Industrial mats having cost effective core support structures

摘要

A mat that includes first and second side beams, a core support structure located between and connected to the side beams, with the core support structure including longitudinal members and having a height that is less than that of the side beams; one or more elongated members attached to the upper portion of the core support structure to form with the beams the top surface of the mat, and one or more elongated members attached to the lower portion of the support structure to form with the beams the bottom surface of the mat. Preferably, a plurality of joining rods attach the side beams to the support structure, with the joining rods passing through the sides of the side beams and the sides of the longitudinal members. Also, steel plates can be provided between the beams and longitudinal members to increase the strength and ruggedness of the mat.

主权项

1. A mat having substantially flat top and bottom surfaces and comprising:
first and second side beams having a height, width and length with a top surface, sides, and a bottom surface; a core support structure located between and connected to a side of first and second side beams, with the core support structure having a height that is less than that of the side beams, a width and a length, with the core support structure comprising first and second longitudinal members; a plurality of joining rods that attach the side beams to the core support structure, with the joining rods passing through the sides of the side beams and the sides of the longitudinal members of the core support structure; one or more first elongated members attached to the upper portion of the core support structure, wherein the top surface of the mat is formed by the top surfaces of the first and second side beams and the first elongated member(s); and one or more second elongated members attached to the lower portion of the core support structure, wherein the bottom surface of the mat is formed by the bottom surfaces of the first and second side beams and the second elongated member(s).