US2353398A - Portable deck - Google Patents

Description

G. G. GREULICH .PORTABLE DECK July 11, 1944.

2 Sheet Filed Aug. 5, 1943 Illu I! IIIIIOIIIII.

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yJuly 11, 41944.-

G; G. GREULI'CH PORTABLE DECK Filed Aug.I 5, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l INVENTOR 65ML@ 6. GRH/UCM IIIA J4 I@ 15.' l 2 l Patented. 'July 11, 1944 PORTABLE DECK Gerald G. Greulieh, Mount Lebanon, Pa., asslgnor to Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corporatioma oorporation of New Jersey Application August 5,1943, Serial No. 497,498 (C1.v 94-13) 4 6 Claims.

This invention relates to portable decks or mats which are adapted for rapid assembly and dismantling, and particularly, to an improved portable deck especially adaptable asa landing field 4or decking for airplane runways, or forlpaved areas for other vehicular trailic.

In my copending application, Serial No. 456,233, illed August 26, 1942, which is entitled ,Portable deck, there is shown and described a deck or mat similar to that disclosed in the present application, but the present deck is deemed to be an improvement thereover. cation, there is provided rectangular-shaped plates having interlocking meanslfarranged along their adjacent longitudinally extending edges so I as tol effect anv interlock between each of the plates along the sides thereof. While the interlocking means shown. therein is extremely effective and satisfactory for locking together the plates at the sides thereof, therelis not provided any means for connecting together the plates at the ends.

Due to lack of continuity between the abutting ends of adjacent plates or planks in such a deck, there is a tendency, if a wheel load is disposed on or near the end of any particular plate, for the center of that plate to be depressed; whereas the adjacent plates being unloaded remain in a higher plane. With repeated usage of the deck, particularly where the planes run in a track, the offset between the ends of the plates at the Vjoints becomes great enough so as to be objectionable,

In my prior applil" lsurface thereof and which can be manipulated from lthe upper or top side of the plates or deck so that any particular plate can be easily and quickly removed or replaced.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved portable deck made of metallic plates having end interlocking means carried thereby which is simple, inexpensive, and compact in its construction, and at ythe `same time, efficient and effective in its' use.

Various other objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent in the course of the following specification and will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown, for the purpose of illustration, an embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

Inthese drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the portable deck or mat of my invention showing my improved particularly on soft soil or an uneven terrain.

It is therefore obvious that if a means were provided for interlocking the adjacent ends of the plates vas well as the sides, there would be provided an additional measure of.' continuity which would eliminate undesirable differential elevations between the ends ,of the plates; and, lat the same time, there would` be provided a deck having a more uniform elevation of the surfacesof all component parts over the entire area of the runway,

and it is to such an end-connecting means that the present invention relates.

Accordingly. it is the general object Aof the present invention to provide an'improved portable deck made of metallic plates having cooperating means arranged on each of the kplates .adjacent-. the ends vthereof for interconnecting' the abut;

ting ends of the same which will not interfere with the rapid laying of the deck.

It is another object of the invention to provide endl-connecting or interlocking means incorporated therewith; ,I

Figure 2 is a plan view showing details of the preferred form of the interlocking means arfranged along the side or longitudinally extending edges of each of the plates;

Figure 3 is a sectional view'taken on line III- III of Figure 2l Figure 4 is a plan view of the end portionsof two adjacent plates of my portable deck showing the improved means of the present invention for connecting the ends of the plates together;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line V--V of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line VL-VIof Figure 4; and

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on line VII-VII of Figure 4.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the improved portable deck or met of my invention comprises a plurality of rectangular-shaped an improved portable deck made of metallic plates having end interlocking means carried thereby- 'which is positioned below the upper surface o! metallic plates 2 which are laid side \by side in rows with the plates of adjacent rows vbeing staggered relative to each other ina manner similar to that in which brickwork is laid so as to pro-l vide a continuous unitary deck or mat as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. Along one of the sides or longitudinally extending edges of each. of

ings or slots 6,

the plates 2, there is arranged a. plurality of spaced apart lugs 3 which are preferably T- shaped and which extend outwardly and downwardlyY from the edge of the plate so as to be disposed angularly relative thereto. As more clearly shownin Figures 2 and-3 of the drawa plurality of similarly spaced apart openings or slots 6, which areshaped similarly to the lugs 3, but have slightly larger dimensions so as to provide a slightly larger portion 1 for receiving the head portion 5 of a lug, and a slightly larger stem portion 8 for receiving the shank or stem portion 4 thereof. The portion 1 of each of the openings adapted to receive the head portion of the lug is' disposed preferably substantially in ,the plane of the plate, as shown-in Figure 3, with the stem portion 8 adapted to receive the shank portion 'of the lug arranged downwardly and outwardly so as to be disposed angularly relative thereto. 'I'he lugs 3 of one `plate are adapted to be inserted in the openings 6 of an adjacently disposed plate so as to eiect an interlock therebetween in a manner hereinafter to be described.

On the inner side of at least some of the openpreferably every other one, as shown inFigures 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings, there is arranged preferably an outwardly and downwardly extending lip or lug portion 9, which projects into the area of the enlargedportion- 'I of the opening or slot 6 for a. purpose to be described.

In each of the plates 2, there is arranged, preferably a plurality of rows of openings or apertures Illv which are shown as being circular shaped in the lpresent instance. Around the edges of each of the apertures I Il, there is disposed preferably an inwardly and downwardly extending flange portion I2 so as to converge toward the bottom thereof. The ange portions I2 are preferably struck up and formed from. the material punched from the plate to form the circular-shaped openings "I0, Between each of the rows of openings I0, there is formed in each of the plates, a downwardly extending U-shaped rib portion I3-which extends preferably throughout the length of the plate for' strengthening the same.

According to the present invention, as shown more clearly in Figures 4 through 7 of the drawings, there is arranged on the bottom side of each of the plates 2 adjacent one end thereof and directly next to the bottom surface of the plate and each of the U-shaped rib portions I3 ar' ranged therein, a latch member I4 preferably 4made of iiat stock rolled metal having a hookshalped portion I5 arranged on the outer end thereof and a. shank portion I6 which ispivotally attached to the body portion of the plate preferably b y means'of a flattened-head countersunk rivet I1. There is arranged in each 'of the plates directly above each of the latch members I4 carried thereby, an elongated opening I 8 preferably extending longitudinally of the plate for a 'purpose to be described. On the opposite end of each of the Iplates there is arranged in the side wall of each of the U-shaped rib portions I3 at a spaced distance from that end of the plate, a slotted opening I9 having its axis extending transversely of the yplates and arranged directly `below the bottom surface thereof.v 'Ihe vfrom these center plates.

and 100.

hook-shaped portions I5 of the latch members' I4 disposed on any one of the plates are adapted to cooperate with the slotted openings I9 in the rib portions I3 of an adjacent plate in a manner hereinafter to be described.

The improved portable deck or mat of my invention is .assembled in the following manner. The plates are preferably assembled from the center of the area upon which the deck is adapted to be disposed and outwardly in opposite directions therefrom. To start the laying of the plates, the heads 5 of the lugs 3 arranged along the edge of one of the plates are interlocked with the heads ofl the lugs of the adjacently disposed plate with the plates disposed in substantially a horizontal position on the ground. In order to hold the lugs in engagement with each other so as to prevent longitudinal movement of the plates relative to each other and the disengagement of the lugs, there is disposed aroundthe shank portions d of the interlocked lugs 3, preferably awire binding member, but it will be understood that any other suitable means may be provided for holding these lugs in interlocked relation. By starting the laying of the deck in such a manner, it will be seen that the edges of theseplates which are disposed in substantially the center of the area will have, their openings or slots 6 disposed to each side thereof and will be free to receive the lugs 3 of the plate to be assembled and adjacently disposed in each direction from the center plates.

The succeeding plates are assembled into position in the following manner in each direction 'Ihe plate to be positioned is disposed at an angle with the horizontal, with such angle being between approximately 40 'I'he head portions 5 of each of the lugs 3 along the edges of the plate are then inserted into the enlarged part 'I of the openings 6 arranged along the edge of the horizontally disposed center plate which has already been laid in position on the ground. After the heads 5 of the lugs have been inserted in their respective openings 6, that plate is moved to a substantially horizontal position and to the position it will assume upon the ground. The remaining plates of the deck are assembled in a similar manner until the desired size deck is obtained.

Upon movement of the plates to their substantially horizontal position after the lugs 3 have been inserted in the openings 6, it will be seen that the shank or stem portions 4 of the lugs move downwardly into place and rest in the enlarged stem portions 8 of their respective openings due to the angular arrangement thereof, as shown 'in Figure 3. In such position `it will be seen that the lugs 3 are disposed in the openings 6- beneath the bottom of the adjacently disposed plate, with the inner edges of the lugs being disposed beneathv the outer edges of the enlarged part I of the openings 6. In other words, the

stem portions of the slots permit the neck behind the projecting head of the adjacent plate to enter and lie below the top surface of the deck. It will be seen that the component or vertical l edge or edges on either side of the slots restrain horizontal plane to accommodate and permit entry of the head portion of the lugs. Also. if

desired, the depth of the enlarged portion 'I ofto permitentry of the lugs only when they are disposed substantially perpendicular thereto or in a vertical plane. In such an arrangement the outer edges of the lugs would be disposed beneath the inner edges of the openings or slots 6 when the plates are moved to a. horizontal position thereby preventing vertical movement of the lugs through the openings.

The outwardly projecting lip portions 9 which extend over the heads of the lugs after assembling are provided so as to'prevent the vertical movement of the heads of the lugs 3 from their position below the plate and through the openings 6. In other words, the head portions 5 ofthe lugs 3, do not extend in under the edges of the slots 'I but are maintained in place vertically solely by the lip portions 9. Such a construction possesses the advantages that any particular plate in the deck may be removed in case of damage for repairs or replacement without moving or disturbing the remainder of the plates therearound. If it is desired at any time to remove any particular plate from the deck, the projecting lugs or lip portions 9 are bentdownwardly or upwardly as desired, as shown inthe V broken lines of Figure 3 of the drawings, so as to permit the passage of the' heads 5 of the lugs 3 up through the enlarged portions l of the openings 6 with little or no` pivoting movement. The new plate to be assembled therein is engaged with the adjacent plate, in a manner hereinbefore described, and moved to its horizontal position with thelugs thereof positioned in the openings of the adjacent plate. After such plate has been moved to its horizontal position, the vlugs 9 are again bent outwardly and upwardly, or inwardly and downwardly, as the case may be, as shown in the full lines of Figure 3, so as to prevent upwardmovement of the heads of the lugs through the openings with the lip portion performing its original function of locking the projecting head in position. l

The end-connecting means of the present invention for interlocking the abutting ends o f the plates are manipulated in the following manner. After the plates have been assembled in the man- 'ner described with the side or longitudinally extending abutting edges interconnected so as to provide a, deck of the desired size, it will be seen that the ends of adjacent plates are spaced a slight distance from each other, as shown in Figures 1 and 4 of the drawings. In order to move each of the latch members Minto engagement with -the respective slotted openings I9, a

' suitable tool is inserted into the elongated opening I8 arranged in the plates above each of the latch members. The tool is manipulatedso as to engage the shank portion I6 of the latch member so` as to move the hook-shaped portion I5 relative to each other. The latch members may be moved to unlocked position by inserting and moving said tool in the space between the ends of the plates.

As a result of my invention, it will be seen that there is provided a, device for locking the ends of the plates together which can be manipulated from the top or upper side of the plates or thereof outwardly toward the end of the plate, as

shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. latch member has' been moved so as to extend across the opening between the abutting ends of the plates, the tool is then inserted in the space between the abutting ends and the latch memberv mov'eduntil the hook-shaped portion I5 carried thereby passes through the respective .slotted opening I9; in the side wall of the rib portion `I3 so as to engage therewith. After all .of the latch members have been moved to their Ilocked position in the manner described, it will be seen that the abutting ends of all ofthe plates are interlocked so as to prevent movement thereof After the deck either to unlock or to lock the same, and which will not interfere with the rapid initial laying and side locking of the deck. It will also be seen that there is provided an end-locking arrangement which will not'interfere with the stacking of the plates during storing or shipping which is one of the most important aspects of the present invention.

While I have shown and described one specific embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that this embodiment is merely for the purpose of illustration and description and that various other forms may be devised within the scope of my invention, as defined in the appended claims.

I claim: 1. A portable deck of the class described comprising a plurality of metallic plates for rapid attachment to and detachment from each other, each of said plates consisting of a substantially rectangular-shaped body portion of rolled metal, means arranged along the longitudinally extend-y ing edges of each of said plates for connecting the same to adjacent plates disposed to either side thereof, at least one hook member `mounted on the bottom side of each of said plates adjacent one end thereof and arranged for pivotal movement in a plane substantially parallel thereto, and a hook receiving portion arranged on the opposite end of each of them whereby the hook member on the end of any one plate is adapted to cooperate with a hook receiving portion of an adjacent plate disposed at that end thereof whereby the ends ofthe plates are securely locked together so as to prevent movement thereof relative to each other.v

2. A portable deck of the class described comprising a plurality of metallic plates for rapid attachment to and detachment from eachother, each of said plates consisting of a'substantially rectangular-shaped body portion of rolled metal, means arranged along the longitudinally extending edges of each of said plates for connecting the same to adjacent plates disposed to either side thereof, at least one hook member mounted on the bottom side of each of said plates adjacent oneend thereof and arranged for pivotal movement in a plane lsubstantially and a, downwardly extending rib portion formed in the opposite end of each of said plates having an opening arranged therethrough substantially parallel to the plane of the plate and positioned at a spaced distance 'from the end thereof., said hook member on the end of any one of said plates adapted to cooperate with the opening through each of said plates consisting of a substantially d body portion of rolled metal extending ribs` rectangular-shap having a plurality of. downwardly formed therein extending throughout the length thereof, means arranged along the longitudinally parallel thereto,l

,extending edges of each of said plates for connecting the same to adjacent plates 'disposed to either side thereof, anda plurality of hook members mounted on the bottom side of each of said plates adjacent one end thereof and arranged for pivotal movement in a plane substantially parallel thereto, each o f said ribs having an opening arranged in the side wall thereof at a spaced distance from the end of the plate on the 'end oposite that from said hook members. said lrpok members on the 'end oi', any one of said plates adapted to cooperate with the respective openings in the ribs of an Vadjacent plate disposed at the end thereofvwhereby the ends of the plates are securely locked together so as to prevent movement thereof relative to each other.

4. A portable deck of the class described, as dei'lned in* claim 3, wherein each of the plates has an opening arranged therethrough adjacent each of the hook members vcarried thereby so that the same may be manipulated through said openings whereby the hook members can be moved to their locked position.

5. A portable deck of the class described, as defined in claim 3, wherein each of the hook members consists of a fiat metallic member having a hook-shaped portion arranged on the outer end thereof which is adapted to-engage with a slotted opening in the side walls oi' the respective ribs,

are securely locked with the inner end of each of the hook members being pivotally attached to the body of the plate by means of a rivet so that the hook members are positioned directly of the plate and to therein.

6. A Vportable deck of the class described comprising a plurality of tachment to and detachment from each other, each of said plates consisting of a substantially rectangular-shaped body portion of rolled metal, means arranged along the longitudinally extending edges of each of said plates for connecting the same to adjacent plates disposed to either side thereof, at least one hook member mounted on the bottom side of each of said plates adjacent one-end thereof and arranged for pivotal Amovement in a plane substantially parallel thereto, and a downwardly depending portion carried by each of said plates adjacent the opposite end thereof having an opening arranged therein, said hook member on the end of any one-of said plates adapted to cooperate with the opening in the depending portion of an adjacent plate disposed at ,the end thereof whereby the ends of the plates together so as to prevent movement thereof relative to each other.

one side of the ribs formed GERALD G. GREULICH.

next to the bottom surface metallic plates for rapid at-

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