CA2637470A1 - Interlocking crane mat apparatus and system - Google Patents

Interlocking crane mat apparatus and system Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2637470A1
CA2637470A1 CA 2637470 CA2637470A CA2637470A1 CA 2637470 A1 CA2637470 A1 CA 2637470A1 CA 2637470 CA2637470 CA 2637470 CA 2637470 A CA2637470 A CA 2637470A CA 2637470 A1 CA2637470 A1 CA 2637470A1
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CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
crane
mat
pin
mats
receptacle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2637470
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French (fr)
Inventor
Tomas Kunkel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA 2637470 priority Critical patent/CA2637470A1/en
Publication of CA2637470A1 publication Critical patent/CA2637470A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01CCONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
    • E01C9/00Special pavings; Pavings for special parts of roads or airfields
    • E01C9/08Temporary pavings
    • E01C9/086Temporary pavings made of concrete, wood, bitumen, rubber or synthetic material or a combination thereof

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Jib Cranes (AREA)

Description

"INTERLOCKING CRANE MAT APPARATUS AND SYSTEM"
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a ground cover mat and, more specifically, to a ground cover mat apparatus and system for supporting heavy lift cranes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Crane mats are primarily used to stabilize heavy industrial equipment, such as cranes, when the ground surface alone is incapable of supporting the weight of such equipment and/or its load. The mats provide a stable pad for heavy-crane lifts, distribute the heavy equipment's weight while operating on an unstable surface and/or they protect a road or highway from the metal cleats of a tracked bulldozer or crane. Crane mats may also be used to construct temporary roads in swamps and marshy areas.

Crane mats are characteristically rectangular in shape, assembled from four or five solid wooden beams laid side by side and bolted together with steel rods that run from one side of the mat to the other, see FIG. 1. Conventional crane mat sizes are in the range of 8 - 12 inches thick, 4 - 5 feet wide and 16 - 36 feet long. The steel rods used to bolt the separate beams together are typically 1 to 1'/4 inch in diameter and are recessed into the mat's sides so as to allow a plurality of these mats to be laid side by side in closed spatial relation.

While individual crane mats do provide a means to distribute the weight of heavy equipment over a larger surface area than the wheels or tracks of the crane itself, they do not provide for load dispersal and weight transfer between, or across, a plurality of such mats that might be placed side by side.

Furthermore, due to the extreme weights involved in heavy crane lifts and the small tolerances allowable between individual mat heights as they lay side-by-side, the underlying ground surface will often require extensive ground preparation, such as packing with gravel, prior to laying down the crane mats.
Improper set-up or support of a crane can result in accidents. Therefore, it is not uncommon for the underlying ground surface to be packed to withstand up to pounds per square foot (psf) of force and levelled to be within 1/8`h of an inch in ground variance - so that individual crane mats placed side-by-side will result in a stable and level surface for the crane. It is also not uncommon for this extensive ground surface preparation to take days to weeks to complete, before the crane mats can be laid down.

What is needed is a crane mat that addresses the short comings and disadvantages of the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top side perspective view of a prior art crane mat;

FIG. 2 is a top side perspective view of one embodiment of a crane mat according to the present invention;
2 FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the crane mat of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top sectional side view of a beam on the second side of the crane mat of the embodiment of FIG. 2 along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top sectional side view of a beam on the first side of the crane mat of the embodiment of FIG. 2 along line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 6a and 6b are exploded perspective views of some of the components of the crane mat of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are top schematic sectional views of the crane mat of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a top schematic sectional view of a plurality of crane mats, of the embodiment of FIG. 2, placed in an interlocked staggered side-by-side configuration;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional end view of a plurality of crane mats, of the embodiment of FIG. 2, taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a top schematic view of a plurality of crane mats, of the embodiment of FIG. 2, placed in an interlocked, staggered, side-by-side configuration;

FIG. 12 is another top schematic sectional view of a plurality of crane mats, of the embodiment of FIG. 2, placed in an interlocked, staggered, side-by-side configuration;

FIG. 13 is top schematic view of a plurality of crane mats, of the embodiment of FIG. 2, placed in an interlocked, staggered, side-by-side
3 configuration and illustrating weight and/or force transfer from a centrally located mat to adjacent mats; and FIGS. 14 and 15 are side and top views of one embodiment of a lever bar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description are of a preferred embodiment by way of example only and without limitation to the combination of features necessary for carrying the invention into effect. Reference is to be had to the Figures in which identical reference numbers identify similar components. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features are shown in schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

Referring to FIGS. 2-13, one embodiment of a crane mat 10 includes a rectangular body 12 having a top surface 12t, a bottom surface, a first end 14, a second end 16, a first side 18 and a second side 20. Side coupling or interlocking means 13 is provided for coupling first side 18 of body 12 to second side 20 of a like body. Preferably, the body 12 is constructed in a conventional manner, comprising four beams 12w laid side by side and bolted together with a plurality of steel bolts or threaded rods 12r that run from one side of the mat to the other where they're fastened by way of nuts 12n. More preferably, the beams 12w are wood beams, such as hardwood (e.g. oak) or softwood (e.g. pine, fir or hemlock) timber.
Even
4 more preferably, each of the rod's ends are recessed within the side beams 12w, so as to allow a plurality of these mats to be laid side by side in closed spatial relation.
In this embodiment, side coupling means 13 comprises at least one first side coupling 104 positioned at first side 18 of body 12 which is adapted to interlock with a second side coupling 106 at second side 20 of a like body. In this embodiment, side coupling means 13 further comprises at least one second side coupling 106 positioned at second side 20 of body 12 which is adapted to interlock with a first side coupling 104 at first side 18 of a like body.

Preferably, the side couplings 104, 106 are paired. More preferably, the spacing XX between each pair of first side couplings 104 is twice that of the spacing X from a first side coupling 104 to its closest respective end 14, 16 (as the case may be and as more clearly illustrated in FIG. 8). Even more preferably, the spacing XX between each pair of second side couplings 106 is twice that of the spacing X from a second side coupling 106 to its closest respective end 14, 16.

Advantageously, such spacing will allow multiple mats 10 to be connected in a staggered configuration (see FIGS. 9 and 11 - 13).

In this embodiment, first side coupling 104 comprises lug or pin 26 which is slidably moveable between a recessed position in a first receptacle 18r on first side 18 (see FIGS. 2, 6b and 7) to an extended position projecting partially out of said first receptacle 18r (see FIGS. 8 - 10 and 12 - 13). In this embodiment, second side coupling 106 comprises a second receptacle 30 extending laterally into second side 20 and of sufficient dimensions to accept partial, or all, of the length of
5 pin 26. In this embodiment second receptacle 30 accepts substantially half the length of the pin 26, with the other half remaining inside the first receptacle 18r.
Preferably, the pin 26 is constructed of 2 inch thick ASTM 44W steel plate and measures 10 inches wide by 9 inches deep. More preferably, the first and second receptacles 18r, 30 are iined with 3/e inch thick ASTM 44W steel inserts or envelopes 18i, 301. Even more preferably, the pin 26 further comprises a chamfered or tapered end 26t. Advantageously, the tapered end 26t reduces or eliminates binding between the pin 26 and the steel insert 30i of the second receptacle 30 when retracting, or extending, the pin 26 to, or from, the recessed position inside the first receptacle 18r and out of, or into, the second receptacle 30.
Yet even more preferably, lag bolts (not shown) are utilized to fasten the steel inserts 18i, 30i to the body 12 within their respective receptacles 18r, 30.

More preferably, the dimensions of the pin 26 and the opening 28 are of such close or tight tolerance so that weight transfer from a mat 10a to an adjacent mat 10c (e.g. when weight, such as from a crane, is applied to one side or the other of the side coupling means 13) will be efficient and not create a significant uneven surface between the two adjacent mats 10a, 10c.

Even more preferably, the side coupling means 13 further comprises pin sliding or actuation means 15 to allow an operator to actuate or slide the pin 26, between the recessed position in a first receptacle 18r on first side 18 to the extended position projecting partially out of said first receptacle 18r, while such operator is positioned at said second side 20 of the mat 10. In this embodiment, the pin sliding means 15 comprises a 1% inch steel rod 15r that extends
6 substantially through the mat 10, through holes or passages 12h in the beams 12w and through corresponding holes or passages 18h, 30h in the inserts 18i, 30i, from the second side 20 to the first side 18, with one end 15a of said rod 15r being welded to the medial side 26m of the pin 26 and the other end 15a of the rod being fitted with a collar 15c. Preferably the collar 15c is fastened to the other end 15a via a clevis pin 15p. Alternatively, the collar 15c is fastened to the other end 15a in another conventional manner, such as by welding.

Advantageously, said collar 15c is of a diameter that is larger than hole 30h, so as to prevent rod 15r and pin 26 (welded thereto) from completely sliding out of the mat 10 at side 18. More advantageously, collar 15c acts as an anchorage or leverage point for a tool, such as a crowbar or hook, to engage the actuation means 15 and allow for easy retraction of the pin 26 back into a recessed position into said first receptacle 18r (by pulling at side 15a). Even more advantageously, collar 15c acts as a head or striking surface to allow for easy extension of the pin 26 out of the recessed position from the first receptacle 18r when struck with a tool, such as a sledge hammer (and exerting a pushing force at side 15a). Thus in this embodiment, the rod 15r and pin 26 act in a similar manner as a deadbolt in a lock.

Preferably, a lever bar tool 40, such as that shown in FIGS. 14 - 15, is utilized to engage end 15a of the actuation means 15 so as to either retract or extend pin 26 into, or out of, the first receptacle 18r. The lever bar tool 40 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 - 15 comprises a lever arm 40a to actuate a hook 40h suitable to hook behind collar 15c and pull end 15a (thereby retracting the pin
7 26 into the first receptacle 18r) or to actuate a plunger 40p to push end 15a (thereby extending pin 26 out of the first receptacle).

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various modifications to the invention as described herein will be possible without falling outside the scope of the invention.
8

Claims

CA 2637470 2008-07-10 2008-07-10 Interlocking crane mat apparatus and system Abandoned CA2637470A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2637470 CA2637470A1 (en) 2008-07-10 2008-07-10 Interlocking crane mat apparatus and system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2637470 CA2637470A1 (en) 2008-07-10 2008-07-10 Interlocking crane mat apparatus and system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2637470A1 true CA2637470A1 (en) 2010-01-10

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2637470 Abandoned CA2637470A1 (en) 2008-07-10 2008-07-10 Interlocking crane mat apparatus and system

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CA (1) CA2637470A1 (en)

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9447547B2 (en) 2014-09-23 2016-09-20 Joe Penland, Jr. Mat construction with environmentally resistant core
US9476164B2 (en) 2014-09-19 2016-10-25 Quality Mat Company Industrial mat having side bumpers and lifting elements
US9605390B2 (en) 2014-09-23 2017-03-28 Quality Mat Company Industrial mats having cost effective core support structures
US9617693B1 (en) 2014-09-23 2017-04-11 Quality Mat Company Lifting elements for crane mats
US9663903B2 (en) 2014-09-23 2017-05-30 Quality Mat Company Industrial mats having plastic or elastomeric side members
US9714487B2 (en) 2014-09-23 2017-07-25 Quality Mat Company Industrial mats with lifting elements
US9822493B2 (en) 2014-09-19 2017-11-21 Quality Mat Company Industrial mats having side protection
US9845576B2 (en) 2014-09-23 2017-12-19 Quality Mat Company Hybrid crane mat utilizing various longitudinal members
US9863098B2 (en) 2014-09-23 2018-01-09 Quality Mat Company Hybrid crane mat with lifting elements
US9915036B2 (en) 2014-09-23 2018-03-13 Quality Mat Company Stackable mat construction
CN108086173A (en) * 2018-01-09 2018-05-29 贵州贵安新联***工程有限公司 A kind of handling apparatus for large bridge demolition blasting
US10273639B2 (en) 2014-09-19 2019-04-30 Quality Mat Company Hybrid industrial mats having side protection
US10273638B1 (en) 2018-03-26 2019-04-30 Quality Mat Company Laminated mats with closed and strengthened core layer
US10753050B2 (en) 2014-09-23 2020-08-25 Quality Mat Company Industrial mats having cost effective core structures
US20230160148A1 (en) * 2021-11-12 2023-05-25 F.M. Locotos, Co., Inc. Equipment foundation and mine rock bolt system

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9822493B2 (en) 2014-09-19 2017-11-21 Quality Mat Company Industrial mats having side protection
US9476164B2 (en) 2014-09-19 2016-10-25 Quality Mat Company Industrial mat having side bumpers and lifting elements
US10273639B2 (en) 2014-09-19 2019-04-30 Quality Mat Company Hybrid industrial mats having side protection
US10017903B2 (en) 2014-09-19 2018-07-10 Quality Mat Company Industrial mats having side protection
US9663903B2 (en) 2014-09-23 2017-05-30 Quality Mat Company Industrial mats having plastic or elastomeric side members
US9714487B2 (en) 2014-09-23 2017-07-25 Quality Mat Company Industrial mats with lifting elements
US9447547B2 (en) 2014-09-23 2016-09-20 Joe Penland, Jr. Mat construction with environmentally resistant core
US9845576B2 (en) 2014-09-23 2017-12-19 Quality Mat Company Hybrid crane mat utilizing various longitudinal members
US9863098B2 (en) 2014-09-23 2018-01-09 Quality Mat Company Hybrid crane mat with lifting elements
US9915036B2 (en) 2014-09-23 2018-03-13 Quality Mat Company Stackable mat construction
US9617693B1 (en) 2014-09-23 2017-04-11 Quality Mat Company Lifting elements for crane mats
US9605390B2 (en) 2014-09-23 2017-03-28 Quality Mat Company Industrial mats having cost effective core support structures
US10753050B2 (en) 2014-09-23 2020-08-25 Quality Mat Company Industrial mats having cost effective core structures
US11066788B2 (en) 2014-09-23 2021-07-20 Quality Mat Company Industrial mats having cost effective core structures
CN108086173A (en) * 2018-01-09 2018-05-29 贵州贵安新联***工程有限公司 A kind of handling apparatus for large bridge demolition blasting
US10273638B1 (en) 2018-03-26 2019-04-30 Quality Mat Company Laminated mats with closed and strengthened core layer
US20230160148A1 (en) * 2021-11-12 2023-05-25 F.M. Locotos, Co., Inc. Equipment foundation and mine rock bolt system

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