CA2642380A1 - Interlocking rig mat - Google Patents
Interlocking rig mat Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2642380A1 CA2642380A1 CA 2642380 CA2642380A CA2642380A1 CA 2642380 A1 CA2642380 A1 CA 2642380A1 CA 2642380 CA2642380 CA 2642380 CA 2642380 A CA2642380 A CA 2642380A CA 2642380 A1 CA2642380 A1 CA 2642380A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- frame
- key
- receiver
- laterally
- web
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01C—CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
- E01C9/00—Special pavings; Pavings for special parts of roads or airfields
- E01C9/08—Temporary pavings
- E01C9/086—Temporary pavings made of concrete, wood, bitumen, rubber or synthetic material or a combination thereof
Abstract
A pair of disengageably interlocking rig mats are provided, the rig mats are engaged to prevent both longitudinal and lateral separation. An interlocking mechanism of key and receiver is provided. The mats are configured such that the interlocking mechanism is protected from dirt and debris.
Description
INTERLOCKING RIG MAT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a rig mat having disengagable means for locking to another rig mat.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
"Rig mats" are very rugged, load-bearing mats used, for example, to support the base of a drilling rig in the oil and gas industry or to form a roadway over which heavy, loaded trucks may pass, where the terrain is unstable or environmentally sensitive.
A typical conventional rig mat may comprise:
= a rectangular peripheral frame formed by wide flanged, steel I-beams that are welded together at each end to form the four corners of the rectangular frame;
= one or more longitudinal and/or transversely extending I-beams inserted to reinforce the rectangular frame; and = a plurality of removable thick wooden logs of square cross-section that fill the openings defined by the I-beams, whereby the logs are bracketed at their ends by the I-beam flanges, and whereby the logs and I-beams combine to form a horizontal load-bearing wall.
Often, these individual mats must be aligned longitudinally and/or adjacent to one another to form a larger assembly. Accordingly, it is important to ensure that the mats do not shift, or move away from each other, after installation. In order to reduce movement, individual mats are commonly manufactured with interlocking elements along each end or along the sides of the mats. These elements can be disengagably interlocked to fasten mats together, thereby forming a cohesive assembly.
Typically, the interlocking elements are engaged or disengaged by manipulating one of the mats, such as by raising, dropping or tilting the mat relative to another mat that remains flat on the ground.
1 {E5426690.AOC;3 }
Canadian Patents Nos. 2,348,328 and 2,364,968, issued to David and James Stasiewich, on October 22d, 2002 and June 22 d, 2004, respectively, each disclose a mat-type apparatus, which are examples of the foregoing. Figures 1 and 2 herein also depict side sectional views of two prior art locking element assemblies that are presently in commercial use.
One problem, however, that characterizes prior art rig mats having disengagable interlocking element assemblies is that mud, dirt and/or ice can accumulate and block in between the locking elements, thereby making the engagement and disengagement of two adjoining mats difficult. There is a need, therefore, for a rig mat having interlocking elements that better resist blockage with mud, ice and the like and which can be engaged or disengaged in a simple fashion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, rig mats are provided having end locking elements that may be slidably engaged or disengaged by lateral or sideways movement of one mat relative to the other.
In one embodiment a pair of rig mats, capable of being disengagably interlocked in longitudinal alignment are provided, each rig mat comprising: a rectangular frame having first and second ends, at least one key element mounted to the first end and at least one receiver element mounted to the second end; the key element(s) of one frame being formed so as to disengagably interlock with the receiver element(s) of the other frame when they are laterally and slidably engaged;
the key element(s) of said one frame and the receiver element(s) of said other frame being positioned so that they can laterally and slidably engage, when the first end of the one frame abuts and is offset relative to the second end of the other frame and the key element(s) are adjacent to and aligned with the receiver elements, in response to lateral displacement of the one frame, to bring the two frames into longitudinal alignment.
According to an optional feature, each frame is further equipped along one side with at least one downwardly opening bracket and along its other side with at least one upwardly opening bracket so that the frames may be interlocked to prevent 2 {E5426690.DOC;3}
lateral separation by lowering one frame relative to the other so that the downwardly opening bracket(s) engage the upwardly opening bracket(s).
In the case where the frames are equipped with both end and side brackets and the frames are aligned longitudinally so that the key elements of one mat are in position to slide laterally into the receiving elements of the other mat, the locking brackets may be engaged by:
= tilting said one mat by raising its rear end;
= sliding said one mat laterally to fully engage the key and receiving elements;
and = then lowering the rear end of the tilted mat to engage its downwardly opening side locking brackets with the upwardly opening side locking brackets of an adjacent mat.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a side sectional view showing one commercially available and locking element assembly in accordance with the prior art.
Figure 2 is a side sectional view of another commercially available and locking element assembly in accordance with the prior art;
Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the adjacent ends of two rig mats, one end being equipped with a pair of receiver elements and the other with a pair of key elements (hereinafter referred to as `receivers' and `keys');
Figure 4(a) is a perspective view from one end, showing the frame of a rig mat equipped with a pair of keys mounted to the front end beam;
Figure 4(b) is a perspective view from the opposite end of that frame shown in Figure 4(a), showing a pair of receivers mounted to the rear end beam;
Figure 5 is a sectional side view showing a receiver and key engaged or interlocked;
Figure 6a is a side view of one side of a rig mat showing downwardly opening, side locking brackets;
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a rig mat having disengagable means for locking to another rig mat.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
"Rig mats" are very rugged, load-bearing mats used, for example, to support the base of a drilling rig in the oil and gas industry or to form a roadway over which heavy, loaded trucks may pass, where the terrain is unstable or environmentally sensitive.
A typical conventional rig mat may comprise:
= a rectangular peripheral frame formed by wide flanged, steel I-beams that are welded together at each end to form the four corners of the rectangular frame;
= one or more longitudinal and/or transversely extending I-beams inserted to reinforce the rectangular frame; and = a plurality of removable thick wooden logs of square cross-section that fill the openings defined by the I-beams, whereby the logs are bracketed at their ends by the I-beam flanges, and whereby the logs and I-beams combine to form a horizontal load-bearing wall.
Often, these individual mats must be aligned longitudinally and/or adjacent to one another to form a larger assembly. Accordingly, it is important to ensure that the mats do not shift, or move away from each other, after installation. In order to reduce movement, individual mats are commonly manufactured with interlocking elements along each end or along the sides of the mats. These elements can be disengagably interlocked to fasten mats together, thereby forming a cohesive assembly.
Typically, the interlocking elements are engaged or disengaged by manipulating one of the mats, such as by raising, dropping or tilting the mat relative to another mat that remains flat on the ground.
1 {E5426690.AOC;3 }
Canadian Patents Nos. 2,348,328 and 2,364,968, issued to David and James Stasiewich, on October 22d, 2002 and June 22 d, 2004, respectively, each disclose a mat-type apparatus, which are examples of the foregoing. Figures 1 and 2 herein also depict side sectional views of two prior art locking element assemblies that are presently in commercial use.
One problem, however, that characterizes prior art rig mats having disengagable interlocking element assemblies is that mud, dirt and/or ice can accumulate and block in between the locking elements, thereby making the engagement and disengagement of two adjoining mats difficult. There is a need, therefore, for a rig mat having interlocking elements that better resist blockage with mud, ice and the like and which can be engaged or disengaged in a simple fashion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, rig mats are provided having end locking elements that may be slidably engaged or disengaged by lateral or sideways movement of one mat relative to the other.
In one embodiment a pair of rig mats, capable of being disengagably interlocked in longitudinal alignment are provided, each rig mat comprising: a rectangular frame having first and second ends, at least one key element mounted to the first end and at least one receiver element mounted to the second end; the key element(s) of one frame being formed so as to disengagably interlock with the receiver element(s) of the other frame when they are laterally and slidably engaged;
the key element(s) of said one frame and the receiver element(s) of said other frame being positioned so that they can laterally and slidably engage, when the first end of the one frame abuts and is offset relative to the second end of the other frame and the key element(s) are adjacent to and aligned with the receiver elements, in response to lateral displacement of the one frame, to bring the two frames into longitudinal alignment.
According to an optional feature, each frame is further equipped along one side with at least one downwardly opening bracket and along its other side with at least one upwardly opening bracket so that the frames may be interlocked to prevent 2 {E5426690.DOC;3}
lateral separation by lowering one frame relative to the other so that the downwardly opening bracket(s) engage the upwardly opening bracket(s).
In the case where the frames are equipped with both end and side brackets and the frames are aligned longitudinally so that the key elements of one mat are in position to slide laterally into the receiving elements of the other mat, the locking brackets may be engaged by:
= tilting said one mat by raising its rear end;
= sliding said one mat laterally to fully engage the key and receiving elements;
and = then lowering the rear end of the tilted mat to engage its downwardly opening side locking brackets with the upwardly opening side locking brackets of an adjacent mat.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a side sectional view showing one commercially available and locking element assembly in accordance with the prior art.
Figure 2 is a side sectional view of another commercially available and locking element assembly in accordance with the prior art;
Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the adjacent ends of two rig mats, one end being equipped with a pair of receiver elements and the other with a pair of key elements (hereinafter referred to as `receivers' and `keys');
Figure 4(a) is a perspective view from one end, showing the frame of a rig mat equipped with a pair of keys mounted to the front end beam;
Figure 4(b) is a perspective view from the opposite end of that frame shown in Figure 4(a), showing a pair of receivers mounted to the rear end beam;
Figure 5 is a sectional side view showing a receiver and key engaged or interlocked;
Figure 6a is a side view of one side of a rig mat showing downwardly opening, side locking brackets;
3 {E5426690.DOC;3 }
Figure 6b is a side view of the other side of the rig mat of Figure 6a, showing upwardly opening side locking brackets;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of four rig mats with the end and side locking elements engaged and the mats aligned both longitudinally and laterally.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In use a plurality of rig mats 1 will be interlocked end to end to form a longitudinally aligned arrangement or, alternatively, they will also be interlocked laterally to form a wider arrangement (as shown in Figure 7).
One such rig mat I will now be described.
The rig mat 1 comprises a rectangular frame 2 formed of steel wide-flanged I-beams (hereinafter referred to as `beams'). The frame has first and second ends 2a, 2b. The frame 2 is formed by a pair of side beams 3a, 3b, a first end beam 4a and a second end beam 4b. In the drawings the end beam 4a is shown as the front beam and the end beam 4b as the rear beam. Each of the side beams 3a, 3b have top and bottom flanges 5, 6. The front end beam 4a has only a top flange 5 while the rear end beam 4b has top and bottom flanges 5, 6. The side and end beams 3a, 3b / 4a, 4b are welded together at their ends. As shown, the frame 2 is reinforced with an additional longitudinally extending, central beam 7 and a plurality of laterally extending cross beams 8, welded in place. Wooden logs 9 of square cross-section are inserted to fill the openings 10 between the I-beams. The ends of the logs 9 are bracketed between and secured by the flanges 5, 6.
Web 14 of the laterally extending, front end beam 4a has a pair of laterally spaced apart keys 15 welded thereto. Each key 15 comprises a web 16 welded to and projecting forwardly and horizontally from the beam web 14. An elongated head is connected to the forward end of the key web 16 to complete a T-shaped structure.
A pair of laterally spaced apart, tubular receivers 20 are positioned between the top and bottom flanges 5, 6 of the rear end beam 4b. The receivers 20 are welded in place to the flanges between which they are bracketed. They protrude beyond the longitudinal edges of the flanges.
Figure 6b is a side view of the other side of the rig mat of Figure 6a, showing upwardly opening side locking brackets;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of four rig mats with the end and side locking elements engaged and the mats aligned both longitudinally and laterally.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In use a plurality of rig mats 1 will be interlocked end to end to form a longitudinally aligned arrangement or, alternatively, they will also be interlocked laterally to form a wider arrangement (as shown in Figure 7).
One such rig mat I will now be described.
The rig mat 1 comprises a rectangular frame 2 formed of steel wide-flanged I-beams (hereinafter referred to as `beams'). The frame has first and second ends 2a, 2b. The frame 2 is formed by a pair of side beams 3a, 3b, a first end beam 4a and a second end beam 4b. In the drawings the end beam 4a is shown as the front beam and the end beam 4b as the rear beam. Each of the side beams 3a, 3b have top and bottom flanges 5, 6. The front end beam 4a has only a top flange 5 while the rear end beam 4b has top and bottom flanges 5, 6. The side and end beams 3a, 3b / 4a, 4b are welded together at their ends. As shown, the frame 2 is reinforced with an additional longitudinally extending, central beam 7 and a plurality of laterally extending cross beams 8, welded in place. Wooden logs 9 of square cross-section are inserted to fill the openings 10 between the I-beams. The ends of the logs 9 are bracketed between and secured by the flanges 5, 6.
Web 14 of the laterally extending, front end beam 4a has a pair of laterally spaced apart keys 15 welded thereto. Each key 15 comprises a web 16 welded to and projecting forwardly and horizontally from the beam web 14. An elongated head is connected to the forward end of the key web 16 to complete a T-shaped structure.
A pair of laterally spaced apart, tubular receivers 20 are positioned between the top and bottom flanges 5, 6 of the rear end beam 4b. The receivers 20 are welded in place to the flanges between which they are bracketed. They protrude beyond the longitudinal edges of the flanges.
4 {E5426690.DOC;3}
Each receiver 20 is shown as a length of steel pipe having a bore 21. The protruding portion 22 of the receiver side wall 23 forms a slot 24 extending from one end of the pipe, part way along its length. The non-slotted portion of the pipe wall forms a stop 25.
The slot 24 is dimensioned so as to slidably receive the web 16 of a key 15.
The enlarged head 17 of the key 14 is dimensioned so as to be receivable in the pipe bore 21 but is too large to pass through the slot 24.
Broadly stated, the keys 15 of one frame and the receivers 20 of the other frame are formed so as to interlock when they are laterally and slidably engaged, to prevent longitudinal separation of the frames 2.
The stops 25 function to terminate the lateral advance of the key heads 17 when the frames 2 have been longitudinally aligned.
As shown in Figures 6a, 6b one side beam 3a has a plurality of downwardly opening brackets 26 welded to its web 27 while the other side beam 3b has a plurality of upwardly opening brackets 27. If two frames are to be locked together in side by side relationship, one frame can be lowered to the other so that the brackets 26, 27 interlock when the front end and rear ends of the frames are aligned.
The described assembly has been shown to have the following advantages:
= the overhead shielding by the flanges and the tubular nature of the receiver serve to minimize the entry of dirt from above, which would impede movement of the keys; and = the sideways withdrawal of the key is relatively easy to carry out.
Each receiver 20 is shown as a length of steel pipe having a bore 21. The protruding portion 22 of the receiver side wall 23 forms a slot 24 extending from one end of the pipe, part way along its length. The non-slotted portion of the pipe wall forms a stop 25.
The slot 24 is dimensioned so as to slidably receive the web 16 of a key 15.
The enlarged head 17 of the key 14 is dimensioned so as to be receivable in the pipe bore 21 but is too large to pass through the slot 24.
Broadly stated, the keys 15 of one frame and the receivers 20 of the other frame are formed so as to interlock when they are laterally and slidably engaged, to prevent longitudinal separation of the frames 2.
The stops 25 function to terminate the lateral advance of the key heads 17 when the frames 2 have been longitudinally aligned.
As shown in Figures 6a, 6b one side beam 3a has a plurality of downwardly opening brackets 26 welded to its web 27 while the other side beam 3b has a plurality of upwardly opening brackets 27. If two frames are to be locked together in side by side relationship, one frame can be lowered to the other so that the brackets 26, 27 interlock when the front end and rear ends of the frames are aligned.
The described assembly has been shown to have the following advantages:
= the overhead shielding by the flanges and the tubular nature of the receiver serve to minimize the entry of dirt from above, which would impede movement of the keys; and = the sideways withdrawal of the key is relatively easy to carry out.
5 {E5426690.DOC;3}
Claims (2)
1. A pair of rig mats capable of being disengagably interlocked in longitudinal alignment, each rig mat comprising:
a rectangular frame having first and second ends, at least one key element mounted to the first end and at least one receiver element mounted to the second end;
the key element(s) of one frame being formed so as to interlock with the receiver element(s) of the other frame when they are laterally and slidably engaged;
the key element(s) of said one frame and the receiver element(s) of said other frame being positioned so that they can laterally and slidably engage, when the first end of the one frame abuts the second end of the other frame and the key element(s) are adjacent to and aligned with the receiver elements, in response to lateral displacement of the one frame to bring the two frames into longitudinal alignment.
a rectangular frame having first and second ends, at least one key element mounted to the first end and at least one receiver element mounted to the second end;
the key element(s) of one frame being formed so as to interlock with the receiver element(s) of the other frame when they are laterally and slidably engaged;
the key element(s) of said one frame and the receiver element(s) of said other frame being positioned so that they can laterally and slidably engage, when the first end of the one frame abuts the second end of the other frame and the key element(s) are adjacent to and aligned with the receiver elements, in response to lateral displacement of the one frame to bring the two frames into longitudinal alignment.
2. The rig mats as set forth in claim 1 wherein:
each frame is formed by longitudinally and laterally extending steel I-beams, having top and bottom flanges connected by a web;
each receiver element is tubular, has a bore and is welded in position between the flanges of a laterally extending I-beam, said receiver element having a side wall portion forming a slot extending part way along the length of the receiver element from one end thereof, whereby a stop is provided at the other end of the slot;
and each key element comprises a key web welded in position to a laterally extending I-beam web so as to project horizontally therefrom, said key web being dimensioned so as to be received by the slot, said head being dimensioned so as to be received in the bore of the receiver element but being too large to pass through the slot;
the stop being located so as to engage the key web of a key element when the one frame has been laterally displaced to bring the two frames into longitudinal alignment.
each frame is formed by longitudinally and laterally extending steel I-beams, having top and bottom flanges connected by a web;
each receiver element is tubular, has a bore and is welded in position between the flanges of a laterally extending I-beam, said receiver element having a side wall portion forming a slot extending part way along the length of the receiver element from one end thereof, whereby a stop is provided at the other end of the slot;
and each key element comprises a key web welded in position to a laterally extending I-beam web so as to project horizontally therefrom, said key web being dimensioned so as to be received by the slot, said head being dimensioned so as to be received in the bore of the receiver element but being too large to pass through the slot;
the stop being located so as to engage the key web of a key element when the one frame has been laterally displaced to bring the two frames into longitudinal alignment.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2642380 CA2642380A1 (en) | 2008-10-30 | 2008-10-30 | Interlocking rig mat |
| US12/707,518 US20100209187A1 (en) | 2008-10-30 | 2010-02-17 | Interlocking rig mat |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2642380 CA2642380A1 (en) | 2008-10-30 | 2008-10-30 | Interlocking rig mat |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2642380A1 true CA2642380A1 (en) | 2010-04-30 |
Family
ID=42126223
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2642380 Abandoned CA2642380A1 (en) | 2008-10-30 | 2008-10-30 | Interlocking rig mat |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2642380A1 (en) |
-
2008
- 2008-10-30 CA CA 2642380 patent/CA2642380A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |