridges being flush with respective ends of said upper mat, at least one of said interior ridges being of greater width than said end ridges; and, (b) a lower mat having a substantially planar lower face and having a plurality of spaced ridges forning the upper face thereof, said spaced ridges ,~, and channels of said lower face of said upper mat establishing complete interlocking relation with the spaced ridges and channels of said upper face of said lower mat when said upper and lower mats are placed in superposed assembly.
According to a further aspect the invention relates to a temporary decking system to facilitate t.r~n.q~ort~tion over ~oor 80.~1 and ro~ h t~rraln condLtions comprlslng a plurallty o~ like, overlapplng units placed in at least first and second horiæontal layers vertically disposed relative to each other, each unit comprising i.nner and outer faces wherein:
(a) said outer faces comprise a first group of elements substan-tially longitudinally parallel;
(b) said inner faces comprise a second group of substantially parallel runner elements attached to said first group in spaced relation to one another and transverse to said first group, wherein said spaced relationship is such that said first and, second transverse elements are disposed one near each end of each unit and the remaining transverse elements are positioned between said end transverse elements to present at least one interior ridge and so as to define at least two channels between said end transverse elements wherein each channel and each interior ridge is approximately twice the width of sald end transverse elements so that transverse ridge elements of any one unit will conform to channels of any other inverted unit, and when units are so intercollnected durin~ instal.1ati.on will ~llbstantially prevent longitudinal movement of any unit relative to adjacent units; and, 5~1L66 (c) wherein said first layer comprises a plurality of units arranged in end to end relationship with the outer faces down and wherein said second layer comprises a layer of units arranged in end to end relationship with outer fac,es up and arranged so that each unit in said upper layer overlaps at least one adjacent unit in the lower level, and so th~t each unit ln the upper layer interlocks ~lith at least two units ln the lower layer by flttlng said transverse runner elements of one unit into the transverse channels defined by the transver.se runner elements of any other inverted opposed unit.
According to a further aspect the invention relates to a temporary road for placing through on and in rough terrain for equipment and vehicles, said temporary road compris.ing:
(a) a plurality of like sets each comprising first and second matrices;
(b) each of said sets bei.ncJ cons-tructecl such that said first matrices is the upper surface of said set comprising loncJitudinclI elements and said second matrices is the lower surface of saic] set comprising spaced elements traverse to the longitudinal elements;
(c) each of said sets of matrices being constructed and laid down on such terrain such that up to as : much as the first half of the second matrix of said first set interlocks with up to as much as the first half of the second matrix of the second -2(b) ~ 2~35~L66 set and such th~t -the first half or more of the second matrix of the third set interlocks wlth the ~3econ~ h~.Lf or IllOLe 0~ the second matri~ of the sscond set;
(d) said matrices sets being asse~bled such that said first set is longitudinally aligned with said third set and said third set is longitudinally aligned with the fifth set and such that said second set interlocks said first and third set~
longitudinally only by ha~ing the second matrices of the first and third set face the second matrices of the second set et sequence;
(e) a perdurable topping applied to the upper surface of the roadway; and, (f) wherein assembly of said sets as set forth hereinabove, constructs a temporary road which is easily positioned and which also may be easily removed and stored for reuse as desired.
According to a further aspect the invention relates to an apparatus for maximizing weight distribution upon a bearing surface comprising:
(a) a set of bearing plates; and, (b) means for interlocking said bearing plates into two layers whereln bearing pla~es in a first upper layer will overlie and lnterlockingly connect with up to four bearing plates ln a lower layer so that -2tc) ~l35~
a load applied to the upper surface of any of said plates in said first layer will be distributed to said bearing surface through up to four bearing plates within said second lower layer.
According to still a further aspect the invention relates to a method of weight distribution to maximize - weight distribution upon a bearing surface said method : comprising the steps of: .----- ---- --(a) manufacturing a set of substantially similar bearing plates;
(b) providing means for interlocking connection of ; each of said bearing plates to one another, (c) setting out a first lower layer of said bearing~
plates:
(d) interlocking a second upper layer of said bearing plates with and over said first layer so that loads bearing upon any one of said upper bearing plates will be distributed over said bearing surface by up to as many as four of said lower be~ring plates.
; , Drio~ Do8arip~10n of tlle Drawlngs: ~ :
Flg. 1 is a top plsn view of one ~eotion of the artifloial road of the present inventlon/
Fig. 2 is a bottom plan vlew of the arti~lalal road of the .
present invention, Fig. 3 is a plan view of a serie~ of interlooked sections of thi~ artificial road of the present inventlons Fig. 4 is a side elevatlon of a s^ries o~ lnterlooked sections of the artificial road of the pre~en~ inventLon.
' n ~-~2~3S~L6Çi Descrlption of the Preferred Embocliment.
~ ig~ ot forth in do~ull tl~o pr~rred onabllllg embodlnlont o~ ~ho pre3en~ lnventlon whlch lnolude~ ~nd oomprlse~, as set forth in Fig. 1, a 8et of 10 board~ whioh oomprlse an upper matrloes generally deslgnatsd at 12 and ~ lower matrices generall~ deslgnated at 14. The upper m~trlae~ 12 generally -2 ~ e ) ~J ~J..285~66 ~
comprises a plurali-ty of boards 16 spaced and of ~uffioient weight, width and length to support heavy eguipment and vehicles because, as se-t forth hereinabove, such road i9 positloned and laid down over impassable terrain by suGh heavy equipment and ~ehicles. As further set forth :In Figs. 1 and 2, th0 second or lower matrices 14 is comprised of a plursllty of cross-support members 20 for suppor-ting each of the longitudinal members 16.
As set forth in Fig. 2 each of the cro~ ~upport member~ 20 include at least one or more cro~s piece~ and, a8 further lllustrated, may have more than one cro~s piece. As further illustrated, each of the cross support member~ o~ the ~econd matrices are spaced relative to eaoh other in a manner and ~or a reason to be set forth in more detall herelnbelow.
:, , AS further illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the method o constructing the temporary road i8 set forth and generally illustrated by having a first set 22 longltudinally abutting a ~, .
second set 24 and interlocked by a third set 26. As ~llustrated, ...... .
; the first set 22 comprises a plurality o~ longitudinaliy spaoed board members 28 comprising the upper fir~t matrix and a lower : .
surface or second matrix comprising ~paced cross pleces 30, 32 and 34. Similarly the second set 24 comprises the first or upper matrices comprising cross pieces 38 for the fir~t or upper matrices and suitable spaced cross pieces 40, 42 and 44, It is to be understood that the sacond matrise~ of each of the first and second sets 22 and 24 comprises urther and additlonal oross pieces which interlock with other sets to form the road.
:,:
The temporary road further aomprises the third set 26 which compri~es a first matrices 48 of spaced longitudinally po~itioned oro~ pleces and a second matrices whloh comprises aross pieces l for supportin~ the first matrices whioh sre spaced relative to ,~ each other such as illustrated at 50, 52, 54 snd 56. As illu~tra-ted in Figs. 3 and 4 and in operatlon the ~econd set is positioned su~h that the first matrloes cross pieoes 26 are lald on the ground G with the second matrlces positloned upwardly with the second matrices cros~ pieoes 50 et. ~equenoe belng supported .
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and positioned transverse to the ~lrst matrices. Thereafter, the ~irst and third sets are laid such that the cro~s piece, 30 and -the cro~s plece 40 of sets 22 ,end 24 6,re posltloned ~dJac~nt each other and ad;acent the cross pleces 20 (Fig. 4) of the second matrices of the second set so that such piecas interlock wlth each other such that any pulling or tuggin~ of th0 bo~,rd roaa ln the longltudinal direction of the flrst matrice~ of each of ,~uch sets will be prevented so that the board road wlll not separate.
In this manner, such temporary board road has a trlple stac~ or set o~ boards with the second matrioes o~ ~ach of said ~ets being interlocked relative to each other and wlth the flr~t matrices of each of sald sets either being on the upper or lower Eurface and .: .
being posltioned parallel to each other for laylng out of the board road and longi-tudinal directions as de,~ired. It should : ~ , ! especially be noted that by providing such interlocking txiple stacks both the upper and lower surfaoes are comprised o~
unlnterrupted runs o* longltudinal board,~, each section in the ;~ series abuts the adjacent section( 8 j with no intermediate gap,~.
., .
;~ This provides a more even transfer of the load from equipment using the road to the surface of the 80ii. A more even weight distribution over the soil results, *his i8 especially dèslr,ed in the areas with poor ground condition,s where temporary road structures are needed.
;' Although not illustrated in the primary ambodim,ent depicted in Figs. 1-4, under some conditions it might be desirable to ;1,, .
provids sacondary devices for interconnecting the mats.
. . .
Therefore, although the primary interloaking would be provided by ,~ the previously described positloning of oro3,~ pieae,~ 40 of set~
22 and 24 ad~acent each other and ad~ ao~nt the aross-pieces 20 (Fig. 4) of the second set, an auxlllary interlocking positioning a guide can be provided by e~uipplng each set 10 with ~osts and . .
CUp8 which correspond and connect with cup~ and po~t~ o~ any other set when sets are correctly positioned and ~sssmbled into the road as previously described. Many diff0rent aonfigurations could be devisedO One example would plaoo posts along the . :
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midline underside of the two outer aross-suppo~t members Z0 deplated in Fig. 2, that is the extreme left and right membrane corresponding cups would be positioned withln the underslde of the upper boards 16 of Fig. 2. The cup~ would be placed to allgn wi-th posts of a simllarly equipped set, thBt i8 at proper locations Just off of the mldllne of the set, parallel to the cross-support members 20. Each set would be ldentlaally equi~ped with such CUpB and posts and therefore each set aould inter-changedly be positioned to interlock with the oups a~d posts of two other sets. Al-though only one arran~ement has been described, any oth~r arrangement that provides ~or interchange-able interlocking sets may be used. In addition, the posts and cups could be provided with a bayonet type locklng device to further secure the sets together. An alternative to the bayonet type device could be cable securing devices for further seauring the sets connected toyether.
It i8 to be understood that while suoh sets have been depiated as being rectangular, that suah may be sguare or radially constructed for radial expansion or may comprisa further additlons for expanding the road laterally, if desired without departing from the spirit of this invention.
It 19 to be further understood that while the invention specifically describes in its speclfia embodiment and enabling disolosure as being constructed of wood bo~rds, that such matrices interlockiny road system may be construated o~ other type fibers or combination o~ fiber~ suoh a~ polyurethane, fiberglasq, and the like.
It is to be Eurther understood that, as previously mentioned, and in accordanca wit~ the splrit of the-invention, such sets may be constructsd with alternate dimensions and :::
materials for varying appllcations. The sets could be con-structed by way of example and not by way o~ llmitation, of metal or metal alloy, solid or expanded, or 8 ~ombinatlon o solid channels and expanded metal~ Additionally, applications might ,: , ~.', " ,"' .
.
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~ 2~35~1~;6 ~
best be ~itted wl-th 6ets constructed of fiberyla~s oomponents, or plastic, or rubber, or a comblnatlon of thesa materials.
In particular the components could be manufaoturad ~rom ground up or pulveriz~d,u3ed automoblle and truck tire~. Thi~
material may be manipulated ln a varlety of ways to provide the deslred strength and durability. The material can be combined with numerous bonding agents, consolidated, and pressed in a mold to form the desired configuration. This material aould also be combined with other material~ to orm compo~ite elements of the recyaled tire material and longitudinal fiber~ in a process analogous to pultrusion for fiberglass or prestressing for precast concrete. Randomly plaoed shorter fibers oan also be ., ~
provlded by simply adding them to the mix with the bonding agent prlor to -the consolidation and hardening. These random fibers can be added to vary the strength propertles of the olemen~s a~
needed. The curing can be done in ~ variety o~ wsys, suoh a~ by heat, by chemical reaction, or by a comblnation.
The components of traverse and longltud~nal elem0nts can be specifioally en~ineered by designing the oomposltion and plaoing the oorrect type of fibers ln the proper looation neoessary for the stresses each element of the matriaes set i~ subJeot to.
. . .
High strength longltudinal fib0rs ~uch a~ "Aramid" or Keular oan be incorporated into fiberglass ~ets, as can components formed by a pultru~ion process. Such longitudlnal flber~ or cables could - also be used to tie the individual sets together longitudinally.
.:..
As ~ust discussed, correct placement of the lonyltudinal cables would add struatural strength where naeded and further hold sets together as a unit. Laminate composlte wood sets can be i substituted for the solid timber ~9t9 descr1bed ln the preferred embodlment. Sets could be aast of high stren~th low density ; prestressed or post tensioned concrete element~. Element~ of any of the above mentioned examples aan be aombined to meet the longevity, terrain, soil, cost, tran3portability, and re-usability requirements o~ any partiaular ~ob requiring a temporary road aonstructed from interloaking matrlaes.
.:
~' ,' ~; -6-S~l66 ~J
While this lnventlon has been ds~aribed by means of a ; ~peci~io preferred ernbodiment and variou~ alternatlve examples it i8 not to be limited thereto. Obviou~ modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope o~
ths inventi.on.
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MET~IOD ~ND ,~PP~TUS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF ARTIFICIAL RO~
' :, i~ .
Baokground of the Invention This lnvention relates to a new and improved method and apparatus for the construction o~ artificiQl roads. In the ; drilling of oil wells or in the search for hydrocarbons or in ~;construction or repairing of di~ferent type devices in remote ~,';areas it is very difficult to enable truaks and other heavy e~uipment to transport the necessary appsrstus and equipment to ithe desired site because o~ poor ground conditions, for example, if the ground is too wet such trucks and the 11~e csnnot traverse a wet ground because they will become stuck. To overcome this ~;problem a complete service industry has grown up w}-ich is either ~.:
~a complete temporary road construction craw whi~h will 1~ down : . , .
~;gravel, shale, or the like or board construotion crews which will lay down as roads, a whole series of boards. Normally, to :construot such a road the bosrds sre anywhere from ~0 ft. to 20 ft. long and anywhere from 1~ to Z~ inches thiok snd from 6 to 8 ,. . . .
~'; inches wide and thus not only are very hsavy but al80 req~ire manual manipulation in the ~orm o~ labor to aonstruct such board,s ilate,rally to a width of 8 ~t. to 14 ft. ~nd longltudinally sometimes for miles.
Further, while suah boards, when laid down, will support ~;heavy trucks, trac~ors, trailers and other equipment, becau~e of ~... . .
the expense involved yet another labor ln-tensive crew must move back ln and, 1~ possible, separate such boards or pu11 such boards apart. Pulling suoh boards apart i~ o~ten diffioult beGause suoh boards are normally nailed with big heavy penny ,. . . .
nails hammered into the board~ with axes or sledge hammers.
' `Thus, such board road construotion Is not only very labor intensive but is also very dangerous because o~ the weight and build of the boards and it i8 also very oapital intensive beoause ~of the number of board feet involved. Further, it ls often ;diffioult to remove suoh board,, if at all, more than one tlme ',' 1 5~
~nd beoause such boards mus~ be singularly torn apar~ and grouped together the usable llfe of ~uah boards i8 not great when oompared to the use/008t lnvolv~d t ' ' . . . ' . ', Summar~ of the Invention ~ ho purpos~ of th~ ~r~sent lnven~lon ls to att~mpt to provida Q romQdy for tlle construation o~ ~uoh bo~rd rond~ by providing a prefabricated matt ~y~tem wherein the board road~ not only do not have to be nailed together in the field but are also interlocked such they will not be nailed toge~her and further such board matts can be laid down in interloak~ng relationship in a much guicker and more economioal period o~ time thus saving labor costs in the laying and dlsmantllng o~ ~uoh board roads.
In addition such board roads may al~o be oxpa~ded or contracted such that the road may be expanded laterall~ with respect to the width o~ the arti~ioial road and it ~s to be understood that such interlocking relation~hip relativs to the matrix system 18 such that the matrices'and mattlng sy~tem may be expanded radially relativa to a center area ~or turnarounds or other working'operations that i~ dasirad.
According to a broad aspect the invention relates to an interlocking mat system for the construction of temporary roadways, working areas and the like, comprising: I
(a) an upper mat having a substantially planar upper face and, having a plurality of spaced ridges including end ridges and interior ridges forming a lower face and defining spaced channels therebetween, two of said ridges being flush with respective ends of said upper mat, at least one of said interior ridges being of greater width than said end ridges; and, (b) a lower mat having a substantially planar lower face and having a plurality of spaced ridges forning the upper face thereof, said spaced ridges ,~, and channels of said lower face of said upper mat establishing complete interlocking relation with the spaced ridges and channels of said upper face of said lower mat when said upper and lower mats are placed in superposed assembly.
According to a further aspect the invention relates to a temporary decking system to facilitate t.r~n.q~ort~tion over ~oor 80.~1 and ro~ h t~rraln condLtions comprlslng a plurallty o~ like, overlapplng units placed in at least first and second horiæontal layers vertically disposed relative to each other, each unit comprising i.nner and outer faces wherein:
(a) said outer faces comprise a first group of elements substan-tially longitudinally parallel;
(b) said inner faces comprise a second group of substantially parallel runner elements attached to said first group in spaced relation to one another and transverse to said first group, wherein said spaced relationship is such that said first and, second transverse elements are disposed one near each end of each unit and the remaining transverse elements are positioned between said end transverse elements to present at least one interior ridge and so as to define at least two channels between said end transverse elements wherein each channel and each interior ridge is approximately twice the width of sald end transverse elements so that transverse ridge elements of any one unit will conform to channels of any other inverted unit, and when units are so intercollnected durin~ instal.1ati.on will ~llbstantially prevent longitudinal movement of any unit relative to adjacent units; and, 5~1L66 (c) wherein said first layer comprises a plurality of units arranged in end to end relationship with the outer faces down and wherein said second layer comprises a layer of units arranged in end to end relationship with outer fac,es up and arranged so that each unit in said upper layer overlaps at least one adjacent unit in the lower level, and so th~t each unit ln the upper layer interlocks ~lith at least two units ln the lower layer by flttlng said transverse runner elements of one unit into the transverse channels defined by the transver.se runner elements of any other inverted opposed unit.
According to a further aspect the invention relates to a temporary road for placing through on and in rough terrain for equipment and vehicles, said temporary road compris.ing:
(a) a plurality of like sets each comprising first and second matrices;
(b) each of said sets bei.ncJ cons-tructecl such that said first matrices is the upper surface of said set comprising loncJitudinclI elements and said second matrices is the lower surface of saic] set comprising spaced elements traverse to the longitudinal elements;
(c) each of said sets of matrices being constructed and laid down on such terrain such that up to as : much as the first half of the second matrix of said first set interlocks with up to as much as the first half of the second matrix of the second -2(b) ~ 2~35~L66 set and such th~t -the first half or more of the second matrix of the third set interlocks wlth the ~3econ~ h~.Lf or IllOLe 0~ the second matri~ of the sscond set;
(d) said matrices sets being asse~bled such that said first set is longitudinally aligned with said third set and said third set is longitudinally aligned with the fifth set and such that said second set interlocks said first and third set~
longitudinally only by ha~ing the second matrices of the first and third set face the second matrices of the second set et sequence;
(e) a perdurable topping applied to the upper surface of the roadway; and, (f) wherein assembly of said sets as set forth hereinabove, constructs a temporary road which is easily positioned and which also may be easily removed and stored for reuse as desired.
According to a further aspect the invention relates to an apparatus for maximizing weight distribution upon a bearing surface comprising:
(a) a set of bearing plates; and, (b) means for interlocking said bearing plates into two layers whereln bearing pla~es in a first upper layer will overlie and lnterlockingly connect with up to four bearing plates ln a lower layer so that -2tc) ~l35~
a load applied to the upper surface of any of said plates in said first layer will be distributed to said bearing surface through up to four bearing plates within said second lower layer.
According to still a further aspect the invention relates to a method of weight distribution to maximize - weight distribution upon a bearing surface said method : comprising the steps of: .----- ---- --(a) manufacturing a set of substantially similar bearing plates;
(b) providing means for interlocking connection of ; each of said bearing plates to one another, (c) setting out a first lower layer of said bearing~
plates:
(d) interlocking a second upper layer of said bearing plates with and over said first layer so that loads bearing upon any one of said upper bearing plates will be distributed over said bearing surface by up to as many as four of said lower be~ring plates.
; , Drio~ Do8arip~10n of tlle Drawlngs: ~ :
Flg. 1 is a top plsn view of one ~eotion of the artifloial road of the present inventlon/
Fig. 2 is a bottom plan vlew of the arti~lalal road of the .
present invention, Fig. 3 is a plan view of a serie~ of interlooked sections of thi~ artificial road of the present inventlons Fig. 4 is a side elevatlon of a s^ries o~ lnterlooked sections of the artificial road of the pre~en~ inventLon.
' n ~-~2~3S~L6Çi Descrlption of the Preferred Embocliment.
~ ig~ ot forth in do~ull tl~o pr~rred onabllllg embodlnlont o~ ~ho pre3en~ lnventlon whlch lnolude~ ~nd oomprlse~, as set forth in Fig. 1, a 8et of 10 board~ whioh oomprlse an upper matrloes generally deslgnatsd at 12 and ~ lower matrices generall~ deslgnated at 14. The upper m~trlae~ 12 generally -2 ~ e ) ~J ~J..285~66 ~
comprises a plurali-ty of boards 16 spaced and of ~uffioient weight, width and length to support heavy eguipment and vehicles because, as se-t forth hereinabove, such road i9 positloned and laid down over impassable terrain by suGh heavy equipment and ~ehicles. As further set forth :In Figs. 1 and 2, th0 second or lower matrices 14 is comprised of a plursllty of cross-support members 20 for suppor-ting each of the longitudinal members 16.
As set forth in Fig. 2 each of the cro~ ~upport member~ 20 include at least one or more cro~s piece~ and, a8 further lllustrated, may have more than one cro~s piece. As further illustrated, each of the cross support member~ o~ the ~econd matrices are spaced relative to eaoh other in a manner and ~or a reason to be set forth in more detall herelnbelow.
:, , AS further illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the method o constructing the temporary road i8 set forth and generally illustrated by having a first set 22 longltudinally abutting a ~, .
second set 24 and interlocked by a third set 26. As ~llustrated, ...... .
; the first set 22 comprises a plurality o~ longitudinaliy spaoed board members 28 comprising the upper fir~t matrix and a lower : .
surface or second matrix comprising ~paced cross pleces 30, 32 and 34. Similarly the second set 24 comprises the first or upper matrices comprising cross pieces 38 for the fir~t or upper matrices and suitable spaced cross pieces 40, 42 and 44, It is to be understood that the sacond matrise~ of each of the first and second sets 22 and 24 comprises urther and additlonal oross pieces which interlock with other sets to form the road.
:,:
The temporary road further aomprises the third set 26 which compri~es a first matrices 48 of spaced longitudinally po~itioned oro~ pleces and a second matrices whloh comprises aross pieces l for supportin~ the first matrices whioh sre spaced relative to ,~ each other such as illustrated at 50, 52, 54 snd 56. As illu~tra-ted in Figs. 3 and 4 and in operatlon the ~econd set is positioned su~h that the first matrloes cross pieoes 26 are lald on the ground G with the second matrlces positloned upwardly with the second matrices cros~ pieoes 50 et. ~equenoe belng supported .
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and positioned transverse to the ~lrst matrices. Thereafter, the ~irst and third sets are laid such that the cro~s piece, 30 and -the cro~s plece 40 of sets 22 ,end 24 6,re posltloned ~dJac~nt each other and ad;acent the cross pleces 20 (Fig. 4) of the second matrices of the second set so that such piecas interlock wlth each other such that any pulling or tuggin~ of th0 bo~,rd roaa ln the longltudinal direction of the flrst matrice~ of each of ,~uch sets will be prevented so that the board road wlll not separate.
In this manner, such temporary board road has a trlple stac~ or set o~ boards with the second matrioes o~ ~ach of said ~ets being interlocked relative to each other and wlth the flr~t matrices of each of sald sets either being on the upper or lower Eurface and .: .
being posltioned parallel to each other for laylng out of the board road and longi-tudinal directions as de,~ired. It should : ~ , ! especially be noted that by providing such interlocking txiple stacks both the upper and lower surfaoes are comprised o~
unlnterrupted runs o* longltudinal board,~, each section in the ;~ series abuts the adjacent section( 8 j with no intermediate gap,~.
., .
;~ This provides a more even transfer of the load from equipment using the road to the surface of the 80ii. A more even weight distribution over the soil results, *his i8 especially dèslr,ed in the areas with poor ground condition,s where temporary road structures are needed.
;' Although not illustrated in the primary ambodim,ent depicted in Figs. 1-4, under some conditions it might be desirable to ;1,, .
provids sacondary devices for interconnecting the mats.
. . .
Therefore, although the primary interloaking would be provided by ,~ the previously described positloning of oro3,~ pieae,~ 40 of set~
22 and 24 ad~acent each other and ad~ ao~nt the aross-pieces 20 (Fig. 4) of the second set, an auxlllary interlocking positioning a guide can be provided by e~uipplng each set 10 with ~osts and . .
CUp8 which correspond and connect with cup~ and po~t~ o~ any other set when sets are correctly positioned and ~sssmbled into the road as previously described. Many diff0rent aonfigurations could be devisedO One example would plaoo posts along the . :
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midline underside of the two outer aross-suppo~t members Z0 deplated in Fig. 2, that is the extreme left and right membrane corresponding cups would be positioned withln the underslde of the upper boards 16 of Fig. 2. The cup~ would be placed to allgn wi-th posts of a simllarly equipped set, thBt i8 at proper locations Just off of the mldllne of the set, parallel to the cross-support members 20. Each set would be ldentlaally equi~ped with such CUpB and posts and therefore each set aould inter-changedly be positioned to interlock with the oups a~d posts of two other sets. Al-though only one arran~ement has been described, any oth~r arrangement that provides ~or interchange-able interlocking sets may be used. In addition, the posts and cups could be provided with a bayonet type locklng device to further secure the sets together. An alternative to the bayonet type device could be cable securing devices for further seauring the sets connected toyether.
It i8 to be understood that while suoh sets have been depiated as being rectangular, that suah may be sguare or radially constructed for radial expansion or may comprisa further additlons for expanding the road laterally, if desired without departing from the spirit of this invention.
It 19 to be further understood that while the invention specifically describes in its speclfia embodiment and enabling disolosure as being constructed of wood bo~rds, that such matrices interlockiny road system may be construated o~ other type fibers or combination o~ fiber~ suoh a~ polyurethane, fiberglasq, and the like.
It is to be Eurther understood that, as previously mentioned, and in accordanca wit~ the splrit of the-invention, such sets may be constructsd with alternate dimensions and :::
materials for varying appllcations. The sets could be con-structed by way of example and not by way o~ llmitation, of metal or metal alloy, solid or expanded, or 8 ~ombinatlon o solid channels and expanded metal~ Additionally, applications might ,: , ~.', " ,"' .
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best be ~itted wl-th 6ets constructed of fiberyla~s oomponents, or plastic, or rubber, or a comblnatlon of thesa materials.
In particular the components could be manufaoturad ~rom ground up or pulveriz~d,u3ed automoblle and truck tire~. Thi~
material may be manipulated ln a varlety of ways to provide the deslred strength and durability. The material can be combined with numerous bonding agents, consolidated, and pressed in a mold to form the desired configuration. This material aould also be combined with other material~ to orm compo~ite elements of the recyaled tire material and longitudinal fiber~ in a process analogous to pultrusion for fiberglass or prestressing for precast concrete. Randomly plaoed shorter fibers oan also be ., ~
provlded by simply adding them to the mix with the bonding agent prlor to -the consolidation and hardening. These random fibers can be added to vary the strength propertles of the olemen~s a~
needed. The curing can be done in ~ variety o~ wsys, suoh a~ by heat, by chemical reaction, or by a comblnation.
The components of traverse and longltud~nal elem0nts can be specifioally en~ineered by designing the oomposltion and plaoing the oorrect type of fibers ln the proper looation neoessary for the stresses each element of the matriaes set i~ subJeot to.
. . .
High strength longltudinal fib0rs ~uch a~ "Aramid" or Keular oan be incorporated into fiberglass ~ets, as can components formed by a pultru~ion process. Such longitudlnal flber~ or cables could - also be used to tie the individual sets together longitudinally.
.:..
As ~ust discussed, correct placement of the lonyltudinal cables would add struatural strength where naeded and further hold sets together as a unit. Laminate composlte wood sets can be i substituted for the solid timber ~9t9 descr1bed ln the preferred embodlment. Sets could be aast of high stren~th low density ; prestressed or post tensioned concrete element~. Element~ of any of the above mentioned examples aan be aombined to meet the longevity, terrain, soil, cost, tran3portability, and re-usability requirements o~ any partiaular ~ob requiring a temporary road aonstructed from interloaking matrlaes.
.:
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While this lnventlon has been ds~aribed by means of a ; ~peci~io preferred ernbodiment and variou~ alternatlve examples it i8 not to be limited thereto. Obviou~ modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope o~
ths inventi.on.
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Claims (11)
1 An interlocking mat system for the construction of temporary roadways, working areas and the like, comprising (a) an upper mat having a substantially planar upper face and having a plurality of spaced ridges including end ridges and interior ridges forming a lower face and defining spaced channels therebetween, two of said ridges being flush with respective ends of said upper mat, at least one of said interior ridges being of greater width than said end ridges; and, (b) a lower mat having a substantially planar lower face and having a plurality of spaced ridges forming the upper face thereof, said spaced ridges and channels of said lower face of said upper mat establishing complete interlocking relation with the spaced ridges and channels of said upper face of said lower mat when said upper and lower mats are placed in superposed assembly
2 A temporary decking system to facilitate transportation over poor soil and rough terrain conditions comprising a plurality of like, overlapping units placed in at least first and second horizonal layers vertically disposed relative to each other, each unit comprising inner and outer faces wherein (a) said outer faces comprise a first group of elements substantially longitudinally parallel;
(b) said inner faces comprise a second group of substantially parallel runner elements attached to said first group in spaced relation to one another and transverse to said first group, wherein said spaced relationship is such that said first and second transverse elements are disposed one near each end of each unit and the remaining transverse elements are positioned between said end transverse elements to present at least one interior ridge and so as to define at least two channels between said end transverse elements wherein each channel and each interior ridge is approximately twice the width of said end transverse elements so that transverse ridge elements of any one unit will conform to channels of any other inverted unit, and when units are so interconnected during installation will substantially prevent longitudinal movement of any unit relative to adjacent units; and, (c) wherein said first layer comprises a plurality of units arranged in end to end relationship with the outer faces down and wherein said second layer comprises a layer of units arranged in end to end relationship with outer faces up and arranged so that each unit in said upper layer overlaps at least one adjacent unit in the lower level, and so that each unit in the upper layer interlocks with at least two units in the lower layer by fitting said transverse runner elements of one unit into the transverse channels defined by the transverse runner elements of any other inverted opposed unit.
(b) said inner faces comprise a second group of substantially parallel runner elements attached to said first group in spaced relation to one another and transverse to said first group, wherein said spaced relationship is such that said first and second transverse elements are disposed one near each end of each unit and the remaining transverse elements are positioned between said end transverse elements to present at least one interior ridge and so as to define at least two channels between said end transverse elements wherein each channel and each interior ridge is approximately twice the width of said end transverse elements so that transverse ridge elements of any one unit will conform to channels of any other inverted unit, and when units are so interconnected during installation will substantially prevent longitudinal movement of any unit relative to adjacent units; and, (c) wherein said first layer comprises a plurality of units arranged in end to end relationship with the outer faces down and wherein said second layer comprises a layer of units arranged in end to end relationship with outer faces up and arranged so that each unit in said upper layer overlaps at least one adjacent unit in the lower level, and so that each unit in the upper layer interlocks with at least two units in the lower layer by fitting said transverse runner elements of one unit into the transverse channels defined by the transverse runner elements of any other inverted opposed unit.
3. A temporary road for placing through on and in rough terrain for equipment and vehicles, said temporary road comprising:
(a) a plurality of like sets each comprising first and second matrices;
(b) each of said sets being constructed such that said first matrices is the upper surface of said set comprising longitudinal elements and said second matrices is the lower surface of said set comprising spaced elements traverse to the longitudinal elements;
(c) each of said sets of matrices being constructed and laid down on such terrain such that up to as much as the first half of the second matrix of said first set interlocks with up to as much as the first half of the second matrix of the second set and such that the first half or more of the second matrix of the third set interlocks with the second half or more of the second matrix of the second set;
(d) said matrices sets being assembled such that said first set is longitudinally aligned with said third set and said third set is longitudinally aligned with the fifth set and such that said second set interlocks said first and third set longitudinally only by having the second matrices of the first and third set face the second matrices of the second set et sequence;
(e) a perdurable topping applied to the upper surface of the roadway; and, (f) wherein assembly of said sets as set forth hereinabove, constructs a temporary road which is easily positioned and which also may be easily removed and stored for reuse as desired.
(a) a plurality of like sets each comprising first and second matrices;
(b) each of said sets being constructed such that said first matrices is the upper surface of said set comprising longitudinal elements and said second matrices is the lower surface of said set comprising spaced elements traverse to the longitudinal elements;
(c) each of said sets of matrices being constructed and laid down on such terrain such that up to as much as the first half of the second matrix of said first set interlocks with up to as much as the first half of the second matrix of the second set and such that the first half or more of the second matrix of the third set interlocks with the second half or more of the second matrix of the second set;
(d) said matrices sets being assembled such that said first set is longitudinally aligned with said third set and said third set is longitudinally aligned with the fifth set and such that said second set interlocks said first and third set longitudinally only by having the second matrices of the first and third set face the second matrices of the second set et sequence;
(e) a perdurable topping applied to the upper surface of the roadway; and, (f) wherein assembly of said sets as set forth hereinabove, constructs a temporary road which is easily positioned and which also may be easily removed and stored for reuse as desired.
4. The invention of claim 2 wherein the means for preventing lateral movement comprises a series of posts and cups wherein said cups conform to said posts so that when two units are inverted relative one to another and interconnected posts of one unit fit into the cups of the opposing unit.
5. An apparatus for maximizing weight distribution upon a bearing surface comprising:
(a) a set of bearing plates; and, (b) means for interlocking said bearing plates into two layers wherein bearing plates in a first upper layer will overlie and interlockingly connect with up to four bearing plates in a lower layer so that a load applied to the upper surface of any of said plates in said first layer will be distributed to said bearing surface through up to four bearing plates within said second lower layer.
(a) a set of bearing plates; and, (b) means for interlocking said bearing plates into two layers wherein bearing plates in a first upper layer will overlie and interlockingly connect with up to four bearing plates in a lower layer so that a load applied to the upper surface of any of said plates in said first layer will be distributed to said bearing surface through up to four bearing plates within said second lower layer.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said bearing plates are substantially similar.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for interlocking said bearing plates comprises ridge elements upon one face of each of said bearing plates dimensioned, spaced and arrayed so that ridged elements of a first bearing plate will conform to the grooves defined by said ridge elements of a second bearing plate inverted relative to said first bearing plate.
8. The invention of claim 2 wherein first and second transverse ridge elements are disposed each near one end of each bearing plate and the remaining transverse ridge elements are positioned between said end transverse elements to present at least one interior ridge and so as to define at least two grooves between sid end transverse elements wherein each channel and each interior ridge is approximately twice the width of said end transverse ridge elements.
9. The invention of claim 5 wherein each of said plates in said upper layer overlies substantially equal portions of each of said four bearing plates within said lower layer.
10. A method of weight distribution to maximize weight distribution upon a bearing surface said method comprising the steps of:
(a) manufacturing a set of substantially similar bearing plates;
(b) providing means for interlocking connection of each of said bearing plates to one another;
(c) setting out a first lower layer of said bearing plates;
(d) interlocking a second upper layer of said bearing plates with and over said first layer so that loads bearing upon any one of said upper. bearing plates will be distributed over said bearing surface by up to as many as four of said lower bearing plates.
(a) manufacturing a set of substantially similar bearing plates;
(b) providing means for interlocking connection of each of said bearing plates to one another;
(c) setting out a first lower layer of said bearing plates;
(d) interlocking a second upper layer of said bearing plates with and over said first layer so that loads bearing upon any one of said upper. bearing plates will be distributed over said bearing surface by up to as many as four of said lower bearing plates.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein said step of interlocking said second upper layer with and over said first layer further comprises the step of aligning said second upper layer so that each of said plates in said second upper layer overlies and interlockingly connects with substantially equal portions of each of said plates in said first lower layer.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US16178088A | 1988-02-29 | 1988-02-29 | |
| US161,780 | 1988-02-29 | ||
| US07/195,371 US4889444A (en) | 1988-05-12 | 1988-05-12 | Method and apparatus for construction of artificial roads |
| US195,371 | 1988-05-12 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1285166C true CA1285166C (en) | 1991-06-25 |
Family
ID=26858113
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000572315A Expired - Lifetime CA1285166C (en) | 1988-02-29 | 1988-07-18 | Method and apparatus for construction of artificial roads |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| BR (1) | BR8900917A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1285166C (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7934885B2 (en) | 2007-09-28 | 2011-05-03 | Maxximat Inc. | Reinforced ground cover mats |
-
1988
- 1988-07-18 CA CA000572315A patent/CA1285166C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1989
- 1989-02-28 BR BR8900917A patent/BR8900917A/en unknown
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7934885B2 (en) | 2007-09-28 | 2011-05-03 | Maxximat Inc. | Reinforced ground cover mats |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| BR8900917A (en) | 1989-10-24 |
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