US20160186386A1 - Protective Edge Member For A Laminated Support Mat - Google Patents
Protective Edge Member For A Laminated Support Mat Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20160186386A1 US20160186386A1 US14/982,965 US201514982965A US2016186386A1 US 20160186386 A1 US20160186386 A1 US 20160186386A1 US 201514982965 A US201514982965 A US 201514982965A US 2016186386 A1 US2016186386 A1 US 2016186386A1
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- Prior art keywords
- elongated
- wall
- outboard
- support mat
- protective edge
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- 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
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- 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
- E01C11/00—Details of pavings
-
- 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
- E01C5/00—Pavings made of prefabricated single units
- E01C5/14—Pavings made of prefabricated single units made of wooden units
-
- 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
- E01C5/00—Pavings made of prefabricated single units
- E01C5/22—Pavings made of prefabricated single units made of units composed of a mixture of materials covered by two or more of groups E01C5/008, E01C5/02 - E01C5/20 except embedded reinforcing materials
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
- E02D27/00—Foundations as substructures
- E02D27/32—Foundations for special purposes
- E02D27/44—Foundations for machines, engines or ordnance
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
- E04C2/00—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels
- E04C2/30—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by the shape or structure
- E04C2/38—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by the shape or structure with attached ribs, flanges, or the like, e.g. framed panels
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
- E04C2/00—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels
- E04C2/30—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by the shape or structure
- E04C2/38—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by the shape or structure with attached ribs, flanges, or the like, e.g. framed panels
- E04C2/384—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by the shape or structure with attached ribs, flanges, or the like, e.g. framed panels with a metal frame
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
- E04C2/00—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels
- E04C2/30—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by the shape or structure
- E04C2/40—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by the shape or structure composed of a number of smaller components rigidly or movably connected together, e.g. interlocking, hingedly connected of particular shape, e.g. not rectangular of variable shape or size, e.g. flexible or telescopic panels
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
- E04C2/00—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels
- E04C2/44—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by the purpose
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- 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
- E01C2201/00—Paving elements
Definitions
- This invention relates in general to laminated support mats.
- this invention relates to a protective edge member for a laminated support mat.
- a typical laminated support mat may include a plurality of individual wood members, at least two protective edge members, and at least two fasteners.
- the laminated support mat may be as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,426,480 to Fiutak et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- the support mat has outermost wood members with outwardly facing wide faces.
- the protective edge members have inboard wide faces that are positioned against the wide faces of the support mat.
- the fasteners extend through and the protective edge members and connect the protective edge members and adjacent wood members.
- the protective edge members may be formed from a folded metal sheet.
- the protective edge member folded from a metal sheet results in edges of the metal sheet contacting the wide face of the outermost wood members. The edges of the metal sheet are not flush with the wide face of the outermost wood members.
- the protective members may be formed from the folded metal sheet using sharp bends or creases. However, the sharp bends or creases are known to concentrate stress on the protective edge member.
- the protective edge members may be displaced from the laminated support mat to which they are attached by vehicles, heavy equipment, material, debris, and the like that may catch or snag on the non-flush edges of the metal sheet. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a protective edge member that has improved strength and reduces the likelihood of the of the protective edge member being caught or snagged by vehicles, heavy equipment, material, debris, and the like.
- This invention relates in general to a laminated support mat having an improved protective edge member.
- the protective edge member for a support mat includes an elongated substantially corrugated body defining two elongated ridges separated by an elongated groove.
- a support mat in another embodiment, includes a plurality of vertically oriented individual wood members adhesively bonded to each other. Each of the individual wood members has wide faces oriented parallel to a direction of a load applied to the support mat.
- the support mat has outboard wood members, and the outwardly facing wide faces of the outboard wood members define an outboard wide face of the support mat.
- a protective edge member is attached to at least one of the outboard wide faces of the support mat.
- Each protective edge member includes an elongated substantially corrugated body defining two elongated ridges separated by an elongated groove.
- a substantially rigid fastener extends through and connects the protective edge member to the support mat.
- FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a laminated support mat having a first embodiment of a protective edge member in accordance with this invention.
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a portion of the laminated support mat and the protective edge member illustrated in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the protective edge member taken along the line 3 - 3 of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the laminated support mat and the protective edge member laminated support mat taken along the line 4 - 4 of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a protective edge member in accordance with this invention.
- FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the protective edge member illustrated in FIG. 5 shown installed on the laminated support mat illustrated in FIG. 1 .
- FIGS. 1 through 4 a laminated support mat 10 having a plurality of a first embodiment of improved elongated protective edge members 12 in accordance with this invention.
- the illustrated laminated support mat 10 is comprised of a plurality of laminated beams or billets 14 and has a substantially planar wide or load-bearing face 16 .
- Each of the illustrated billets 14 comprises a plurality of wood members or individual wood laminations 18 .
- Apertures 20 may be formed through the laminated support mat 10 for receiving fastening means, such as the substantially rigid fasteners or bolts 22 , as will be described in detail herein.
- the term “mat” includes mats as well as panels. Examples of such a support mat are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,137,226 and 7,818,929, herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
- the individual wood laminations 18 may be fabricated by structurally joining together arbitrary or different lengths or strips of wood or wood material.
- the arbitrary strips of wood material may be disposed end-to-end and joined together, such as by a jointing process.
- a jointing process is finger jointing. It will be understood that the strips may be continuous and full length.
- the arbitrary strips of wood may be strips of hardwood, such as oak, birch, or maple, although any desired hardwood or softwood may be used.
- the strips of wood laminations 18 may be any length, such as for example a length within the range of from about 5 feet to about 16 feet.
- the strips of wood material may be joined together to define the individual wood laminations 18 of any desired length, such as for example individual wood laminations having a length within the range of from about 12 feet to about 60 feet. It will be understood however, that the individual wood laminations 18 may be of any other desired length. Not all the wood laminations 18 need to be formed by joining together the strips, and the billet 14 may be formed with some of the laminations formed by joined strips, and some of the wood laminations 18 being a continuous piece of full length wood. In one embodiment of the billet 14 , at least 50 percent of the wood laminations are made of strips joined together.
- the individual wood laminations 18 have a thickness or height H 1 , a thickness or width W 1 , and a length L 1 .
- the laminations 18 may have any desired length L 1 . In the embodiment illustrated, the length L 1 is about 8 feet. It will be understood however, that the laminations 18 may have any other desired length.
- the individual wood laminations 18 may have a height H 1 within the range of from about 3 inches to about 6 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the individual wood laminations 18 have a height H 1 of about 51 ⁇ 2 inches.
- the individual wood laminations 18 have a width W 1 within the range of from about 0.50 inches to about 1.00 inches. In the illustrated embodiment the individual wood laminations 18 have a width W 1 of about 0.75 inches. It will be understood however, that the individual wood laminations 18 may have any desired length L 1 , height H 1 , and width W 1 .
- a plurality of the individual wood laminations 18 are joined together to form the laminated billets 14 .
- the illustrated individual wood laminations 18 are vertically oriented, having a wide face 24 oriented parallel to a direction of a load (indicated by the arrow 26 ) applied to the laminated billet 14 .
- the laminated billet 14 has the height H 1 , a width W 2 , and the length L 1 . It will be understood that the laminated billet 14 may have any desired width W 2 .
- a typical laminated billet 14 may contain within the range of from about 14 laminations to about 16 laminations and have a width W 2 of about 12 inches.
- the length L 1 of the laminated billets 14 is equal to the length L 1 of the laminations 18
- the height H 1 of the laminated billets 14 is equal to the height H 1 of the laminations 18 .
- the individual wood laminations 18 may be joined together into the billet 14 using any desired adhesive.
- the individual wood laminations 18 may be joined together with a waterproof adhesive, such as an adhesive that conforms to ASTM D2559-01.
- Each billet 14 includes outboard laminations 28 .
- the wide faces of the outboard laminations 28 of each outboard billet 14 such as the wide face 24 , define an outboard wide face 30 of the billet 14 .
- the laminated support mat 10 As shown in FIG. 1 , three of the laminated billets 14 are attached together to form the laminated support mat 10 . If desired, a spacer (not shown), such as a portion of an individual wood laminations 18 may be attached between adjacent billets 14 , such that a space 46 is defined between the wide faces 30 of the outboard laminations 28 of the adjacent billets 14 .
- the three laminated billets 14 further define a width W 3 for the entire laminated support mat 10 .
- the laminated support mat 10 may comprise any desired number of the laminated billets 14 , such as one, two, or more than three of the laminated billets 14 , and may have any desired width W 3 .
- the laminated billets 14 need not all be of the same width W 2 , but may be of different widths W 2 .
- suitable widths W 3 for the laminated support mat include widths of 4 feet, 8 feet, and greater than 8 feet.
- each of the elongated protective edge members 12 has a substantially corrugated shape, i.e., having at least two elongated ridges 12 A separated by an elongated groove 12 B, as described in detail below.
- the elongated protective edge member 12 includes first and second elongated outboard walls 32 A and 32 B, respectively, and first and second elongated inboard walls 34 A and 34 B, respectively.
- a first elongated side edge of the first outboard wall 32 A defines a first support mat engagement surface 33 A
- a first elongated side edge of the second outboard wall 32 B defines a second support mat engagement surface 33 B.
- the first and second inboard walls 34 A and 34 B are connected by a central wall 36 .
- a wide face of the central wall 36 defines a third support mat engagement surface 36 A.
- first outboard wall 32 A and the first inboard wall 34 A are connected by a first intermediate wall 38 A.
- second outboard wall 32 B and the second inboard wall 34 B are connected by a second intermediate wall 38 B.
- first and second intermediate walls 38 A and 38 B are substantially parallel to the central wall 36 .
- the first and second intermediate walls 38 A and 38 B may be formed other than parallel to the central wall 36 .
- the first outboard wall 32 A, the first inboard wall 34 A, and the first intermediate wall 38 A have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape and define a first one of the elongated ridges 12 A.
- the second outboard wall 32 B, the second inboard wall 34 B, and the second intermediate wall 38 B have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape and define a second one of the elongated ridges 12 A.
- the first inboard wall 34 A, the second inboard wall 34 B, and the central wall 36 also have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape and define the elongated groove 12 B between the elongated ridges 12 A.
- the protective edge member 12 is formed such that an intersection 40 A of the first outboard wall 32 A and the first intermediate wall 38 A define a rounded outside surface.
- the intersection 40 B of the first inboard wall 34 A and the first intermediate wall 38 A, the intersection 40 C of the first inboard wall 34 A and the central wall 36 , the intersection 40 D of the second inboard wall 34 B and the central wall 36 , the intersection 40 E of the second inboard wall 34 B and the second intermediate wall 38 B, and the intersection 40 F of the second outboard wall 32 B and the second intermediate wall 38 B each define a rounded outside surface.
- the protective edge member 12 may be produced by any desired method known to those skilled in the art.
- the protective edge member 12 may be produced by a stamping or a bending operation.
- the first and second outboard walls 32 A and 32 B extend a first distance X 1 from the respective mat engagement surface 33 A and 33 B thereof to an outside surface of the each of the first and second intermediate walls 38 A and 38 B, respectively along a line that extends substantially perpendicularly to the third support mat engagement surface 36 A of the central wall 36 .
- the first and second inboard walls 34 A and 34 B extend a second distance X 2 .
- the second distance X 2 is measured along a line that extends substantially perpendicularly from the third support mat engagement surface 36 A of the central wall 36 to the respective outside surfaces of the each of the first and second intermediate walls 38 A and 38 B.
- a difference between the first distance X 1 and the second distance X 2 defines a third distance X 3 .
- the distance X 1 is about 2.0 inches.
- the first distance X 1 may be within the range of about 1.7 inches to about 2.25 inches.
- the third distance X 3 is about 0.125 inches.
- the third distance X 3 may be within the range of about 0.0625 inches to about 0.1875 inches.
- the third distance is greater than zero, such that the central wall 36 does not contacts the outboard wide face 30 after the protective edge member 12 has been installed on the laminated support mat 10 .
- the first and second mat engagement surfaces 33 A and 33 B contact the outboard wide face 30 , but the central wall 36 does not. Rather, the third support mat engagement surface 36 A of the central wall 36 is spaced apart from the outboard wide face 30 by the third distance X 3 , as shown in FIG. 3
- the protective edge member 12 may have any desired length L 2 .
- the laminated billet 14 has a length L 1 of about 8 feet and two protective edge members 12 are mounted to each outboard wide face 30 of each outboard billet 14 .
- Each of the protective edge members 12 may have a length L 2 slightly less than 4.0 feet, such as about 47.875 inches.
- the protective edge members 12 may have a length L 2 within a range of from about 47.5 inches to about 47.875 inches.
- the protective edge members 12 may have a length L 2 less than about 47.5 inches. It will be understood however, that protective edge members 12 having other lengths may be provided for laminated support mats 10 having lengths other than about 8 feet.
- the protective edge members 12 may have a plurality of apertures 42 . In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 , each protective edge member 12 has two apertures 42 . Alternatively, the protective edge members 12 may have any desired number of apertures 42 , including no apertures, one aperture 42 , or more than two apertures 42 .
- the protective edge members 12 may be attached to one or more of the billets 14 by any suitable means to attach two or more of the billets 14 together to form the laminated support mat 10 .
- a plurality of the billets 14 is assembled together with fasteners, such as the bolts 22 .
- the bolts 22 extend through the apertures 42 in the protective edge members 12 and through the bolt apertures 20 in the laminated billets 14 .
- Each bolt 22 may be inserted through the aperture 42 such that a head 22 H of the bolt 22 engages the central wall 36 .
- a nut 44 may be attached to a distal end 22 D of the bolt 22 such that the nut 44 , when tightened onto the bolt 22 , will also engage the central wall 36 of an opposite protective edge member 12 .
- each protective edge member 12 When the nut 44 is securely tightened, the first and second mat engagement surfaces 33 A and 33 B of the first and second outboard walls 32 A and 32 B, respectively, of each protective edge member 12 will be firmly pressed into contact with respective outboard wide faces 30 of the billets 14 .
- the protective edge member 12 may have other transverse cross-sectional shapes than as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 .
- the protective edge member 12 may be formed without the first and second intermediate walls 38 A and 38 B.
- the protective edge member 12 may be formed such that the first outboard wall 32 A is connected to the first inboard wall 34 A and the second outboard wall 32 B is connected to the second inboard wall 34 B, thus maintaining a substantially corrugated shape.
- the protective edge member 12 may have a height H 2 corresponding to the height H 1 of the laminated support mat 10 .
- the height H 2 of the protective edge member 12 may be equal to or slightly less than the height H 1 of the laminated support mat 10 .
- the protective edge member 12 may be formed from any desired substantially rigid material, such as steel.
- Non-limiting examples of alternative material from which the protective edge member 12 may be formed include aluminum, plastic, composite material, and other metal and non-metal materials.
- the protective edge member 12 may be formed from material having a thickness of about 0.20 inches.
- the protective edge member 12 may be formed from material having a thickness within the range of about 0.10 inches to about 0.30 inches.
- the protective edge member 12 may be formed from material having a thickness less than about 0.10 inches or greater than about 0.20 inches.
- the protective edge member 12 is illustrated installed on the laminated billet 14 .
- the first and second mat engagement surfaces 33 A and 33 B of the first and second outboard walls 32 A and 32 B engage with and may penetrate into, the outboard wide face 30 , as shown by the phantom lines 32 A′ and 32 B′.
- the first and second outboard walls 32 A and 32 B may displace outwardly; i.e., the first outboard wall 32 A may be displaced upwardly when viewing FIG. 4 , and the second outboard wall 32 B may be displaced downwardly when viewing FIG. 4 .
- first and second legs 32 A and 32 B may be formed such that they are biased outwardly, such as shown in FIG. 4 .
- the third support mat engagement surface 36 A of the central wall 36 remains spaced apart from the outboard wide face 30 of the laminated billet 14 by the distance X 3 , even after the protective edge members 12 are securely attached to the laminated billet 14 with the bolts 22 and the nuts 44 .
- the protective edge member 12 may be attached to the laminated billets 14 by means other than the bolts 22 .
- Non-limiting examples of other means of attaching the protective edge member 12 to the laminated billets 14 include binding wire, shear connectors, brackets, and other mechanical fasteners, all not shown.
- the bolts 22 or any of the alternative mechanical fasteners described above, allow stress to be transferred between billets 14 .
- an adhesive may be used in conjunction with the bolts 22 , or any of the alternative mechanical fasteners described above.
- the laminated support mat 10 may be used for example, as a temporary lightweight roadway or foundation to facilitate vehicular and equipment travel, such as at a construction site.
- a vehicle being driven onto the load-bearing face 16 of the laminated support mat 10 will first drive over the protective edge member 12 and apply a load (as indicated by the arrow 48 ) to the outboard wall 32 A.
- a laminated support mat 10 ′ includes a second embodiment of the protective edge member 50 .
- each of the elongated protective edge members 50 has a substantially corrugated shape, i.e., having at least two elongated ridges 52 A separated by an elongated groove 52 B, as described in detail below.
- the elongated protective edge member 50 includes first and second elongated outboard walls 54 A and 54 B, respectively, and first and second elongated inboard walls 56 A and 56 B, respectively.
- a first elongated side edge of the first outboard wall 54 A defines a first support mat engagement surface 58 A
- a first elongated side edge of the second outboard wall 54 B defines a second support mat engagement surface 58 B.
- the first and second inboard walls 56 A and 56 B are connected by a central wall 60 .
- a wide face of the central wall 60 defines a third support mat engagement surface 60 A.
- first outboard wall 54 A and the first inboard wall 56 A are connected by a first intermediate wall 62 A.
- the second outboard wall 54 B and the second inboard wall 56 B are connected by a second intermediate wall 62 B.
- first and second intermediate walls 62 A and 62 B are substantially parallel to the central wall 60 .
- the first and second intermediate walls 62 A and 62 B may be formed other than parallel to the central wall 60 .
- the first outboard wall 54 A, the first inboard wall 56 A, and the first intermediate wall 62 A have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape and define a first one of the elongated ridges 52 A.
- the second outboard wall 54 B, the second inboard wall 56 B, and the second intermediate wall 62 B have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape and define a second one of the elongated ridges 52 A.
- the first inboard wall 56 A, the second inboard wall 56 B, and the central wall 60 also have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape and define the elongated groove 52 B between the elongated ridges 52 A.
- the protective edge member 50 is formed such that an intersection 64 A of the first outboard wall 54 A and the first intermediate wall 62 A define a rounded outside surface.
- the intersection 64 B of the first inboard wall 56 A and the first intermediate wall 62 A, the intersection 64 C of the first inboard wall 56 A and the central wall 60 , the intersection 64 D of the second inboard wall 56 B and the central wall 60 , the intersection 64 E of the second inboard wall 56 B and the second intermediate wall 62 B, and the intersection 64 F of the second outboard wall 54 B and the second intermediate wall 62 B each define a rounded outside surface.
- the protective edge member 50 may be produced by any desired method known to those skilled in the art.
- the protective edge member 50 may be produced by a stamping or a bending operation.
- the first and second outboard walls 54 A and 54 B extend the first distance X 1 from the respective mat engagement surface 58 A and 58 B thereof to an outside surface of the each of the first and second intermediate walls 62 A and 62 B, respectively along a line that extends substantially perpendicularly to the third support mat engagement surface 60 A of the central wall 60 .
- the first and second inboard walls 56 A and 56 B extend a fourth distance X 4 .
- the fourth distance X 4 is measured along a line that extends substantially perpendicularly from the third support mat engagement surface 60 A of the central wall 60 to the respective outside surfaces of the each of the first and second intermediate walls 62 A and 62 B.
- a difference between the first distance X 1 and the fourth distance X 4 defines a fifth distance X 5 .
- the distance X 1 is about 2.0 inches. As described above regarding the protective edge member 12 , the first distance X 1 may also be within the range of about 1.75 inches to about 2.25 inches. The fourth distance X 4 is about 75 percent of the distance X 1 , or about 1.5 inches. Alternatively, the fourth distance X 4 may be within the range of about 1.25 inches to about 1.75 inches. The fifth distance X 5 is therefore is about 25 percent of the distance X 1 , or about 0.50 inches. Alternatively, the fifth distance X 5 may be within the range of about 0.5 inches to about 0.625 inches.
- first strengthening features or ribs 68 may be formed in the first and second outboard walls 54 A and 54 B.
- the ribs 68 are formed from an outboard surface of the first and second outboard walls 54 A and 54 B toward the respective inboard surfaces of the first and second outboard walls 54 A and 54 B.
- the illustrated ribs 68 are formed along an entire length of the protective edge member 50 and may be spaced apart by a distance D 1 . In the illustrated embodiment, the distance D 1 is about 3.5 inches.
- the ribs 68 may be formed on any portion of the first and second outboard walls 54 A and 54 B at any other desired distance apart, such as within the range of about 2.0 inches to about 5.0 inches apart. Additionally, the ribs 68 may be formed at a distance of less than 2.0 inches apart or greater than 5.0 inches apart.
- second strengthening features or ribs 70 may be formed in the first and second inboard walls 56 A and 56 B.
- the ribs 70 are formed from an inboard surface of the first and second inboard walls 56 A and 56 B toward the respective outboard surfaces of the first and second inboard walls 56 A and 56 B.
- the illustrated ribs 70 are formed along an entire length of the protective edge member 50 and may be spaced apart by a distance D 2 .
- the distance D 1 is about 6.5 inches.
- the ribs 70 may be formed on any portion of the first and second inboard walls 56 A and 56 B at any other desired distance apart, such as within the range of about 4.0 inches to about 8.0 inches apart.
- the ribs 70 may be formed at a distance of less than 4.0 inches apart or greater than 8.0 inches apart.
- a strengthening rib is defined as a structure formed in, formed on, or attached to an inboard or outboard wall, and that is configured to provide strength and rigidity to the wall in or on which it is formed, or to which it is attached.
- the first and second mat engagement surface 58 A and 58 B contact the outboard wide face 30 , but the central wall 60 does not. Rather, the third support mat engagement surface 60 A of the central wall 60 is spaced apart from the outboard wide face 30 by the fifth distance X 5 , as shown in FIG. 6 .
- the fifth distance X 5 defines a shift or gap 67 between the outboard wide face 30 and the third support mat engagement surface 60 A.
- the protective edge member 50 may have the length L 2 , the height H 2 , and may be formed from material, such as steel, having a thickness T of about 0.20 inches. Alternatively, the protective edge member 50 may be formed from material having a thickness within the range of about 0.10 inches to about 0.30 inches. Additionally, the protective edge member 50 may be formed from material having a thickness less than about 0.10 inches or greater than about 0.20 inches.
- the protective edge members 50 may have a plurality of apertures 66 . In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 , each protective edge member 50 has two apertures 66 . Alternatively, the protective edge members 50 may have any desired number of apertures 66 , including no apertures, one aperture 66 , or more than two apertures 66 .
- a plurality of the billets 14 is assembled together with fasteners, such as the bolts 22 .
- the bolts 22 extend through the apertures 66 in the protective edge members 50 and through the bolt apertures 20 in the laminated billets 14 .
- Each bolt 22 may be inserted through the aperture 66 such that a head 22 H of the bolt 22 engages the central wall 60 .
- a nut 44 may be attached to a distal end 22 D of the bolt 22 such that the nut 44 , when tightened onto the bolt 22 , will also engage a central wall 60 of an opposite protective edge member 50 , as shown in FIG. 6 .
- each protective edge member 50 When the nut 44 is securely tightened, the first and second mat engagement surfaces 58 A and 58 B of the first and second outboard walls 54 A and 54 B, respectively, of each protective edge member 50 will be firmly pressed into contact with respective outboard wide faces 30 of the billets 14 .
- the laminated support mat 10 ′ may be used for example, as a temporary lightweight roadway or foundation to facilitate vehicular and equipment travel, such as at a construction site.
- a vehicle being driven onto the load-bearing face 16 of the laminated support mat 10 ′ will first drive over the protective edge member 50 and apply a load (as indicated by the arrow 48 ) to the outboard wall 54 A.
- Loads 48 that may be applied to the laminated support mats 10 and 10 ′ when used to facilitate vehicular and equipment travel vary with the type of vehicles or equipment being used, but typical loads 48 are not more than about 10,000 lbs., and often must less that about 10,000 lbs.
- the protective edge member 50 when the protective edge member 50 is manufactured as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 and is attached to a billet 14 to define the gap 67 of about 0.5 inches between the outboard wide face 30 and the third support mat engagement surface 60 A, the protective edge member 50 can withstand a load 48 of at least 16,800 lbs.
- a region R of the inboard wall 56 A (the upper most inboard wall when viewing FIG. 6 ) has a length of about 1.0 inch when measured from the third support mat engagement surface 60 A toward the first intermediate wall 62 A.
- the region R of the inboard wall 56 A is the only portion of the protective edge member 50 that will support the load (as indicated by the arrow 48 ) of at least 16,800 lbs.
- first embodiment of the protective edge member 12 may include one or more of the first ribs 68 and/or the second ribs 70 .
Abstract
A protective edge member for a support mat includes an elongated substantially corrugated body defining two elongated ridges separated by an elongated groove.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/097,863, filed Dec. 30, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
- This invention relates in general to laminated support mats. In particular, this invention relates to a protective edge member for a laminated support mat.
- The construction industry uses solid sawn wood and wood panel members in a variety of forms to aid in the erection of buildings, roads, and bridges. For example, temporary road panels and crane mats are often constructed using solid-sawn hardwood timbers or some species of softwoods. These panels are used to form a temporary lightweight roadway or foundation to facilitate vehicular and equipment travel as may be required in construction operations. Additionally, such mats may be used in the pipeline, utility, transportation, oil, and infrastructure fields.
- A typical laminated support mat may include a plurality of individual wood members, at least two protective edge members, and at least two fasteners. For example, the laminated support mat may be as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,426,480 to Fiutak et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The support mat has outermost wood members with outwardly facing wide faces. The protective edge members have inboard wide faces that are positioned against the wide faces of the support mat. The fasteners extend through and the protective edge members and connect the protective edge members and adjacent wood members.
- The protective edge members may be formed from a folded metal sheet. The protective edge member folded from a metal sheet results in edges of the metal sheet contacting the wide face of the outermost wood members. The edges of the metal sheet are not flush with the wide face of the outermost wood members. Also, the protective members may be formed from the folded metal sheet using sharp bends or creases. However, the sharp bends or creases are known to concentrate stress on the protective edge member. Furthermore, the protective edge members may be displaced from the laminated support mat to which they are attached by vehicles, heavy equipment, material, debris, and the like that may catch or snag on the non-flush edges of the metal sheet. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a protective edge member that has improved strength and reduces the likelihood of the of the protective edge member being caught or snagged by vehicles, heavy equipment, material, debris, and the like.
- This invention relates in general to a laminated support mat having an improved protective edge member. The protective edge member for a support mat includes an elongated substantially corrugated body defining two elongated ridges separated by an elongated groove.
- In another embodiment, a support mat includes a plurality of vertically oriented individual wood members adhesively bonded to each other. Each of the individual wood members has wide faces oriented parallel to a direction of a load applied to the support mat. The support mat has outboard wood members, and the outwardly facing wide faces of the outboard wood members define an outboard wide face of the support mat. A protective edge member is attached to at least one of the outboard wide faces of the support mat. Each protective edge member includes an elongated substantially corrugated body defining two elongated ridges separated by an elongated groove. A substantially rigid fastener extends through and connects the protective edge member to the support mat.
- Various aspects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a laminated support mat having a first embodiment of a protective edge member in accordance with this invention. -
FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a portion of the laminated support mat and the protective edge member illustrated inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the protective edge member taken along the line 3-3 ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the laminated support mat and the protective edge member laminated support mat taken along the line 4-4 ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a protective edge member in accordance with this invention. -
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the protective edge member illustrated inFIG. 5 shown installed on the laminated support mat illustrated inFIG. 1 . - Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in
FIGS. 1 through 4 a laminatedsupport mat 10 having a plurality of a first embodiment of improved elongatedprotective edge members 12 in accordance with this invention. The illustrated laminatedsupport mat 10 is comprised of a plurality of laminated beams orbillets 14 and has a substantially planar wide or load-bearingface 16. - Each of the illustrated
billets 14 comprises a plurality of wood members orindividual wood laminations 18.Apertures 20 may be formed through the laminatedsupport mat 10 for receiving fastening means, such as the substantially rigid fasteners orbolts 22, as will be described in detail herein. As used in the description of the invention, the term “mat” includes mats as well as panels. Examples of such a support mat are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,137,226 and 7,818,929, herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. - The
individual wood laminations 18 may be fabricated by structurally joining together arbitrary or different lengths or strips of wood or wood material. The arbitrary strips of wood material may be disposed end-to-end and joined together, such as by a jointing process. One example of such a jointing process is finger jointing. It will be understood that the strips may be continuous and full length. The arbitrary strips of wood may be strips of hardwood, such as oak, birch, or maple, although any desired hardwood or softwood may be used. The strips ofwood laminations 18 may be any length, such as for example a length within the range of from about 5 feet to about 16 feet. The strips of wood material may be joined together to define theindividual wood laminations 18 of any desired length, such as for example individual wood laminations having a length within the range of from about 12 feet to about 60 feet. It will be understood however, that theindividual wood laminations 18 may be of any other desired length. Not all thewood laminations 18 need to be formed by joining together the strips, and thebillet 14 may be formed with some of the laminations formed by joined strips, and some of thewood laminations 18 being a continuous piece of full length wood. In one embodiment of thebillet 14, at least 50 percent of the wood laminations are made of strips joined together. - The
individual wood laminations 18 have a thickness or height H1, a thickness or width W1, and a length L1. Thelaminations 18 may have any desired length L1. In the embodiment illustrated, the length L1 is about 8 feet. It will be understood however, that thelaminations 18 may have any other desired length. Theindividual wood laminations 18 may have a height H1 within the range of from about 3 inches to about 6 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, theindividual wood laminations 18 have a height H1 of about 5½ inches. Theindividual wood laminations 18 have a width W1 within the range of from about 0.50 inches to about 1.00 inches. In the illustrated embodiment theindividual wood laminations 18 have a width W1 of about 0.75 inches. It will be understood however, that theindividual wood laminations 18 may have any desired length L1, height H1, and width W1. - A plurality of the
individual wood laminations 18 are joined together to form the laminated billets 14. The illustratedindividual wood laminations 18 are vertically oriented, having awide face 24 oriented parallel to a direction of a load (indicated by the arrow 26) applied to thelaminated billet 14. - The
laminated billet 14 has the height H1, a width W2, and the length L1. It will be understood that thelaminated billet 14 may have any desired width W2. A typicallaminated billet 14 may contain within the range of from about 14 laminations to about 16 laminations and have a width W2 of about 12 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the length L1 of thelaminated billets 14 is equal to the length L1 of thelaminations 18, and the height H1 of thelaminated billets 14 is equal to the height H1 of thelaminations 18. - The
individual wood laminations 18 may be joined together into thebillet 14 using any desired adhesive. Theindividual wood laminations 18 may be joined together with a waterproof adhesive, such as an adhesive that conforms to ASTM D2559-01. Eachbillet 14 includesoutboard laminations 28. The wide faces of theoutboard laminations 28 of eachoutboard billet 14, such as thewide face 24, define an outboardwide face 30 of thebillet 14. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , three of thelaminated billets 14 are attached together to form thelaminated support mat 10. If desired, a spacer (not shown), such as a portion of anindividual wood laminations 18 may be attached betweenadjacent billets 14, such that aspace 46 is defined between the wide faces 30 of theoutboard laminations 28 of theadjacent billets 14. The threelaminated billets 14 further define a width W3 for the entirelaminated support mat 10. It will be understood that thelaminated support mat 10 may comprise any desired number of thelaminated billets 14, such as one, two, or more than three of thelaminated billets 14, and may have any desired width W3. Also, thelaminated billets 14 need not all be of the same width W2, but may be of different widths W2. Non-limiting examples of suitable widths W3 for the laminated support mat include widths of 4 feet, 8 feet, and greater than 8 feet. - As best shown in
FIGS. 2 through 4 , each of the elongatedprotective edge members 12 has a substantially corrugated shape, i.e., having at least twoelongated ridges 12A separated by anelongated groove 12B, as described in detail below. - The elongated
protective edge member 12 includes first and second elongatedoutboard walls inboard walls outboard wall 32A defines a first supportmat engagement surface 33A, and a first elongated side edge of the secondoutboard wall 32B defines a second supportmat engagement surface 33B. The first and secondinboard walls central wall 36. A wide face of thecentral wall 36 defines a third supportmat engagement surface 36A. - The first
outboard wall 32A and the firstinboard wall 34A are connected by a firstintermediate wall 38A. Similarly, the secondoutboard wall 32B and the secondinboard wall 34B are connected by a secondintermediate wall 38B. As shown inFIG. 3 , the first and secondintermediate walls central wall 36. Alternatively, the first and secondintermediate walls central wall 36. - As best shown in
FIG. 3 , the firstoutboard wall 32A, the firstinboard wall 34A, and the firstintermediate wall 38A have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape and define a first one of theelongated ridges 12A. Similarly, the secondoutboard wall 32B, the secondinboard wall 34B, and the secondintermediate wall 38B have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape and define a second one of theelongated ridges 12A. The firstinboard wall 34A, the secondinboard wall 34B, and thecentral wall 36 also have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape and define theelongated groove 12B between theelongated ridges 12A. - As also shown in
FIG. 3 , theprotective edge member 12 is formed such that anintersection 40A of the firstoutboard wall 32A and the firstintermediate wall 38A define a rounded outside surface. Similarly, theintersection 40B of the firstinboard wall 34A and the firstintermediate wall 38A, theintersection 40C of the firstinboard wall 34A and thecentral wall 36, theintersection 40D of the secondinboard wall 34B and thecentral wall 36, theintersection 40E of the secondinboard wall 34B and the secondintermediate wall 38B, and theintersection 40F of the secondoutboard wall 32B and the secondintermediate wall 38B each define a rounded outside surface. - The
protective edge member 12 may be produced by any desired method known to those skilled in the art. For example, theprotective edge member 12 may be produced by a stamping or a bending operation. - The first and second
outboard walls mat engagement surface intermediate walls mat engagement surface 36A of thecentral wall 36. The first and secondinboard walls FIG. 3 , the second distance X2 is measured along a line that extends substantially perpendicularly from the third supportmat engagement surface 36A of thecentral wall 36 to the respective outside surfaces of the each of the first and secondintermediate walls - In the illustrated embodiment, the distance X1 is about 2.0 inches. Alternatively, the first distance X1 may be within the range of about 1.7 inches to about 2.25 inches. The third distance X3 is about 0.125 inches. Alternatively, the third distance X3 may be within the range of about 0.0625 inches to about 0.1875 inches. Significantly, the third distance is greater than zero, such that the
central wall 36 does not contacts the outboardwide face 30 after theprotective edge member 12 has been installed on thelaminated support mat 10. - When the
protective edge member 12 is placed against a substantially planar surface, for example the outboardwide face 30 of thebillet 14 during assembly of thelaminated support mat 10, the first and secondmat engagement surfaces wide face 30, but thecentral wall 36 does not. Rather, the third supportmat engagement surface 36A of thecentral wall 36 is spaced apart from the outboardwide face 30 by the third distance X3, as shown inFIG. 3 - Referring again to
FIG. 1 , theprotective edge member 12 may have any desired length L2. In the illustrated embodiment, thelaminated billet 14 has a length L1 of about 8 feet and twoprotective edge members 12 are mounted to each outboardwide face 30 of eachoutboard billet 14. Each of theprotective edge members 12 may have a length L2 slightly less than 4.0 feet, such as about 47.875 inches. Alternatively, theprotective edge members 12 may have a length L2 within a range of from about 47.5 inches to about 47.875 inches. Additionally, theprotective edge members 12 may have a length L2 less than about 47.5 inches. It will be understood however, thatprotective edge members 12 having other lengths may be provided forlaminated support mats 10 having lengths other than about 8 feet. - The
protective edge members 12 may have a plurality ofapertures 42. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1 , eachprotective edge member 12 has twoapertures 42. Alternatively, theprotective edge members 12 may have any desired number ofapertures 42, including no apertures, oneaperture 42, or more than twoapertures 42. - The
protective edge members 12 may be attached to one or more of thebillets 14 by any suitable means to attach two or more of thebillets 14 together to form thelaminated support mat 10. - In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of the
billets 14 is assembled together with fasteners, such as thebolts 22. Thebolts 22 extend through theapertures 42 in theprotective edge members 12 and through thebolt apertures 20 in the laminated billets 14. Eachbolt 22 may be inserted through theaperture 42 such that ahead 22H of thebolt 22 engages thecentral wall 36. Anut 44 may be attached to adistal end 22D of thebolt 22 such that thenut 44, when tightened onto thebolt 22, will also engage thecentral wall 36 of an oppositeprotective edge member 12. When thenut 44 is securely tightened, the first and secondmat engagement surfaces outboard walls protective edge member 12 will be firmly pressed into contact with respective outboard wide faces 30 of thebillets 14. - It will be understood that the
protective edge member 12 may have other transverse cross-sectional shapes than as illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 4 . For example, theprotective edge member 12 may be formed without the first and secondintermediate walls protective edge member 12 may be formed such that the firstoutboard wall 32A is connected to the firstinboard wall 34A and the secondoutboard wall 32B is connected to the secondinboard wall 34B, thus maintaining a substantially corrugated shape. - It will be further understood that the
protective edge member 12 may have a height H2 corresponding to the height H1 of thelaminated support mat 10. For example, the height H2 of theprotective edge member 12 may be equal to or slightly less than the height H1 of thelaminated support mat 10. - The
protective edge member 12 may be formed from any desired substantially rigid material, such as steel. Non-limiting examples of alternative material from which theprotective edge member 12 may be formed include aluminum, plastic, composite material, and other metal and non-metal materials. Further, theprotective edge member 12 may be formed from material having a thickness of about 0.20 inches. Alternatively, theprotective edge member 12 may be formed from material having a thickness within the range of about 0.10 inches to about 0.30 inches. Additionally, theprotective edge member 12 may be formed from material having a thickness less than about 0.10 inches or greater than about 0.20 inches. - Referring now to
FIG. 4 , theprotective edge member 12 is illustrated installed on thelaminated billet 14. Upon tightening thebolt 22, the first and secondmat engagement surfaces outboard walls wide face 30, as shown by thephantom lines 32A′ and 32B′. At the same time, the first and secondoutboard walls outboard wall 32A may be displaced upwardly when viewingFIG. 4 , and the secondoutboard wall 32B may be displaced downwardly when viewingFIG. 4 . If desired, and to aid in displacement, the first andsecond legs FIG. 4 . Significantly, the third supportmat engagement surface 36A of thecentral wall 36 remains spaced apart from the outboardwide face 30 of thelaminated billet 14 by the distance X3, even after theprotective edge members 12 are securely attached to thelaminated billet 14 with thebolts 22 and the nuts 44. - It will be understood that the
protective edge member 12 may be attached to thelaminated billets 14 by means other than thebolts 22. Non-limiting examples of other means of attaching theprotective edge member 12 to thelaminated billets 14 include binding wire, shear connectors, brackets, and other mechanical fasteners, all not shown. Thebolts 22, or any of the alternative mechanical fasteners described above, allow stress to be transferred betweenbillets 14. If desired, an adhesive may be used in conjunction with thebolts 22, or any of the alternative mechanical fasteners described above. - As described above, the
laminated support mat 10 may be used for example, as a temporary lightweight roadway or foundation to facilitate vehicular and equipment travel, such as at a construction site. When used in such a manner, a vehicle being driven onto the load-bearingface 16 of thelaminated support mat 10 will first drive over theprotective edge member 12 and apply a load (as indicated by the arrow 48) to theoutboard wall 32A. - Referring now to
FIGS. 5 and 6 , alaminated support mat 10′ includes a second embodiment of theprotective edge member 50. - Like the elongated
protective edge members 50, each of the elongatedprotective edge members 50 has a substantially corrugated shape, i.e., having at least twoelongated ridges 52A separated by an elongated groove 52B, as described in detail below. - The elongated
protective edge member 50 includes first and second elongatedoutboard walls inboard walls outboard wall 54A defines a first supportmat engagement surface 58A, and a first elongated side edge of the secondoutboard wall 54B defines a second supportmat engagement surface 58B. The first and secondinboard walls central wall 60. A wide face of thecentral wall 60 defines a third supportmat engagement surface 60A. - The first
outboard wall 54A and the firstinboard wall 56A are connected by a firstintermediate wall 62A. Similarly, the secondoutboard wall 54B and the secondinboard wall 56B are connected by a secondintermediate wall 62B. As shown inFIG. 6 , the first and secondintermediate walls central wall 60. Alternatively, the first and secondintermediate walls central wall 60. - As best shown in
FIG. 6 , the firstoutboard wall 54A, the firstinboard wall 56A, and the firstintermediate wall 62A have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape and define a first one of theelongated ridges 52A. Similarly, the secondoutboard wall 54B, the secondinboard wall 56B, and the secondintermediate wall 62B have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape and define a second one of theelongated ridges 52A. The firstinboard wall 56A, the secondinboard wall 56B, and thecentral wall 60 also have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape and define the elongated groove 52B between theelongated ridges 52A. - As also shown in
FIG. 6 , theprotective edge member 50 is formed such that anintersection 64A of the firstoutboard wall 54A and the firstintermediate wall 62A define a rounded outside surface. Similarly, theintersection 64B of the firstinboard wall 56A and the firstintermediate wall 62A, theintersection 64C of the firstinboard wall 56A and thecentral wall 60, theintersection 64D of the secondinboard wall 56B and thecentral wall 60, theintersection 64E of the secondinboard wall 56B and the secondintermediate wall 62B, and theintersection 64F of the secondoutboard wall 54B and the secondintermediate wall 62B each define a rounded outside surface. - Like the
protective edge member 12, theprotective edge member 50 may be produced by any desired method known to those skilled in the art. For example, theprotective edge member 50 may be produced by a stamping or a bending operation. - The first and second
outboard walls mat engagement surface intermediate walls mat engagement surface 60A of thecentral wall 60. The first and secondinboard walls FIG. 6 , the fourth distance X4 is measured along a line that extends substantially perpendicularly from the third supportmat engagement surface 60A of thecentral wall 60 to the respective outside surfaces of the each of the first and secondintermediate walls - In the illustrated embodiment, the distance X1 is about 2.0 inches. As described above regarding the
protective edge member 12, the first distance X1 may also be within the range of about 1.75 inches to about 2.25 inches. The fourth distance X4 is about 75 percent of the distance X1, or about 1.5 inches. Alternatively, the fourth distance X4 may be within the range of about 1.25 inches to about 1.75 inches. The fifth distance X5 is therefore is about 25 percent of the distance X1, or about 0.50 inches. Alternatively, the fifth distance X5 may be within the range of about 0.5 inches to about 0.625 inches. - As best shown in
FIG. 5 , first strengthening features orribs 68 may be formed in the first and secondoutboard walls ribs 68 are formed from an outboard surface of the first and secondoutboard walls outboard walls ribs 68 are formed along an entire length of theprotective edge member 50 and may be spaced apart by a distance D1. In the illustrated embodiment, the distance D1 is about 3.5 inches. Alternatively, theribs 68 may be formed on any portion of the first and secondoutboard walls ribs 68 may be formed at a distance of less than 2.0 inches apart or greater than 5.0 inches apart. - As also shown in
FIG. 5 , second strengthening features orribs 70 may be formed in the first and secondinboard walls ribs 70 are formed from an inboard surface of the first and secondinboard walls inboard walls ribs 70 are formed along an entire length of theprotective edge member 50 and may be spaced apart by a distance D2. In the illustrated embodiment, the distance D1 is about 6.5 inches. Alternatively, theribs 70 may be formed on any portion of the first and secondinboard walls ribs 70 may be formed at a distance of less than 4.0 inches apart or greater than 8.0 inches apart. - As used herein, a strengthening rib is defined as a structure formed in, formed on, or attached to an inboard or outboard wall, and that is configured to provide strength and rigidity to the wall in or on which it is formed, or to which it is attached.
- When the
protective edge member 50 is placed against a substantially planar surface, for example the outboardwide face 30 of thebillet 14 during assembly of thelaminated support mat 10, the first and secondmat engagement surface wide face 30, but thecentral wall 60 does not. Rather, the third supportmat engagement surface 60A of thecentral wall 60 is spaced apart from the outboardwide face 30 by the fifth distance X5, as shown inFIG. 6 . The fifth distance X5 defines a shift orgap 67 between the outboardwide face 30 and the third supportmat engagement surface 60A. - Like the
protective edge members 12, theprotective edge member 50 may have the length L2, the height H2, and may be formed from material, such as steel, having a thickness T of about 0.20 inches. Alternatively, theprotective edge member 50 may be formed from material having a thickness within the range of about 0.10 inches to about 0.30 inches. Additionally, theprotective edge member 50 may be formed from material having a thickness less than about 0.10 inches or greater than about 0.20 inches. - Additionally, the
protective edge members 50 may have a plurality ofapertures 66. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 5 , eachprotective edge member 50 has twoapertures 66. Alternatively, theprotective edge members 50 may have any desired number ofapertures 66, including no apertures, oneaperture 66, or more than twoapertures 66. - In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of the
billets 14 is assembled together with fasteners, such as thebolts 22. Thebolts 22 extend through theapertures 66 in theprotective edge members 50 and through thebolt apertures 20 in the laminated billets 14. Eachbolt 22 may be inserted through theaperture 66 such that ahead 22H of thebolt 22 engages thecentral wall 60. Anut 44 may be attached to adistal end 22D of thebolt 22 such that thenut 44, when tightened onto thebolt 22, will also engage acentral wall 60 of an oppositeprotective edge member 50, as shown inFIG. 6 . When thenut 44 is securely tightened, the first and secondmat engagement surfaces outboard walls protective edge member 50 will be firmly pressed into contact with respective outboard wide faces 30 of thebillets 14. - As described above, the
laminated support mat 10′ may be used for example, as a temporary lightweight roadway or foundation to facilitate vehicular and equipment travel, such as at a construction site. When used in such a manner, a vehicle being driven onto the load-bearingface 16 of thelaminated support mat 10′ will first drive over theprotective edge member 50 and apply a load (as indicated by the arrow 48) to theoutboard wall 54A.Loads 48 that may be applied to thelaminated support mats typical loads 48 are not more than about 10,000 lbs., and often must less that about 10,000 lbs. - Advantageously, it has been shown that when the
protective edge member 50 is manufactured as illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6 and is attached to abillet 14 to define thegap 67 of about 0.5 inches between the outboardwide face 30 and the third supportmat engagement surface 60A, theprotective edge member 50 can withstand aload 48 of at least 16,800 lbs. - Significantly, a region R of the
inboard wall 56A (the upper most inboard wall when viewingFIG. 6 ) has a length of about 1.0 inch when measured from the third supportmat engagement surface 60A toward the firstintermediate wall 62A. Advantageously, it has been shown that the region R of theinboard wall 56A is the only portion of theprotective edge member 50 that will support the load (as indicated by the arrow 48) of at least 16,800 lbs. - It will also be understood that the first embodiment of the
protective edge member 12 may include one or more of thefirst ribs 68 and/or thesecond ribs 70. - The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.
Claims (20)
1. A protective edge member for a support mat, the protective edge member comprising an elongated substantially corrugated body defining two elongated ridges separated by an elongated groove.
2. The protective edge member according to claim 1 , wherein the elongated substantially corrugated body includes:
first and second elongated outboard walls;
first and second elongated inboard walls, wherein the first and second elongated outboard walls are connected to the first and second elongated inboard walls, respectively; and
a central wall that connects the first and second elongated inboard walls.
3. The protective edge member according to claim 2 , wherein the first elongated inboard wall and the first elongated outboard wall define a first elongated ridge, wherein the second elongated inboard wall and the second elongated outboard wall define a second elongated ridge, and wherein the first elongated inboard wall, the second elongated inboard wall, and the central wall connected therebetween define the elongated groove.
4. The protective edge member according to claim 3 , wherein a first elongated side edge of the first outboard wall defines a first support mat engagement surface, and a first elongated side edge of the second outboard wall defines a second support mat engagement surface.
5. The protective edge member according to claim 4 , wherein a wide face of the central wall defines a third support mat engagement surface.
6. The protective edge member according to claim 2 , further including:
a first intermediate wall between the first outboard wall and the first inboard wall; and
a second intermediate wall between the second outboard wall and the second inboard wall, wherein the first and second intermediate walls are substantially parallel to the central wall.
7. The protective edge member according to claim 5 , further including:
a first intermediate wall between the first outboard wall and the first inboard wall; and
a second intermediate wall between the second outboard wall and the second inboard wall, wherein the first and second intermediate walls are substantially parallel to the central wall.
8. The protective edge member according to claim 7 , wherein the first and second outboard walls extend a first distance from their respective first and second mat engagement surfaces to an outside surface of the each of the first and second intermediate walls; and
wherein the first and second inboard walls extend a second distance, shorter than the first distance and measured along a line that extends substantially perpendicularly from the third support mat engagement surface of the central wall to the respective outside surfaces of the each of the first and second intermediate walls.
9. The protective edge member according to claim 8 , wherein a difference between the first distance and the second distance is a third distance, and wherein the third distance is about 25 percent of the first distance.
10. The protective edge member according to claim 9 , wherein the third distance is about 0.5 inches.
11. A support mat comprising:
a plurality of vertically oriented individual wood members adhesively bonded to each other, each of the individual wood members having wide faces oriented parallel to a direction of a load applied to the support mat, the support mat having outboard wood members, the outwardly facing wide faces of the outboard wood members defining an outboard wide face of the support mat;
a protective edge member attached to at least one of the outboard wide faces of the support mat, each protective edge member comprising an elongated substantially corrugated body defining two elongated ridges separated by an elongated groove; and
a substantially rigid fastener extending through and connecting the protective edge member to the support mat.
12. The support mat according to claim 11 , wherein the elongated substantially corrugated body of the protective edge member includes:
first and second elongated outboard walls;
first and second elongated inboard walls, wherein the first and second elongated outboard walls are connected to the first and second elongated inboard walls, respectively; and
a central wall that connects the first and second elongated inboard walls.
13. The support mat according to claim 12 , wherein the first elongated inboard wall and the first elongated outboard wall define a first elongated ridge, wherein the second elongated inboard wall and the second elongated outboard wall define a second elongated ridge, and wherein the first elongated inboard wall, the second elongated inboard wall, and the central wall connected therebetween define the elongated groove.
14. The support mat according to claim 13 , wherein a first elongated side edge of the first outboard wall defines a first support mat engagement surface, and a first elongated side edge of the second outboard wall defines a second support mat engagement surface.
15. The support mat according to claim 14 , wherein a wide face of the central wall defines a third support mat engagement surface.
16. The support mat according to claim 15 , further including:
a first intermediate wall between the first outboard wall and the first inboard wall; and
a second intermediate wall between the second outboard wall and the second inboard wall, wherein the first and second intermediate walls are substantially parallel to the central wall.
17. The support mat according to claim 16 , wherein the first and second outboard walls extend a first distance from their respective first and second mat engagement surfaces to an outside surface of the each of the first and second intermediate walls; and
wherein the first and second inboard walls extend a second distance, shorter than the first distance and measured along a line that extends substantially perpendicularly from the third support mat engagement surface of the central wall to the respective outside surfaces of the each of the first and second intermediate walls.
18. The support mat according to claim 17 , wherein a difference between the first distance and the second distance is a third distance, and wherein the third distance is about 25 percent of the first distance.
19. The support mat according to claim 18 , wherein the third distance is about 0.5 inches.
20. The support mat according to claim 15 , wherein the protective edge member is configured such that when attached to the support mat with the rigid fastener, the third support mat engagement surface is urged into contact with the outboard wide face of the support mat, and the first and second mat engagement surfaces one of engage with and penetrate into the outboard wide face of the support mat.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US14/982,965 US20160186386A1 (en) | 2014-12-30 | 2015-12-29 | Protective Edge Member For A Laminated Support Mat |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US201462097863P | 2014-12-30 | 2014-12-30 | |
US14/982,965 US20160186386A1 (en) | 2014-12-30 | 2015-12-29 | Protective Edge Member For A Laminated Support Mat |
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US20160186386A1 true US20160186386A1 (en) | 2016-06-30 |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US14/982,965 Abandoned US20160186386A1 (en) | 2014-12-30 | 2015-12-29 | Protective Edge Member For A Laminated Support Mat |
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Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10125458B2 (en) * | 2015-09-21 | 2018-11-13 | Anthony Hardwood Composites, Inc. | Modular engineered wood composite road |
CN111851199A (en) * | 2020-07-19 | 2020-10-30 | 中铁上海工程局集团有限公司 | Temporary construction access road for sludge landforms and construction method thereof |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5069576A (en) * | 1989-01-17 | 1991-12-03 | Les Profiles Du Centre | Road safety barrier |
-
2015
- 2015-12-29 US US14/982,965 patent/US20160186386A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5069576A (en) * | 1989-01-17 | 1991-12-03 | Les Profiles Du Centre | Road safety barrier |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10125458B2 (en) * | 2015-09-21 | 2018-11-13 | Anthony Hardwood Composites, Inc. | Modular engineered wood composite road |
CN111851199A (en) * | 2020-07-19 | 2020-10-30 | 中铁上海工程局集团有限公司 | Temporary construction access road for sludge landforms and construction method thereof |
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